The Value of Preseason

How much does preseason matter? Let's take a look at some numbers.

Quarterback A: 70% completion percentage, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 102.8 quarterback rating

Quarterback B: 67.7% completion percentage, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 90.4 quarterback rating

Quarterback C: 62.3% completion percentage, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 67.5 quarterback rating

Team A: 4-0 record, 80 points scored, 32 allowed

Team B: 0-4 record, 53 points scored, 100 points allowed

Identities revealed after the jump.

Quarterback A is Cleo Lemon during the 2006 preseason.

Quarterback B is J.P. Losman during the 2006 preseason.

Quarterback C is Drew Brees during the 2006 preseason. Brees went on to lead the Saints to the NFC Championship Game that year.

Team A is the 2008 Detroit Lions, the only team to go 0-16 during the regular season in league history.

Team B is the 2009 Arizona Cardinals, NFC West Champions and one of the last eight clubs standing.

There are obviously certain things we would like to see out of certain players in preseason games. Can it be frustrating when we don't see those things? Sure, but does it really matter? It really doesn't matter much. If you do not care for these examples, I have about a million others.

I saw people say after the Giants game that the way the first team played was proof this team is going far. They were wrong. I see people after the last two say the way the team has looked guarantees it will not be successful. They are just as wrong. It's preseason. We break down what happens on the field here. It might provide a bit of concern but only a small concern. Preseason doesn't mean much. That is unless you think Lemon and Losman are better than Brees.