The Cons of Training Camp-Key Losses to players before the season even begins

Training camp for all 32 teams began last week and already several teams have lost some valuable players for the season. The Baltimore Ravens lost TE Dennis Pitta for the season with a fractured hip. Denver Broncos lost C Dan Koppen for the season with a torn ACL. New York Jets lost CB Aaron Berry for the season with a torn ACL.

With so many injuries just days into training camp, questions arise on the health and safety on the athletes as well as what is too much training. Many football players come into training camp out of shape. They risk injuries and in extreme cases death. While a death in training camp has not happened in more than a decade, it is still a potential threat especially with players topping the scales at over 300 pounds and working out in extreme weather conditions. Extra weight only compounds this problem even more.

The offseason now is much shorter than in decades past. After the Super Bowl in January, players weren't due back for training camp until July which gave them a six month break. Nowadays the Super Bowl occurs in February with the draft occurring in April and players due for organized team activities (commonly referred to as OTAs) beginning in May, minicamp beginning in June and training camp in July. This gives some teams only a three month break. Players need to stay in an all most year round condition or find themselves suffering training camp and early season injuries. Are these injuries a result of poor conditioning or a lack of rest? If players in years past were able to sustain less injuries with less training, why is more training and more preseason games mandatory? You risk losing essential players before a single game is played.

The four preseason games system has been under scrutiny for many years as well. Before the signing of the last collective bargaining agreement, owners wished to add on two additional preseason games (which was voted down by the Players Association) while many players have always wished to cut the preseason to just two games. Every year when a player suffers a training camp or preseason injury, the same questions arise again and again. There is no full proof system that will guarantee player safety and insure that no player will not be injured prior to the beginning of the season, but a solution must be reached. A team should not have their possible playoff contention removed prior to the first snap of the season.

The Jets QB Controversy

After bringing in Tim Tebow last season to in theory bolster their offense, Jets fell to a dismal 6-10 behind the lackluster play of Mark Sanchez. This season Jets drafted QB Geno Smith in the second round once again bringing about another quarterback controversy.

Sanchez had a remarkable first two seasons, but since then his numbers and completion percentage have declined each year. The last season became most notorious for the "butt fumble." While Rex Ryan had in previous years defended his quarterback, this year the reality is that Smith may get the nod over Sanchez. Smith is a flashy quarterback. In his four years at West Virginia he completed 988 of 1465 passes for 11,662 yards, 98 TDs and 21 INTs. This is in stark contrast to Sanchez who was the starting quarterback for only one season at USC before declaring for the NFL draft. His lack of college experience and his recent failings under center may force the Jets to move on.

As of now Ryan refuses to commit to either quarterback advising the position is up for grabs at this point. Neither Sanchez nor Smith have had standout performances in training camp thus far leaving the Jets without a clear starter. They cannot rotate the two quarterbacks in and out without potentially causing confusion to the offense and to each quarterback. This proved disastrous for the Jets last season in a match up against the Steelers when a slumping Sanchez was replaced by Tebow for two plays only to be brought back in; Jets loss the game 27-10.

With Ryan on the hot seat this season, he cannot afford another season of poor performance and double digit losses. A decision must be made for the present and future of the Jets.

Photo Page-Super Bowl XLVII

In 2013 I went to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. It was the most amazing experience. I saw many current and former NFL players and got to enjoy a great game despite the blackout just after half time. It was weird to sit in the dark inside the stadium but how many people get to have the experience of being at the Super Bowl?

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Page-2011 Cleveland Browns Training Camp

In 2011 I attended Cleveland Browns training camp between the festivities at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was my first training camp and I got a chance to see players like Colt McCoy, Josh Cribbs, Peyton Hillis, Ben Watson and Mohamed Massaquoi in person.