Some things just can’t be done in the virtual space.
Getting the timing of routes down is difficult enough for receivers and quarterbacks when you have all the normal time allotted. Offensive linemen and defensive linemen can’t work on group-related fundamentals in pass protection and run blocking. But the most concerning thing related to the lack of on-field training for NFL teams thus far is medical in nature.
What seems to have Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid the most vexed is the potential for an increase in injuries. Sure you can get plays installed and work on the mental process of the game in a virtual space, but without players training their bodies specifically for the types of force and motion they’ll face daily in football, the fear becomes an increase in injuries during the 2020 NFL season.
“So I’d probably tell you timing of routes, I’d tell you breakpoints on the secondary and linebackers,” Reid told reporters about what players are missing out on by not being on the field. “The offensive line is fundamentals and defensive line is more fundamental work. Then if you talk to medical people, you understand that injuries can go up if you’re not working change-of-direction or being tugged on like a running back would be tackled and he’s got to pull through a tackle, it has a tendency to up injuries. We saw that a little bit with the lockout year with Achilles tendons. Those things end up being important. From a pure football standpoint, it’s your timing, your breaks. The guys are still going to be competitive; they’re going to do the best they possibly can do with whatever we give them. It sure would help, I think, the injury area and the game if we have a little build-up to it.”
Reid, of course, points to the CBA lockout in 2011. After the lockout concluded, the NFL saw a jump in Achilles tendon injuries among players. Many medical professionals believe that increase was caused by the lack of build-up time for players ahead of training camp and the preseason.
Obviously, the NFL won’t take the coronavirus pandemic lightly and rush things. They’re exploring every possible solution to ensure that a 2020 NFL season takes place. But they could be facing more health-related concerns once the season begins the longer they wait to get their players prepared for the season.
“They’re going through a lot of things whether it’s studies of other sports that are starting up around the world,” Reid explained. “They’re keeping close track on that. I’m sure they’ve talked about everything. I haven’t been in the meetings, but I know they’re meeting a lot on player safety and fan safety. I know whatever they come up with will be good and it’s also the union that works, so the players union also works with them on that. So, they’ll come up with a good solution. I don’t know what those are right now, but I know it will be good once it happens.”
Reid knows his players will be mentally prepared to play in 2020, but will their bodies be ready? That remains a significant concern as we inch closer toward training camp and the 2020 preseason.
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