where do you stand now

[RhodyRams]

the amount of preseason games has been debated amongst football fans for years now. With the injury to SB and other players around the league during the pre season, where do you stand on the amount of games played in August?

 

[-X-]

Still four. Injuries are gonna happen if there's one or four.
You need that many to properly evaluate your roster before cuts.

 

[Ramrocket]

From an injury perspective, I don't think it matters too much. Currently game 3 of the preseason is where we see 1st stringers play significant time. If the preseason was reduced to say 2 games, the number of plays for 1st stringers would just become condensed into a shorter timeframe and the propensity for injury just as high due to greater number of snaps over a shroter period. Does that make sense?

I'm all for keeping it the way it is.

 

[JackDRams]

Players get injured. It's just the way it is. How can you accurately evaluate guys with only two preseason games? Rookies, and especially UDFAs will have zero opportunity to make a name for themselves. Most of the two games would be spent on the starters building chemistry. We need those two extra games so the young guys get time to make their mark. So I voted 4. I know a lot of people are butt hurt about Sam, but it was purely shit luck.

 

[snackdaddy]

I'd rather shorten it to 2 and increase the regular season to 18. Waiting till the second Sunday of September seems like an eternity.

 

[JackDRams]

For everyone that votes less then four, a question. What would you do in order to evaluate the young players on the roster? Shorten the draft? Decrease roster limits? Cuz with only two games, no way can you fairly evaluate a roster of 90+ guys.

 

[PhxRam]

I propose a 36 game schedule.

Each Team can have two "seperate" teams that alternate each week. So for example if you play week one, you cant play again until week three.

 

[Loyal]

If you want two preseason games only...you are pretty much dumping a lot of players that miss a chance to make a squad...3rd and 4th games are auditions for them

 

[Loyal]

as an addendum...look how much Bradford was protected in all phases of Camp...Dude just about had bubble wrap around himself...Whether it was this week, or game one in the regular season, he is injury prone...Next franchise QB that we get better not be injured (or recovering from surgery) when we draft him!

 

[V3]

I have to say, I'm getting pretty tired of all the injuries in football. Not just for the Rams, either. Players are just getting too fast and strong due to all the advancements in supplements, training, etc. Maybe I'm way off but I think the NFL should think about developing and requiring every player to wear more padding, braces, etc to prevent all the knee injuries. There has to be a brace that can prevent most ACL tears(if not, make one that's at least better). They may look like a young Forrest Gump out there but at least everyone would be wearing them so they'd be on an even playing field and we wouldn't lose so many star players. All the injuries are really hurting the sport, IMO.

 

[-X-]

I have to say, I'm getting pretty tired of all the injuries in football. Not just for the Rams, either. Players are just getting too fast and strong due to all the advancements in supplements, training, etc. Maybe I'm way off but I think the NFL should think about developing and requiring every player to wear more padding, braces, etc to prevent all the knee injuries. There has to be a brace that can prevent most ACL tears(if not, make one that's at least better). They may look like a young Forrest Gump out there but at least everyone would be wearing them so they'd be on an even playing field and we wouldn't lose so many star players. All the injuries are really hurting the sport, IMO.

Yeah, I remember saying something similar a while back too. Bigger, stronger, faster, harder collisions ... there has to be a breaking point.

 

[the zohan]

They have made training camp so soft already. You take away the preseason games and your not giving the guys enough hitting reps for the regular season.

 

[Alan]

For those who think Davis should be our #2 QB and who picked only 2 preseason games, who do you think was our #2 QB after the second preseason game?

I picked 4.

 

[MTRamsFan]

Yeah, I remember saying something similar a while back too. Bigger, stronger, faster, harder collisions ... there has to be a breaking point.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm of the mindset maybe there should be a weight limit by position. These guys are getting so big, their bodies can't endure the physical pounding. Some of these guys have been carrying the weight since playing in high school and college. Too much emphasis on bigger, faster and stronger when maybe it should be on weight management to some extent. Many of these guys, especially guys 300+, have a very difficult time getting the weight off after their playing days which causes health concerns down the road. My two cents.

 

[Big Willie]

I am a proponent of more actual practice time tackling, fewer pre-season games, and a minor league system for young player development. Players are get hurt, however, if I were an owner I would prefer they got hurt in games that matter. 2 pre-season games, 18 regular season games , and a development system that allowed teams to develop promising young talent would be my solution. After all, isn't the NFL the only major league without a paid development system (I said paid to eliminate college football). It's not like the NFL doesn't make a crap load of money....

 

[Alan]

MTRamsFan with his take:
Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm of the mindset maybe there should be a weight limit by position. These guys are getting so big, their bodies can't endure the physical pounding. Some of these guys have been carrying the weight since playing in high school and college. Too much emphasis on bigger, faster and stronger when maybe it should be on weight management to some extent. Many of these guys, especially guys 300+, have a very difficult time getting the weight off after their playing days which causes health concerns down the road. My two cents.

Size definitely has something to do with all the injuries but how often do you see guys go down with a blown ACL/MCL having been untouched? I'm of the opinion that artificial turf and steroids have a lot more to do with it than size. Of course steroids also have something to do with the size of the players too. So that's a double whammy. HGH and steroid testing for HS on through college and the pros and no artificial turf would work wonders IMO.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I don't have a problem with 4 games in preseason. The older I get ( and boy let me tell you ) the shorter Camp and preseason seem to be, leaving me impressed with the job the coaches and GM's do this time of year and surprised they are able to pull it off.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I propose a 36 game schedule.

Each Team can have two "seperate" teams that alternate each week. So for example if you play week one, you cant play again until week three.

Our leader bringing levity to our crestfallen nation.