Last year, we had the lockout, so there was plenty to talk about in regard to the NFL.
But the lockout spawned a new collective bargaining agreement and new offseason practice rules, which we are currently living under. And I've got to tell you, I'm with the coaches on this one These new rules stink.
The new CBA severely limits – compared to the previous rules - the number of monitored practices coaches can have with their players. Thus, young players aren't getting as much face time with coaches as they used to.
In addition, it's also meant less for the media to write about in regard to their respective teams.
At this point in previous years, you could drop in and watch an OTA or two, talk to some players and file away information for future stories. Now, not so much.
The only players the new rules is really hurting are the young ones – the players who need the OTAs to get better.
That's why the coaches wanted more structured practices, not just players working out with team trainers. The players can stay in shape on their own. That's part of their job.
It's the coaches' jobs to get them ready to play. And that has gotten more difficult with fewer offseason practices.
The most telling comment from the column:
ReplyDelete"it's also meant less for the media to write about in regard to their respective teams."
Do the players ever work out with the rookies on their own?
ReplyDeleteI would hope Pouncey and Gilbert are working with Decastro and Adams at the very least but it sound like last year the rookies were on their own.
Don't know what your point is, anonymous.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's what the coaches have to count on EMac2, their vets - though Gilbert isn't one - to work with the young guys.
With trainingcamp, preseason, a 16 week regular season, and playoffs they are already spending two thirds of the year playing, practicing and rehabbing injuries. The players need that down time to recover and I don't blame their union for drawing a line in the sand on this issue.
ReplyDeleteI was listening to some former players on the NFL network the other day and it was quite apparent that "voluntary" workouts were routinely "mandatory" and non contact workouts became routinely physical in nature. If anyone is to blame it sounds to me like it's the coaches. In their zeal to get he edge on the competition they went to far and now these hard and fast rules are causing some union tended consequences.
That was supposed to read "unintended" consequences but now that I look at it I think Autocorrect got it right.
ReplyDeleteI think these rules only really help the established vets, and Goodell.
ReplyDeleteA guy like, say, Polamalu doesn't need OTAs, minicamps, or extra practices. He works out well on his own, already knows the defense, and can take the extra time off.
On the other side, a guy like Worilds, even though he's not a rookie or 1st year player, really needs the extra time to get the reps and assimilate more into the defense.
Take our offense into account, and even a seasoned guy like Ben needs the extra time with the coaches and ALL players to work the kinks out of the new offense.
Unfortunately, I doubt the scenario that emac2 brought up happens too often. Except for last year, you don't really hear about organized unit activities. The most you get is "So-and-so brought young whos-it to Shaw's training camp" kind of stuff.
I understand that, especially with older veteran players, that spending more time off and resting is vital to making it through a season healthy. At the same time, the younger guys- who really make up a lot of a roster- desperately need those extra sessions to perform.
It's very similar to the 2 Preseason game scenario: Yes, the preseason games are "boring," and don't give the TV networks or the non hardcore fans too much entertainment; but they're absolutely vital for working out kinks in the tea, and allowing younger guys to flash and make the roster or practice squad. Sure, Goodell and the vets won't care much, but the quality of the product will suffer.
Dave I have a question under the new rules.
ReplyDeleteWhen the team isn't in an OTA or mini camp, are the coaches allowed to have contact with the players? I mean that in terms of playbook study or weightroom workouts etc.
Eh,that's what everyone said last year with zero OTAs, mini's, ect. That youth would be stunted to the benefit of the old. Opposite occurred. You had rookie QBs coming in with great success, passing for unheard of 4000 yards. Arguably the best rookie year ever. And the old looked old, breaking down, making way for the younger players.
ReplyDeleteAll this offseason stuff is overrated by overly anal coaches because their jobs are on the line and they want as much time as they can get prepping their players. And their egos say their systems are way too complex for young players to just step into. Poo.
Consistently, players taken at the top of R2 go on to have better careers than guys taken at the bottom of R1? How is that possible? Guys taken at the bottom or R1 are going to winning programs with depth, and they can sit and learn or slo track their way to the starting lineup. And guys at the top of R2 are going to crappy teams with less depth, where even R2 picks are thrown in with the expectation of starting right away. Would appear that generally speaking that approach is better for the individual player and his development. But is it better for the team? Short term or long term?
There's your storyline. I'd read that. Better than any spoonfed fluff piece typically served up this time of year.
Very well said and intriguing arguments.
Deletei see why the coaches don't like it, but we all know they are control freaks anyway.
ReplyDeletei agree with the players on this one. they shouldn't have so much offseason activity. i also feel this will benefit the higher quality players. not necessarily the more talented, but the guys with a better work ethic, better attitude, more driven type of player. those guys will continue to get their work in without the team practices and will move ahead of the lazy players.
from a player's perspective, that is how it should work anyways.
It sure would be nice to hear some more about what's going on around the team. This is one of the MOST boring off seasons I can remember
ReplyDeleteESPN is reporting that Colon will move to LG. They then speculate that Adams will be given the shot to start at LT.
ReplyDeleteMY SOURCES TELL ME THAT COLON WILL BE MOVED TO GUARD
ReplyDeleteNFL.com: "I've made the transition to left guard. I like it. It's just a matter of learning the verbiage," Colon told Mike Prisuta of WDVE-FM in Pittsburgh.
ReplyDeleteSteve-O said it best. Already too much time spent on field: OTAs, mini-camp, training camp, preseason games, regular-season games, playoffs. Football isn't meant to be played 12 months out of the year. Jack Lambert never attended an OTA and he had a fairly decent career.
ReplyDelete