Voluntary Practices

[Harlan Huckleby]

Nick, the current system sets up an annoying, confrontational situation. That is the problem.

Better to just do things in open, straight forward way. I'm sure the coaches HATE not knowing who is gonna show up. The players probably resent getting pressured. It's just a crappy arrangement that could/should be made better. Cancel the spring practices or make them mandatory.

[RashanGary]

They are contractually binded not to make them mandetory. I'm sure they would if they could.

Just because the Union gets the clause put in doesn't mean the coach should just stop trying to be better than the minimum. The players don't have to settle for minimum either.

[RashanGary]

Has it ever occured to you that many players want to be better. They want to work and accel at their careers. Why would you stop guys from voluntarily getting better.

Not showing up is not punished. Sure, they are probably losing ground and losing leadership clout, but that is their choice.

[Tarlam!]

I agree with HH.

I think you call it what it is. If it's optional, then, that's what it is. You don't have to go, but if you put in the extra work, you are looked upon in a brighter light.

I love the idea of an off-season workout program. I wish they were al in GB doing it, because it builds the fraterinty.

BUT: The best players, the fittest players, the players that have the best shot at helping the team win, should start.

So, if Brett Favre comes to official training camp overweight and underperforming, while A-Rod (who invested the time in GB to improve) is clearly the better QB in camp, does anyone really think A_Rod will get the nod?? Just aint gonna happen, is it.

Until every player is fighting for his roster spot, OTA are voluntary and those that feel they'll start regardless will treat them with disdain.

[Rastak]

Nick, the current system sets up an annoying, confrontational situation. That is the problem.

Better to just do things in open, straight forward way. I'm sure the coaches HATE not knowing who is gonna show up. The players probably resent getting pressured. It's just a crappy arrangement that could/should be made better. Cancel the spring practices or make them mandatory.

HH has nailed it...it's currently a sham. (No offense Patler),,,and it isn't just the Packers, it 's all 32 that fully expect everyone to attend a "voluntary" practice.

[motife]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

PACK TO IMPLODE IN 2006?

As if the Green Bay Packers' 4-12 season in 2005 wasn't bad enough, the first year under new coach Mike McCarthy is showing early signs of being a potential train wreck.

The evidence? At a time when the team should be getting up to speed on the new systems that the new staff is putting into place, far too many players who'll be expected to contribute when the season begins are still nowhere to be found.

And McCarthy is coming off like a guy with no juice, telling the media that he doesn't know when guys like cornerback Al Harris, cornerback Charles Woodson, receiver Rod Gardner, and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett will show up for OTAs that run through June 21.

Harris isn't with the team because he's unhappy with his contract -- a fact that prompted McCarthy to take out some of his frustrations recently on Jason Wilde of the Winsconsin State Journal, who had the audacity to, you know, report the reason for Harris' absence.

But Harris is a guy who pre-dates the regime of McCarthy and G.M. Ted Thompson; Woodson and Pickett are guys that Mike and Ted added this offseason.

As one league insider has explained, the absence of Woodson and Pickett is further proof as to why both have been deemed underachievers during their NFL careers. "They've have never played up to all the hype, and then they go to a new team and are still pieces of sh-t off and on the field," said the source.

We've previously opined that the Pack are capable of winning the NFC North in 2006, and that their effort in 2005 wasn't as pathetic as their 4-12 record would indicate. But given that NFL teams put in 90 percent of the offense and defense during offseason workouts, we're starting to develop real concerns that the Pack will struggle come September.

[RashanGary]

If guys want to put in extra work to be better, great. Maybe you don't like that the coach pressures everyone to be there, but why shouldn't he. Just becuase they don't have to be there doesn't mean they shouldn't be there.

