During the lock-out can players...

[fanforlife]

During the lock-out can players take it upon themselves to practice somewhere that isn't affiliated with the NFL?

If they can, then missing OTAs & training camp won't be that much of an issue.

[Bob 0119]

They can; the question is will they?

I can't remember which, but I think it was the '82 Redskins that practiced together during the last work stoppage and went on to win the Superbowl.

Like Shanahan, Gibbs was also in his second year.

Unlike Shanahan, Gibbs had a team of strong blue-collar guys with a strong leader. They were coming of an 8-8 season but they had started that year 0-5; so they had some momentum to build off of.

In this age of Free-Agency, many of these guys have barely played together for more than a couple of years. Here's hoping the guys have cracked the history books and know what this team's legacy is.

[CanesSkins26]

During the lock-out can players take it upon themselves to practice somewhere that isn't affiliated with the NFL?

If they can, then missing OTAs & training camp won't be that much of an issue.

Can they? Yes. Should they is a different story. While I'm sure the teams hope this is happening, the bottom line is that players aren't covered for any injuries that they sustain while taking part in such practices. I think that most guys will be working out with trainers, staying in shape, etc., but most wont get together for "practices".

[VetSkinsFan]

During the lock-out can players take it upon themselves to practice somewhere that isn't affiliated with the NFL?

If they can, then missing OTAs & training camp won't be that much of an issue.

Can they? Yes. Should they is a different story. While I'm sure the teams hope this is happening, the bottom line is that players aren't covered for any injuries that they sustain while taking part in such practices. I think that most guys will be working out with trainers, staying in shape, etc., but most wont get together for "practices".

I believe they should. They're not going to have the full pads and all of the equipment and facilities like they do at the team sanctioned practices, but they still need to be instinctual in their reactions (as a team) and the more they practice together, the more likely it is.

[fanforlife]

I can't remember which, but I think it was the '82 Redskins that practiced together during the last work stoppage and went on to win the Superbowl.

You're right, it was in '82. Thiesman took it upon him self to organize the team & practice.

That's why I asked. If they did it then, why wouldn't they want to do it again? The end result was fantastic

Although the players of yesterday were different from today They would probably want to get paid for it.

[fanforlife]

Can they? Yes. Should they is a different story. While I'm sure the teams hope this is happening, the bottom line is that players aren't covered for any injuries that they sustain while taking part in such practices. I think that most guys will be working out with trainers, staying in shape, etc., but most wont get together for "practices".

Considering the state of the team & all their problems last year & in years past...it would be a good idea, IMO You're probably right in that the players aren't covered in case of injuries, but they could get hurt or worse riding their motorcycles or fast cars during the off-season. They could fall over drunk & hit their heads or tear something.

At the end of the day, if they want to have a legitimate chance of getting out of the cellar & actually achieving something the next time they take the field, they should VERY SERIOUSLY consider practicing during this lock-out. Again, IMO.

[CanesSkins26]

This sums up the dilemma for the players pretty well...

To that end, McGraw and Niswanger said they are planning to organize some team conditioning sessions in Kansas City.

“It makes sense for us to try to get together,” said McGraw, a Kansas native who played in college at Kansas State and lives in Kansas City year-round. “There’s going to be a 2011 season. That’s what we’re all expecting and hoping for. So it doesn’t make any sense for us to take the offseason off and not be prepared for whenever we settle this thing.

“Right now, it would just be conditioning. It would kind of gradually build up. At the end of May is usually when we go into our (offseason practice) period. My guess is we’ll try to mirror that same kind of program then.”

Conditioning sessions might attract a large percentage of players. Anything that resembles a practice is more problematic. Players lost their health insurance when the collective bargaining agreement expired, though some extended it through Cobra.

“As far as guys getting together — working out, running — I think that’s a great thing guys should do. Because when this is all over, we want to be ready to get back to work,” Niswanger said.

