Two Prospects Have Sustained Serious Injury During Private Team Workouts

[Mr. WEO]

They are under no obligation to go.  The #8 pick last year refused them.

 

Anyway, nothing the NFLPA can do here.

[Mickey]

Whether teams "need" these workouts or not is irrelevant. They shouldn't be performing and risking their livelihoods for free. Apart from the effect on their career, who pays the medical bills? I don't think agents are doing their jobs if they are exposing their clients to potential injuries that could delay or even end their careers with no safeguards against disaster in place. You wouldn't pull a brand new Honda CRV out of the driveway without insurance. Ridiculous.

2 hours ago, TheTruthHurts said:

There will be like 500 rookie contracts signed between the draft and UDFA. Hundreds of private workouts. 2 is a small number. 

 Zero is a smaller number. 

[Lfod]

That's kinda sucky story for those two guys. I would hate to see it happen but I guess that it does. Unless dudes choose to stop doing the workouts. Especially if it does ruin your chances of being drafted.

[TheFunPolice]

the worst part is that the teams probably just shrug, say "wow kid that's tough luck" and just move along, the workout being a smokescreen or "due diligence" anyway.

 

Meanwhile, this player is injured right before the draft and will definitely be drafted later than he would have due to not being available. The guy who is going to miss the entire season is going to drop a round or two at least, costing him a TON of $$ that he might never get back.

 

 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

13 minutes ago, Mickey said:

Whether teams "need" these workouts or not is irrelevant. They shouldn't be performing and risking their livelihoods for free. Apart from the effect on their career, who pays the medical bills? I don't think agents are doing their jobs if they are exposing their clients to potential injuries that could delay or even end their careers with no safeguards against disaster in place. You wouldn't pull a brand new Honda CRV out of the driveway without insurance. Ridiculous.

 Zero is a smaller number. 

It's a choice. People act like they are forced to do these private workouts. An agents job is to make his client money. More than 2 players will benefit from these workouts. 

Edited April 6, 2018 by TheTruthHurts

[Big Turk]

2 hours ago, TheTruthHurts said:

It's been year round for decades now. NFL Players if anything train smarter.

 

But I was speaking of college football players.

Decades but that all started in the late 80s or early 90s. Players entering the NFL in the 90s(aka 20 years ago to your point) were not a part of that growing up in the 70s. It just didnt happen...at least not on any wide scale like it does now.

Edited April 6, 2018 by matter2003

[Charlottebillsfan2]

The best ability, availability. If it was me or my client no way in hell im working out for a team for a private bs session. Go look at the game film, interview me, my coaches, and teammates. But once the season is over that’s it. I don’t even blame guys for skipping meaningless bowl games. 

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, Mickey said:

  They shouldn't be performing and risking their livelihoods for free. 

 

 

They should skip the NCAA as well then...

 

37 minutes ago, Charlottebillsfan2 said:

The best ability, availability. If it was me or my client no way in hell im working out for a team for a private bs session. Go look at the game film, interview me, my coaches, and teammates. But once the season is over that’s it. I don’t even blame guys for skipping meaningless bowl games. 

 

 

What if your client mas a marginal 1st/2nd rounder.  You wouldn't have your fully ensured client do anything possible to improve his draft status?  As a client, wouldn't you want to do the same?

 

Is it really a mystery as to why players do these workouts?  They are all free to refuse.

 

You want to talk about a worthless pre-draft endeavor (where players also get injured)?  The combine is far more useless than individual team workouts--and it's not even close.  Most of the guys of any interest at the combine are already the most scrupulously and exhaustively studied players in college football.  And they are brought together to do .....stuff kids do in gym class:  a short sprint, a long jump, some bench presses, running suicides and around some cones.  All of this is almost like a cruel joke by the NFL---they might as well bring out ACTUAL HOOPS and then make these kids jump through them.

