Cory's Corner: How Will The NFL Handle The Offseason?
With COVID-19 still causing problems nationwide, I'm starting to wonder about the transition to football — whenever that happens.
Remember, there are so many rules restricting practices, tackling, hitting, etc. How will the coronavirus affect team's draft strategy if a team doesn't have a lot of prep time with its offense before the upcoming season? Will teams want to take that quarterback in the third round, knowing that the quarterback is the most important position in all of sports and in some aspects, the trickiest to master?
So, with a shortended calendar, would the NFL and NFLPA be willing to bend on some contact rules? Would coaches have more of a leash and autonomy to do what they want in order for teams to get ready or will both organizations stick to their respective collective bargaining agreement — which expires after this season.
The NFL Draft is 12 days away. I give the NFL praise for changing on the fly and making the decision to go to a virtual draft because the usual in-person version wouldn't work in this new pandemic world that we live in. Many people have worried about scouting and obviously, it has gotten harder, but many pro days have been conducted on Zoom. The guys that I actually feel bad for are the guys that were hurt during the NFL Combine and didn't get a chance to participate in their school's pro day. Those guys will likely be downgraded just on account of a lack of scout's eyeballs, but that doesn't mean that those guys cannot play either.
And let's say that the country is "unlocked" somtime in June. Remember, in the past, teams could get together and workout in April. The workouts started the first part of April, with voluntary minicamp wrapping up at the end of the month. Then there were two sets of three-day OTAs in May and one set in June. The whole thing gets wrapped up with a mandatory minicamp during the middle of June. If teams can finally unlock their doors in June, we will find out how high of a priority the NFL places on safety vs. starting the season on time. Because there's no way that even half of a team's roster will report back in shape. You could make an argument that many NFL players from the last few years that had ample access to gyms and workout facitlies showed up at the team facility out of shape.
And the NFL is the wrong sport to go 0-to-60 in no time at all because that's when injuries occur. I would suspect if the NFL really pushes to maintain its season opener and initial schedule, that more of an onus will be placed on the preseason. Yes, I know the preseason is largely a joke, but there won't be a lot of time for quarterbacks to get in synch with their receivers or for linebackers to understand a new defensive scheme.
That's what makes all of this so interesting. If you're an NFL veteran, you don't want to come back any earlier. Remember at the tail end of Brett Favre's career? All he wanted to do was play games. He absolutely loathed practicing. I would bet that sentiment is shared with the majority of veterans around the league.
This year, the veterans may get their wish. The question is, how will it translate to games when they really matter?
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (16)
Lare
April 11, 2020 at 07:05 am
Of course, everything depends on what happens with the pandemic, but assuming we're somewhat on the way back to normal in June/July I wouldn't be surprised to see the minicamp/OTA and training camp rolled into one with the pre-season games played in a scrimmage format similar to the Packers Fun Night so that the starters can play without much of a chance for injury. Regardless, it's going to be a steeper learning curve for rookies and new players.
murf7777
April 11, 2020 at 07:35 am
“And the NFL is the wrong sport to go 0-to-60 in no time at all because that's when injuries occur.” Does practice time determine the number of injuries? I would think if players are doing proper stretching whether you had 5 or 20 practices prior to starting games wouldn’t make much difference in the amount of injuries. I have no idea, but was wondering if there are any stats to back up this comment.
Coldworld
April 11, 2020 at 08:02 am
If the scenario you anticipate materializes I think that the more interesting influence will be how coaches respond. NFL players who don’t look after their fitness will, unless stars, risk dropping into a new career.
Since every roster is made up of about 20 percent rookies, it seems to me that the coaches will need to focus playbooks and training differently. Other than favoring players from NFL-type systems, of which there are few, what new players are asked to learn do will have a big impact on the chances that they do it effectively.
In turn, this should impact the draft. GMs need to think about pieces differently if they want them to contribute next year. If you are picking a receiver, a derp threat perimeter guy with a limited route tree becomes even more appealing. Coaches that want rookies to do everything (MM and his receivers for example) will either struggle or have to change. The Bellicheck approach of focused roles should be more effective.
The more I think about it, the more I like what Gute did in bringing in some vets to try and give us experience in areas where cap concerns drove turnover. This is likely not a year to count on drafting many starters.
murf7777
April 11, 2020 at 08:46 am
I agree this draft might not bring as many starters. But, I certainly hope it doesn’t change BG how he drafts players. You should draft players based on how they will do over the next 4 or 5 years vs their rookie year.
