Offseason Workouts

The new Collective Bargaining Agreement has brought a nosedive in the intensity of the offseason workouts. The owners probably don't care too much about it. The players like it seeing as they wanted it. The coaches absolutely hate it. If the current offseason is what it took to help get the CBA done, I love it. I remember long ago days when there were no offseason workouts at all. Days when the season ended the players left for offseason jobs. They didn't have time for offseason workouts. They also couldn't afford to not work when not playing football. The next time that the players touched a football would likely be at the next training camp in July. Ever since the players started earning the money that it took to make football a full time, year-round job, the coaches started calling for offseason workouts. I actually like the idea of offseason workouts. I like the idea of of players getting their timing down before the grind of training camp. I especially like the idea when the Minnesota Vikings' future is dependent on the development of a young quarterback like Christian Ponder. When I saw the conditions for offseason workouts under the new CBA, I was surprised. That's because of how much is taken out of the hands of coaches. I've always thought of football practices as the sole domain of coaches. They likely see it that way too. The only NFL people not involved in the CBA negotiations were the coaches. They had no voice and lost the most. They simply have to adapt.

Here's some of what the coaches and players have in front of them this offseason.

3-Phase, nine week process.

Phase 1: 2 weeks
              -only strength and conditioning coaches
              -physical rehab
              -no footballs, except QBs throwing to uncovered receivers
              -no helmets

Phase 2: 3 weeks
              -all coaches permitted
              -may include individual player instruction and drills
              -with offense and defense, but no offense and defense at the same time
              -special teams with no opposing units
              -no live contact
              -no one-on-one competition
              -no helmets

Phase 3: 4 weeks-total of 10 days of OTAs
              -max of 3 OTA days/week first 2 weeks
              -4 OTA days in 3rd/4th week
              -mandatory minicamp scheduled for other week
              -helmets may be worn, but no other pads
              -no live contact

-there are financial penalties for any violations of these conditions

Despite what anyone might think of the offseason workouts moving forward, it is far, far better than the offseason last year.