Tag: rookies

Report: Chiefs rookies, quarterbacks told to report to training camp

The Kansas City Chiefs have told their rookies and QBs that training camp is on.

Kansas City Chiefs rookies, quarterbacks and select veteran players have officially been told to report to training camp this weekend.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Chiefs players have been told that “camp is a go.” This comes following reports that the team still was awaiting league guidance ahead of the rookie report date which was scheduled for Saturday, July 18. Kansas City, of course, is one of the first teams that will be able to report to camp because they open the season playing “Thursday Night Football” against the Houston Texans.

Pelissero claims that Chiefs players will undergo COVID-19 testing on Monday. He also adds that there is not currently an agreement in place between the NFL and NFLPA on several outstanding issues. So what guidelines are ruling this decision to have players report to training camp? The new collective bargaining agreement.

Pelissero’s NFL Network colleague, Mike Garafolo, added that over the weekend and ahead of COVID-19 testing scheduled for Monday, Chiefs players will take physicals and be fitted for equipment.

It will be up to the NFLPA to file a grievance with the league if they don’t believe the Chiefs are in compliance with health and safety protocols as related to COVID-19.

Players have continued to express concerns about their health and safety as the NFL and NFLPA have worked to ratify outstanding issues. But as of right now, there is nothing preventing Kansas City from telling their rookies to report to training camp.

Training camp will be held at The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex this season and not Missouri Western State University due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Report: NFL may trim training camp rosters to as few as 75 players

The Saints could enter their 2020 training camp with a roster reduced from the usual 90-man depth chart to combat the novel coronavirus.

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The novel coronavirus pandemic has impacted the New Orleans Saints in several big ways during the 2020 offseason, including an infection for head coach Sean Payton. But its wide-ranging influence has hit the NFL’s summer schedule, canceling organized team activities, voluntary workouts, and even preseason games.

And a recent report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggests that more adjustments could be on the way. Schefter reports that NFL teams could reduce their rosters to as few as 75 to 80 players from the customary 90-man depth chart for training camp, lessening the number of potential infections during weeks of practices.

That would be a big blow for players on the fringe of the Saints’ roster; recent veteran additions like Margus Hunt, Ty Montgomery, and James Hurst could be left out of consideration as well as undrafted rookie pickups such as Blake Gillikin, Tony Jones Jr., and Adrian Magee. They are all newcomers who need the opportunity to make a strong impression in training camp, but reduced rosters mean they might never even get a spot in the locker room. Second-year pros who might be hoping for a bounce back (Emmanuel Butler, Ethan Greenidge, and Chase Hansen come to mind) could also be left in the cold.

Another consideration being discussed at the NFL offices is increased practice squad size during the season, widening the pool of reserves up to 16 to 20 players. That would be a big boost for teams managing infections with quarantined players, which is likely inevitable given the full-contact nature of the sport.

With training camp just weeks away — the Saints are scheduled to report to their Metairie practice facility on July 28 — we shouldn’t have to wait long for official word to come down from the league. As local and federal governments work to contain infections, it feels like it’s more a matter of “when,” not “if,” further changes will be implemented.

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Seahawks rookies likely to report early to training camp this year

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Seattle Seahawks rookies are likely to report early to training camp this year.

The National Football League is pushing ahead with the scheduled start of training camps despite the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases around the country. On Monday, the NFL announced camps would begin on time, with most set to kick off on July 28.

Rookies and “select players” will be allowed to report a few days early and it appears the Seahawks will be taking advantage of the precious extra time they will be able to spend with the first-year players.

Until last season, coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider had the rookies arrive to camp with the rest of the roster. In 2019, however, things changed and the rookies got a head start.

“To give them a runway to prepare for camp,” Carroll said last year via John Boyle of Seahawks.com. “We feel like if we can make sure they’re physically ready after the six-week break that we can have a better shot of making them physically prepared for the workload they’re going to get.”

While fans will likely be unable to attend the training camp practices this year out of an abundance of caution due to the coronavirus pandemic, the team is planning to have the players report as usual. Just exactly how the workouts will be structured in a safe manner, remains to be seen.