Leatherhead
April 11, 2020 at 10:41 am
Since nickel backs are essentially starters, we could get one there. Love Tramon but he’s old and not a lot of help against the run. If we took the best CB available, maybe Diggs, he’d be like a starter.
If we took a ILB at #30 he’d probably play starter snaps. Any DL we take would be a rotation guy
I agree with your point about the starters. Last year, between FA and the draft, we added about 5 starters. That won’t happen this year.
Bure9620
April 11, 2020 at 09:38 am
If there is indeed a season, I really don't see how rookies will make an impact on any team. There may be some QBs forced into action like Burrow, but for the most part rookie development will be virtually non-exist.
TarynsEyes
April 11, 2020 at 09:49 am
Why would/should the Packers worry about any of their draft selections contributing to any definitive level. It isn't something that has been a priority for quite a few seasons now.
Whether the season opens in June or July, the main factor for GB are the second and third year guys who need to make the jump everyone, every season places their hopes on. The players we have and what they have or haven't done since the shutdown will and should be evident and a behind the scenes look at their dedication to their career.
Many have screamed about preseason being too long, so now we get to see what can be done with a two preseason game which allows for the OTA mini camps to start later or combined where the only loss is the month off that usually ensues before the preseason where no starters actually play any meaningful amount as they all claim they don't need it to be ready.
If the ban is lifted for a June/July 1 start, absolutely no reason/excuse for the season not to be fully engaged. I mean they're professionals, surely they haven't been compelled to sit on the couch.
Leatherhead
April 11, 2020 at 10:48 am
What you have is more important than what you’re adding to it, unless it’s somebody like Peyton Manning. I think the Packers finished the season with a pretty good roster and we’ve only lost something like five guys? Add Funchess, add Wagner, add Kirksey.
We have a chance to replace some guys with a Top 100 pick. This is a good thing.
4thand1
April 11, 2020 at 10:57 am
This dam virus is going to dictate what happens. My wife is an ICU nurse and we've been cooped up for a month already. Haven't seen the kids or grandkids.....................-uck. This draft will have astronomical ratings since its the only meaningful sports taking place in the whole wide world. 12 DAYS 8 HOURS AND 3 MINUTES!
Ferrari-Driver
April 11, 2020 at 01:40 pm
I'm apprehensive about this season. I live in California and a season ticket holder who has to fly back to Wisconsin for games. At this point in time, I can't see a reasonable time frame where I and likely a great many other people will be willing to get on a commercial airliner. Perhaps later in the year, around November things will be different. I may just give my early game tickets to a few old college buddies that live in the state. At present we are locked down in the state and leave our residence only to replenish basics. No sports on TV and if I have to watch another movie on TV I'll go crazy. Hope you guys are faring better.
jannesbjornson
April 11, 2020 at 03:04 pm
The probability of a normal sequence of everyday life returning would be dependent upon the testing en masse for the general population. Until that happens, the likelihood of any sports occurring is relatively low.
Samson
April 11, 2020 at 02:44 pm
2020 off season???
I'm already thinking 2021 off season... The year 2020 is already toast.... The next two major events in NFL football may very well be the upcoming draft 2020 followed by the draft 2021.... Try to figure out how you draft college players in 2021 who haven't played football since 2019.
This is a new world.... The transition to a 'new normal' hasn't even started.
murf7777
April 12, 2020 at 07:18 am
I disagree if you review the stats this pandemic so far is not nearly as bad as 1918 Spanish flu or Poliovirus in the 40’s and 50’s. The big difference is our technology and high level medical professionals. In the end, by comparison only, this will be far less tragic. We will have not only an NFL season as well as the partial finish of the NBA and MLB.
4thand1
April 12, 2020 at 07:23 am
Thanks to most of our Nations Governors.
Samson
April 12, 2020 at 09:27 pm
murf7777
I hope you're correct... but... the problem is that no one knows... including you.... Your best bet is to stay alive & keep your loved ones alive & look at year 2021 as the new beginning for everything.
flackcatcher
April 12, 2020 at 09:09 pm
Excellent overview Cory. The main concern of the NFL is its window of opportunely. And that window is closing no matter what the league does. Simple fact is if there is an NFL season, it's out of their hands. Samson is right, all sports need to start planning for next season, odds are this season is done. (To understand, there are no wide scale treatments or vaccine for Convid-19 yet. While there is hope for a light at the end of this terrible tunnel, at best we are looking at a September timeline for treatment and early next year for a vaccine)