 

 

 

 

[LABILLBACKER]

4 hours ago, Virgil said:

 

They should work out at the combine and pro day, that’s it. Visits should be more about character and team chemistry. 

 

Especially since a lot of the meetings are smoke screens or precautions 

Couldn't agree more. You get to see me at pro day and the combine. That's it. If you want to wine and dine me great, a few questions ok. Nothing more.

[Koko78]

5 hours ago, TheTruthHurts said:

Injuries will happen training, in private workouts, or practice. Let's not overreact. It's part of the game. 

 

No, it's not "part of the game" when the draft prospect loses millions of dollars (and potentially an NFL career) due to a pre-draft workout.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

15 minutes ago, Koko78 said:

 

No, it's not "part of the game" when the draft prospect loses millions of dollars (and potentially an NFL career) due to a pre-draft workout.

You can also lose millions without a private workout. Players make money doing private workouts. Not every player is a 1st round pick. Late round picks and UDFAs can get money in workouts .

Edited April 6, 2018 by TheTruthHurts

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

24 minutes ago, TheTruthHurts said:

You can also lose millions without a private workout. Players make money doing private workouts. Not every player is a 1st round pick. Late round picks and UDFAs can get money in workouts .

 

....it does suck......then again, some of the NFL greedmeisters probably like it when the injury doesn't count against their nickel after they draft/sign the kid.....now they're damaged goods with realizing the NFL dream in serious question...sucks again............

[Charlottebillsfan2]

1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

They should skip the NCAA as well then...

 

 

 

What if your client mas a marginal 1st/2nd rounder.  You wouldn't have your fully ensured client do anything possible to improve his draft status?  As a client, wouldn't you want to do the same?

 

Is it really a mystery as to why players do these workouts?  They are all free to refuse.

 

You want to talk about a worthless pre-draft endeavor (where players also get injured)?  The combine is far more useless than individual team workouts--and it's not even close.  Most of the guys of any interest at the combine are already the most scrupulously and exhaustively studied players in college football.  And they are brought together to do .....stuff kids do in gym class:  a short sprint, a long jump, some bench presses, running suicides and around some cones.  All of this is almost like a cruel joke by the NFL---they might as well bring out ACTUAL HOOPS and then make these kids jump through them.

 

 

 

 

 

That’s why I said once the season is over I’m done. I’m Not doing any of it including the combine. If your a marginal 1st/2nd rounder how much further are you really going to drop by not doing these useless workouts. But on the flip side you blow out a knee and drop 3 to 4 rounds or worse. Risk is not worth the reward of moving up some spots. Skip it boys. 

[WotAGuy]

I got carpal tunnel filling out an application during an interview once.  

[Paulus]

6 hours ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

Easy for you to say. 

He is still correct. 

[Mickey]

2 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

They should skip the NCAA as well then...

 

 

 

What if your client mas a marginal 1st/2nd rounder.  You wouldn't have your fully ensured client do anything possible to improve his draft status?  As a client, wouldn't you want to do the same?

 

Is it really a mystery as to why players do these workouts?  They are all free to refuse.

 

You want to talk about a worthless pre-draft endeavor (where players also get injured)?  The combine is far more useless than individual team workouts--and it's not even close.  Most of the guys of any interest at the combine are already the most scrupulously and exhaustively studied players in college football.  And they are brought together to do .....stuff kids do in gym class:  a short sprint, a long jump, some bench presses, running suicides and around some cones.  All of this is almost like a cruel joke by the NFL---they might as well bring out ACTUAL HOOPS and then make these kids jump through them.

 

 

 

 

Skip the NCAA? I'm sorry but I don't think that is remotely comparable to attending needless private workouts. The athletes have medical coverage, free tuition, free room and board, not to mention an education and a chance at a professional career. I do think that its a borderline criminal that the athletes get so little of the mountains of cash they create but that is a problem for another day.

