HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- As a society, we’ve had to do without a lot of things — at least temporarily — since the global pandemic blindsided us.
Did you ever think we’d be worried about having enough toilet paper or hand sanitizer? What about meat at our local grocery store? There have been moments we’ve even been lacking in respect for one another.
We should be grateful, and progressively trying to be better in our communities. Getting better is what sports force you to do. As they say in the locker rooms and coaches offices, “You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse.” Which brings us to our topic of the week.
One of the pandemic’s biggest impacts on the NFL has been the elimination of preseason games. This is affecting many in the sport, even fantasy football league owners searching for those sleeper picks.
Lets face it, we’ve seen precious little football in the run up to the season. Most of what we know is coming from a small group of reporters who get to watch training camp sessions.
While preseason games are white noise to many fans, they are tremendously important for players on the margins of rosters. I should know. I came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2009. The four exhibitions represent opportunities fringe players might never get again. I really feel for the guys in that situation this summer in Pittsburgh and around the league.
I’ve seen low-round picks and undrafted free agents enjoy some success thanks to preseason performances. Guys like running backs Isaac Redman, and Stefan Logan and defensive back Mike Hilton. They have gained the respect of everyone in Steelers nation and across the league.
Having live auditions for your coaches and decision makers around the NFL is invaluable. And it’s not just players fighting for spots. Think about rookies whose teams will be depending on them in week one. Even veterans need a little bit of work to find a rhythm.
The first guy who comes to mind is offensive tackle Derwin Gray. He’s a physical specimen, but the seventh round pick from last year needs reps. And not just practice reps. He needs in-game, lights-on, cameras-rolling reps. The same can be said for Chukwuma Okorafor and Zach Banner, who are in a hot competition for the starting right tackle position.
It’s one thing to grind it out every day against your teammates in camp. However, decision makers usually get their best reads in preseason games. Players must perform because there are 31 other teams watching that same film and there are more than two dozen guys who will need to find work elsewhere soon.
Six years ago, undrafted free agent Isaiah Crowell had a huge night in the final preseason game to make the opening day roster for the Browns. Who knows what happens if the running back didn’t go for 102 yards on 13 carries and a 48-yard touchdown in a game most fans considered meaningless. Crowell has rushed for nearly 4,000 yards in five NFL seasons.
Remember, the average pro career lasts little more than three years.
You know who else is aided by exhibitions? The “gamers.” I’ve seen some young guys have bad practices during camp but light it up on game nights. The preseason also exposes guys who cave when those lights are bright.
We had this term on the Steelers for young players who excel during the springtime. We’d call them, “South Side All-Americans.” The majority of those guys don’t make the team when the pads come on. I’ve seen it year after year. I’d rather have a gamer than a Tarzan during the week and a no-show on game day.
One coach who’s probably having a hard time in this abnormal season is Danny Smith. Getting live reps in practice for the special teams isn’t always desirable. Most teams would rather get their live reps against preseason opponents so there’s not a risk of hurting your own players.
It’s a harsh reality, but it’s part of the game. Who’s willing to run down field at full speed trying to make a big play or a touchdown-saving tackle?
Unfortunately, those preseason opportunities are non-existent this summer. I worry about the players who need the old school way of evaluating. Talent will always show, but the hard worker and gamers on the fringe are being robbed of chances that until this year were their lone guarantees in the league.
Everyone is lacking something in 2020.
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