This is where I disagree with you.. The 1st team plays the first half of the first quarter of the game.. I use this period to judge the strength of the team.. surely there is room for improvement from one preseason game to the next.. but you can... should be able to get an fairly decent understanding of how well the team can play..
This year/tonight.. I was shocked how poorly both the 1st string offense and defense played... should this be any indication of the season.. then we will be cellar dwellers again..
After the 1st stringers come off the field, the rest of the preseason game is
meaningless because its just 2nd team, back-ups and players destined to be cut... and the outcome doesnt matter... however winning tonight sure would have been a boost after last years seasons...