Do you put much stock in OTA?

[bbgun]

Really? February, March, April, May?

Oh wait, weight training begins in what? Late March?

February and early March? Half a year?

You know, I'm pretty sure they have a calendar that says "May" at Valley Ranch, and yet they arrogantly scheduled these workouts anyway. How dare they? Don't they realize that Internet fans know best?

 

[theogt]

You know, I'm pretty sure they have a calendar that says "May" at Valley Ranch, and yet they arrogantly scheduled these workouts anyway. How dare they? Don't they realize that Internet fans know best?

Did you misread something?

 

[Alexander]

Um, yes. It's a point I've made repeatedly.

Had TO and friends shown up, the sheep would have been climbing over each other to emphasize the importance of these workouts. In other words, they're only important if certain players deem them important. TO blew it off, so they minimize its importance to protect his (bogus) image as a "team guy." Homey don't play that.

You would have a point if other more popular players like Jones, Ware and Williams didn't also do exactly what Owens did and "blow it off".

 

[peplaw06]

Did I say you did, or did you just include yourself into the 'some people' category?

No you didn't say I did. You said...

Haven't you noticed the fact that everyone around here loves to pile on the Skins and Giants players that blow off the team, but as soon as our guys get complacent and lazy all of a sudden its no big deal?

... Forgive me for considering myself part of "everyone."

There is really no excuse for this. These guys have the shortest season in pro sports, they have literally half a year to do whatever they want. You are telling me that Roy cant schedule his biscuit eating to a time that wont interfere with team activities? Guys like Roy are supposed to be leaders, they arent supposed to be blowing these things off. It just sends the message to everyone else that its okay to do.

There are plenty of excuses. Health is one, and a pretty compelling one IMO. And how do you know what kind of message it sends to "everyone?"

 

[2233boys]

You would have a point if other more popular players like Jones, Ware and Williams didn't also do exactly what Owens did and "blow it off".

Ware disappoints me, Jones and Williams just proves to me what I have thought about them for awhile is true. Gutless, heatless, JAG

 

[Alexander]

Health is one, and a pretty compelling one IMO.

On one hand, I have read how unimportant it is because it is no contact in tees and shorts.

On the other, a reason to not attend is health?

Which is it?

A player could get hurt just as easily in a pickup basketball game as they could in one of these sessions.

The players took the get of out of jail free card and used it.

Claiming health reasons is just window dressing.

 

[Cochese]

No you didn't say I did. You said...

Health is one, and a pretty compelling one IMO. And how do you know what kind of message it sends to "everyone?"

Roy is hurt? Jones is hurt?

 

[peplaw06]

On one hand, I have read how unimportant it is because it is no contact in tees and shorts.

On the other, a reason to not attend is health?

Which is it?

A player could get hurt just as easily in a pickup basketball game as they could in one of these sessions.

The players took the get of out of jail free card and used it.

Claiming health reasons is just window dressing.

In my original post in this thread I stated that I could see TO and TG taking off for health reasons. TO was a surprise participant in mini-camp. I'm not thrilled with him missing, but I definitely don't vilify the guy for missing.... in the big picture that is TO, this is small potatoes. TG has a pre-existing degenerative knee condition. If you have evidence of TG playing pick up basketball, then I'll *****. Until then, I'll continue "window dressing."

I'm not giving Williams or Jones excuses for missing. What I'm not gonna do is ***** about it, until I have a real reason to.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Do you put much stock in OTA? If you believe OTA are important. Then you should be very dissappointed that Glenn and Owens are not attending. Especially since they both will be receiving Bonus checks this offseason.

Not since they are voluntary.

Glenn and TO have been in the league for many years and had to learn new systems before so this isn't something new to them.

 

[Alexander]

In my original post in this thread I stated that I could see TO and TG taking off for health reasons.

Again, how is a session in tees and shorts going to save their health?

I do not see the harm in participating. It is just like skipping extra credit believing you aced the test.

They both chose not to. Not a huge problem. Just a missed opportunity.

 

[peplaw06]

Again, how is a session in tees and shorts going to save their health?

It's not the contact, it's the extra mileage going on the legs. You never know. That's my point.

I do not see the harm in participating. It is just like skipping extra credit believing you aced the test.

They both chose not to. Not a huge problem. Just a missed opportunity.

I don't see the harm in participating either. I just see the excuse NOT to. I agree it's not a huge problem. People here want to make it so... I'm more like meehhhh. I'll take a healthy TO and TG over OTA participation.

 

[gimmesix]

Other than it being reported that these players have missed OTAs, where's the outrage?

I mean, aren't the Giants showing concern because of Shockey and Burress, but none of these writers have mentioned anything about the Cowboys being concerned.

Couldn't there be reasons they are not concerned? Like telling certain players they didn't have to be there for various reasons, etc.

IMO, too big of a deal is being made of this until some writer catches a Cowboys official expressing disappointment because so-and-so isn't there. Every absence so far could be "excused" for all we know.