 

I don't think they are really "free" to refuse since the expectation and tradition is that they will participate. If they don't, there will be tons of press about how they aren't team players, or are selfish, have a bad attitude, etc. Yes they can refuse, but it will cost them. What would change that is if their agents and the NFLPA got together and put a stop to it.

 

As for the combine, I agree, its a waste of time. 

[Rob's House]

I knew a girl who was killed in a car accident while driving to a job interview. She lost everything and the potential employer just moved on to the next candidate.

[NoSaint]

2 hours ago, Charlottebillsfan2 said:

 

That’s why I said once the season is over I’m done. I’m Not doing any of it including the combine. If your a marginal 1st/2nd rounder how much further are you really going to drop by not doing these useless workouts. But on the flip side you blow out a knee and drop 3 to 4 rounds or worse. Risk is not worth the reward of moving up some spots. Skip it boys. 

 

Yea, if you can’t see it at the combine, pro day or on film — I’m not sure how much you’re really going to see in a workout. I can see benchmarking once or twice but for a bunch of teams individually is silly 

 

I dig a visit to get to get to know a guy, give a physical etc... but to make him run drills is kind of silly to me. You should be able to tell what you need to tell by now unless something out of the ordinary has come up (say an injury and showing you’ve recovered for instance)

Edited April 6, 2018 by NoSaint

[FearLess Price]

Risk vs reward here. Tough break for the kids. Never wanna see anyone miss their potential shot.

[NoSaint]

28 minutes ago, FearLess Price said:

Risk vs reward here. Tough break for the kids. Never wanna see anyone miss their potential shot.

 

Im not sure which situation would irk me more...

 

knowing these kids got hurt running drills that probably won’t otherwise effect their draft stock

 

or

 

finding out that my team moved guys around drastically over 3 cone drills in private workouts after watching tape, the combine and pro days

[TigerJ]

I hope they have insurance policies, and not just health insurance.  I can see where those expected to be drafted high would be very likely to get insurance, but it wouldn't shock me to learn that a lot of day three picks and their agents overlook that risk in the pre-draft process.

[Ol Dirty B]

3 hours ago, Rob's House said:

I knew a girl who was killed in a car accident while driving to a job interview. She lost everything and the potential employer just moved on to the next candidate.

 

I'm not sure whether this is a bad joke, an actual story, or a terrible analogy. But Ok... It makes sense in your head, probably not in many others though.

[Augie]

THAT sucks. It’s horrible especially since there is so little value in it. They have years of film playing the actual game of football. Many have done the combine, and pro days, plus some individuals workouts. The film playing the game is what you need to see. The interviews are in second place. The rest leads to this crap.....

3 hours ago, Rob's House said:

I knew a girl who was killed in a car accident while driving to a job interview. She lost everything and the potential employer just moved on to the next candidate.

 

What did her family and loved ones do? 

[papazoid]

the combine and 1 pro day is plenty.

 

all these private workouts should be banned.

[Rob's House]

8 hours ago, Ol Dirty B said:

 

I'm not sure whether this is a bad joke, an actual story, or a terrible analogy. But Ok... It makes sense in your head, probably not in many others though.

It's a true story.

[Mr. WEO]

16 hours ago, Charlottebillsfan2 said:

 

That’s why I said once the season is over I’m done. I’m Not doing any of it including the combine. If your a marginal 1st/2nd rounder how much further are you really going to drop by not doing these useless workouts. But on the flip side you blow out a knee and drop 3 to 4 rounds or worse. Risk is not worth the reward of moving up some spots. Skip it boys. 

 

It's not about moving down if you don't go to the workouts, it's about possibly moving up.  And the risk of a devastating injury during such a workout is exceedingly low, obviously.  They aren't being asked to do anything dangerous or unusual. It's easy for these guys and their agents to do the math on this risk/benefit equation. 

