For the last 2 days I have heard Rich Eisen on NFL Total Access say that Jets and Eagles camps open tomorrow. However, the Jets website and NFL.com say that it is not until next week. So, who reports tomorrow? Just rookies?
Just the rookies are reporting today. From todays Daily News... http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/436560p-367841c.html Jet rookies get rolling By RICH CIMINI DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Breaking from the team's past training-camp routine, new Jets coach Eric Mangini has an early reporting date for rookies - today, seven days ahead of the veterans. Mangini and his staff will welcome the rookies for a week of conditioning and classroom work - an orientation, so to speak. The rest of the team is due to report July 27, with two-a-day practice sessions set to begin at Hofstra the following day. Under former coach Herm Edwards, rookies and vets reported on the same date. The Jets and Eagles, who also begin today with rookies reporting, are the first two teams out of the gate. None of the Jets' 10 draft picks is signed and, presumably, they won't participate until they're under contract. Talks with top pick D'Brickashaw Ferguson, chosen at No. 4, are in the early stages. New GM Mike Tannenbaum, who has been negotiating the Jets' contracts since 1997, never has failed to get a first-round pick signed on time, save for a brief contract dispute by James Farrior in 1997. Originally published on July 20, 2006
So a bunch of UDFA's who really dont have chance to make the team will be there early???? Just great. Cant wait to hear about the catch that Deqwan Mobley made or the big hit that Will Thompson put on Stacey Tutt.
:smile: Funny, although I would think all the guys will be there for the classroom work and such, probably just not working out and doing drills. Maybe I'm wrong though, there's probably a NFLPA rule defining what they can do....
I like the idea that Mangini is having all the rookies in for an orientation and a little preconditioning and "classwork." It makes total sense to me and it's something Herm should have been doing. It accomplishes a couple of things. It gives them an introduction to the team and what's expected of them. It takes some of the "jitters" off the table for some of the rookies... gives them time to adjust. It gives them valuable classwork time to study formations and positions (it also gives the coaches time to look at and evaluate the rookies' ability to absorb the classroom work and how quickly they'll be able to learn). It also gives them some pre-physical conditioning and training to loosen them up and get them ready for camp, so that as they're competing for a slot on the team they have the best chance of succeeding and pushing the incumbants more. I totally applaud this. I think it's very refreshing in fact, given the kind of TC Herm and Crew ran the past couple of years.
Ive got no issues with him opening camp up early for the rookies. I just wish that some of the draft picks would be attending.
I bet the draft picks are there in the classroom, just not on thefield. In fact, I bet there won't be any field work - they did that at the minicamps.
I would almost guarantee that Tanny's streak of signing draft picks will hold for another year. I don't think he wants Mangini's first TC to be devoid of some of the key building blocks he needs to make headway in what will be a difficult year. Seeing how things are working in Weeb Ewbank Hall these days, I wouldn't even be surprised if they sign all of them the same day and make one press announcement.
In a way all the players are rookies though, at least in the new systems they will be learning, which makes me wonderif in some ways the rookies that are there a week ahead of time will actually be getting a jump on some older guys. And by the way....why have we not signed anyone yet?
In related news, sources close to the Jets camp were quoted as saying "Chad Pennington will be on the classroom sidelines waving a white flag in support for the rookies, who may ultimately render him obsolete" Pennington, away at cheerleading camp, couldn't be reached for comment.
This is interesting. Think about this. Not that too many UDFAs are going to make competition for the spots, their participation may just push the draftees a little to get a contract signed, so they can participate, and not run the risk of losing a spot. Aren't most draftees still left unsigned anyway?
I agree with your thinking. I think this is a good move on Mangini's part all the way around. Put another way, this little push can't hurt and I'd be willing to bet Tannenbaum's input had something to do with this also. We should start seeing some signings soon.
FYI. I've been reading through some of the CBA to see what the deal is with this. Looks like we could not have requested that the veterans be here this week as well, you cannot start TC more than 15 days before your first preseason game. Section 5. Reporting: No veteran player other than quarterbacks and injured players, will be required to report to a Club’s official pre‑season training camp earlier than fifteen (15) days (including one day for physical examinations) prior to its first scheduled pre‑season game or July 15, whichever is later. The July 15 date will not apply to Clubs participating in the Canton Hall of Fame Game or any American Bowl game scheduled around the Canton Hall of Fame Game date. Some interesting stuff in there if you are bored. http://www.nflpa.org/Media/ Check out the left side for the CBA and the extension. Another interesting thing in the extension that I didn't know; draft picks 1-16 can have a maximum of 6 year contract length, picks 17-32 can have a maximum of 5 years, all others can only have a maximum of 4 year contracts with no renegotiating for at least two years...
That's strange. Why only 15 days? I would like to see guys in camp for more than two weeks if possible. Modern sports players are such wussies. I think all of the CBA stuff is new to the contract. I remember there being big discussion about the length of rookie contracts. I like the no renegotiation for at least two years bit. Does that apply to all rookies, or just the second round and laters?
