Do they really help teams get ready for the season?
In the early 1920’s there wasn’t much buzz about pro football. Baseball was king. Those who were interested in football followed the college game. The pro teams in the fledgling National Football League were mostly struggling financially. They would play their regular season games, but then to make extra money, they would barnstorm the region taking on college teams, or any group of amateurs that was willing to put eleven guys on the field.
They scheduled these games before, during, and after their NFL seasons.