Preseason is not just about getting back on the field. It is also the period when teams figure out who is going to make the 53-man roster, and that makes every snap matter for players trying to secure their place.
That is the basic job of preseason: evaluation. Coaches use these games to sort through the roster, compare players at the same position and get a clearer picture of who belongs on the final list.
Why preseason matters
Teams are not trying to show everything during this stretch. Preseason is also the time to play the most basic version of an offense and defense, which keeps the focus on execution, assignment and consistency rather than complex game-planning.
For players on the bubble, that means the preseason is one of the most important stretches of the year. It is where teams decide which players have done enough to stay in the mix when the 53-man roster is finalized.
In that sense, Woody Marks is tied to the same larger preseason reality as everyone else fighting for a role: the goal is not flash, but making the roster decision as clear as possible for the coaching staff.
What teams are looking for
During preseason, coaches are trying to answer a few simple questions. Can a player handle his assignment? Can he be trusted in a game setting? Does he help the team more than the other options fighting for the same spot?
Those are the kinds of evaluations that shape the final roster, and they are why preseason still matters even when the schemes are stripped down. It is a testing ground for the 53-man roster, and that makes it one of the most practical parts of the NFL calendar.
