Don’t Expect Much From Bucs Rookies In 2011
March 24th, 2011
There may not be many Bucs rookies this season celebrating after making stud plays if the current NFL labor war creeps into fall.
The hits Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik made in the draft last year, Joe doesn’t know where to begin.
Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was starting to come on and play well when he got hurt.
The same with receiver Arrelious Benn who was beginning to make a major impact when he went down with a knee injury that sickened Joe.
When was the last time a rookie receiver made as much of a splash than Mike Williams? (Yes, Joe remembers the Blocking Icon.)
And who could forget Cody Grimm all but making Bucs fans forget about unreliable and suspended Tanard Jackson?
Then there was LeGarrette Blount hurdling over would-be tacklers on his way to 1,000 yards rushing.
Well, Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times suggests Bucs fans should keep those memories fresh because it won’t be repeated this season (if there is a season).
Stroud notes that with the NFL owners and the NFLPA/trade association at labor war, it appears short of a court order to return to normal duties, this could get very lengthly if not ugly for some months.
As a result, rookies won’t have much of an impact Stroud suggests.
But what impact would those players have had if they weren’t allowed to participate in a rookie minicamp or OTAs? What if they weren’t even given a playbook to study following the draft?
That’s essentially what could happen to this year’s crop of rookies because of the NFL lockout.
NFL Comissioner Roger Goodell made it clear that after teams draft a college player, they can no longer have contact with them until there is a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. In fact, players cannot receive playbooks.
Stroud makes a good point but let’s take it a step further. Sure the drafted players aren’t allowed to receive a playbook… from the team. What is to stop a current player from going to Kinkos and making a copy of his own playbook to give to a rookie teammate?
But Stroud makes a very valid point: With limited to no time working in a team environment, a rookie would have to be some special kind of player to have an impact during what would be a shortened season — and most certainly an abbreviated offseason.
March 24th, 2011 at 8:26 am
When the lockout started, all players were required to turn in their playbooks. That’s the “Official” take on it.
Personally, I agree. The players likely made copies ahead of time.
As far as Shroud’s comments, I see his point, but Williams made an immediate impact last year, and so did Grimm. So there is always the chance that it can happen again, however unlikely it may seem.
March 24th, 2011 at 9:03 am
A bit unrelated but I thought I’d share. I was reading yesterday at the NFP that existing players are actually allowed to use the weight room and facility during the lock out. There just can’t be anything that is organized by the team and the players are not suppose to have contact with any coaches.
The best part is, the weight and conditioning coach is allowed to be in the room to monitor for safety, but isn’t allowed to direct or help the players in anyway….hahaha. How stupid. Like anyone would ever know.
So basically any of the Bucs playres can go use the weight room and our conditioning coach can be in there with them….I hope the players know about this loophole.
March 24th, 2011 at 9:37 am
JDouble:
You have a link to that article? Joe’s heard and read countless stories that not only are players banned from being on team premises, there is some debate that guys drafted next month won’t even be allowed to show up for a team press conference.
In fact, Joe spoke to a Bucs beat writer not long ago who spoke about how the Bucs could not work out whatsoever at One Buc Palace.
March 24th, 2011 at 9:48 am
Player’s pictures aren’t even allowed on their website or stadium!
I never liked the website after the change a few years back anyways, but it is weird now without any players on there!
March 24th, 2011 at 10:04 am
He really does make a valid point. It seems like the teams that will be successful next season are the ones willing to push the envelope and bend these ridiculous lockout rules.
If we were guaranteed that all teams would be negatively impacted the same, then atleast it would be a level playing field and all rookies would suck together.
But we all know cheaters like Belichick will find a way.
March 24th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Im pretty sure a player can step up and share the playbook with them .. Players knew the lockout was coming and prepared as so … If Ryan Kerrigan becomes a Buc .. Im sure 2nd year NFL Player Alex Magee from Purdue will help out
March 24th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Another note on the positive side … To expect any rookie class to come in and really be like last years would be expecting this years Bucs draft class to be one of the best in NFL History (for rookies)
Bias or not last years Buc Class is one of the best in NFL History statistically and team record wise.
March 24th, 2011 at 6:58 pm
“NFL Comissioner Roger Goodell made it clear that after teams draft a college player, they can no longer have contact with them until there is a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. In fact, players cannot receive playbooks.”
Wow, so they can’t even call them just to say hello? And Goodell really believes that all 32 teams will obey that stupid rule? No way Goodell can find out about that. There’s skype, there’s texting, there’s AIM chat. Or a coach can just simply drive to someone’s house.