Sometimes it seems like the NFL preseason just goes forever.

At least that is how it goes for the players, who are excited to get to the NFL season after a long four weeks of position battles and preseason games during training camp. The 2013-14 NFL season kicks off this Thursday when the Baltimore Ravens travel to Denver to take on the Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

The NFL preseason saw its fair share of controversies, perhaps most notably in Cortland, N.Y., where the Jets watched as veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez and rookie Geno Smith squared off in an endless battle for the starting quarterback job. The competition seemed to be nearing its conclusion in Week 3 when Geno Smith needed only a few solid quarters to secure the job, but Smith struggled mightily before Sanchez entered the game and injured his shoulder behind a less-than-impressive offensive line. Most recently the Jets have acquired Brady Quinn to add some experience to the increasingly confusing mix of quarterbacks on the team.

In other news during the preseason, the NFL was embroiled in a controversy with ESPN over a documentary about the risks and health issues associated with professional football. The New York Times reported that ESPN backed out of its part in the documentary immediately after the NFL met with the network. Controversey ensued as fans and the media assumed that the NFL just wanted to protect its brand from being damaged by negative publicity about injury risks.

Soon after, the NFL reached a $765 million settlement with former players to pay for medical exams, concussion-related compensation, a medical research program, and legal expenses. It concluded a preseason full of negative publicity for the league.

The NFL preseason came to a conclusion this past weekend, and a full slate of games are scheduled for the upcoming weekend, spanning across three days. Thursday's opener will be followed by 13 games on Sunday before a pair of matchups Monday night wraps up the first week of the regular season.