NFL Network considers preseason coverage vital

The NFL Network considers its preseason football coverage vital for its viewership.

Charles Coplin, the NFL Network's vice president for programming, said the network decided to air all 65 preseason in entirety to allow fans to see players who could end up on fantasy football rosters. There are logistical reasons as well.

"There's 65 preseason games so it would be very hard for our production staff to cut a lot of them down, and we show them all," Coplin said Wednesday. "I think a lot of these games are seen in different patterns than the regular season and probably the most important reason of doing this is preseason is its own unique viewing experience. A lot of these games feature players who are competing for spots on roster or starting jobs or in a lot of these cases. Or we find people are watching games to pick their fantasy lineups."

Cedar Rapids' ImOn Communications picked up the network on its digital tier beginning Tuesday. Other local companies such as South Slope also show the channel.

I have criticized the network for airing all of the games in three-hour increments because, well, it's preseason football. Third-teamers are playing in the third quarter and the games often are sloppily played. Coplin said the games are important for viewers wanting to watch a local star get an opportunity to make a club.

"The preseason has a little more nuance as to why people watch," Coplin said. "You're not really watching those games for wins or losses, you're watching them more from an evaluating perspective. It's a little bit more difficult to make those editorial choices and the other reason is in August, the best thing we sort of feel offer the fans is wall-to-wall games."

The NFL Network's ratings are up 44 percent from last year, and the network plans to air three live games this week, and all have local ties. Thursday, it will show the New York Jets-Philadelphia Eagles game. Former Iowa running back Shonn Greene (if he's healthy) and defensive tackle Matt Kroul play for the Jets.

Thursday's late game features the Oakland Raiders at the Seattle Seahawks. Former Hawkeyes Robert Gallery (tackle) and Brandon Myers (rookie tight end) play for Oakland, while ex-Iowa State quarterback Seneca Wallace should see plenty of time for the Seahawks. Former Iowa defensive tackle Colin Cole also plays for Seattle.

Friday, the Minnesota Vikings host the Dallas Cowboys. Along with quarterback Brett Favre, the Vikings feature former Iowa running back Albert Young and linebacker Chad Greenway. Dallas tight end Scott Chandler and defensive end Derreck Robinson also played for Iowa.

The network also recently announced Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin will join the network, as will former Oklahoma All-American basketball player Stacey Dales. Both formerly worked for ESPN.