I think the thing that most people don't realize is that pre-season is just glorified practice, really.
Sure, you want to see the team look good but if the coaches have certain things they need to evaluate, you might not get a lot of razzle dazzle from the team.
Our first stringers did well for the five minutes or so that they played. I saw enough to be encouraged. This won't be a disaster of a year. Or, if it is, no way you can tell that by the first preseason game.
All of the "sky is falling, we're doomed" crap is getting kind of old.