Though this comes prematurely, I wanted to share some of my thoughts about the Jets’ first preseason game. The game is at the new stadium for both the Giants and the Jets, and amidst controversy about who should open their first preseason game at home and, therefore break in the new stadium, the NFL decided to just save the headache and drama but pitting the teams against each other in the first game, simulated or not, of the season.
The game between the Giants and the Jets has historically been played on the third week of preseason, when the teams’ rosters are generally set in stone. This allowed the teams to “go at it” more than a preseason game, as starters would get more time and subsequently receive the next preseason game off to be fresh for the season. That is, it should be interesting to see how each team approaches the preseason game. My hunch is that this game will be played like any other first preseason game: starters in for a couple of drives before taken out to field-test talent and deliver playing time to those that earned it in training camp.
However, with the Jets coming right off Hard Knocks and the stadium remaining unnamed, anything can happen. Pride and unofficial naming rights may be on the line. Stay tuned.
