The NFL preseason wrapped up Thursday, and chances are, you weren’t as excited about your team’s fake-football finale as this man.
The Denver Broncos played the Arizona Cardinals. I’d tell you the score, but literally, who cares? Here are some thoughts and observations:
- The Broncos have to trim their roster from 75 players to 53 by Saturday. Most positional battles have been decided. Not all though. The Broncos No. 3 running back spot is still up for grabs. Ronnie Hillman and Kapri Bibbs are both vying for it. Bibbs got most of the work Thursday and looked good in registering 10 carries for 51 yards. The veteran Hillman, who led Denver in rushing last year, played some special teams, which is typically asked of a No. 3 back. He doesn't have a lot of experience in that department. It’s still unclear who’s going to get the job.
- Having the preseason last four games is stupid. None of Denver’s starters played in order to avoid injury because its regular-season opener is seven freaking days away. Von Miller watched the game in a bucket hat and chewed sunflower seeds.
- Any doubts about whether wideout Jordan Taylor would make Denver’s 53-man roster were put to rest. Taylor caught four passes for 109 yards and reeled in two touchdowns. He broke a couple of tackles on his way to a 57-yard score in the first quarter.
- Having the preseason last four games is stupid. Four games is 25 percent of the regular season. Can you imagine if the NBA or NFL preseasons lasted 20 games? Or the MLB’s lasted 40?
- Broncos rookie punter Riley Dixon played his first preseason game as the full-time starter since veteran Britton Colquitt was released. He was a little bit shaky. One of his punts traveled 18 yards. He didn’t hold the snap cleanly for kicker Brandon McManus on what turned out to be a missed attempt. The Broncos went with Dixon to save some money. We’ll see if it comes back to bite them.
- Having the preseason last four games is stupid. The broadcast crew was openly complaining about its length. How about we slash it two or three games and let teams have two weeks between the preseason finale and the regular-season opener?
In summation: Thank God the preseason is over. Real football arrives Thursday. Get excited.