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With the Atlanta Falcons reporting for a two-day minicamp only two weeks before the opening of training camp (and two weeks after an extended passing camp concluded), some folks around the league are voicing concern.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Thursday that coach Dan Reeves and his staff hope to keep tabs on the players, in order to ensure that they stay in shape and don't suffer memory lapses.
Said one personnel exec: "That is a bunch of horsesh-t. Aren't those guys supposed to be professionals? Aren't they responsible enough to take a few weeks off and get ready for camp on their own? What's next -- the coaching staff dropping them off at home each night and tucking the players in?"
Another league insider questioned (in the unique way that league insiders do) whether the player's union will take action. "How in the f--k is the NFLPA allowing the Falcons to get away with this? Who in the hell allowed there only to be a 10-day window of rest?"
In our view, Reeves was thinking primarily of one player when he constructed his offseason itinerary -- quarterback Mike Vick.
It's no secret that Vick's mind tends to wander, and that he's had trouble learning the offense, relying instead on his exceptional God-given skills. By keeping Vick close to the fold, Reeves surely is hoping to ensure that the first two weeks of training camp will not be devoted to Vick relearning the system.
And if the NFLPA allows this type of offseason scheduling to proceed, look for other teams to copy it in 2004 and beyond. Most coaches were wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth as they sent their players on an extended holiday in the middle of June. If there's a legitimate way to spread out the minicamps in order to ensure that there won't be 4-6 weeks of down time prior to the start of the season, many of them will consider doing it.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Thursday that coach Dan Reeves and his staff hope to keep tabs on the players, in order to ensure that they stay in shape and don't suffer memory lapses.
Said one personnel exec: "That is a bunch of horsesh-t. Aren't those guys supposed to be professionals? Aren't they responsible enough to take a few weeks off and get ready for camp on their own? What's next -- the coaching staff dropping them off at home each night and tucking the players in?"
Another league insider questioned (in the unique way that league insiders do) whether the player's union will take action. "How in the f--k is the NFLPA allowing the Falcons to get away with this? Who in the hell allowed there only to be a 10-day window of rest?"
In our view, Reeves was thinking primarily of one player when he constructed his offseason itinerary -- quarterback Mike Vick.
It's no secret that Vick's mind tends to wander, and that he's had trouble learning the offense, relying instead on his exceptional God-given skills. By keeping Vick close to the fold, Reeves surely is hoping to ensure that the first two weeks of training camp will not be devoted to Vick relearning the system.
And if the NFLPA allows this type of offseason scheduling to proceed, look for other teams to copy it in 2004 and beyond. Most coaches were wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth as they sent their players on an extended holiday in the middle of June. If there's a legitimate way to spread out the minicamps in order to ensure that there won't be 4-6 weeks of down time prior to the start of the season, many of them will consider doing it.
