The Patriots have figured out what anyone who has paid full fare for a ticket to a preseason game has known for years.
The game itself is kind of a joke.
According to Chad Finn of the Boston Globe, the Patriots announced that they’re changing the way they broadcast their preseason games.
They’re effectively conceding that there’s not much point giving the specifics of the late portions of the game, which are contested by backups, special teamers and guys who will not make either team involved.
They’ll still have the usual cast of play-by-play guys and analysts, but they’re turning it into an informal discussion of the players and issues with the team.
“[The preseason broadcasts will be] a talk-radio-type program without the yelling and the screaming and the agenda-driven stuff, executive producer Matt Smith said. “We’re looking at the preseason games as an opportunity to try something different. Make it more conversational, make it more analytical and insightful.
“How long are the starters in there for? The first game, a couple of series. The fourth game, a couple of series. When they’re in, we’re going to cover the game in a very traditional way. But that’s a small portion of the game. In the fourth quarter, it can get pretty stale. A preseason game is the perfect outlet to try it.’’
What the Patriots did not and would never announce is an experimental plan to reduce the cost of seats for the exhibition games which their broadcast arm is willing to treat as a backdrop.