“The only issue is: If guys get together and start throwing and running routes and doing some practice-type drills, we just have to be very careful about that. Because the issue is with a lockout: We’re no longer covered by the team as far as insurance. If a bunch of guys get together and hurt themselves, they’re done. The team has no responsibility. The team can release the player and not pay him anything.

“The team won’t be responsible for rehab or surgery or anything. So for players, it’s at our risk — which is a scary thing for a lot of guys.”

A cautionary tale about player-organized practices comes from former Chiefs quarterback Rich Gannon. Currently a game analyst for CBS, Gannon was a rookie with the Vikings during the 1987 player strike, the last time the NFL experienced a work stoppage.

“We practiced at a high school here in Minnesota, and those practices were a joke,” Gannon said. “Guys would come in, and they couldn’t get taped. You couldn’t film it. Guys were concerned about getting injured. You had agents telling players to be smart. The practices were about half-tempo. It was really a waste of time.

“You can get some work done, but it’s not going to be the quality of work that you can get done in a controlled environment with the coaches there. It’s better than nothing. But all of those concerns are really going to curtail how much they’re able to get done. …

“You’re going to have a lot of guys that don’t live in the area. It’s going to be hard to round them all up. Then, if they do come in, how long are they going to be there for? They’re paying for hotel rooms, rental cars. That’s going to be tough.”

Players are paid much more now than in Gannon’s rookie season. The minimum salary for rookies last year was $320,000 but most players made much more.

But the fear of injury is as real now as it was then.

“The reality is: We’re spread out around the country waiting for the day the doors will be back open so that we can come back and play football,” Chiefs linebacker Andy Studebaker said. “We’re all eager to get back and get going.

“But I don’t know whether we’re going to be able to get together collectively in Kansas City until the doors are open. It’s certainly worth it to reach out to guys to see if there’s interest in doing that. You’re treading on thin ice. I think guys are open to doing that, but we have some reservations. What would that look like without the knowledge the team is backing us?”

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/26/2755521/during-the-nfl-lockout-workouts.html

[fanforlife]

This sums up the dilemma for the players pretty well...

To that end, McGraw and Niswanger said they are planning to organize some team conditioning sessions in Kansas City.

“It makes sense for us to try to get together,” said McGraw, a Kansas native who played in college at Kansas State and lives in Kansas City year-round. “There’s going to be a 2011 season. That’s what we’re all expecting and hoping for. So it doesn’t make any sense for us to take the offseason off and not be prepared for whenever we settle this thing.

“Right now, it would just be conditioning. It would kind of gradually build up. At the end of May is usually when we go into our (offseason practice) period. My guess is we’ll try to mirror that same kind of program then.”

Conditioning sessions might attract a large percentage of players. Anything that resembles a practice is more problematic. Players lost their health insurance when the collective bargaining agreement expired, though some extended it through Cobra.

“As far as guys getting together — working out, running — I think that’s a great thing guys should do. Because when this is all over, we want to be ready to get back to work,” Niswanger said.

“The only issue is: If guys get together and start throwing and running routes and doing some practice-type drills, we just have to be very careful about that. Because the issue is with a lockout: We’re no longer covered by the team as far as insurance. If a bunch of guys get together and hurt themselves, they’re done. The team has no responsibility. The team can release the player and not pay him anything.

“The team won’t be responsible for rehab or surgery or anything. So for players, it’s at our risk — which is a scary thing for a lot of guys.”

A cautionary tale about player-organized practices comes from former Chiefs quarterback Rich Gannon. Currently a game analyst for CBS, Gannon was a rookie with the Vikings during the 1987 player strike, the last time the NFL experienced a work stoppage.

“We practiced at a high school here in Minnesota, and those practices were a joke,” Gannon said. “Guys would come in, and they couldn’t get taped. You couldn’t film it. Guys were concerned about getting injured. You had agents telling players to be smart. The practices were about half-tempo. It was really a waste of time.

