Tag: OTAs

Offseason calendar for Lions minicamp, mandatory workouts now set

Offseason calendar for Lions minicamp, mandatory workouts now set

The newest Detroit Lions won’t have to wait long to get their uniforms and their first taste of playing for the team. Rookie minicamp for the Lions draft class and undrafted free agents kicks off in one week, beginning May 14th.

The NFL published the dates for all the offseason activities and camps prior to training camp for all 32 teams. Detroit’s rookie minicamp will run from May 14-16, which is in line with most other teams.

After the rookies get their work in, the rest of the team can report for OTAs on May 25-27, the first of three sets of offseason workouts. There is some question if any players will report to those OTA phases, as the NFLPA is stridently opposed to in-person work prior to training camp.

OTA Offseason Workouts: May 25-27, June 2-4, June 14-17

The drills and activities are heavily limited in the OTA sessions. They more closely resemble a half-speed walkthrough and contact is forbidden.

In between the final two OTA sessions is a mandatory minicamp. This could be the first gathering of the full Lions unit with head coach Dan Campbell at the helm.

Mandatory Minicamp: June 8-10

The dates for training camp and preseason dates have yet to be established.

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NFL announces Seahawks offseason program and minicamp dates

The NFL has announced dates for the offseason programs and minicamps. The Seahawks opted not to appear in person for voluntary activities.

The National Football League has now announced the dates for the offseason activities following the 2021 NFL draft. The program is broken down into three phases per Article 21 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Phase One will take place from April 19-May 14, four weeks this year instead of two. Any activities must be limited to strength and conditioning, virtual meetings, and physical rehabilitation only.

Phase Two starts on May 17 and lasts just one week this offseason. The following is allowed per the NFL this year:

On-field workouts may include individual player instruction and drills, “perfect play” drills, drills and plays conducted with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, with each group permitted to align eleven or fewer players across from eleven or fewer players. Players on one side of the ball may execute a play, but players on the opposite side of the ball may not initiate contact with, or attempt to impede the progress of, players who are running the play. All such drills must be conducted at an acceptable walkthrough pace (i.e. Pro Bowl practice).

Phase Three will be conducted over four weeks, from May 24-June 18. The following activities are allowed in the final phase.

Beginning in Phase Three, clubs may conduct in-person meetings and classroom instruction subject to COVID-19 testing cadence, tracking, facility access and other protocols.  During Phase Three, teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs”. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

Finally, each club is allowed to hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players – which must occur during Phase Three of the offseason program – and one rookie minicamp, held over either the first or second weekend following the draft.

Here are the offseason program dates for the Seahawks:

Rookie Minicamp: May 14-16

OTA Workouts: May 24, May 26-27, June 1, June 3-4, June 7-10

Mandatory Minicamp: June 15-17

In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Seattle’s players have already announced they won’t be participating in in-person, voluntary activities.

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Many Patriots players will not attend voluntary offseason workouts

Bill Belichick’s practice field might look a little empty.

The NFLPA announced on Twitter Wednesday that many members of the New England Patriots will not be participating in the voluntary training programs this offseason. This decision by the players is a result of the league’s perceived lack of a plan to safely bring the team back while the world is still battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

New England is not the only organization to have its players make a similar decision. The NFLPA announced that the Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions all have players who are opting not to participate in offseason workouts.

A normal offseason in the NFL brings nine weeks of work, including strength and conditioning and OTAs. However, due to COVID-19, last year’s offseason was held virtually over video conferencing programs. Training camp in July was the first time that players were allowed to report to facilities.

The NFLPA is pushing to have a similar schedule this offseason.

While it’s not exactly clear who the team will be missing this offseason, there will be some integral pieces of their roster who won’t be around Gillette Stadium unless they have to be.

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Colts players yet to decide on voluntary workouts

Colts are set to begin OTAs on April 19.

Though much of the focus this month has been on the upcoming 2021 NFL draft, a big mile-marker for the offseason in April is the start of voluntary workouts for every team, including the Indianapolis Colts.

However, due to a lack of safety protocols concerning COVID-19, several teams have already announced they won’t be participating in the voluntary workouts. Among those teams are the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

All three teams gave statements via the NFL Players Association on Tuesday.

The Colts are a team that typically gets almost every player to participate in the offseason workouts. Whether they are full participants or rehabbing injuries, the Colts have solid showings when it comes to optional work.

