EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY—Let’s get one thing straight from the word go: the preseason does, indeed, matter. While Todd Bowles would never unveil his specific Week 1 Detroit Lions gameplan on the Atlanta Falcons during the preseason, strategy in terms of offensive sets and defensive looks do count.
Tendencies are important to review in August.
For instance, Bill Belichick won’t unveil a brand new look or original blitz scheme during any of his preseason games. He sure will showcase some of the sets in which those schemes will be unleashed for coaches need and want their players to get used to certain sets and formations during the grueling summer month of August.