This year, the Green Bay Packers have a mere 17 practice sessions at their disposal during training camp. That’s not really big news. After the latest collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was put into place back in 2011, several of the current restrictions on practice protocol went into effect.
Teams don’t practice all day or have two-a-days like they used to and when you consider that most practices lasts about an hour and forty five minutes, that equates to just under 30 total hours of work. That’s less than an average work week for you and me.
That doesn’t include valuable preseason games, so there are more opportunities for the team to see their players in action and gear up for this coming season, but just 17 camp practices?
I get the new rules, I just see that number and am reminded of why many NFL teams don’t hit their peak until a few games into the season, sometimes later. I’m also reminded of why we tend to see many teams beat another team that they wouldn’t otherwise if they were to face each other later in the year (the Packers have to be hoping for this scenario in week one against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks).
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has talked about using less scheme and more personnel groups this season. He wants to be more “multiple”, as he says, meaning using the different strengths of each player and within the scheme to maximize results. McCarty cites the number of young players on the roster as the primary reason. You can also thank the lack of practice time.
Some argue that professional players can play and they don’t need to be ramming into each other all day, every day to get ready for the season. That may be true in some cases, but many teams would seem to benefit from more emphasis on fundamental football and the Packers are one of those teams.
The tackling, for example, has been marginal over the last three seasons. While the Packers say they work on it as often as they can, training camp offers more of an opportunity to do it in a live setting. During live periods, players can make more contact with each other, although rarely is full contact encouraged anymore during practice.
Think about the offense, led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, an offense that is very much about timing and consider how few reps these players get to gel and learn how each other plays. Three young wide receivers who need to learn not only the offense, but also how their quarterback navigates the passing game. Think about the offensive line where all five guys need to be in sync. Defensive alignments, defensive adjustments. Snapper to holder to kicker. Hardly anyone is exempt.
At times like this, the Packers benefit from having a head coach who has been around for the past nine seasons and who has a good handle on what he needs to accomplish in a short amount of time. They may have a young roster, but they also have experience where it matters most.
Rodgers is a prime example. He’s a huge asset to the progress of the young receivers during camp. Some have questioned his leadership in the past, but Rodgers is clearly doing something right when the offense executes a near flawless back shoulder fade on game day. Sure the coaching staff ultimately teaches the game and gets these players ready, but having mentally sound players on the field during practice is like having an extra set of coaches. Add in guys like Jordy Nelson, Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers and Tramon Williams and the Packers need not worry so much about the limited time together in August. Green Bay’s regular season record during McCarthy’s tenure is proof.
Whether we like it or not, this is the new NFL. It’s all about saving the best for game day and hoping that you have a roster full of gamers. A gamer is a guy who who shines when the spotlight is on and when it counts. regardless of how he performs in practice. McCarthy has talked about needing more playmakers this season. There isn’t much time for these guys to develop into one during the summer. Hopefully they are mentally prepared, can stay healthy and take advantage of what is in front of them. The perennial high hopes of their fans are riding on it.
——————
Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com
Follow Jason Perone:
Follow @JasonPerone
——————
This is the main reason that players will need more off season trainning on their own. If a player ( vet or rookie ) thinks they don’t need to puff up on their skills better thinks twice. Too many players are done at the end of camps because they get hurt. I only hope they going into the preseason healthy and as in the past too many careers are done because of perseason. So coaches preach and demand that your players are fine tuned coming to camp knowing what the pay back could be come Super Sunday. Sometimes it’s what goes on behind the seens that shows up on gameday!
They don’t need more time to train, there’s plenty of time to get in shape. Players need more practice time. The new collective bargaining agreement severely limits the amount of time players can actually practice for football. They need more time w/ coaches and focus on technique, running plays. You don’t get that when your training. You get it from working w/ your teams coaches on the field.
It’s been a month Stroh. I haven’t read you since then here. And I agree with you.
Oh, just admit it… You couldn’t stay away and not read. You just chose not to respond. We all know better 🙂
As the no#1 ‘Draft and Develop’ team in the league, the Packers especially need as much practice time as they can get, with all the younger players they accumulate. They Packers are in the top 5 of youngest team every year. Less the 40 hours of practice time, in training camp, is to little.