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By D'Marco Farr
Published: May 10, 2012 @ 7:10am
http://www.101sports.com/category/dfarr ... -Workouts/
[wrapimg=left]http://www.101sports.com/images/authors/medium/dfarr.jpg[/wrapimg]With all the controversy and rhetoric flying around about the NFL’s so-called concussion crisis and Bountygate scandal, I wouldn’t be surprised if your head was spinning like Linda Blair in “The Exorcist.” There is so much drama now, it seems like each week brings a new battle to be fought in the media, whether it pits player vs. player, ex-players vs. the league, etc. The league was forged over decades by big hits and semi-controlled violence, and sealed with huge television contracts that have swiftly taken the game into every American household. It’s a part of the very fabric of our lives. Most kids born after the year 2000 can flawlessly hum the theme to “Are you ready for some football?” only to struggle on a daily basis with our country’s national anthem.
What lies below, however, is a simple guide to get you through the latest and most important chapter in the ongoing saga that is the NFL offseason. The journey to the Super Bowl has begun, and championship contenders will rise and fall like the stock market. This is what you should know now.
Why is Rookie Camp so important?
You should expect somewhere around 40 rookie draft picks, signed undrafted free agents and tryout players to be on the field. At the end of the day, football is still football and you have to work hard on technique and improving your craft. Being a good player is relative. You have to be good to make it just this far, but the margin for error is slim for most rookies. One mistake could result in being cut. But, at least for one camp, everyone is essentially on a level playing field and there is an opportunity to prove you belong. It’s not how you get here, it’s what you do when you’re here that matters.
Which players should you pay close attention to?
Like any good machine (or engine, for that matter), it’s only a good as its next part. If something breaks, it must be replaced. Traditionally, draft picks are brought in as replacements for over-the-hill players to bolster sagging production for a particular unit. Now teams will pay huge amounts of cash to the best available player in the draft and stockpile talent as if preparing for winter’s hibernation. Veteran players become expendable and rookies become starters. The Redskins have already turned over the car keys to Robert Griffin III. Ryan Tannehill looks like a leader from day one in Miami. Justin Blackmon has been held out of rookie camp in Jacksonville.
How deep in the playbook will teams get?
Not very deep at all on both side of the ball. You should expect plenty of deep balls thrown by the offense and many will be picked off by defenders. There will be receivers learning to run routes and quarterbacks practicing throwing on the move. It takes a lot of time for young players to get acclimated to a new playbook. Part of the process is trying to get a feel for how young players handle themselves on their own a little bit.
Published: May 10, 2012 @ 7:10am
http://www.101sports.com/category/dfarr ... -Workouts/
[wrapimg=left]http://www.101sports.com/images/authors/medium/dfarr.jpg[/wrapimg]With all the controversy and rhetoric flying around about the NFL’s so-called concussion crisis and Bountygate scandal, I wouldn’t be surprised if your head was spinning like Linda Blair in “The Exorcist.” There is so much drama now, it seems like each week brings a new battle to be fought in the media, whether it pits player vs. player, ex-players vs. the league, etc. The league was forged over decades by big hits and semi-controlled violence, and sealed with huge television contracts that have swiftly taken the game into every American household. It’s a part of the very fabric of our lives. Most kids born after the year 2000 can flawlessly hum the theme to “Are you ready for some football?” only to struggle on a daily basis with our country’s national anthem.
What lies below, however, is a simple guide to get you through the latest and most important chapter in the ongoing saga that is the NFL offseason. The journey to the Super Bowl has begun, and championship contenders will rise and fall like the stock market. This is what you should know now.
Why is Rookie Camp so important?
You should expect somewhere around 40 rookie draft picks, signed undrafted free agents and tryout players to be on the field. At the end of the day, football is still football and you have to work hard on technique and improving your craft. Being a good player is relative. You have to be good to make it just this far, but the margin for error is slim for most rookies. One mistake could result in being cut. But, at least for one camp, everyone is essentially on a level playing field and there is an opportunity to prove you belong. It’s not how you get here, it’s what you do when you’re here that matters.
Which players should you pay close attention to?
Like any good machine (or engine, for that matter), it’s only a good as its next part. If something breaks, it must be replaced. Traditionally, draft picks are brought in as replacements for over-the-hill players to bolster sagging production for a particular unit. Now teams will pay huge amounts of cash to the best available player in the draft and stockpile talent as if preparing for winter’s hibernation. Veteran players become expendable and rookies become starters. The Redskins have already turned over the car keys to Robert Griffin III. Ryan Tannehill looks like a leader from day one in Miami. Justin Blackmon has been held out of rookie camp in Jacksonville.
How deep in the playbook will teams get?
Not very deep at all on both side of the ball. You should expect plenty of deep balls thrown by the offense and many will be picked off by defenders. There will be receivers learning to run routes and quarterbacks practicing throwing on the move. It takes a lot of time for young players to get acclimated to a new playbook. Part of the process is trying to get a feel for how young players handle themselves on their own a little bit.