I was watching some highlights from last season's preseason, and it got me thinking about how much of a roller coaster the training camp cycle is. Every year, we see these massive waves of fresh faces—the high draft picks everyone is hyped about, the seasoned vets looking for one last shot, and those undrafted guys who are basically playing for their lives.
It’s always a weird vibe for me. Part of me wants to see the underdog rookies tear it up and prove the scouts wrong, but there’s also a certain level of skepticism that kicks in. You see so many "can't-miss" prospects fall off a cliff after eighteen months, or veterans who look like superstars in August only to be cut by September.
I find myself getting more attached to the established core players, but then a new kid comes in, makes one massive play in a scrimmage, and suddenly I'm invested in their entire career path. It's a lot of emotional energy to pour into people who might not even be on the active roster by October.
When you're following a team through the off-season, do you find yourself rooting for the new additions to break through, or are you mostly just waiting to see if the veterans can hold down the fort?
It’s always a weird vibe for me. Part of me wants to see the underdog rookies tear it up and prove the scouts wrong, but there’s also a certain level of skepticism that kicks in. You see so many "can't-miss" prospects fall off a cliff after eighteen months, or veterans who look like superstars in August only to be cut by September.
I find myself getting more attached to the established core players, but then a new kid comes in, makes one massive play in a scrimmage, and suddenly I'm invested in their entire career path. It's a lot of emotional energy to pour into people who might not even be on the active roster by October.
When you're following a team through the off-season, do you find yourself rooting for the new additions to break through, or are you mostly just waiting to see if the veterans can hold down the fort?