But they have yet to decide on what they want to do as a team for these voluntary workouts, especially with COVID-19 still impacting the league’s decisions and protocols.

The Colts had their share of run-ins with COVID-19 in 2020. They lost defensive linemen Denico Autry and DeForest Buckner for a game or two during the second half along with running back Jonathan Taylor, who was a close contact rather than testing positive for the virus.

Phase 1 of OTAs for the Colts is set to start on Monday, April 19. This part of the offseason workouts is simply strength and conditioning and rehab. They can’t get on the field until later in OTAs, but the Colts still typically get high attendance.

It should also be noted that there are no workout bonuses in any of the contracts for the Colts players, which would be an incentive for a certain player to show up for the voluntary workouts.

It will be interesting to see what happens with this situation as more teams are likely to give statements ahead of OTAs, but the Colts have yet to make their decision known to the public.

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Broncos rookies wrap up virtual offseason program

Broncos rookies have wrapped up their virtual offseason program.

Because of COVID-19, the Denver Broncos did not have in-person organized team activities or any minicamps this offseason. Instead, the Broncos had a virtual offseason program, hosting players for meetings and workouts online.

Last week, Denver’s veteran players wrapped up their portion of the offseason program. On Thursday, rookies completed their virtual offseason program, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Klis tweeted that players are tentatively set to report for training camp on July 28 but that date could be moved up or moved back, presumably based on the status of the coronavirus in Colorado.

Denver’s first preseason game is scheduled for Aug. 15, two and a half weeks after players report for training camp. The NFL is considering shortening the preseason but as of now, the Broncos’ schedule is set.

Denver is scheduled to face the Tennessee Titans on “Monday Night Football” on ESPN on Sept. 14, one month after the start of preseason.

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Quick recap of Broncos’ offseason highlights so far

It’s safe to say the Broncos had a pretty good offseason.

The Denver Broncos didn’t have official on-field organized team activities or a minicamp this spring because of COVID-19 but quarterback Drew Lock did organize some unofficial practices at a Denver area park.

Lock showed great leadership in organizing those practices which should help players transition into training camp smoothly.

The Broncos’ front office surrounded Lock with talent this offseason, drafting wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler after signing running back Melvin Gordon during free agency. Lock’s supporting cast will now include three Pro Bowlers, a promising tight end in Noah Fant and a revamped offensive line.

Denver made changes on defense, too.

Broncos general manager John Elway acquired cornerback A.J. Bouye and defensive end Jurrell Casey through trades, adding them to a defense that ranked 10th in points allowed last season (19.8 per game).

Denver should be relatively healthy going into training camp. Third-year outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (ACL) hasn’t fully recovered yet but he’s making good progress and hasn’t had any setbacks. The big injury status to watch will be that of cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot).

If he’s healthy, Callahan might start across from Bouye as the team’s No. 2 cornerback (it’s uncertain if he will play on the outside or in the slot). Cornerback will be one of the team’s most intriguing positions to watch this offseason after the club lost Chris Harris during free agency.

The Broncos’ wide receiver battle will be another competition to watch as the team has 13 players fighting for six spots on the 53-man roster.

After going 7-9 last season (4-1 with Lock starting), Denver will aim to return to the playoffs this year for the first time since 2015. Broncos coach Vic Fangio will be entering his second year in charge and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will be entering his first season in Denver.

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Broncos veterans complete virtual offseason program

Broncos veterans have wrapped up their virtual offseason program.

Denver Broncos veterans wrapped up their virtual offseason program on Thursday, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Because the Broncos will not have a minicamp this month, veterans now have off until reporting back to the team’s facility for the start of training camp on July 28.

Denver rookies still have another week of virtual meetings.

Broncos players have not had any on-field work with coaches this offseason because COVID-19 forced the NFL to move organized team activities and minicamps online. All NFL teams will have their virtual offseason programs wrapped up by the end of the month.

Denver’s first preseason game is scheduled for Aug. 15, two and a half weeks after players report for training camp. The NFL is considering shortening the preseason but as of now, the Broncos’ schedule is set.

Denver is scheduled to face the Tennessee Titans on “Monday Night Football” on ESPN on Sept. 14, one month after the start of preseason.

