Linemen enjoy sharing expertise
OL Masterminds Summit provides training, rare interaction in days of social distancing
FRISCO — Standing several feet away from New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead, New York Jets rookie offensive tackle and first-round draft pick Mekhi Becton listened intently as the veteran lineman imparted knowledge about life in the trenches.
Opening holes in the running game and protecting the quarterback were the watchwords for the third annual OL Masterminds Summit at the Omni Frisco Hotel that’s organized by Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl offensive tackle Lane Johnson and private offensive line coach Duke Manyweather. The two-day specialized event is designed around film study, technique and other craftwork for offensive linemen.
Protection and safety were a major emphasis for reasons beyond football. As the NFL Players Association recently discouraged players from working out or congregating together during the coronavirus pandemic, this gathering of over 50 NFL and college offensive linemen involved a lot of precautionary measures.
There was a doctor present who wore a hazmat protective suit while conducting COVID-19 testing. Digital temperature readings were taken at the hotel ballroom entrance with signed liability waivers required along with
tables and chairs socially distanced. Hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes were on each table, and masks were distributed during check-in.
In many ways, the event represented a microcosm of the state of the NFL. Several of the league’s top linemen, including Johnson, Armstead and Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen, participated with all making plans to play football. Opting out isn’t on their agenda as the league and players’ union continue to negotiate guidelines for testing procedures, preseason games and finances.
“I want to play, if they play,” said Johnson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and Groveton native. “Ultimately, I think safety is first. Ultimately, we have to go back and see our families. That’s at the top of our priority list. We’re all kind of sitting back and playing it by ear. In the next couple of weeks, we’ll have some more answers. I’ve been so bored, I’m just ready to do something.
“Ultimately, you’ve got to prioritize things in life. Safety and health comes first. Even coming into here, we got a little bit of heat. Coming in here, we got our temperature checked. We have a doctor here who’s going to give tests to everybody. We’re trying to take the most precautions that we can. We’re all going through
this thing together. I think a lot of guys are stir-crazy. I’ve been staying in my house for the past six months. To get to meet some new faces and see some guys, I thought the timing was right.”
The event was previously held across the street at the Baylor Scott & White Sports Performance Center. It was switched to an Omni ballroom when the performance center halted operations on a temporary basis because of the global health crisis. The organizers considered making this a virtual event before opting to keep it in-person with some tweaks.
“Football is the agenda, but it’s bigger than football,” Manyweather said. “We need to make sure we’re keeping guys safe. Oline means taking care of your brother next to you and having each other’s back. It was important to us that we put together protocols and carried that out. It’s a very strenuous process to get in here. We were prepared to turn people away, if need be.
“This isn’t a fake thing. We’re in a pandemic. We’re not cutting corners. We’re using these tools and precautions and testing. That way, we’re staying safe and not at risk. With everything that’s been going on and the severity and the continual rise, there’s no answers. I don’t have answers. I don’t think a lot of experts have the answers. I don’t think we’re ever going to return to our old normal. I think this is the new normal.”
With training camps scheduled
to start July 28 for most NFL teams, there was a lot of enthusiasm about talking football and sharing information for an overlooked position group that generally gets attention when something goes wrong.
Camaraderie was noted by several players even though the majority of the linemen play for different NFL teams as well as several college offensive line standouts, including Texas’ Sam Cosmi (Atascosita) and Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater (Clements).
“The O-line is a brotherhood,” Johnson said. “We call it the mushroom society because we take a lot of s--- and we’re put in the dark. Nobody really knows what we do until we mess up. We have a holding penalty and that’s when they put the cameras on you. Football is an art. The offensive line position is an art.
“Everybody has their own repertoire and skills for how to produce and play this game. My idea was just to get all the guys in a room, a lot of guys who want to learn, a great atmosphere where you can talk ball and really have kind of a relaxed setting. I love meeting all these guys. As a vet, I learn from guys like Terron Armstead. Every time I leave this place, I become a better player and at least more knowledgeable.”
Having to block dominant defensive linemen such as the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald or the Texans’ J.J. Watt increases the sense of urgency among offensive linemen to keep improving.
“Coming together and sharing ideas and best practices and fellowship is what it’s all about,” Manyweather said. “The game has changed. These defensive linemen have become dynamic. Our goal is to raise the standard and raise the bar for offensive line development to make sure we’re continuing to put guy in great position to advance the position and advance the game.”
For younger players such as Arizona Cardinals rookie offensive tackle Josh Jones, a thirdround draft pick from the University of Houston, this experience was invaluable. Especially because the NFL hasn’t had any organized team activities or minicamps with the pandemic.
“Man, it’s huge; I had to get here,” said Jones, a George Bush graduate who trains daily with Manyweather in Plano. “Lane Johnson, Terron Armstead, there’s just so much knowledge they’re going to be giving me. As a rookie coming in, I don’t know nothing from nothing. They’re going be teaching me a whole lot. I’m just going to try to absorb as much information as I can.”
Texans reserve offensive lineman Rick Leonard attended the summit for the second consecutive year. After being limited to Zoom meetings and training individually for the entire offseason with no minicamps or organized team activities, Leonard was happy to be back in something resembling a football environment even though it was in a hotel ballroom.
“It’s really awesome, especially with the situation of no OTA’s, to be here and learn and soak it all in,” Leonard said. “It’s a wealth of knowledge of the game. Terron, that’s my guy. He’s so knowledgeable and he loves sharing the tips and tricks. He plays at a very high level. He’s a guy I look up to and listen to whenever he talks.”
Although plenty of doubts have been expressed about the viability of a contact sport like football because of the high numbers of COVID-19 positive tests around the country, including some NFL players in Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, Leonard is upbeat two weeks before the Texans are scheduled to report to training camp.
“Yeah, I’m confident it’s going to work out,” Leonard said. “There’s no other way to think. I plan for everything to go as schedule until you’re told differently. That’s everyone’s hope and how everyone is preparing. If the NFL plays, I’m going to play football.”