How Preseason Looks Just like Movie Trailers

There’s exceptions to every rule out there, there just is. Now I believe I speak what most of you know is true, whether it be opinion or statistical fact, 95% of you agree with me. But every now and then “Mr. Exception” will voice his opinion to me.

“Rob, what about this time,” or “Hey, what about this team.”

Listen, don’t be Mr. Exception. Don’t point out the one or two times that I’m going to be wrong. I have a friend whose dad smokes damn-near a pack of cigarettes a day and is currently 65 years old. No signs of cancer or any health issues to speak of. Yet it’s a known fact that smoking isn’t good for you. So like I said, there are exceptions to everything.

Now what I’m about to say is true, don’t follow the exceptions, and just follow what I’m saying.

For those of you who are begging for an 18-game season and to get rid of a couple of these preseason games, this is for you. Like ESPN’s Colin Cowherd calls it, the preseason is like a movie trailer. A good movie trailer will give you glimpses into a movie, just small tidbits here and there to give you an idea of how good the movie truly is.

If you think the preseason doesn’t give you anything, then check this out; the Colts, Packers, and Patriots have all scored at least 60 total points in their three preseason games. Meanwhile, teams like Carolina and Chicago can’t score over 30. Last season’s prolific offenses continue to shine, while the subpar ones continue to struggle, even if it’s just preseason.

Now just like movie trailers, we can be fooled. I’ll give you two examples of good and bad movie trailers. Go and look at the trailer for The Hangover. You knew from the second that trailer ended, that that movie was going to be golden. And guess what, you were right. They gave you a mere glimpse of the comedic genius that was in that movie in a 30 second commercial.

But sometimes, a trailer gives you everything they got, and when you see the movie, you already know the best parts. Go watch the Trailer for Adam Sandler’s Funny People. Those were the only funny parts to the movie. Trust me, I’ve seen it.

Preseason can fool you much like Funny People did. Last year’s Titans were in a QB debate. So Kerry Collins and Vince Young gave you everything they had in the preseason. When it got to week one, you’ve already seen the best parts of the movie.

The Washington Redskins did that to their fans in their preseason opener against the Bills. They came out and looked like a new team. Twitter pages, Facebook statuses, and text messages alike went crazy because for the first time in a while, Skin fans were given a reason to cheer. But just like a movie trailer that gives you too much, the Skins gave too much of their gameplan, and Baltimore saw what was coming. So in the Skins’ second preseason game, the Ravens tested their defense out and it resulted in a hobbling Donavon McNabb.

The Dallas Cowboys are giving us a glimpse of things to come, poor redzone execution. I know I’m being harsh, but this is the same redzone struggles that the ‘Boys had last season. Since numbers don’t lie, listen to this; the Cowboys were #2 in the NFL in total offensive yardage, yet they were 13^th in touchdowns. Fact; the Cowboys have a problem scoring touchdowns. They move the ball fine, but getting it into the end zone has always been an issue and continue to be an issue here in the preseason.

It’s hard to gage where the Giants are, in their first game rookie Victor Cruz shredded the Jets’ second and third team defense, but as for the Giants’ first team, they didn’t show a lot on the field. They came out in very vanilla packages and plays. By the second game Eli was hurt, and they were left with a third string quarterback under center. Tonight’s game against the Ravens will tell us plenty though. We’ll see if the Ravens will pounce on NY like they did on Washington.

Lastly, Philly, much like Washington, showed a great performance in week one, and delivered nothing in week two. Here’s the sequel to Funny People. Not to worry Philly fans, a new quarterback, new starting running back, this was expected. Everyone believes Andy Reid is one of the best coaches in the NFL, myself included. This year will truly be a test of his coaching abilities.

The third game of preseason is where you’ll see the starters play into the third quarter. So let’s see if these NFC Beast teams are showing us small glimpse, or everything they got in the preseason.