“You can get some work done, but it’s not going to be the quality of work that you can get done in a controlled environment with the coaches there. It’s better than nothing. But all of those concerns are really going to curtail how much they’re able to get done. …

“You’re going to have a lot of guys that don’t live in the area. It’s going to be hard to round them all up. Then, if they do come in, how long are they going to be there for? They’re paying for hotel rooms, rental cars. That’s going to be tough.”

Players are paid much more now than in Gannon’s rookie season. The minimum salary for rookies last year was $320,000 but most players made much more.

But the fear of injury is as real now as it was then.

“The reality is: We’re spread out around the country waiting for the day the doors will be back open so that we can come back and play football,” Chiefs linebacker Andy Studebaker said. “We’re all eager to get back and get going.

“But I don’t know whether we’re going to be able to get together collectively in Kansas City until the doors are open. It’s certainly worth it to reach out to guys to see if there’s interest in doing that. You’re treading on thin ice. I think guys are open to doing that, but we have some reservations. What would that look like without the knowledge the team is backing us?”

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/26/2755521/during-the-nfl-lockout-workouts.html

What can I say? Those are all legitimate reasons as to not practice.

The logistics of it would be hard, no doubt about it, but IMO the pros out weigh the cons. I stand firm in my belief that practicing would only better things, not worsen things. Injuries can happen in the shower or walking on a icy parking lot going to your car.

Money can never be a factor for these guys. Like the article stated, rookie minimum is 320K, I will venture a guess & say thats a crap load more than most of us make in a year. Renting a car??? please!!! renting a hotel room??? please!!!! none of those are good enough reasons as to not practice. Injuries...I'll buy, but having to spend money on certain things...no way!

[1niksder]

There are reports that teams such as the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills already have begun coordinating private workouts. But Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said he and his teammates are waiting for now . They continue to work on their strength and conditioning on their own.

Under normal circumstances, the Redskins’ official offseason conditioning programs would have started about now. (Last season, coach Mike Shanahan’s first offseason conditioning program began March 14 and consisted of players lifting weights and running sprints).

Minicamps and organized team activities (OTAs) -- basically offseason practices -- don’t get going until after the draft, which will be held April 28 to April 30 this year.

If the lockout is lifted in early April, then business could resume and offseason programs would take place at Redskins Park. But if the lockout stands, Alexander expects that he and fellow team captain London Fletcher would round teammates up for their own version of OTAs away from the team facility. For now, players are working out in their hometowns, or at facilities in Loudoun County.

Link

[fanforlife]

...But if the lockout stands, Alexander expects that he and fellow team captain London Fletcher would round teammates up for their own version of OTAs away from the team facility. For now, players are working out in their hometowns, or at facilities in Loudoun County.

That's GREAT NEWS!. That's what I would expect from such stand-up guys like Fletcher & Alexander.

[CanesSkins26]

This sums up the dilemma for the players pretty well...

To that end, McGraw and Niswanger said they are planning to organize some team conditioning sessions in Kansas City.

“It makes sense for us to try to get together,” said McGraw, a Kansas native who played in college at Kansas State and lives in Kansas City year-round. “There’s going to be a 2011 season. That’s what we’re all expecting and hoping for. So it doesn’t make any sense for us to take the offseason off and not be prepared for whenever we settle this thing.

“Right now, it would just be conditioning. It would kind of gradually build up. At the end of May is usually when we go into our (offseason practice) period. My guess is we’ll try to mirror that same kind of program then.”

Conditioning sessions might attract a large percentage of players. Anything that resembles a practice is more problematic. Players lost their health insurance when the collective bargaining agreement expired, though some extended it through Cobra.

“As far as guys getting together — working out, running — I think that’s a great thing guys should do. Because when this is all over, we want to be ready to get back to work,” Niswanger said.

“The only issue is: If guys get together and start throwing and running routes and doing some practice-type drills, we just have to be very careful about that. Because the issue is with a lockout: We’re no longer covered by the team as far as insurance. If a bunch of guys get together and hurt themselves, they’re done. The team has no responsibility. The team can release the player and not pay him anything.

