Exhibition season is for the birds

I'd like to see the NFL change its preseason slate from games to scrimmages because, bottom line, there are just too many players getting hurt.

A perfect example is 'Skins starting left tackle, Jon Jansen, is out for the year with an Achilles tendon rupture. Jansen hadn't missed a game in several seasons, but now will miss 16. What a shame.

Each week in August it seems like another team is decimated from a crucial injury.

Remember Michael Vick last year? That not only affected the Atlanta Falcons, but caused sorrow in all NFL cities, with the possible exception of St. Louis.

The whole fall went down the drain in one meaningless New York minute.

There is no doubt that the reasoning of the preseason is the almighty dollar.

Season ticket holders have to purchase fake game tickets as part of their package (at full price), while concessions and parking also contribute to the bottom line.

Finally, let us not forget about the other reason for a full exhibition schedule: TV.

The boob tube controls all sporting activity these days.

Seriously, what would you rather watch -- a preseason NFL game or another repeat of "According to Jim?"

Simply put, they've got us!

Coaches and front office personnel have been articulating for years that they could prepare their teams for in just two pretend games.

Most of the evaluation in the early games is to check out team depth via letting the second and third line players hold the pigskin.

The latter two are generally tune-ups for the starters.

Step one in making progress with this situation would be to cut the number of preseason games from four to two, while keeping the number of real games at 16.

If the accountants cannot afford to lose the money from the games eliminated, then they should hold scrimmages.

Scrimmages are pretty cool, as players run formations with light pads and helmets.

A true fan can learn a lot watching the instruction during a scrimmage, and usually there is jovial competition between the two teams.

The teams also could make the scrimmages family orientated, charge accordingly, and make up the lost revenue in some other fun ways.

TV could stagger legitimate (oxymoron) exhibition games throughout the four week preseason.

Now that's a plan!

Let's hope for the best in the 50-60 preseason "games" scheduled. We are already one-for-one on season ending injuries before last night. Tonight what should it be? Pats-Jags or the Olympics. Let me know.

jpsqwe@comcast.net