[ad_1]
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Browns center and NFLPA president JC Tretter wrote on Thursday that he believes the 2020 season has shown that the league’s offseason schedule is not as necessary as previously thought .
Tretter, writing on the NFLPA website, cited successful new and first-year coaches, successful rookies, and successful newly assembled teams as reasons why reps during OTAs and mini camp might not have the importance that some think they do. The league ran its off-season program most of the spring. The New Orleans Saints, an NFC contender this season, have canceled their offseason schedule altogether.
“After going through this change, there’s no reason for us to go back to the previous offseason schedule,” Tretter wrote. “We are the only major sports league with an off-season program. The most physically demanding sport is the only league that brings its players back for extra training outside of the season.
He pointed to data indicating high quality of play, even with limited time during the offseason and training camp and without preseason games. He also recalled that the CBA eliminated the two-a-day practices in 2011, a controversial decision at the time, but a decision he wrote created better quality of play and a change that some former players say , could have prolonged their career.
Tretter also writes that the sloppy play that many feared less time on the court did not happen.
“Sloppy play would generally be evident with low scoring games, a high number of penalties and more missed tackles,” he wrote, “all of which has historically been attributed to insufficient practice time to refine our fundamentals. But we’ve seen the exact opposite this year, with record points per game, fewer penalties and even fewer missed tackles compared to last year.
“We don’t need to be brought in April-June to practice against each other. It is simply unnecessary.
Currently, the off-season program begins in April with a start time determined depending on whether the team has a new head coach or a returning coach. The first phase consists of conditioning and no field work. Organized team activities encompass 10 post-draft practices and are voluntary. There is also a mandatory minicamp, which most teams hold in June at the end of the program.
The teams also run rookie programs, including a mandatory rookie minicamp on one of two weekends following the draft. Tretter did not specifically address the rookie program in his post.
Browns coaches, as you might expect, praised Tretter and the work he did as NFLPA president, but disagreed with the idea of cutting the offseason schedule.
“As a coach, obviously we would love to have them in the spring to train them,” said offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. “Reflecting on yourself as a quarterback and quarterback coach is precious time we missed this spring talking about footwork, details, protections and adjustments and whatever comes. with the mental aspect. “
Van Pelt remembers attending quarterback school as a player, part of the offseason schedule lost in the 2011 collective agreement.
“Everyone’s health and safety is the most important thing,” said Van Pelt, “but if we could get together we as coaches would love to welcome them because there is a lot going on going on. side of the looks and see the different issues that arise. Anything you put in this memory bank that you use during the season. “
Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer has said he expects changes to be made to the offseason schedule after living this year, but that he would never want him eliminated.
“I think it’s extremely important for the development of our young players,” said Priefer, “especially our draft picks, our college free agents and really the players who come from other teams to bring them into. our locker rooms and bring players around each other. “
Priefer said he understood where Tretter was coming from in his position, but still believed the program was valuable.
“The camaraderie of the team, the building of chemistry in the locker room, the understanding and eyeing your players in the eye and telling them what you expect from them,” he said.
Tretter thinks the players can be trusted to do what needs to be done in the offseason.
“Our players are professionals,” he wrote. “They understand what they need to do to be prepared. A lot of our guys train all year round to be at their peak physical condition. They also study their playbooks in order to prepare themselves mentally.
The offseason schedule will likely become a key point in future negotiations, especially as the league continues to increase the number of games played, which it has already done by adding an additional playoff team to each conference this season. – adding two more Wild Card matches. – and plan to do more by probably upgrading to a 17th regular season game as early as next season.
–
New Browns Face Masks For Sale: Here’s where you can purchase Cleveland Browns-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection for adults and youth, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All NFL profits have been donated to the CDC Foundation.
More Browns Blanket
Harrison turned on the IR; facility reopened for practice after 2 positive COVID tests
Can Cody Parkey figure this out and send the Browns back to the playoffs?
Browns-Steelers ‘not in danger’ because no evidence of COVID inside facility, NFL says
Tomlin won’t talk about Garrett-Rudolph incident: ‘It’s so far in our rearview mirror’
Garrett and Ogunjobi win local chapter awards for professional football writers
Baker exposed as a game manager? Why was the Jets game not postponed? Hey terry
Browns focus on playoffs on Sunday, not Garrett, Rudolph: Podcast
[ad_2]
Source link