The Binocular

The football league may have kicked off all over the country on Saturday, but across the pond in the US the NFL preseason is set to begin.

The preseason for American Football is much like the preseason friendlies in football (soccer) in Europe, it gives the hardcore fans the fix they needed over a long break that stretches over 6 months. Although this tends to last one or two games until you realise you just want the real season to start and just get down to business.

It does however give the coaches a chance to look at a few fringe players and to take a real look at those depth charts because, as we know, injuries will happen. The rookies will get a feel for things, and there will be some exciting talent on show.

The interesting similarities between friendlies in the NFL and in soccer appear in all sports, it comes down to trying out for the very worst. It is for the coaches more than the fans, peace of mind that their squad is good enough to deal with the trials and tribulations of sport at the very highest level.

The main difference between preseason in the NFL and preseason in soccer is the tactical side of things. Whereas coaches are keen to try out tactics in the soccer preseason, this simply isn’t the case in the NFL. The coach will keep those plays close to his chest and will only unleash them when it matters.

Which is inevitably why the fans get bored quickly and a reason why after two weeks of preseason you’ll just be waiting for the regular season to come around so you can take a look at your favourite stars going out at it 100%. There is the key, 100%. Nobody feels like they are watching a sportsman give it his all in a friendly.

This is not to say there won’t be moments, there always are, but I for one cannot remember many moments from preseason over the years. So here’s to the preseason, the Ferrari has just been delivered on your doorstep, you just need to wait 4 weeks for the keys.