and that's because at least half the snaps, most likely closer to 75%-90% of the snaps are taken to give lower roster spot guys reps and to evaluate the young guys in live competition that will round out your #3,4,5 guys on depth charts. You say it's not important, but I have a feeling there's more than a few NFL front offices that would beg to differ. It's not about putting a finished product out there in the preseason, not even a little bit. It's about all the things you say it's not for. It is about evaluation, not only of individuals, but how those individuals work with others around them. It's also about providing opportunity for younger guys to get better and for veteran guys to get back in the swing of things.
The only way to get better playing is to play. Doesn't matter if you're in middle school football for the first time, or 10th year vet in the NFL. nothing gets you in game shape like playing games. Everybody looks better in week 5 than they do in week 1 minus injury. Plenty of guys, every year look like world beaters in shorts and helmets and every year it changes once the preseason starts. they might shine in practice, they dull with live bullets. and likewise, many so so practice players perform with the lights on and come alive. Practice can tell you a lot, it doesn't tell you everything. The fact that people buy tickets and go watch doesn't diminish that fact. If there were played inside cut off from the public i can promise that coaches and front office want to see live competition. Why do you think so many teams had scrimmages back when they could? I watched the Saints and Chiefs often in summers in LaX. live play is good for players and evaluation as well. or they wouldnt' do it. Now the CBA doesn't hardly allow for it. I'd argue the pre season games mean a lot more than they used to for evaluations. It's easy to get rid of the money grab. Don't watch? I like to see how the young guys are doing myself.