It’s that time of year again that we all look forward to! The cracks of pads and cleats scrapping the grass blades and the deep echoes of whistles ring our ears. Blood, sweat, and fists! Wait, what? Fists you say? Indeed, you read fists and for good reason for the most part at least. How effective is fighting in NFL training camps and do you support the displays of ruthless herculean efforts to clobber your opponent?
At times when watching live in game practices you can tell players and coaches get more and more aggravated as the day wears on. Most of the time players usually keep their cool except for the occasional shouting match or cramping muscles due to extreme heat. For some of the unlucky few it takes more than words to settle the score after a defensive back failed to pick up a receiver, or how about a rookie defensive lineman and offensive tackle continuously slamming into one another like two cars in a head on collision.
Eventually someone is going to lose their cool and the punches and cheap shots will start to fly and while it’s usually nothing is it all that bad? Reports came out early in the week from Eagles camp that marquee players Lesean McCoy and veteran defensive lineman Trent Cole had to be “separated” after the two quote on quote “squared off” with one another. Usually it has become quite common for tempers to flare up during drills and for the most part after someone makes a big play, the scuffle is a faded memory.
The displays of aggression and yet sometimes child like reactions to a player getting the better of you has become newsworthy. Most say that a little aggression never hurt anyone and that players; especially rookies and young guys still looking to make a name for themselves really need to play and display such an intensity. A little scuffle in an already physical game is nothing to take heed of depending on who you ask.
Last year around this time, Cary Williams was just entering his first training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles and noticed no kind of aggression and intensity coming from his defensive counterparts. He was accused of starting multiple fights and shouting matches to encourage players to get flared up on the defense. Depending on who you ask, the tactic was either a good motive or on the contrary made them look like “thugs”. Head coach Chip Kelly was not fond of Williams’ tactics and made it known with several on air interviews but to no effort was Williams going to tone down his effort for the Eagles defense to shed the “soft” or “cupcake” image they have had in recent years past.
In closing, it is up to the fan and his or herself to decide if they feel as though these training camp fights are a fun part of the game or should it be toned down or could players start to be penalized in the future?
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