“The team won’t be responsible for rehab or surgery or anything. So for players, it’s at our risk — which is a scary thing for a lot of guys.”

A cautionary tale about player-organized practices comes from former Chiefs quarterback Rich Gannon. Currently a game analyst for CBS, Gannon was a rookie with the Vikings during the 1987 player strike, the last time the NFL experienced a work stoppage.

“We practiced at a high school here in Minnesota, and those practices were a joke,” Gannon said. “Guys would come in, and they couldn’t get taped. You couldn’t film it. Guys were concerned about getting injured. You had agents telling players to be smart. The practices were about half-tempo. It was really a waste of time.

“You can get some work done, but it’s not going to be the quality of work that you can get done in a controlled environment with the coaches there. It’s better than nothing. But all of those concerns are really going to curtail how much they’re able to get done. …

“You’re going to have a lot of guys that don’t live in the area. It’s going to be hard to round them all up. Then, if they do come in, how long are they going to be there for? They’re paying for hotel rooms, rental cars. That’s going to be tough.”

Players are paid much more now than in Gannon’s rookie season. The minimum salary for rookies last year was $320,000 but most players made much more.

But the fear of injury is as real now as it was then.

“The reality is: We’re spread out around the country waiting for the day the doors will be back open so that we can come back and play football,” Chiefs linebacker Andy Studebaker said. “We’re all eager to get back and get going.

“But I don’t know whether we’re going to be able to get together collectively in Kansas City until the doors are open. It’s certainly worth it to reach out to guys to see if there’s interest in doing that. You’re treading on thin ice. I think guys are open to doing that, but we have some reservations. What would that look like without the knowledge the team is backing us?”

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/26/2755521/during-the-nfl-lockout-workouts.html

What can I say? Those are all legitimate reasons as to not practice.

The logistics of it would be hard, no doubt about it, but IMO the pros out weigh the cons. I stand firm in my belief that practicing would only better things, not worsen things. Injuries can happen in the shower or walking on a icy parking lot going to your car.

Money can never be a factor for these guys. Like the article stated, rookie minimum is 320K, I will venture a guess & say thats a crap load more than most of us make in a year. Renting a car??? please!!! renting a hotel room??? please!!!! none of those are good enough reasons as to not practice. Injuries...I'll buy, but having to spend money on certain things...no way!

The "pros outweigh the cons" for who? The players? Owners? Fans? Like Gannon said, those practices were a joke and I doubt risking a multi-million dollar contract for a few practices is something that most players look at as the "pros outweighing the cons."

And sure, $320k a year is much more than most people make. However, the average NFL career lasts less than four years. It's sad to say, but there are a good number of players that don't have too many skills that translate into jobs other than playing football, so a lot of players are counting on the money that they make during their career in the NFL to last them for a long time. So it's easy to say that players should risk their careers at such practices, but it's a very hard decision to make for most players. A guy like Fletcher, at this point in his career, is set for life if he's been smart with his money. But for some of the younger, less established players it's a pretty big risk to take.

[fanforlife]

The "pros outweigh the cons" for who? The players? Owners? Fans? Like Gannon said, those practices were a joke and I doubt risking a multi-million dollar contract for a few practices is something that most players look at as the "pros outweighing the cons."

The players & therefore the team & finally by default the fans.

I know life is ruled by $$$ & everything revolves around it. Players risk their multi-million $$ contracts in sanctioned practices all the time & some even lose their lives, just look at that guy who played for Minnesota (can't remember his name) but they do it anyway.

I'm not saying that they should go all out, but to take an extended "vacation" would be a mistake & an opportunity lost. IMO.

[gay4pacman]

The "pros outweigh the cons" for who? The players? Owners? Fans? Like Gannon said, those practices were a joke and I doubt risking a multi-million dollar contract for a few practices is something that most players look at as the "pros outweighing the cons."

The players & therefore the team & finally by default the fans.

I know life is ruled by $$$ & everything revolves around it. Players risk their multi-million $$ contracts in sanctioned practices all the time & some even lose their lives, just look at that guy who played for Minnesota (can't remember his name) but they do it anyway.