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Report: NFL considering limited-basis return for rookies before end of June

The NFL and NFLPA are working on a plan to let rookies and veterans in need of a physical return to team facilities on a limited basis.

The crop of 2020 rookies in the NFL was set to enter their first seasons in the league at a distinct disadvantage after being forced to miss out on rookie camps and OTAs due to the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down most of the sporting world. However, the NFL is now working on a way to at least get the rookies some distanced face time and familiarity with the team facilities ahead of training camp this summer.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL and NFLPA are working to allow this type of limited-basis return sometime before June 26.

There is no word on what time of activities would be able to take place for the rookies or veterans in need of a physical, but it’s at least easy to assume that Washington Redskins players like Chase Young, Antonio Gibson, and Antonio Gandy-Golden would love to get a feeling for their new homes. When you then look at players who are expected to be in a position battle right off the bat, like Saahdiq Charles or Thaddeus Moss, getting familiar with their surroundings so they can hit the ground running this summer, could be of great benefit.

As we learn more information about the possibility of a limited return, we will keep you updated.

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What are Broncos players missing with no OTAs?

Broncos players aren’t getting a traditional offseason experience with no OTAs.

In a normal offseason, the Broncos would hold organized team activities (OTAs) around this time of year, complete with in-person meetings and light on-field practices to prepare players for going full-speed in training camp.

In an offseason impacted by COVID-19, Denver has turned to a virtual offseason program, with meetings and workouts held online. With no OTAs, Broncos players are missing out on hearing and visualizing plays in the huddle and running through their routes.

“You miss the huddle calls,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said on May 14. “You miss being able to hear Drew [Lock] call out a play in the huddle, us break the huddle and lining up and ready to play. That’s something that’s so underrated. I think people see us at games and it looks so smooth, but that’s over time of practice before you even get to camp. When you start adding this time into is, the OTAs that we’re not getting, those reps that we’re not getting, those are reps that are quality.”

Sutton said one of Denver’s coaches estimated that the team ran through 300 plays during OTAs last spring.

“That’s 300 reps that you don’t have right now, that we don’t get in terms of getting in the huddle, hearing the whole play call, lining up and going and running whether that’s verses the defense or not,” Sutton said. “Being able to do that part as an offense is so huge.”

It’s unfortunate that Broncos players are missing out on those reps but the good news is that every team in the league is going through the same situation. Denver shouldn’t be more behind than any other team.

Sutton believes that when the Broncos are able to get back on the field, it won’t take too long to make up for the OTAs that were missed.

“It does set you back, but I have faith in the coaches and preparing every room,” Sutton said. “I have faith that we as players have taken every opportunity we can with this and running with it so that when we do get a chance to get on the field it’s not going to be something that could take a whole week to get people acclimated to it.

“It would be a couple days because you have such good teachers in terms of the coaches and the vets in each room.”

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7 Chiefs to watch if OTAs were beginning this week

If the Chiefs were beginning OTAs this week, these are the players we’d tell you to keep an eye on.

Organized team activities (OTAs) typically would be just around the corner for the Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the NFL, but not this year. The COVID-19 pandemic still has players and coaches away from team facilities, so if OTAs happen, it’ll be at a later date.

OTAs mark the first point in the offseason where all of the Chiefs’ players, including rookies and veterans, would be on the field and working together. No live contact is permitted during OTAs, but the addition of 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills advances the offseason program significantly. We’d also be getting an early idea of how the depth chart would look like in Kansas City for the 2020 season.

The Chiefs, of course, have the luxury of returning 20-of-22 starters from their Super Bowl-winning squad. They’ll still need help from every player if they’re to run it back during the 2020 NFL season.

Obviously, there aren’t any OTAs happening this week, but if there were, these are the players that we’d be keeping an eye on.

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

OL Martinas Rankin

Acquired from the Houston Texans in a trade for RB Carlos Hyde ahead of the start of the 2019 season, Rankin is a player that should be squarely in the mix to start at the left guard position for Kansas City. He started five games for the Chiefs before suffering a knee injury that knocked him out for the remainder of the year. Depending on where Rankin is in his recovery, he’ll be someone to watch as a potential starter in 2020.

Rankin won’t be unchallenged, however. He’ll face fierce competition from former starting LG Andrew Wylie. Don’t count out rookie players like draft pick Lucas Niang and undrafted free agent Yasir Durant.

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