It's like if you sign a 50,000 per year contract where you only have to work 40 per week. Lets say your job wants you to be there more than those 40 because work gets busy. Sure, it's not in your contract so they can't fire you just like GB or MINN or anyteam cannot fine the players or cut them but I'm sure everyone at your job takes note that your one of those guys whose just not willing to do anything you don't have to. Maybe when your contract is up they find someone whos similar to yourself but wants to do whatever ti takes to be their best. I know it's not the cozy black and white that most can only conduct their thinking within, but I really don't see the problem with a coach wanting to do more than the minimum. Hell, I don't see a problem with the players wanting to do more than the scheduled minimum. Maybe the CBA Should not have those rules, but you cannot always beat the system. I proved that a couple days ago once again.

[Tarlam!]

What a bullshit angle to try and sow the seeds of disharmony in the Pack. Well, this is another sympton of the league's policy of OTA.

I am behind the Train Wreck 1000%.

[RashanGary]

LOL....

I like it. Better get used to it Tarlam..It's not gonna change anytime soon

[pbmax]

Does anybody have any other links to teams participation levels? That's the only way to judge if McCarthy is getting through. 14 doesn't worry me unless the league average for OTAs is 4 players missing.

motife had a quote that the Ravens had 80 healthy bodies. What's our total after Collins showed up?

I would like to see McCarthy have higher than average participation just because it is the first year. However, the units with the biggest adjustment, O Line and RB seem to have nearly everyone there.

Pickett and Woodson missing when they need to learn a new defense is unfortunate. But Bates installed his scheme last year without the benefit of an extra minicamp, so I am not concerned.

I do think that McCarthy has something to learn about PR. There are ways to handle the missing players question that make it seem that participants are making strides while absentees are falling behind, without having to admit you don't know where people are.

You imply that some guys are on a dangerous path, then refuse to elaborate, then cut one four days into training camp. Gets a lot of coverage and you haven't really changed anything except perception.

While every coach is in the same boat, you don't need to provide the extra fodder. Holmgren was the master of this. Cowher would just spray spittle on this question. This would have been the question to take Wilde's head off.

[Tarlam!]

Nick, in mny post, I was replying to the article, niot your post. Your post wasn't even in when I hit the reply button, note, only 2 minutes difference.

[Scott Campbell]

I do think that McCarthy has something to learn about PR. There are ways to handle the missing players question that make it seem that participants are making strides while absentees are falling behind, without having to admit you don't know where people are.

You imply that some guys are on a dangerous path, then refuse to elaborate, then cut one four days into training camp. Gets a lot of coverage and you haven't really changed anything except perception.

Outstanding analysis. I wonder if McCarthy had anything to do with this blurb from the JSO article on Boerigter:

"The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Boerigter so far has seemed to be a solid fit for coach Mike McCarthy's West Coast-style offense, displaying the ability to go up and get the football and gain yards after the catch.

He has been able to do so in the team's off-season practices thanks not only to the continued absence of projected No. 3 receiver Rod Gardner, but also because he seems to be quickly developing a level of trust with quarterback Brett Favre.

"Very solid, very consistent," McCarthy said Friday, referring to Boerigter. "Smart guy who plays all three positions. He's definitely what we saw in our evaluation process."



You hear that Gardner?!?!

[pbmax]

Scott, I hope that was intentional. Because it changes the focus to those that are here, now.

When asked about Woodson, Harris and Pickett, McCarthy should have cupped his hand to his ear and said: "Do you hear that, that swoosh? That's Mike Hawkins flying up the depth chart!"

[Tarlam!]

....When asked about Woodson, Harris and Pickett, McCarthy should have cupped his hand to his ear and said: "Do you hear that, that swoosh? That's Mike Hawkins flying up the depth chart!"

Impressive reaction. Of course, you've had time - as much as I have! But I didn't think of it!

What do you do for a living?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Two Bears who missed workouts demoted
By Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com

The move was probably a temporary one but, when the Chicago Bears began their mandatory three-day minicamp Friday, two starters who had bypassed most of the team's voluntary sessions in the offseason were demoted to second-team status.

Tailback Thomas Jones, who rushed for a career-best 1,335 yards last season, was replaced by 2005 first-round draft choice Cedric Benson with the starting offense. On defense, Leon Joe worked at the weakside linebacker spot, supplanting Lance Briggs, who is coming off his first Pro Bowl campaign.