In most years, the question of how much playing time to allocate to rookies during the preseason is a worry for coaches, players, and fans.  Coaches want to make sure they develop and get a good look at all of the players on the roster.  Starters want to fine tune their skills to be ready for the regular season.  The middle tier guys looking to earn starting roles want a real shot at winning the job.   The players towards the bottom of the roster want ample opportunity to catch the eyes of a coach-if not their own, they want enough good things on tape so maybe they could catch on with another team if they get cut with their original team.  Fans also want to get a good look at as many players as possible.  The only way to accomplish all of these things is for guys to get playing time in the preseason.  But nobody wants to see the starters get hurt.  Typically, especially in the first and last games of preseason.  The mantra is get the starters out as quickly as possible.

 

But this year, for the Jaguars, striking that proper balance between player development and player preservation is more important than ever.  Gone are the Gene Smith drafts where the rookie impact is negligible.  This year, we have at least 5 rookies and first year players if you count Fowler that will either start or contribute heavily: Fowler, Ramsey, Jack, Ngakoue, and Day-all on the defensive side of the ball.  If the goal is to preserve the health of the starters and heavy contributors, then you want them oout of the preseason games as quickly as possible.  But how do these young guys develop their games to the point they are ready to have impact in the regular season?  

 

Arguably, Ramsey-going up against Robinson and Hurns-is getting enough reps in practice against quality receivers such that he could be regular season ready with minimal playing time.  But what about the others?  Fowler, Ngakoue and Day-the linemen, have gone up against guys-especially the left side of the line, that aren't that good and they need to be adequately tested against NFL starting caliber linemen.  Jack needs as many reps as possible to absorb the defensive scheme to maximize his impact.  All of these guys need time to build their endurance-especially Fowler.  When you consider the era of two a days and hitting at practice have disappeared, the argument for longer playing time to prepare for the regular season is a little more persuasive.  Defensive players need contact.  They are the ones that have to absorb and shed blocks, and they have to make tackles.  If the ability to hone those skills has been mitigated by the CBA, they need the games more than ever.

 

So where do you stand on this?  Are you convinced these guys are all regular season ready to go now, and don't need more than token appearances in preseason games, or do you think more reps and extended preseason appearances for the rookies this year are the way to go? My inclination is for fewer preseason reps.  I think I would rather have them develop the endurance and football shape during the regular season and be availaible if less effective early in the season than to expose them to the risk of injury and potentially not have them available at all for part or all of the regular season.

---