Practice Open To Public

jazzcat22

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Back in 1989 our only meaningful game was knocking the Skins out of the playoffs.

I remember that game. I was living in south Florida, and it was one of the few games I seen that year. Actually seen more than I thought. I think I seen 6 games then. Then the years after that, I seen 10 to 12 on TV down there.
 

Typhus

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I remember that game. I was living in south Florida, and it was one of the few games I seen that year. Actually seen more than I thought. I think I seen 6 games then. Then the years after that, I seen 10 to 12 on TV down there.
My best friend, first actual hardcore Cowboy fan, at least how I would compare a hardcore Cowboy fan,, to myself,,,lol,, met him at a sports bar when they were first popping up about 30 years ago,,, it was the only place I could go and watch the Cowboys, out of state, out of country,, we were the only two Cowboy fans in the place..
We became regulars throughout several seasons early,, watching Jimmy Johnson build, seeing a rookie Troy Aikman become the leader of that franchise, the fundamental building stone.
I am so blessed, lucky, fortunate, call it what you will, but those were truly special moments , golden memories that I will never forget, those special times have a very stong impression on my daily outlook on life.
I can only hope and pray that this younger Cowboys generation gets to experience that level of greatness,, and for one old dog, that has seen it happen before,, this old dog sees a lot of similarities right now,, generational similarities.
 

CATCH17

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NFL needs to make players, coaches, and everything behind the scenes more accessible to their fans.

It’s a billion dollar entertainment business. Entertain us. Give your fans all you can.

Every team should have a hard knocks and be filmed during the season like the Amazon show.

Every team should let fans come to training camp practices.
 

xwalker

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Teams don’t charge for training camp practices. If they did, the very situation you outlines could take place. In fact, the Commanders back in 2000 did charge for practices, and a Cowboy scout bought tickets to go to those practices. And, wouldn’t you know, the Cowboys swept the Skins that year. The practices went back to being free after that.

https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/20/...ing-a-heavy-price.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

I don't think "rules" keep Belichick from sending people to other team's training camp practices.

What if:
A retired scout attended all Skins training camp practices.
The Cowboys hired that retired scout as a consultant AFTER training camp.
The Cowboys assign the consultant to study Skins game footage and write reports.
The consultant can give any opinion on what he "thinks" the Skins will do in their scheme.​

Is that legal?
I don't think the NFL can prohibit hiring the consultant.
He has a right to employment.
He was not working for the Cowboys when he attended practices.​

I've met college/high-school coaches that said were paid to attend NFL games and submit "scouting" reports to NFL teams.
That always seemed odd to me because NFL teams obviously have their own scouting department.
Until now, I had not considered the concept I outlined above as a possible reason they hire these types of people.​
 

SoupcanSam

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Was listening to radio today and heard some teams are having fewer practices open to the public. The Eagles are supposedly only doing one. I think the Bills are also limiting practices. They will have more that are open to season ticket holders and corporate sponsors but not the general public. Are the Cowboys doing this? To me that just seems like slitting your throat trying to make a few bucks. Not everyone can afford game tickets but a kid going to a practice and meeting players with his dad could turn him into a fan who purchases merchandise and maybe their kids become fans expanding your base. Another reason I’m a fan of the preseason people that can’t afford regular season games can afford preseason games. I hope the Cowboys don’t do this.

This is great. Now I get to spygate.
 

DuncanIso

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I don't think "rules" keep Belichick from sending people to other team's training camp practices.

What if:
A retired scout attended all Skins training camp practices.
The Cowboys hired that retired scout as a consultant AFTER training camp.
The Cowboys assign the consultant to study Skins game footage and write reports.
The consultant can give any opinion on what he "thinks" the Skins will do in their scheme.​

Is that legal?
I don't think the NFL can prohibit hiring the consultant.
He has a right to employment.
He was not working for the Cowboys when he attended practices.​

I've met college/high-school coaches that said were paid to attend NFL games and submit "scouting" reports to NFL teams.
That always seemed odd to me because NFL teams obviously have their own scouting department.
Until now, I had not considered the concept I outlined above as a possible reason they hire these types of people.​

You can take pictures at camp, but you are not allowed to shoot any video.

It happens though. Too easy to do.
 

Cattle_Rancher

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OTA's are different than TC practices.
The media are allowed to watch certain parts and for a limited time for OTA's and mini camp. I don't think it was ever open to the public.
Something Dallas would have an open practice to the public after they break TC, but you won't see much but some basic drills most likely.

Even then the media only have access on a limited basis. Many practices are closed to fans and media, as they is when they instill the real game stuff practice.

They were talking about training camp on the radio
 

Cattle_Rancher

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NFL needs to make players, coaches, and everything behind the scenes more accessible to their fans.

It’s a billion dollar entertainment business. Entertain us. Give your fans all you can.

Every team should have a hard knocks and be filmed during the season like the Amazon show.

Every team should let fans come to training camp practices.

I think I need more access to the cheerleaders
 

Diehardblues

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Training camp practice was free in the 90's when the Boyz trained in Austin. They kicked me and a buddy out of one practice when we brought in beer, lol. Security let us back in after we poured out our beers at the gate.

Those were Superbowl years and Austin was literally hot as hell in August. I think training in the heat might have better prepared the team for the rigors of a long season. Also, JJ worked the guys hard, none of this panzy training they do these days. Never will forget JJ making Nate Newton run laps, due to being overweight if I recall correctly. Poor Nate, looked like he was going to drop dead any minute.

Ah, those were the days.
Training Camps are still Free and open to the public. There might be a small fee for parking( ours in parking garage was free) but admission is absolutely Free.

I’ve attended every site except Oxnard including Ford stadium at the Star in Frisco and all were Free admission.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to get up close to the Cowboys ,visit the new headquarters and amazing grounds. I recommend to all fans.
 

Longboysfan

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Training camp is free.
If they charge you then, and this was awhile back, you can tape it.
But with everyone having a cell phone now.... So that is gone.

Now - and those that went recently can say - if they charge to get in for the open training camp sessions.
There are groups at these sessions. The masses, the preferred customers.
The preferred customers are the corporate sponsors and the like.

At the Star if you own a condo / apartment in the facility you can join an exclusive club for the Cowboys.
This allows you access to some practices where the public is excluded.

Some of the Cowboy coverage team figured this out and bought there.

Jerry got their money.

When the Cowboys break training camp and come back to the DFW Metroplex they do have a few open practices before the regular season starts.
These are at the STAR in Frisco.

When regular season starts there are usually no open practices to the public.
The press is allowed to watch a portion of the practice then is removed.

What other teams do is up to them.
But I would think it's something similar.

Teams, and the Cowboys are no different, use the exclusion of everyone to invite select persons to the closed practices.
That would include some of the Make a Wish kids, Corporate sponsors and the like.

Again money talks.

And free publicity counts as money along with image builders for the team and the players.
 

Typhus

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"There are no secrets.. this is still just football."
In the immortal words of Linehan.
 
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