Todd Bowles Has No (Public) Thoughts On Possible Offseason Changes
May 29th, 2024
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
This could be the final time the NFL hosts OTAs. At least on the field.
Yesterday, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the players’ union is working on a proposal to NFL owners that would eliminate spring football possibly as early as 2025, specifically on-field workouts. These are otherwise known as “OTAs.”
In return, the NFLPA would offer to have its members arrive at team facilities for extended training camps starting as early as June.
Pretty radical move.
So yesterday Joe asked Bucs coach Todd Bowles about any positives or negatives in such a proposal. Bowles didn’t want to touch the subject until it was a done deal — if it is ever a done deal. And he wasn’t sure the proposal will be approved owners.
“I don’t have [an opinion] right now because the rules haven’t changed,” Bowles said. “There [are] a lot of things brought up every year. Until they change the ruling on them, you monitor them and you kind of go from there.
“Right now, I don’t have a comment on it.”
Joe has no idea if the players are in favor of this or not. Joe assumes they are otherwise the NFLPA wouldn’t push for this.
Joe does know that just about everyone else employed by NFL teams would revile such a move. They can all pretty much kiss their summers goodbye.
May 29th, 2024 at 9:06 am
Think about this a little bit …
1. The offseason is for the players to decide how to improve their craft. Each professional athlete is different. This year Vea is working out with Suh. Yaya is going to a DE skills camp. Mauch is bulking up. Each player is in a different place. At camp, teams dictate the regimen.
2. Players fatigue of camp, as is. It’s already a little too long. Why lengthen it?
May 29th, 2024 at 9:09 am
That’s a great point. By the end of the second week these guys are punchy, mentally. They crave the first preseason game only because that breaks up the monotony.
Can see a lot of veterans finding ways to skip the first month or so of the new training camps, if it happens.
May 29th, 2024 at 9:24 am
The players who succeed will be the ones who work out whether they’re told to or not
May 29th, 2024 at 9:39 am
The OTA are voluntary why would players want to give up OTA for more mandatory training. However, if their union is the one proposing this they must be in favor of it.
May 29th, 2024 at 9:59 am
As long as it doesn’t result in sloppy play and the rookies get what they need for the next level.
May 29th, 2024 at 10:18 am
I have a better idea. Let them just show up four weeks before the season. Practice one hour per day in the morning . Go home and show up on game day. 20 game season. I mean if they want to tinker and keep coming up with stupid stuff and work as little as possible why not. Give everyone a little of something they want. Players and fans.
May 29th, 2024 at 11:11 am
Not everything a union proposes is necessarily what the rank and file really wants or needs. Granted, the NFLPA isn’t exactly the teamsters, but it’s more interested in looking out for itself than it’s members.
May 29th, 2024 at 11:56 am
Interesting. Not knowing all specifics yet, it’s hard to gauge. I can understand coach not commenting and probably doesn’t know enough about it yet, until it’s a rule I guess. If the union wants it, and the players want it, there must be more to it.
May 29th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Kirwan and Miller suggested the other day a better plan would be simply to come in 2 weeks before training camp and do underwear football and conditioning only. Then slowly ramp up the hitting in TC. They noted that players don’t like coming to voluntary this, mandatory that…breaking up half the year, leaving them alone to get out of shape.
Interesting idea.
May 29th, 2024 at 12:54 pm
On the surface it doesn’t seem to make sense for the players (what’s their incentive?). But there may well be ‘sweeteners’ that we’re all not aware of yet (more money? shorter workdays?).
May 29th, 2024 at 1:09 pm
God bless him, Todd is an old pro. Basically, whatever the league does we will react accordingly and turn it in our favor. Love it
May 29th, 2024 at 4:17 pm
Bad idea.
May 29th, 2024 at 4:21 pm
Yawn. I’m with Todd, until something specific is proposed, it’s simply time for another drink.
May 30th, 2024 at 2:41 am
Sounds like the NFLPA has realized that non contact OTAs only go so far. And dont really help anyone but rookies and new coaches. Makes for some very sloppy football early in the season as well.
However expect more overweight and out of shape players when camp starts. Rooks will be cluless for the first week at least.
The NFLPA, the owners, and Goodell continue to screw up the game.
Go Bucs!