- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Why preseason matters
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:49 pm
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:49 pm
Most people don't feel preseason means anything and don't tune in. And in some ways, they're right. Some teams are so awful they press for victories in August to try to build confidence and instill a winning mindset. More experienced teams often use them like practices and show nothing. Usually this is what the Saints do.
However, I think preseason can be useful as a barometer for regular season success. Look back at the 2009 season. That team was so talented that even in those practice games the Saints couldn't be stopped. The talent jumped off the screen, even if the games didn't count and they weren't actively trying to dominate. After winning their first three games by a combined score of 100-31, I knew something was up and the year was going to be special. Both starters and backups scored in bunches and it was clear our 2s could compete with many teams' 1s.
The only game we dropped was the last preseason game vs. Miami (whom we had to play in the regular season, resulting in a super vanilla playbook). We started our 3rd string QB and most of the people getting minutes in that game didn't even make the team.
So when the preseason starts, I'll be looking for some things to tell if this team is as special as I think it could be:
1) LB play: can Butler, Lofton, Hawthorne or any of the draft picks and UDFAs step up with Galette to form a reliable LB corps?
2) Can Lelito and Armstead lock down their positions?
3) How quickly can Cooks contribute at the "game impacting" level? Most rookie WRs, even talented ones, average about 2 receptions their first season. Can Cooks develop quicker and be a game changer like Colston was his rookie year?
Anything you're looking for in the preseason that would convince you this team will take home the Lombardi this year?
However, I think preseason can be useful as a barometer for regular season success. Look back at the 2009 season. That team was so talented that even in those practice games the Saints couldn't be stopped. The talent jumped off the screen, even if the games didn't count and they weren't actively trying to dominate. After winning their first three games by a combined score of 100-31, I knew something was up and the year was going to be special. Both starters and backups scored in bunches and it was clear our 2s could compete with many teams' 1s.
The only game we dropped was the last preseason game vs. Miami (whom we had to play in the regular season, resulting in a super vanilla playbook). We started our 3rd string QB and most of the people getting minutes in that game didn't even make the team.
So when the preseason starts, I'll be looking for some things to tell if this team is as special as I think it could be:
1) LB play: can Butler, Lofton, Hawthorne or any of the draft picks and UDFAs step up with Galette to form a reliable LB corps?
2) Can Lelito and Armstead lock down their positions?
3) How quickly can Cooks contribute at the "game impacting" level? Most rookie WRs, even talented ones, average about 2 receptions their first season. Can Cooks develop quicker and be a game changer like Colston was his rookie year?
Anything you're looking for in the preseason that would convince you this team will take home the Lombardi this year?
This post was edited on 7/29/14 at 3:53 pm
10
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:52 pm to ClientNumber9
quote:
2) Can Lelito and Armstead lock down their interior line?
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:52 pm to Neauxla
Doh! Lemme correct that. I had two thoughts going through my head at the same time...
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:02 pm to ClientNumber9
Solid thread. I love watching the players in dogfights within position battles during the preseason. It's a good gauge for how they play in real live action versus practice. I honestly enjoy watching the 2nd halves in games 2&3 more than I enjoy watching the starters playing limited minutes.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:03 pm to ClientNumber9
quote:
2) Can Lelito and Armstead lock down their positions?
Excuse my ignorance, but who would Armstead lose his job to?
quote:
Most rookie WRs, even talented ones, average about 2 receptions their first season
Typo on the 2 receptions part?
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:04 pm to ClientNumber9
It does matter a ton.
I'm still going to give my preseason tickets away.
I'm still going to give my preseason tickets away.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:10 pm to burdman
quote:
Excuse my ignorance, but who would Armstead lose his job to?
Well, perhaps I phrased this wrong. I know he wouldn't lose his starting job. What I mean is, can he be as good as I think he can be. As in, him playing so well that he turns the position from a question mark to a strength.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:11 pm to ClientNumber9
Gotcha 
Was a little confused.
Was a little confused.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:13 pm to ClientNumber9
My friend Allen said practice doesn't matter.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:15 pm to Pectus
Practice didn't matter for Allen.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:16 pm to ClientNumber9
quote:What were our two main issues last season?
Anything you're looking for in the preseason that would convince you this team will take home the Lombardi this year?
I would argue they were (1) OL inconsistency and (2) lack of firepower in the receiving corps.
To answer your question, I want to see Cooks and Armstead take a step forward (and to a lesser extent, Toon and lelito).
Cooks has already been described as "the real deal" in camp.
That's super important because I believe he will take the offense to another level with just his presence.
Toon, while less important, would still add another receiving threat.
As for the OL, I want confirmation that Armstead is not just a flash-in-the-pan.
If he's damn good, that opens up passing and especially running.
Lelito is another one to watch out for, but at least we have Goodwin if Lelito isn't ready (and Goodwin is a proven commodity)
The defense is basically not even a concern for me.
I have confidence they will be AT LEAST as good as last season.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:17 pm to Hoodoo Man
I'll skip my class to read that.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:19 pm to Hoodoo Man
To me, it matters, because we've been waiting for FOOTBALL for 6 months!!!
And just when I am getting sick of the preseason (after the 3rd game), COLLEGE FOOTBALL starts.
And then the real NFL games start the next week.
I circle the date of the Hall of Fame game and first Saints preseason game every year when the dates are announced and look forward to them all summer long.
And I'm going to the Titans preseason home game- I'm skipping the second one because we're heading to Houston that night for the LSU-Wisconsin game.
And just when I am getting sick of the preseason (after the 3rd game), COLLEGE FOOTBALL starts.
And then the real NFL games start the next week.
I circle the date of the Hall of Fame game and first Saints preseason game every year when the dates are announced and look forward to them all summer long.
And I'm going to the Titans preseason home game- I'm skipping the second one because we're heading to Houston that night for the LSU-Wisconsin game.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:23 pm to ClientNumber9
Yea there is no reason to justify why the pre season means anything, it's just a preview of the season and it gives guys a shot at earning a job that's it.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:31 pm to burdman
Practice? We're talking about practice?
This post was edited on 7/29/14 at 4:33 pm
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:43 pm to ClientNumber9
the games are certainly meaningful from the teams perspective. I still feel like I'm getting robbed when I have to pay for them at full season ticket price
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:45 pm to ClientNumber9
quote:
1) LB play: can Butler, Lofton, Hawthorne or any of the draft picks and UDFAs step up with Galette to form a reliable LB corps?
I'm looking for Humber to play in more sub packages. Still, it's no doubt that this is the weak spot of our defense, but still pretty decent.
quote:
3) How quickly can Cooks contribute at the "game impacting" level? Most rookie WRs, even talented ones, average about 2 receptions their first season. Can Cooks develop quicker and be a game changer like Colston was his rookie year?
I honestly think he'll contribute right away. I don't think we would have traded up if we didn't feel that he way. He not only has short area quickness speed, but he's got great top end speed. He's quick in his cuts. He's a polished route runner and has great hands. The only thing lacking is his height.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 4:58 pm to ClientNumber9
quote:
Most people don't feel preseason means anything
Who are these "most people"? Any football fan knows what preseason means to their team and players.
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News