From what I heard they aren't really in camp. The CBA only requires them to walk out onto the practice field for 20 minutes, pose for the media, then they go back to playing video games.
NFL practices are cake compared to what they used to be.
True, but way back, they did not have off season workouts or OTA's, or mini camps.
They showed up often out of shape, as it was not a year round thing as it is now.
They had longer hard hitting 2 a day camps, and played 6 preseason games. So game one they did not come out flat as they do now days.
I am not sure when all of that changed and the OTA's were started. Maybe late 80's after the strike season it started to change. Not sure.
For sure though, they are nothing compared to what they used to be, and now even have limited practices in pads and hitting. No more 2 a days. Even when they had 2 a days, one of them was only a walk through. Not sure back in the 70's if 2 a days both were hitting or not.
It still takes 2 to 4 games and at times more to start the season to get teams in sync. And now with only 3 PS games. Really can't tell until at least week 3 for the real team to show what it has, or doesn't have. Except for the better prepared teams from better coaching and / or smart / better players.