Let's start with a mini-rant on a favorite subject: preseason football.
Watching the Ravens against the Washington Redskins on Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium, all I could think of was: How does the NFL get away with it?
How does it get away with charging full ticket prices to games in which the starters play a few series and disappear for the rest of the night?
How does it get away with mandating that season-ticket holders pony up for these meaningless games at all?
This is the biggest rip-off in major sports today. And the fans know it.
Worse, the NFL knows it, too. Which makes the whole thing even more infuriating.
So basically what we saw in the Ravens-'Skins game was another predictable preseason game that wasn't worth your hard-earned money if you saw it in person.
The stars did not exactly shine for long in this one.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco played a little over a quarter (although he played well, 9-for-15 passing for 103 yards.) Wide receiver Derrick Mason played slightly less. The other wide receiver, Mark Clayton, sat out with a torn hamstring.
It was the same for the defense. All-world linebacker Ray Lewis played one series and was excused for the evening. Same for safety Ed Reed.
Linebacker Terrell Suggs sat out with a heel injury. Samari Rolle was sidelined, too, still recovering from neck surgery.
And, of course, it was pretty much the same with the Redskins.
Clinton Portis, their star running back, sat this one out. So did Albert Haynesworth, the defensive tackle signed to a monster seven-year, $100 million contract in March.
After the starters were lifted, the game turned into the usual slog, with reserves and fringe players smacking into each other with varying degrees of enthusiasm and effectiveness.
On full display was the conundrum the preseason is to NFL coaches.
Sure, they worry about injuries - we get that.
The Ravens obviously don't want to see a Lewis or a Flacco go down, done in by some wild-eyed rookie or free agent looking to make a name for himself and earn a roster spot.
The Redskins don't want to see players like Portis or Haynesworth crumpling to the turf, either. Especially when they had to practically back up a Wells Fargo truck to Haynesworth's house just to sign him.
On the other hand, NFL coaches still need to evaluate their talent in game situations and figure out their rosters.
