The landscape of the NFL training camp has changed dramatically over the years. In the old days, players really had an ‘offseason’ from January to July. Oh sure they would get together once or twice, usually around the draft to get the rookies up to speed, but most veterans would just pass as it was usually voluntary.
Training camp was exactly that; training, at camp. Players left their houses and got into football shape, running, then getting hit. Not only did they get into the physical shape, but they learned the new playbook.
Those days are gone, for the better part of 10 years plus now, teams have what are known as OTA’s, Organized Team Activities. Some of these are mandatory, and they are spaced out well enough that a player never really has the time to call it an offseason. In fact, the quietest time of the year is usually right about now, the last month before camp opens is normally when todays NFL players really do get an ‘offseason’.
What happened was players on the bubble trained harder in the summer months. Veterans started getting outperformed and were forced to adopt these stricter standards too. Next thing you know, players are training all year long, and that suits coaches just fine.
Players don’t wait until July to get into shape, and Teams can institute their new playbooks during the summer so they don’t have as much to work on when camp does start; most players are up to speed with terminology and plays.
This year will be different, and that may be good for some players, not so good for others. By all accounts, these player led workouts like the Bucs’ Josh Freeman is getting together is really a nobel effort, but pretty much worthless. If players could do this, they would all the time. Thats why there are coaches; there is no one to teach the playbook. It will help some players, and may help timing between QB and Receivers, but thats about it.
Whenever it’s announced, expect NFL Players to report to camp out of shape like they were a decade or so ago. This year’s training camp is going to be ‘Old School’, with the playbook coming out for the first time, teammates are going to have to get into shape AND learn their assignments. Some players are not going to be able to adjust to this easily, namely older players who sometimes get ‘special treatment’ in camp; like Joey Galloway used to.
At the same time, these older players may very well remember what it took to get through this kind of offseason, and they may be the ones most perfectly fit for an offseason, that took the season off.
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