Another problem with going young on the eve of a lockout.

[Fiz]

Generally when you have young players, specifically first year players, the first offseason is absolutely critical to their success.

During the season, there's only so much coaching on technique that you can do. Obviously these guys get a crash course during OTA, ST, and preseason, but you can bet that they're spending more time trying to learn a stripped down version of a playbook that's 20 times what they had in college or trying not to be murdered on the field to worry about things like footwork and timing.

After the first season, that's when they go back and work on these small things that you have to have to excel in the NFL. I'm not exactly sure the details, but you'd have to think that a lockout of the players would include barring them from team facilities and access to coaches and trainers. You'd essentially be losing a year of mental development from them.

It's true there are numerous private workout places where many athletes spend part of their summers, but from what I understand (and I have some buddies who work with the huge on in Atlanta) they focus more on very specific athletic skills, like faster burst or something like that. If you watch this offseason training video of Beason, you can see he's not actually working on any technique, just physical explosiveness.

[Fiz]

and here is a peyton manning quote to prove my point

“They’re trying to get rid of offseason workouts,” Manning said. “They’re talking about extending the season to 18 games, so they’re going to cut down the offseason stuff in return. That’s not a fair trade. Offseason workouts – that’s how we’ve gotten our edge over the years. It’s how you really develop a player and improve your craft.

“Without the offseason, how do get anybody ready to play? I’ve thrown to Blair White since we picked him up in April, and there’s no way he’s ready to play [sunday] if I don’t have those reps with him. In training camp, there just aren’t enough reps to get familiar with a guy [near the bottom of the depth chart]. You’ve got be able to throw to him in the spring – otherwise I wouldn’t feel good about rushing him out there.”

[Spaceballs83]

Of course you going to live paycheck to paycheck if ur buying multi-million dollar homes.

[blackcatgrowl]

Wow. I had no idea Beason is ripped like that. He looks like a body builder in that vid. Explains one facet of why he's awesome.

Oh... and I agree completely with your point. Having a year off is going to hurt the athleticism of many good players.

[Darth Biscuit]

Of course you going to live paycheck to paycheck if ur buying multi-million dollar homes.

Uh, what?

[PanthersPhan18]

Wow. I had no idea Beason is ripped like that. He looks like a body builder in that vid. Explains one facet of why he's awesome.

Oh... and I agree completely with your point. Having a year off is going to hurt the athleticism of many good players.

Want a piece?

[blackcatgrowl]

Want a piece?

You mean, do I wish I was ripped like that? Hell ya. I'd love to lose the tire-waist and be able to bench-press my wife and kids at the same time.

If you're suggesting something else... that's sorta your deal dude.

[Happy Panther]

Wow he is jacked

[Squirrel]

Alright who kidnapped Fiz. This is the second post he has been right on about.

[SnarkAttack]

Beason's tricep is bigger than my leg...

[Cat'sGrowl]

But, Fiz, don't you know?

An 18-game season and a lockout is what all the fans and players want.

Mr. Richardson said so.

[rayzor]

i'm really hoping that the players union getting decertified will put an end to the lockout of course since the NFLPA tried playing that card before (and won) it's likely it wouldn't work again because it would be obvious they were trying to pull the same stunt they did back in '93.

one way or the other, i hope they all get their act together and get things settled somehow. i really want to see what kind of team we wind up with once jerry starts spending again.