Will Smith from Summerville, Ga.
Hi, Scott. last preseason, Arthur hardly played the veteran players at all. I realize he and the other coaches wanted to see what the rookies could do, but I think he went too far. By that I mean it seemed that the timing or “connection” was a little off early in the season and it took several games to get everybody on the same page. On both sides of the ball. Did you sense this, too, or think the vets needed to play more offseason snaps? It’s true preseason records don’t matter but I believe playing time together does. Your thoughts, Sir?
Bair: Arthur Smith addressed this a bit in a recent interview with 92.9-FM in Atlanta, saying (I’m paraphrasing here) that we could see regulars play more than the handful of snaps they executed last year. I question, though, how much more. They’ve got joint practices on the books with Jacksonville. Per ESPN, they’ll have some more against the Jets. Those sessions, in my opinion, are more valuable than any exhibition game.
I would take it on a case-by-case basis, saying the lines could use some work together – I’m keeping Grady Jarrett in bubble wrap – and Marcus Mariota and his receivers could use some timing work when tackling’s involved. I don’t think Cordarrelle Patterson or Kyle Pitts or AJ Terrell need the work. Drake London probably does, along with the other rookies.
I’m not a fan of playing starters in the preseason, but I can see value in some brief exposure. That’s it, though.
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