Redskins penalized for physical practices

[AdamJT13]

Originally Posted by Om

Again with the "live contact" drills with no mention/discussion of application of the "live" part? Come on, sir, I know you to be a pretty sharp guy not given to posturing. I thought we had at least more or less agreed on that being the real issue when we talked on Extreme. No?

Again, it comes down to what a reasonable interpretation of "live" is. This isn't just semantics---it's the key to this whole ridiculous exercise. I would have thought that before pronouncing judgment on them, you'd have watched the drills yourself.

I didn't know I was "pronouncing judgement" on them, and I really didn't care enough about whether they did or didn't violate the CBA to go watch a video of the Redskins practicing. (It just doesn't sound all that appealing, you know.) But if it means that much to you, give me a link to the offending video, and I might watch it.

I think you know what I meant by the referral, too. Not sure why you're playing coy there. Had the NFLPA not referred the matter to the NFL after doing their own "investigation," the NFL wouldn't have had to "investigate" the matter at all. Or am I missing something semantic there, as well?

What's there to discuss about the NFLPA notifying the NFL that the Redskins were violating the CBA? That's job of the NFLPA. Since you wanted to know what I think about it -- I think the NFLPA was doing its job.

[Om]

Adam,

It means little to me if you actually have something to back your positions or not. Look at the evidence or don't. Entirely up to you.

As to the rest, I said I thought the NFLPA was just doing it's job too, so I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say about your comment other than, well ... that's what I said, too.

What I wanted to know was whether or not in your informed judgment you thought the actual drill in question is something you would deem "live" contact. In the event you elect to inform yourself at some point, I'd still like to know.

[AdamJT13]

Originally Posted by Om

It means little to me if you actually have something to back your positions or not.

I haven't even taken a position on it.

What I wanted to know was whether or not in your informed judgment you thought the actual drill in question is something you would deem "live" contact. In the event you elect to inform yourself at some point, I'd still like to know.

Like I said before, if you really want my opinion that badly, provide a link to the offending video, and maybe I'll watch it.

[Om]

Originally Posted by lspain1

Om, I'm a staunch Cowboys fan, but beyond the Taylor thing I think the Skins had a decent offseason. I think we will see improvement this year. The big question for the Skins may come down to QB play. The defense will be solid and the OL is better as well. We'll see but I think the NFC East is going to have better all around play than we have seen in a number of years.

Sorry I missed this post before. You'd think I'd have noticed a candle in the dark straight off.

I think this is a very fair assessment. To me, the two keys heading into the 2005 season are Ramsey and overall team health.

Patrick's certainly shown he CAN be very effective, but he's also shown enough inconsistency to make him less than a sure thing at this point. If he plays well, and stays within the offense, this team will win some games. If he struggles, the offense will struggle as well, unless Brunell decides to be born again, again. Which is not something I'd be banking on.

The other key is health. They can't afford to lose more than a couple key starters at key positions, because their depth is still a work in progress. In 15 months, they've made a lot of progress, but there's still another year or two of steady re-stocking and targeting specific player types to get to where they can expect to plug in pieces (though the D did a remarkable job of that last year) and expect to play consistent winning football. Of course ... that could also be said of all but a couple of the top teams, so it's certainly not just a Washington concern.

Mostly this year is about Patrick Ramsey, and whether he's ready both physically and between the ears to run a disciplined, timing-based offense.

[Hoods]

Originally Posted by Om

Sorry. We'll try to stop being "too physical."

Try being more "pysical" come game time. You know, when you're supposed to...

[Om]

Originally Posted by AdamJT13

I haven't even taken a position on it.

Like I said before, if you really want my opinion that badly, provide a link to the offending video, and maybe I'll watch it.

Geez, Adam. You must be fun at parties.

I'll live without your take on this one.

[Om]

Originally Posted by Hoods

Try being more "pysical" come game time. You know, when you're supposed to...

Hence the whole concept of practice.

But thanks for dropping by, AI.

[Hoods]

Originally Posted by Om

Hence the whole concept of practice.

But thanks for dropping by, AI.

You're right. All of this physical practice you guys do has really shown up in our last 16 meetings or so.

[Om]

Originally Posted by Hoods

You're right. All of this physical practice you guys do has really shown up in our last 16 meetings or so.

Ooooh. Good one.

So, what you're saying is, they should stick to patty-cake drills in the offseason to be sure to continue losing in preposterous ways to a team going through back-to-back-to-back 5-11 campaigns, and a 6-10 campaign, sandwiched around one miraculous 10-6, one-and-done campaign?

I hope your team thinks as astutely.

[Danny White]

Originally Posted by Om

Ooooh. Good one.

So, what you're saying is, they should stick to patty-cake drills in the offseason to be sure to continue losing in preposterous ways to a team going through back-to-back-to-back 5-11 campaigns, and a 6-10 campaign, sandwiched around one miraculous 10-6, one-and-done campaign?

I hope your team thinks as astutely.

This is off-topic of the thread... but did you ever get a chance to chat with Patrick Ramsey?

[Om]

Originally Posted by Danny White

This is off-topic of the thread... but did you ever get a chance to chat with Patrick Ramsey?

Let me put it this way: he was made aware of the conversation, and elected not to comment one way or the other--at least to me. Sorry to be so cryptic, but that's all I can say. I hope you undestand.

[Danny White]

Originally Posted by Om

Let me put it this way: he was made aware of the conversation, and elected not to comment one way or the other--at least to me. Sorry to be so cryptic, but that's all I can say. I hope you undestand.

That's all you needed to say. Thanks for the follow up.

Now you can get back to your full-time job as Redskins-apologist.

[Om]

Too kind, you are.

[Hoods]

Originally Posted by Om

Ooooh. Good one.

So, what you're saying is, they should stick to patty-cake drills in the offseason to be sure to continue losing in preposterous ways to a team going through back-to-back-to-back 5-11 campaigns, and a 6-10 campaign, sandwiched around one miraculous 10-6, one-and-done campaign?

I hope your team thinks as astutely.

No, what I'm saying is you should stick to the rules like every other team. You make it sound like the other teams are allowed to have full-contact drills while you poor Redskins are restricted to two-hand touch. The management of 31 other teams were able to get their camp together, was it that difficult for you guys? Apparently.

[Om]

Problem with that, Hoods, is that "the rules" are ridiculously vague. Seriously ... is there any one person here who doesn't think that any number (I'll stop short of saying 31 to keep from waking Adam again) of other NFL teams are running drills every bit as "physical" as the Skins were? Hell, don't you HOPE they are?

The only reason this is on the radar now is because some schlump at the NFLPA saw the video and said, "damn, look at those guys---that almost looks like football. Can't have that." And then the NFL was too busy or too disinterested in looking to actually DEFINE "live contact" so other teams will actually have a clue going forward. Think other teams aren't interested now? They don't all have video yet, but they sure as hell have union reps who now know that hey, you can't be "too physical" or have "live" contact---whatever those things actually mean.

If you can, try to get past the notion that it happens to be the Redskins who were first with putting video on their site, and got what are surely NOT unique drills in the NFL noticed, and look for at least one moment at the underlying issue.