Would I prefer for every player to participate? Yes, but that's without knowing the reasons they aren't.

 

[Alexander]

IMO, too big of a deal is being made of this until some writer catches a Cowboys official expressing disappointment because so-and-so isn't there.

And even if so, I doubt it would be reported.

Everything is fine on the Good Ship Lollipop.

 

[bbgun]

You know who is showing up and putting the time in? This guy.

http://img228.*************/img228/751/carrottop2hk9.jpg

 

[gimmesix]

And even if so, I doubt it would be reported.

Everything is fine on the Good Ship Lollipop.

I don't know. People like Matt Mosley seem to have a good connection to the Boys, bringing us information such as the trade down for Spencer before it happened.

I think in his blog it would be likely for him to mention if some in the organization were displeased with this development without going into detail.

 

[theogt]

You know who is showing up and putting the time in? This guy.

http://img228.*************/img228/751/carrottop2hk9.jpg

McQuistan really trimmed down for Wade.

 

[superpunk]

Haven't you noticed the fact that everyone around here loves to pile on the Skins and Giants players that blow off the team, but as soon as our guys get complacent and lazy all of a sudden its no big deal?

I thought that....but then....

gotta link to where theo or I piled on skins or giants players missing OTAs?

I thought that, except without any specific names.

I laugh at the Skins and Giants players skipping out, I mock 'em. And I think it would be better if our players (all our players) were there. Every year a huge deal is made of Burress and Shockey training in Miami - surprisingly I haven't heard much about our players missing.

I don't think anyone can argue that it wouldn't be better for these players to be in attendance. If we're running the early 90s offense, TO is already a poor fit as a lackluster route-runner - he ought to be there more often practicing, altho I'm sure Romo will get plenty of reps in with them this summer.

Is it much ado about nothing? Likely. But I'm sure there are a few in the other 90% who look at these guys and scratch their heads, maybe looking at preferential treatment? I'm sure there is some benefit to these things, otherwise they wouldn't have them, and I'm sure that it would be better for these players to be there than otherwise.

I'm just not sure what it will ultimately mean.

 

[Doomsday101]

If you believe OTA are important. Then you should be very dissappointed that Glenn and Owens are not attending. Especially since they both will be receiving Bonus checks this offseason.

Coaches feel these workouts are important and that is good enough reason to be there.

 

[AtlCB]

Haven't you noticed the fact that everyone around here loves to pile on the Skins and Giants players that blow off the team, but as soon as our guys get complacent and lazy all of a sudden its no big deal?

I saw a post where Coughlin appeared to be upset that Shockey and Burress were missing the OTA. 90% of the responses seemed to fall into the 'so what' category. You may have a point about the 'Skins, but the posts don't seem to back up your accusation with the VaGiants' players.

 

[ethiostar]

You know who is showing up and putting the time in? This guy.

http://img228.*************/img228/751/carrottop2hk9.jpg

Is that Carrot Top?

I posted this in another OTA thread which seems to be getting buried so i'm posting this here again, it is a blurb from Grizz on certain players missing OTAs. He brings up a point here that i haven't read on these threads regarding OTAs and veteran players. Here is the piece....

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/

by Grizz Thu May 31, 2007 at 09:24:48 PM EDT


<B>Well, well, I step away from the computer for half of the day, and I miss the big news.

Starting wide receivers Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn have attended just one each the last two weeks, including none this week. There is one OTA on Friday.​

</B>

Also, starting running back Julius Jones, Pro Bowl strong safety Roy Williams, veteran cornerback Aaron Glenn, nose guard Jason Ferguson and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware have also missed several OTAs.​

Under previous coach Bill Parcells, players rarely missed OTAs unless it was for an injury. Glenn didn't miss any OTAs with Parcells as the coach. ​

OK, so maybe it isn&#8217;t really big news. After all, wasn&#8217;t it the philosopher/poet Troy Hambrick who said - What do voluntary mean? Yes, these are voluntary activities being conducted out at Valley Ranch. And veterans have a long history of skipping these things (except for veterans on a Bill Parcells&#8217; team). So you can&#8217;t go off all half-cocked and scream that it&#8217;s the doom of western civilization because some guys skipped some voluntary workouts.

But, and there&#8217;s always a but, couldn&#8217;t these guys have showed up and displayed some leadership on a team that seemed devoid of leaders last year? Couldn&#8217;t these guys show Wade Phillips some respect by attending the workouts and emphasizing the importance of everybody working out together, as a team? As a family, as Coach Phillips likes to put it?

Normally, it&#8217;s not a huge deal, but we have a new coaching staff, a new offense and a partially new defense that we are trying to get in place. You would think it would be important for the even the veterans to show up and get this ship sailing in the right direction.

Like I said, it&#8217;s not a disaster, but I expected to see more out of our veterans and star players.