 

 

15 hours ago, Mickey said:

Skip the NCAA? I'm sorry but I don't think that is remotely comparable to attending needless private workouts. The athletes have medical coverage, free tuition, free room and board, not to mention an education and a chance at a professional career. I do think that its a borderline criminal that the athletes get so little of the mountains of cash they create but that is a problem for another day.

 

I don't think they are really "free" to refuse since the expectation and tradition is that they will participate. If they don't, there will be tons of press about how they aren't team players, or are selfish, have a bad attitude, etc. Yes they can refuse, but it will cost them. What would change that is if their agents and the NFLPA got together and put a stop to it.

 

As for the combine, I agree, its a waste of time. 

 

I was joking about skipping the NCAA but based the response on the preceding comment.  I don't have a problem with players not getting the money for playing college sports.  They enter into a contract (willingly) with their college and are reimbursed with all that you mention, plus education and opportunity.  If they want to be paid for work, they can leave college and enter the workforce like al those in their college class that aren't getting a free ride--or all of those who didn't get to go to college and have to work without the benefit of a college degree.  In the NCAA, therefore, the risks and rewards of participation are very clear to every student athlete.  They get to choose...

 

As for the team visits, it is clear that the teams feel the visits are important and therefore the players and agents also think this is true.  Unless you firmly believe that teams are pressuring players to attend just to mess with them (which is senseless), then you have to assume the visits/workouts are of mutual benefit.

 

The NFLPA can do nothing about this as these kids are not in the union.  Agents obviously are not going to discourage these visits as they feel they have value. 

 

Players themselves will choose to not go (Christian Mcafferty refused last year), just like they can refuse the combine.

 

 

[aristocrat]

how many prospects had workouts that weren't injured?

[Punching Bag]

Players do workouts (and other things) on their own, have injuries and then do not disclose it after medical exams of combine (if any) so it is NOT just on the teams.  I am sure there are agents which told their clients to not disclose information about such injuries.

 

What an agent should do is tell team:

• my client will be glad to do any site visit as long as travel expenses paid
• my client will be glad to do any board talk over X's and O's
• my client will be glad to meet with your doctors as long as you and doctors sign our non-disclosure form which penalizes info let out
• my client will do a private workout but team must be willing to pay the insurance premium for that workout.  It is the team's decision.

The agent should make it clear that his client will cooperate but team will bear expense.  This lets an independent party, the insurance company, determine cost. 

[Hebert19]

Only workouts that should be needed are:

 

1.  You had a terrible combine and want to show better.  

 

2.  You are coming off injury and need to prove you are healthy before the draft.  

 

Rest are useless and should be declined. 

[Charlottebillsfan2]

2 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

It's not about moving down if you don't go to the workouts, it's about possibly moving up.  And the risk of a devastating injury during such a workout is exceedingly low, obviously.  They aren't being asked to do anything dangerous or unusual. It's easy for these guys and their agents to do the math on this risk/benefit equation. 

 

So you can possibly move up by working out for a team? How far do you think your really going to move up based on a useless workout? Maybe a few spots.  Compare that too how far you drop if your tear something in your knee. No way is the risk worth it. Your completely exposed with no contract. You have a body of work for the team to evaluate you on. These workouts are a complete waste of time. 

[Mr. WEO]

23 hours ago, Charlottebillsfan2 said:

 

So you can possibly move up by working out for a team? How far do you think your really going to move up based on a useless workout? Maybe a few spots.  Compare that too how far you drop if your tear something in your knee. No way is the risk worth it. Your completely exposed with no contract. You have a body of work for the team to evaluate you on. These workouts are a complete waste of time. 

 

 

It should be clear that both agents and players feel they may improve their draft stock by working out for the teams.  Why on earth would they bother otherwise??

 

The players have already have concluded (rightly) that the odds of blowing out a knee or other serious career threatening injury is remote---as it clearly is. 

 

If what many here are claiming was true, few if any players would show up to these workouts.   Players and their agents completely disagree with your take.  Why are they wrong?