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Rookies, select NFL players may report to training camps before July 28

The NFL has informed teams that rookies and “select players” may report to training camps before the league-wide start date of July 28.

The National Football League has announced it has informed teams that training camps are set to open as scheduled this year with most kicking off on July 28.

Rookies and other “select players,” however, may be allowed to report a few days earlier if the clubs deem prudent. Panthers coach Matt Rhule had said last week the league had informed teams they could bring rookies in on July 21 and quarterbacks on July 23.

The owners and league officials participated in a conference call last Thursday and discussed how to best proceed with reopening in light of the rise of COVID-19 cases around the nation.

League executive vice president and general counsel Jeff Pash was the one to convey the news.

After the meeting, NFL Commission Roger Goodell also informed reporters the league’s focus is to “get ready for games at our stadiums and to engage our fans both in stadiums and through our media partners.”

But with many states seeing the number of positive coronavirus tests increasing at an alarming rate, the league might have to walk back on its aggressive plan to start camps on time, after all.

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Chiefs still awaiting draft picks to sign rookie deals

Why haven’t the Kansas City Chiefs signed any of their draft picks?

NFL teams have been particularly slow in signing their draft picks this season and the Kansas City Chiefs have yet to sign a single draft pick. The coronavirus pandemic has obviously had an impact here, but even more for the Chiefs.

If you look at the past tradition when it comes to Kansas City signing their draft picks, they’re nearly always in the team facility when it happens. Last season, they signed four draft picks just ahead of the start of their rookie minicamp. They take the ceremonial picture in Brett Veach’s office signing their contract and it’s posted to social media. They might have to change their tradition slightly because of the virus, but I’d expect that players won’t officially sign contracts with the team until they’re finally allowed into the facility. Many of them are still in their hometowns waiting to get the call that they can report to Kansas City.

This isn’t a matter of finding the cap space to sign draft picks either. The Chiefs are well-removed from the cap-crunch that had them with $122 dollars in cap space earlier this offseason. They currently have over $6.2 million in cap space per the NFLPA’s public salary cap report. That should be more than enough to sign their rookie class and have some leftover cash for emergency signings and roll over for the 2021 season.

How much will signing the rookies cost? Below you can find salary projections for the Chiefs’ rookie class from Spotrac. These projections include total contract value, signing bonus money, and cap hit in 2020.

Player Total Value Signing Bonus Cap Hit
Clyde Edwards-Helaire $10,821,572 $5,430,234 $1,967,559
Willie Gay Jr. $5,271,046 $1,393,488 $958,372
Lucas Niang $4,519,722 $847,072 $821,768
L’Jarius Sneed $3,929,320 $634,320 $768,580
Mike Danna $3,558,661 $263,661 $675,915
BoPete Keyes $3,377,819 $82,919 $630,715

At the end of the day, there’s no reason to worry that these players remain unsigned. We’re just waiting for them to get in front of the pen and paper to sign on the dotted line.

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NFL discussing allowing new players into club facilities in June

The NFL and the NFLPA are discussing allowing rookies and free agents who need physicals to return to club facilities by June 26.

COVID-19 may not be at the forefront of our country’s mind anymore, after issues of racial injustice and police brutality have taken over, but the impact it is having on the world of sports is still rampant – even if things are slowly starting to get back to normal.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that, while minicamps are not expected at all this year, there is discussion between the NFL and the NFL Player’s Association to allow rookies, as well as veterans who changed teams and need physicals, to return to club facilities on a limited basis as soon as June 26.

For the Seahawks, this would allow the team an opportunity to get their 25 rookies – eight draft picks and 17 undrafted free agents – into the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington – along with veteran newcomers Bruce Irvin, Benson Mayowa and Phillip Dorsett, among others.

There are still hurdles to be overcome, including King County’s rules on gatherings over 50 people, but this could be an opportunity for the team’s newcomers to start bonding with each other in person as the start of the 2020 NFL season continues to draw close.

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Report: Chiefs rookies, specific veterans could return to team facilities in June

A new report says the NFL is discussing a June return for rookies and veteran players who changed teams.

We’re beginning to get solid information about how and when teams will be allowed to have players return to team facilities.

