The NFL is currently in the middle of its preseason. This Thursday the Browns and the Eagles will kick off Week 2 of action in Philadelphia.
But apart from putting into practice what teams plan to pull in the regular season, what’s really going on with teams during August in the NFL?
Here’s why preseason is vital for teams to be able to produce a successful season all the way into January.
Breaking down the NFL preseason
While to some preseason is just a warmup until the ‘real’ games begin in September, this is the hardest month of work for all 32 teams.
The preseason is much more complex. Rookies are looking to show off their skills for the first time, veterans are vying to prove their worth, coaches are seeing their schemes materialize for the first time, and it’s the first time teams can do “dress rehearsals” for game days.
Here’s what usually goes around during each week of action:
In Week 1, Coaches run basic plays and core schemes as they don’t want to overwhelm players in their first real audition.
Players get their first full-speed competition and coaches are focused on looking at their individual technique and execution. This is where they start to bring their ratings up and where they see how they stack against their teammates in the depth chart.
Starters and veterans usually stay on the sideline.
During Week 2, starters get to participate in one or two drives to get their feet wet after almost 9 months without playing a single snap.
Here coaches also increase the number of calls they want to see on the field and specific game plans are layed out.
This week is especially significant for players who don’t have a secure spot on the roster since coaches want to see a splash from them before using permanent markers on the list of players they think work best for their team’s plans during the season.
Everything changes when Week 3 starts.
Teams use this week to simulate a full “game week” and leave behind the training camp atmosphere.
This is the last time players can showcase their skills on tape in the limited time they will get on the field.
On the other hand, veterans and starters get more reps in order to get into rhythm ahead of their first regular season game.
During the week teams are finalizing their depth chart and announce their starting quarterbacks if there is doubt about who would be leading their offense.
Teams will also start releasing players that won’t make their roster in order for them to find another home before the regular season.
The 53-man roster deadline
Teams are allowed to have 53 players on their roster for the regular season.
In March the NFL announced that a new resolution proposal for a roster deadline was approved.
With the new resolution, teams have until Tuesday, August 28 at 4 p.m. ET to hand in their final list. That is just 48 hours after the final preseason game of the year.
Any players who are left out then hope to get a practice squad contract with the same team or with any other club that offers them a better chance of getting called up once the season starts.
The first game of the regular season will be played on Thursday, September 7th and will feature the Detroit Lions visiting the returning champions Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
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Marca
