Thursday, Aug. 16, 2001

Preseason power!

They may not count in the standings — but the games sure are fun to watch

By Keith Schleiden, Managing editor

While I know there are many, many people out there who hate the preseason, you can’t argue against the fact that there have been some pretty exciting games so far.

Just think back to last Monday night. Don’t tell me you tuned out early. Didn’t you learn anything from last season’s Monday-night lineup? The game isn’t over until the last second has ticked off the clock. Until that point, anything can happen.

In case you missed the final play of the game, here’s what happened: The Dolphins were trailing the Buccaneers and had time for just one more play. Third-string QB Mike Quinn dropped back and launched a Hail Mary pass toward the endzone with no time left in regulation. The ball headed for a trio of defenders that were surrounding WR Robert Baker. Somehow, Baker was able to haul in the catch as he fell backward toward the endzone turf, scoring the game-winning touchdown.

It was a magical ending. I don’t care if it involved a little-known quarterback or a receiver who may be a long shot to survive the final cut. I don’t care if this game means absolutely nothing in the final standings. I don’t care that most of the players who were on the field in the fourth quarter are no more than camp bodies who will likely be cut in the next couple of weeks. It was a great ending to an entertaining evening of watching preseason football.

The Dolphins-Buccaneers game isn’t the only one that has been compelling. I recall watching the Bears’ preseason opener vs. the Bengals, and at the time, I felt truly blessed to be rewarded with overtime. I love overtime! Then there was the Vikings-Saints contest in San Antonio that was in doubt up until the final seconds.

In fact, of the 18 preseason games that had been played heading into tonight’s Giants-Jaguars exhibition, 13 have been decided by a touchdown or less. Eight of those 18 games have been decided by a field goal or less. You can’t ask for more than that.

Sure, there are those who disagree with me on this subject. There are certainly valid points to be made against the four- and five-game preseason schedules that NFL teams play. You have the injury factor. Every year, several players are lost for the year because they get hurt in a meaningless preseason game. You have the cost factor. Fans are charged full price to sit in the stands and watch a bunch of backups beat up on each other. If you own season tickets, you have no choice but to fork over the money and buy preseason tickets because it’s all part of the package. And there are a host of other arguments to be made against the length of the preseason.

But save your breath. Don’t waste your words on me. I’m enjoying this preseason just fine, thank you. And if you need to reach me tonight, you probably know where I’ll be — on the couch, in front of the TV, watching the Giants and Jaguars on ESPN.

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