This is an uncomfortable column to write. I've railed against the preseason for 20 years. I've dismissed it as a sham, pretend football and fake contests featuring future insurance agents and mid-level managers (all true, by the way). It's not real football, and we'd be better off without it.

Well, we might finally be without it. So why does that make me so nervous?

To be fair, I never called for no preseason at all. I like what the Canadian Football League does: Two games and get the season started. A month of preseason games is overkill, and I wanted fewer "contests."

Now, there's a good chance we'll get just one preseason game (the players are calling for none at all, but it's possible that both sides will settle on one) and that feels like too few. There are training camp battles to figure out (assuming there's a training camp), younger players need some kind of game action, and the veterans could use a few in-game reps with new teammates.

If we only get one preseason contest, will it be like the third game, where the starters get a good half or more of time on the field? Or will it be like the fourth game, where it's often backups and bubble players from start to finish? Either way, one group will get robbed of time they'll need to either make the team, or get on board with new players or coaches.

A normal preseason, while way too long, does offer some fantasy advantages. If a rookie has an impressive camp and preseason, fantasy players might speculate that he'll take over for a starter sooner rather than later. Teams usually see enough by September that they feel comfortable making some cuts we didn't expect, and many leagues can factor that into their draft. Other guys are coming off an injury in 2019, and seeing them on the field would ease some concerns on draft day.

Now, a lot of that could be reduced to guesswork. Teams might not see enough in a rookie to feel confident cutting a veteran. We'll have to hope that a new offensive coordinator has the right plan for the team's talent. Maybe the player we want isn't healthy.

I know that every year we have to rely on guesses, but at least they were educated guesses, based on a few factors we considered important. This year will be based on what? One game, scheduled to make sure teams don't have to travel far, and with both sides wanting to wrap it up quickly and call it a night? We can't put too much into that kind of event.

And really, that's the problem. With only one game, we'll definitely put way too much into that event. Every block, every carry, and every completion will have to represent more of our preparation. The stats from one meaningless game (absent other data we usually get) will weigh too much, even if we try to avoid it. A great draft plan could be decimated by simply not knowing enough about the teams and the players.

You know how every league has that one GM who doesn't really follow things, selects guys who are about to get cut and isn't even sure who starts for a lot of teams? Now, imagine that's all of us. We all might be in that situation to some degree in 2020. We simply won't have the information we need, or we'll over-analyze what data we do have, and come to dangerous conclusions. Does that sound fun to you?

Maybe, yeah. In a way. All teams are in the same boat, so at least it's fair. And while your draft ability might not be on full display, it means you'll have to get better at roster management, working the waiver wire, and trying to negotiate trades. Those skills are important, and they might become the deciding factors this season.

Luck will play a big role on draft day, but it always does. Nothing new there. Instead of falling in love with your team before week 1, resign yourself to putting in a good amount of in-season work to stay ahead of the competition. Maybe that's good advice headed into every year, but it feels more pertinent this offseason.

So yes, I'll say it: I hope we get some preseason games, and I'd really like more than one. They might not be real games, but eliminating it entirely will have a big impact on our game. What a weird year this is. Goooo fake football!

Does the preseason factor into your fantasy preparations in a normal year? How will fewer (or no) preseason games affect your plans? Share your thoughts below.