Tag: virtual offseason

Redskins have ‘no doubt’ Dwayne Haskins is grasping offense during virtual meetings

The NFL is being restricted to virtual offseason sessions, but reports show that Dwayne Haskins is picking up the offense well.

Throughout his rookie season, the narrative surrounding Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins was that he was struggling to learn the playbook, and high-level concepts were going over his head. This was apparent on the field, as his level of play was low, and the team was the worse for it.

So going into his first offseason in the NFL — one that is admittedly far and away different than any other due to the coronavirus pandemic — it’s fair to question how Haskins will handle the virtual learning, and if he will be able to make the leap necessary to become the Redskins franchise QB that they envisioned when drafting him with the No. 15 pick a year ago.

It looks like those fears can start to be calmed, as reports out of Washington show that Haskins is doing well with the virtual workouts and class sessions, and the team has no doubt that he will pick it up.

While nothing can beat the opportunity of being able to actually put in the work on the field with his teammates, it’s at least encouraging to hear that Haskins is adapting to our new normal well, and progressing with his teammates. As the offseason rolls on, I’m sure we will get many more check-ups just like this to keep us up-to-date on his progress.

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Prescott, Cowboys have ‘very positive’ talks as offseason program begins

The Cowboys are without their starting QB as the virtual offseason program begins, but local media reports that the two sides are talking.

As one of twelve teams launching their virtual offseason programs on Monday, the Cowboys would seem to be in a position to get a good head start on many rival clubs. That jump-start on the 2020 campaign would likely mean a lot more, though, if starting quarterback Dak Prescott were actually participating.

While Prescott is currently not taking part in the team’s program, at least one Dallas media outlet is reporting that the conversation between the front office and the club’s starting quarterback are trending in the right direction.

Prescott’s camp has said previously that he would not take part in any offseason work without a signed contract. The club used the franchise tag on their fifth-year passer, but without Prescott’s signature on the tender itself, he is technically not under contract with the team. As such, he is under no obligation to participate in any workouts, virtual or in-person, voluntary or mandatory.

Monday’s opening of the offseason program allowed new coach Mike McCarty and the mostly-revamped staff in Dallas their first opportunity to meet with the team. NFL Network is reporting that the Cowboys will hold classroom work only on at least the first day. And even though these meetings won’t be face-to-face at the team facility, they could prove to be valuable- in more ways than one- to a number of players on the roster.

As ESPN’s Todd Archer reported on Monday:

“The Cowboys’ offseason program begins today and Mike McCarthy will be able to have his first team meeting ‘virtually,’ since being named coach. The Cowboys do not have any players with offseason workout bonuses, but they do have a number of players with de-escalators that would reduce their base salaries if they don’t take part in 90 percent of the program. Given the ‘virtual’ program this offseason, players would need to participate in these sessions to comply.”

According to NFL Network, “the program is strictly virtual with on-field work only allowed when all 32 club facilities can reopen. The virtual period will consist of three straight weeks that include classroom instruction, workouts, and non-football educational programs that use videoconferencing.”

Prescott has until July 15 to sign his franchise tender and could elect to opt out of all team activities until that time.

Redskins begin ‘virtual offseason’ today, so what does that mean?

Redskins are one of 12 teams to begin virtual offseason program this week, meaning they will have classroom sessions and lots of homework.

The Washington Redskins are one of 12 NFL teams who are opting to begin their virtual offseason training programs this week, though they aren’t starting their ‘virtual workouts’ just yet.

While during a normal season, the team would likely be getting together for voluntary minicamp and the first large gathering between players and coaches — something that is incredibly crucial for teams with a brand-new coaching staff like Washington — all 32 clubs will be forced to do that from the comfort of their homes.

So what exactly will the virtual offseason look like for the Redskins? Kyle Stackpole, from Redskins.com, broke it down for us.

Picture it like taking an online class for college, only the stakes are much higher, and you’re getting paid handsomely to be there. So really it’s nothing like college. Let’s hope everyone remembers to mute themselves when not talking, and doesn’t forget that the camera is on them at any point. I’m sure it will all go swimmingly.

