NFL coaches seem to have a hard time following rules.
They could not care less about getting caught, especially if the sanctions are minor in nature.
Paying the fine is easier than not getting the most out of an activity like voluntary OTAs.
Rookies and new free agent signings often attend these activities to get their feet wet on the team’s system.
They also get to physically train at the team’s facility.
However, full contact isn’t allowed during OTAs because it’s more of conditioning muscle memory and going through the plays mentally.
But some NFL coaches can’t seem to draw the fine line between legal and not.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was fined $100,000 for physical OTA practices.
It was their second infraction, forcing them to lose an OTA practice in 2023.
Yet he was not alone in breaking this rule, as shared by ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
More punishments for offseason workout rules violations, per source:
-Texans coach Lovie Smith fined $50,000 due to prohibited 1-on-1 OL vs DL drills.
-Commanders coach Ron Rivera fined $100,000 and WAS loses two 2023 OTA practices due to excessive contact in practice drills.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) June 17, 2022
Graziano shared two more instances of workout rules violations.
Houston Texans head coach Lovie Smith was fined $50,000 for one-on-one drills between offensive and defensive linemen.
Meanwhile, Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders got a $100,000 fine due to excessive contact.
They will also lose two OTA practices in 2023.
How Can They Forget Such A Simple Rule?
It’s clear that physical practices are not allowed during OTAs.
If that’s the case, why do it?
They could not care less about the fines and sanctions because they are too small?
Or perhaps they want to see their best players this early?
For the sake of player safety, it’s best to follow a simple provision.
They can have full-contact practices for all they want during training camp.
By then, everyone will be hitting hard because roster spots are at stake.
But during OTAs, what difference do physical practices give?
Nothing.
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