Voluntary Practices

[Harlan Huckleby]

Mike McCarthy was quoted in the paper today that he won't be satisfied until he gets 100% participation in the Spring practices. He also said something like he was working to change the culture, meaning in the past it was OK to miss the voluntary camps and "organized team activities." (a funny way of saying "practice".)

What the hell does "voluntary" mean? If the boss says he expects everybody to be there, that's not voluntary.

I think the NFL should just get rid of the spring practices and mini-camps. Summer training camp is plenty long enough. The guys are training year round.

But if they are going to have these May and June "organized team activities", they ought to be called training camps, and be written into the collective bargaining agreement. Keep it real. Enough of the coaches barking, and fans complaining about players not showing up.

[Patler]

Actually, the Packers turnout is very good by comparison to some others. From "Vic Caucci's Tuesday Huddle" at nfl.com:

"It's impressive that the Baltimore Ravens had a healthy turnout of about 80 players for their organized team activities. It's disappointing that they were expecting only about 30 to show up. Low expectations have become pretty common for OTA attendance."

[motife]

At Packers.com when Nick Collins was asked if he was going to attend any of the future OTA's, he started sheepishly giggling, then said while chuckling "no comment".

http://www.packers.com/multimedia/video/2006_non_game_video/

[GBRulz]

he was there today.

As long as the media portrays players missing voluntary camps as concerns, of course suddenly it will be a big deal to everyone.

[RashanGary]

Those guys are getting paid millions. I think I might want to be the best I could be if I were a player.

If I was a coach, I'd want everyone doing their best. Nothing wrong with that.

HH stirring the pot again.

[FavreChild]

We all have crap we have to do for work that is "voluntary" or "highly recommended." Company picnic, the Christmas party, professional development workshops, etc. You don't HAVE to do it, but it is "frowned upon" if you don't. So most of us are too wussy to give excuses why we can't.

OTA is just a BS moniker, just like all of our own places of employment have.

[RashanGary]

Fans want to see players doing everything they can do to win. Nothing wrong with fans being fans IMO.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Do they need the May and June camps to keep the quality of play high in the NFL?

I doubt it makes any difference. Perhaps there is a slight edge, which forces all teams to hold these glorified gym classes.

It's just a personal preference, I get tired fo reading about who shows up, and listening to coaches carp. If the camps are important, make them mandatory.

[Guiness]

I've long been of the opinion that these 'voluntary' camps are bogus. The CBA allows teams a certain number of them, but they aren't really voluntary, etc. I think they should just make a deal with the union, split the number of days in half, and call it a spring camp.

Did McKenzie really say he expects 100% participation? If so, I EXPECT he'll be getting his ass fined.

[RashanGary]

The Players Union battles so the players don't have to be around all year long. The coaches would have year round participation if possible. The Union fights for more time off. They make an agreement that is probably a compromise.

Just becuase they agree to less doesn't mean the coaches are going to stop trying to get more out of their people.

It's pretty understandable IMO.

[RashanGary]

I think players who show up are more interested in getting better. I think it's a good sign.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think players who show up are more interested in getting better. I think it's a good sign.

It's obviously a good sign. Never hurts to practice more either. I also agree with Harlan though. Get rid of the voluntary part of this. Write the exact number in the CBA. KGB said that the players got the schedule much later than usual this year because of the new coaching staff, and many players had scheduled things for this time. I won't judge a player until they starting missing preseason games.

[RashanGary]

The players get a technicality put into the CBA that says they odn't have to work year round. The coach still is going to ask for more.

I don't see the issue there.

The coach would make them all non-voluntary if he could. The Players Union has power and put this clause in the CBA. How can you make them manditory if it's not allowed?

[RashanGary]

It basically comes down to the Coaches wnat year round participation and the Union won't agree. Technically they don't have to come, but the coach is still going to ask. I don't see the issue.

[RashanGary]

What HH is saying is that if the CBA says 12 days of mini camp then the coach should not ask anymore than what is manditory. I disagree.