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Panthers begin virtual 2020 offseason program today

Panthers begin virtual 2020 offseason program today

Matt Rhule is already one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL, earning more money per year than Andy Reid. He’ll have to earn it, though.

The new Panthers head coach has inherited a challenging situation in Carolina, taking over a team that went 5-11 last season, good for last place in the NFC South. Since the end of that campaign, the team has lost a former MVP quarterback, a future Hall of Fame middle linebacker and six other starters on defense.

To make matters even more difficult, Rhule now has to get his new team all on the same page without the benefit of a traditional offseason program. Due to social distancing measures needed to slow the spread of COVID-19, NFL teams are substituting their usual offseason program with a virtual one. For the Panthers and several other teams, that work begins today.

Rhule only has one year of experience in the pros – he was an offensive line assistant for the Giants in 2012. However, his track record in college makes him uniquely suited to meet this challenge.

It didn’t take Rhule long to turn around the programs at Temple and then Baylor, converting struggling teams into conference contenders in just two years in both cases.

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Jets’ Jamal Adams will skip virtual offseason, just like Cowboys’ Prescott

The Jets superstar will reportedly skip his team’s virtual offseason, a tactic used by the QB of the club many think he’ll go to in 2020.

Dak Prescott, the centerpiece of the Dallas Cowboys offense who currently does not have a long-term deal with the club in place, has chosen to not participate in the team’s virtual offseason program.

Jamal Adams, the man many would like to be the centerpiece of the Dallas Cowboys secondary, who is in a contract dispute of his own with his current employer, has reportedly chosen to follow suit.

NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting- citing a source- that the All-Pro safety is not expected to take part in the Jets’ voluntary offseason program. As is the case with all teams, workouts will be held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic and begin later this month.

Adams was the subject of rampant trade rumors last season, with the Cowboys being considered the primary suitor for the Texas native. But New York’s asking price was reportedly too high, and talks of a midseason swap stalled. Adams’s name has been linked to Dallas again this offseason, as the Jets have “sent mixed signals about his future,” according to Pro Football Talk’s Darin Gantt.

Jerry Jones would almost certainly have to give up the team’s 17th pick in next weekend’s draft in any deal to land Adams, and then give up even more.

The Jets had professed their desire for the sixth overall pick in the 2017 draft to remain “a Jet for life,” but the organization has made no official moves toward that end, leaving both the player and fans to wonder if the team is truly committed to him in the long run.

That may sound familiar to the Cowboys faithful wearing their No. 4 jerseys with bated breath.

NFL offseason workout program to commence April 20

The NFLPA executive committee and board of representatives both voted Monday to approve the virtual offseason workout program.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the league’s offseason workout program will begin April 20 in a virtual format. The NFLPA executive committee and board of representatives both voted Monday to approve the offseason plan.

As April 20 was the day workouts had been scheduled to start, it appears the league remains adamant about leaving as many previously scheduled dates unaffected as possible.

Pelissero’s Tweets went on to say that club facilities will only open in accordance with NFL protocols and federal, state and local rules and regulations. If one or more club facilities must remain closed for any period of time, all club facilities must remain closed during that period.

Players are being shipped workout equipment and monitoring devices at a cap of $1,500 per player.

Each team will get three consecutive weeks of virtual work including classroom instruction, workouts, and other non-football related educational programs.

If facilities don’t reopen during the offseason workout program, clubs can conduct a virtual mandatory veteran minicamp with two hours of classroom time and two hours of workout time.

Teams with new coaches — Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Washington Redskins — will have extra voluntary veteran minicamp.

The virtual period will end no later than May 15 and all offseason programs must end by June 26.

It will be interesting to see how the virtual offseason impacts the Pittsburgh Steelers once the regular season gets underway. There are plenty of opinions on whether there should be a season at all, but this is the NFL and I think that they will do everything under their power to ensure the season happens.

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