While there remain no set dates for training camp and a return to facilities for the Kansas City Chiefs and other teams, we now know the protocols by which players will be allowed to return to team facilities. According to a new report, we also might have an idea of when some specific players could be permitted to return to the building.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero claims the NFL and NFLPA are discussing the return of rookies and certain veterans on a limited basis. According to Pelissero, no date is set in stone but a return could happen prior to June 26.

The veteran players who would be permitted to return would be those who are new to the team, either via free agency or trade, and have yet to complete a physical with their new team. For the Chiefs, that group includes QB Jordan Ta’amu, RB DeAndre Washington, OT Mike Remmers, TE Ricky Seals-Jones, CB Antonio Hamilton, P Tyler Newsome and DE Taco Charlton.

Rookie players would likely be permitted to return in order to receive physicals, but it’d also help them get their feet under them before jumping right into things when every player returns. It’s an acclimation period they weren’t afforded during a traditional rookie minicamp due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chiefs currently have 25 rookies on their 90-man offseason roster, including undrafted free agents. This could mean that over 30 players are back in the building in Kansas City before the month is over. That’d be important progress for the future reopening of team facilities to all players and staff.

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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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How are Chiefs’ coaches evaluating rookies during virtual offseason?

Andy Reid broke down the process for the Kansas City Chiefs during Friday’s media availability.

Kansas City Chiefs rookies have yet to take the field with facilities still in the first phase of reopening due to the coronavirus closures.

We’re entering what is typically the formative weeks, where coaches get an idea of what a player might be capable of during their rookie season. So how exactly are Andy Reid and the rest of the Chiefs’ coaching staff evaluating their newest players when they’re unable to get on the field?

“I have staff meetings and I still ask about the players and who’s doing well and predominantly the rookies as far as learning,” Reid explained. “I think if we can overemphasize the learning part of it now, not that we don’t but we can really emphasize that now, there’s a chance that eliminates just an inch of that angst when they’re on the field where they can perform athletically or physically to the best of their ability. We’re kind of putting the hammer down on that and working it and emphasizing it to the player.”

Reid emphasized player attitude and approach as something that’s important during this time. You can’t be falling asleep during these team meetings just because they’re taking place in a virtual space. While players aren’t on the field right now, the extra work that they put in is going to be rewarded down the line. And so far, it appears this approach is getting positive results from the new faces in Kansas City.

“I’m getting good reports back from the coaches on the rookies,” Reid said. “The guys are working their tails off right now. The coaches give quizzes and all of those things too, so you get an idea of the feedback. I’d also go ‘Hey why don’t you explain to the guys 22ZN. Take us through it and detail it’. So you get a feel there on exactly what they know. Then with the rookies you’ve got a couple extra hours that you can work with them. The coaches have a little log time in there where they can get the rookies aside and visit with them.”

At the end of the day, the hope is that the rookies will be able to retain what they learn now and apply it on the field down the line. With some luck the 2020 rookie class will be able to hit the ground running as soon as they have an opportunity to get back on the practice field.

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Seahawks assign drafted and undrafted rookies their jersey numbers

The Seahawks have assigned their drafted and undrafted rookies their jersey numbers – here’s a look at who’s wearing what number this summer.

The Seattle Seahawks have assigned their rookies their jersey numbers ahead of the 2020 NFL regular season.

Here’s a look a who will be wearing each number this summer as they compete to make the 53-man roster.

2020 Drafted Rookies

LB Jordyn Brooks 56
DE Darrell Taylor 58
G Damien Lewis 68
TE Colby Parkinson 84
RB DeeJay Dallas 31
DE Alton Robinson 98
WR Freddie Swain 18
WR Stephen Sullivan 87

2020 Undrafted Rookies

DT Josh Avery 63
RB Patrick Carr 39
OT Tommy Champion 79
WR Seth Dawkins 13
WR Aaron Fuller 2
QB Anthony Gordon 6
CB Gavin Heslop 9
RB Anthony Jones 36
DT Cedrick Lattimore 75
TE Tyler Mabry 85
DE Eli Mencer 43
FS Chris Miller 33
FS Josh Norwood 41
CB Debione Renfro 38
CB Kemah Siverand 8
DE Marcus Webb 48
TE Dominick Wood-Anderson 46
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