NFLPA boss slams players’ joint workouts
NFLPA executive director Demaurice Smith took issue with NFL players who have been working out together despite a recent recommendation from the union stating that they should refrain from doing so.
During an interview with USA Today, Smith was asked about social media posts following workouts by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
“Those practices are not in the best interest of player safety,” Smith told USA Today Sports in an editorial published Saturday. “They’re not in the best interest of protecting our players heading into training camp. And I don’t think they are in the best interest of us getting through an entire season.”
Dr. Thom Mayer, the NFLPA’S medical director, issued a statement June 20 advising players to avoid working out with teammates to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
More than a dozen Bucs players — including new tight end Rob Gronkowski, wide receiver Chris Godwin and centre Ryan Jensen — met at a Tampa prep school Tuesday morning for a two-hour workout, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Also present, per the Times, were backup quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin, wideout Scotty Miller and defensive backs Mike Edwards, Sean Murphy-bunting and Jamel Dean.
Brady, 42, and teammates have been working out regularly at Berkeley Preparatory School since mid-may.
Wilson posted a video of a workout with Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf earlier this week.
Pro Football Hall-of-famer Brett Favre said the Green Bay Packers should employ rookie quarterback Jordan Love in much the same manner that the New Orleans Saints utilize Taysom Hill.
“I think there’s ways to incorporate it much like Taysom Hill with the Saints,” Favre told Tmz.com.
“Use (Love) as a halfback, a halfback pass, but occasionally let him run it just to show that you’ll do that. Something like that.”
Hill, 29, has been a jack-of-alltrades for the Saints, lining up as a quarterback, running back, wide receiver and even on special teams.
The Packers traded up to acquire Love with the 26th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Green Bay sent the Miami Dolphins a fourthround pick (136th overall) April 23 in order to flip from the 30th to 26th pick and take Love.
Love is expected to wait in the wings behind two-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is heading into the first season of a four-year, US$134 million extension he signed in August 2018. He has cap hits of $21.6 million, $36.4 million, $39.9 million and $28.4 million over the next four seasons.
Love completed 61.9 per cent of his passes for 3,402 yards, 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions last season with Utah State, with the latter figure the most in the FBS. That was a major step back from 2018, when he completed 64 per cent of his passes for 3,567 yards.
Hill carried the ball 27 times for 156 yards and a touchdown in 2019, and he caught 19 passes for 234 yards and six scores. He also appeared on 62 per cent of the Saints’ special teams plays.