Why Not Be In Shape For Training Camp?
August 26th, 2010
In football of another age, seemingly around the time Bobby Lee dragged his troops out of Gettysburg on a rainy Fourth of July, players had to work a second job.
Because of this, training camp was meant for players to get into shape, not necessarily to install offenses.
In the NFL of recent decades, thanks to better salaries, players are often expected to arrive to training camp in shape, partially because of all the OTAs and minicamps, partially because players are afforded access to state-of-the-art team training facilities throughout the year.
So Joe was chagrined to read that Bucs coach Raheem Morris single out struggling running back Derrick Ward for being overweight, as documented by eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune.
“When you get a bit older in this league, especially as a running back, you have to realize that you need to come into camp at a lighter weight, not heavier,” Coach Raheem Morris said. “I still have a lot of confidence in Derrick Ward that he’ll be ready and in shape to help us this season.”
Later in the same article, Ward disputes he is out of shape.
Now Joe knows Raheem is a standup guy and it’s hard for Joe to believe Raheem would go after a player unless there was a valid reason. Given the fact that Ward has yet to set the world on fire since he signed as a free agent with the Bucs last year, Joe believes Raheem isn’t just blowing smoke.
It saddens Joe to read this. The Bucs, as a team, were once married to a weight room. Warren Sapp spoke about this in the great NFL Network’s America’s Game. It seems Josh Freeman is trying to steer the Bucs back to those days of rigid work ethic.
Joe’s of the mind to try to coin a verb. If an NFL player shows up to training camp out of shape, Joe’s inclined to say said player “Kardashianed” his summer away.
August 26th, 2010 at 9:06 am
He looks overweight
August 26th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Rah has to be onto something here. But I wish he was more PC in calling out Ward and Sabby, it might let the team know that if you underperform you will be called out which is good… but on the other hand might create some resentment from the players being called out.
August 26th, 2010 at 9:34 am
We need players who are willing to call out other players! I kills me that these guys can talk $hit when one can’t tackle and the other averages 1.9 yards per carry. Do you think Parcell’s or Cowher would put up with this crap? I don’t think so!!
August 26th, 2010 at 9:37 am
bucnjim:
Notice how a “player’s coach” is suddenly calling out a couple of terribly underachieving players?
August 26th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Oh no, Ward being overrated and overpaid has nothing to do with it.
August 26th, 2010 at 10:14 am
From what I have seen, it is only a matter of time before the young leaders of the team emerge with the work ethic to get others in the wieght rrom and film room on their own time.
Josh Freeman is leading the charge, but it seems like Mike Williams, Stroughter, & Higgins on Offense and Gerald McCoy, Brian Price, & Roy Miller on defense are all very dedicated.
I assume Geno Hayes probably is because of where he went and his respect and connection to Brooks, but I have not heard one way or the other.
I would also love to hear about Talib stepping up as the leader of the secondary, but I have a feeling it will be Lewis in the next two years because of his team captain experience in college.
August 26th, 2010 at 10:36 am
This bum has spent the last 2 off seasons going out almost every night and throwing endless pool parties. The first day of camp I thought he looked FAT! (Gundy). No way this guy has any dough left after he retires. He lives like he has endless cash flow coming in.
August 26th, 2010 at 11:32 am
This is the general idea at One Buc Place, that training camp is for getting in shape and the off season is for getting fat and happy. I saw Ronde say that almost verbatim in an interview.
August 26th, 2010 at 11:32 am
“Kardashianed” I LOVE it!!
August 26th, 2010 at 11:35 am
“This is the general idea at One Buc Place, that training camp is for getting in shape and the off season is for getting fat and happy. I saw Ronde say that almost verbatim in an interview.” – I call BS on that. We had plenty of guys training at one buc in the off season. (ie Freeman) Winslow wasnt there but has kept in shape. Dont group the entire team in with Wards fat ass
August 26th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Paul…Ronde also admits that he is a bit freakish in his ability to get into shape very fast. I am with Ash on this one. Even Penn used the off season to get into shape, and Grahm has been hitting the wight room pretty heavy as well.
August 26th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
We should just institute a rule that says any player who goes after one of those Kardashian whores will be cut immediately. Thats strike 1 on Ward, and 2 is that he went after the ugly one. Strike 3 is that he sucked last season and so far this season… game over!
August 26th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Joe…I have a different opinion…we could only hope that someone on this team would be Kardashianed. Apparantly dating or marrying one seriously increases your odds for winning a championship!..see Reggie Bush and Lamar Odom.
Obviously Ward couldn’t close the deal…could it be he was too fat for a Kardashian?
August 26th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
It could be said that they have the magic squadoosh! (Ron Diaz’s word)
August 26th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
When you cut all the leaders at once there is no one to set an example. Deric Brooks would not have allowed this.
August 26th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Topdog…We all miss DB, but he would not have allowed this from the defense. The offense is another animal of it’s iwn…Did you ever watch our offense play with DB on the team?