Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari believes the NFL’s all-virtual offseason – due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic – could have advantages for teams.
Bakhtiari specifically pointed to the opportunity to dive all-in on the mental side of the game, a potentially valuable situation for an offense still learning the subtleties and nuances in the second year of Matt LaFleur’s scheme.
“I think this is a really good time for us to harp on the mental side of the game,” Bakhtiari told Larry McCarren of Packers.com. “We’ve only had one year of exposure to this new offense. For me and the other guys on my team, we can really spend the extra time knowing the ins and outs, take that next step of not only knowing your position, but knowing what all five (offensive linemen) have to do, knowing what the receivers have to do with blocks, and the running back’s aiming points and landmarks.”
A better understanding of the scheme and all the individual parts of plays and concepts should allow for players to think less and play faster once teams are allowed to reconvene.
“When you have full, encompassing idea of the run and the pass protection and the certain checks, you start thinking less and start playing more, and you’re able to react better and faster and anticipate because you know exactly what’s supposed to happen,” Bakhtiari said.
With facilities closed, all 32 NFL teams will conduct the offseason workout program virtually. The Packers will begin their three-week virtual program next week. No teams are allowed to do on-field work together until all 32 team facilities are re-opened.
Per the agreement between the NFL and NFLPA, teams are currently allowed to do classroom work and provide guidance for individual workouts via virtual means.
Teams and players may be falling behind on the physical side of the equation, at least temporarily, but there’s an opportunity to gain an edge for the teams and players who embrace the situation and take advantage of focusing hard on the mental side of the game.
The Packers won’t get on-field reps together this spring, but Bakhtiari and his teammates could arrive at training camp – whenever it starts – refreshed physically and sharp mentally. Growing mentally is the hidden advantage of an all-virtual offseason.
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