Rookies, journeymen miss valuable game time without HOF game

— -- The cancellation of Sunday night's Hall of Fame Game because of poor field conditions is a terrible look for the NFL. Little-league stuff, really. And I get it, too, with players describing parts of the field as "cement." That always has been an issue in Canton, Ohio, even going back to the two games I played there during my pro career on the old school AstroTurf. Rock hard. And nasty. It tore up your body.

While the discussion Sunday most likely will focus on who's to blame and player safety, however, let's not forget about the important game reps that were just lost. That's something I wrote about over the weekend.

These live reps in August? Not a big deal for established vets. But for the rookies, the bubble guys and the journeymen trying to win a job in the NFL? Those are gold. And every play is graded. Offense, defense, special teams. Go make some plays. Earn some more reps in practice. Maybe you get bumped up a notch on the depth chart. A lot of possibilities there. And every team in the league is watching, too.

This game? It was supposed to be an audition, an interview for those guys.

Hey, playing in the Hall of Fame Game with the St. Louis Rams during my second pro season in 2001 helped me make the team. It was an opportunity to get a ton of reps in the second half for new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith. And many other players have the same story. Former running back Phillip Tanner mentioned it on Twitter on Sunday night. He rushed for 59 yards on 10 carries and had a touchdown in the 2013 Hall of Fame Game.

Think about that for a minute, and just take a look at the quarterback situation in Green Bay. With Aaron Rodgers and backup  Brett Hundley not planning to play Sunday night, coach Mike McCarthy was going to give the snaps to Joe Callahan. He's an undrafted free agent out of Wesley College in Dover, Delaware. You think he needed those reps? Man, what a missed opportunity for a rookie to run the offense, sling the ball around and start putting together a resume in the league. Maybe the young quarterback has family at the stadium, too. They have to hit the road without seeing Callahan play.

I understand how vets feel about this thing. As a starting safety for the Washington Redskins during the 2004 Hall of Fame Game, I wanted to get my reps in and go home. Stay healthy, execute the call and get back on the plane.

But those young cats who need every possible chance to make a team? They lost tonight. And the league looks absolutely ridiculous because of it.