Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New resources
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Resources
Latest reviews
Search resources
Members
Current visitors
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Open Football Discussion
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
OTAS: ROUND TWO
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="TOPHAT" data-source="post: 154830" data-attributes="member: 781"><p><strong>OTAS' CRUCIAL ROLE</strong></p><p></p><p><a href="http://greenbaypressgazette.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070604/PKR07/706040461/1989" target="_blank">http://greenbaypressgazette.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070604/PKR07/706040461/1989</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Mike Vandermause column: How important are OTA sessions?</strong> </p><p></p><p>Would you show up for work if it wasn't required? That's essentially the question Green Bay Packers players face at this time of year when the team conducts "voluntary" practices. Today will mark the third of the Packers' 12 organized team activity (OTA) sessions, and nearly everyone on the roster will put on helmets and shorts and go through drills. Players won't receive any extra money or benefits. Technically, they don't have to show up at all until training camp starts in late July. NFL rules stipulate that with the exception of one minicamp, teams can't force players to practice in the offseason. </p><p></p><p>Yeah, right. For most players, OTAs are about as voluntary as paying taxes. "It's not that you have to be here," said starting center Scott Wells, "but it is expected." That would suggest an unwritten code is at work. Unless a player has a good excuse, he better show up or risk falling out of favor with the coaches, or even his teammates. "Everybody has a day or two they have to miss for emergencies or family matters or things of that sort," Wells said. "But when you do miss, you kind of feel bad … because you're letting down other people who are counting on you." For the offensive linemen, it's important to build a strong sense of camaraderie and cohesiveness. For rookies and veterans battling for roster spots, it makes sense to use every opportunity to impress the coaches and improve their chances of making the team. </p><p></p><p>For others, the love of the game compels them to show up. Linebacker Brady Poppinga, for example, can't fathom the notion of skipping practice, whether it's voluntary or not. "Personally I wouldn't do that, I couldn't do that," he said. "You know why? I'd go crazy. I've got to play some football, man." When asked whether he likes to be at practice in June, Poppinga replied: "No, I love to be here. I enjoy it, and I would try to be here no matter what would happen. If my wife had a baby or something, and I had to be with her, I'd still be with my wife, but it would be hard." An established veteran like quarterback Brett Favre could skip every offseason practice and likely not miss a beat come training camp. But as a team leader, it's important to set a tone for the younger players. Pro Bowl receiver Donald Driver, who is all but guaranteed a starting job, knows other players look up to him. Thus, he wouldn't think about missing voluntary workouts. "If I lead the right way, they'll follow," Driver said.... </p><p></p><p>Coach Mike McCarthy no doubt would prefer perfect attendance. "Is it important for everybody to be here when the team is here?" McCarthy said. "Yes it is, because it's important for when a team works, everybody works." But McCarthy also knows there are exceptions, particularly when dealing with 94 players. "I look at the big picture," said the coach. "We are improving as a football team, and I've told our team over and over again, I'm very pleased with the individual improvement that we've had throughout the spring, particularly in the weight room, in the classroom." The progress is impressive, considering it's a "voluntary" effort.</p><p>____________________________________________________________________________</p><p></p><p><a href="http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=649987&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fpackers.scout.com%2f2%2f649987.html" target="_blank">http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=649987&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http://packers.scout.com/2/649987.html</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Sydney Speaks! Others like them.</strong> </p><p></p><p><strong>PackerReport.com's Harry Sydney offers his thoughts on who should be next president of the Green Bay Packers. Sydney also explains how Organized Team Activities practices and off-field activities help unite the team. </strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TOPHAT, post: 154830, member: 781"] [b]OTAS' CRUCIAL ROLE[/b] [url]http://greenbaypressgazette.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070604/PKR07/706040461/1989[/url] [b]Mike Vandermause column: How important are OTA sessions?[/b] Would you show up for work if it wasn't required? That's essentially the question Green Bay Packers players face at this time of year when the team conducts "voluntary" practices. Today will mark the third of the Packers' 12 organized team activity (OTA) sessions, and nearly everyone on the roster will put on helmets and shorts and go through drills. Players won't receive any extra money or benefits. Technically, they don't have to show up at all until training camp starts in late July. NFL rules stipulate that with the exception of one minicamp, teams can't force players to practice in the offseason. Yeah, right. For most players, OTAs are about as voluntary as paying taxes. "It's not that you have to be here," said starting center Scott Wells, "but it is expected." That would suggest an unwritten code is at work. Unless a player has a good excuse, he better show up or risk falling out of favor with the coaches, or even his teammates. "Everybody has a day or two they have to miss for emergencies or family matters or things of that sort," Wells said. "But when you do miss, you kind of feel bad … because you're letting down other people who are counting on you." For the offensive linemen, it's important to build a strong sense of camaraderie and cohesiveness. For rookies and veterans battling for roster spots, it makes sense to use every opportunity to impress the coaches and improve their chances of making the team. For others, the love of the game compels them to show up. Linebacker Brady Poppinga, for example, can't fathom the notion of skipping practice, whether it's voluntary or not. "Personally I wouldn't do that, I couldn't do that," he said. "You know why? I'd go crazy. I've got to play some football, man." When asked whether he likes to be at practice in June, Poppinga replied: "No, I love to be here. I enjoy it, and I would try to be here no matter what would happen. If my wife had a baby or something, and I had to be with her, I'd still be with my wife, but it would be hard." An established veteran like quarterback Brett Favre could skip every offseason practice and likely not miss a beat come training camp. But as a team leader, it's important to set a tone for the younger players. Pro Bowl receiver Donald Driver, who is all but guaranteed a starting job, knows other players look up to him. Thus, he wouldn't think about missing voluntary workouts. "If I lead the right way, they'll follow," Driver said.... Coach Mike McCarthy no doubt would prefer perfect attendance. "Is it important for everybody to be here when the team is here?" McCarthy said. "Yes it is, because it's important for when a team works, everybody works." But McCarthy also knows there are exceptions, particularly when dealing with 94 players. "I look at the big picture," said the coach. "We are improving as a football team, and I've told our team over and over again, I'm very pleased with the individual improvement that we've had throughout the spring, particularly in the weight room, in the classroom." The progress is impressive, considering it's a "voluntary" effort. ____________________________________________________________________________ [url]http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=649987&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fpackers.scout.com%2f2%2f649987.html[/url] [b]Sydney Speaks! Others like them.[/b] [b]PackerReport.com's Harry Sydney offers his thoughts on who should be next president of the Green Bay Packers. Sydney also explains how Organized Team Activities practices and off-field activities help unite the team. [/b] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Members online
No members online now.
Latest posts
Why I Love The 2026-2027 Green Bay Packers
Latest: El Guapo
Yesterday at 10:50 PM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Josh Jacobs facing charges…
Latest: milani
Yesterday at 5:13 PM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Christian Watson signs a 4 year 110m extension
Latest: OldSchool101
Yesterday at 12:42 PM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Cam Achord new ST coach - Fire him
Latest: OldSchool101
Yesterday at 11:14 AM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Off Season News
Latest: milani
Sunday at 2:18 PM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Forums
Open Football Discussion
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
OTAS: ROUND TWO
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top