I'm not saying that they should go all out, but to take an extended "vacation" would be a mistake & an opportunity lost. IMO.

Im with Gannon (and Caneskin). There is no reason for them to try to hold rag tag practices. I am for them working out together, spending time together, but trying to run around with contact doesn't make too much sense to me.

[fanforlife]

but trying to run around with contact doesn't make too much sense to me.

Who said anything about contact? I said that I don't think they should go all out. But I see nothing wrong with putting on the shoulder pads & running some drills. It's not like the Skins are like the Pats or the Steelers or the Packers, the Skins need ALL the practice they can get.

To think that they can go without OTAs, training camp & pre-season & be competitive is being delusional. Even after going through all those things, they still suck So I can't understand why some of you would be against having them practice.

& Rich Gannon??? Who gives a $hit about Rich Gannon??? He was benched in favor of Sean Salisbury for goodness sake! So because he made 4 Pro Bowls that makes him an authority on whether teams should practice during a lock out? The year he was drafted was the last time there was a lock-out, so what could he have really known about anything

I would much rather rely on history aspect of things. The last 2 times there were work stoppages we won the Super Bowl. & half of those times we practiced during the stoppage. I would like to see what Rich Gannon has to say about that

& BTW, Gay4pacman??? you couldn't have come up with a better name for yourself It's fine if you're gay & you like pacman, but what dose that have to do with the Redskins...or even football for that matter Not trying to start anything...just saying.

[gay4pacman]

welcome to the site. hang around dude.

i joined the site in 05. we picked carlos rogers. its a joke cause pacman jones was one of the top corners that year (antrel rolle too)

also...you dont need all the yellow IMO either...you are writing it, obviously it is your opinion.

again welcome to the site.

[fanforlife]

welcome to the site. hang around dude.

i joined the site in 05. we picked carlos rogers. its a joke cause pacman jones was one of the top corners that year (antrel rolle too)

also...you dont need all the yellow IMO either...you are writing it, obviously it is your opinion.

again welcome to the site.

GAY4PACMAN: Good evening

Thank you very much. I appreciate the welcoming response. I'm glad you didn't take offence to what I said, because none was intended. I was sure that you would have come at me with "guns blazing" & it shows me what kind of person you are for not doing so. Thank you for that & thank you for the explanation.

As for me always adding "IMO", it's a force of habit. Because I also post on Redskins.com, if you say anything without adding "IMO" you get blasted. As for it being yellow...#1 I love how you can personalize your posts on this site & #2 yellow is my favorite color + you can see it better against this black back drop.

[Irn-Bru]

I don't see any upside for the players getting together to practice. Most other players in the league are not practicing, and those that do will likely be doing these half-tempo affairs. Personally, if I had several million riding on it, there's no way I'd show up for anything that would go beyond some conditioning and just the lightest of drills. For example, if I was a wide receiver I wouldn't want to do any full-speed route running or cuts. Go back to work when you're getting paid and are covered for injuries.

[Paralis]

As a fan, I'd love to see the Skins hold offseason practices. Think about it. When you whittle down the list of players to get the offensive guys who are a) under contract; b) not coming off of a season-ending injury; and c) likely to start next year...

you basically get Trent Williams throwing to Anthony Armstrong.

I for one would like to see that.

[Red_One43]

Rather than the team trying to get together. I'd rather see the position guys getting together and not just practice but hang out and make sure everyone's needs are being met. This is a time when having a QB who is the leader of the team whould be great. He and Fletcher, as the defensive counter part, could organize the position practices. The QB would go to all the position practices and Fletcher would go to all the defensive position ones. There would not be a lot of these. A well rested team might not be a bad idea.

The funny thing for Grossman is, even if he were to even step up on his own initiative, he is not under contract. Would the team even recognize him as a leader? This lockout could really show what he is made of.

Did anybody heart John Beck's interview with LaVar and Dukes? Beck sounds like he is ready to step up.