How important is training camp for a rookie?
"Training camps are under way, and many teams are getting down to business without their top draft picks. And while that isn't stop-the-presses news, it may -- or may not -- bode well for players who endure a prolonged contract squabble.
I began compiling players who had missed part of their rookie training camp, thinking I would find those players made significantly less impact in their first season. After sifting through the numbers, I came away with a different perspective. Training camp attendance does not equate into first-year success, and missing training camp doesn't preclude a player from having a stellar year.
Recent examples of first-round picks who were tardy to camp include:
1999 -- Akili Smith: The Bengals' first-round pick missed almost one month of practice to begin his rookie year. He played in seven games that season with two TDs and six picks.
2000 -- Travis Taylor (Ravens) and Rob Morris (Colts): Taylor sat out 10 days, while Morris missed 12. Both players had their season cut short by injury.
2001 -- Deuce McAllister: The Saints' top pick was AWOL for eight days. His rookie year stats: 16 carries, 91 yards, one TD.
2002 -- Bryant McKinnie: Standing on principles, the massive tackle sat for 98 days; he wouldn't agree to an $8.1 million bonus when Roy Williams, drafted one spot behind him, got a $9.35 million bonus. He eventually signed with the Vikings and played in eight games.
Then again, there are holdouts who went on to have standout seasons:
1999 -- Fernando Bryant: The Jaguars' All-Rookie cornerback started 18 games, including two playoff games, and had three picks after missing 11 days of training camp.
2000 -- Sylvester Morris: He sat 20 days before agreeing to terms with Kansas City, then played in 15 games with 14 starts. He finished with a Chiefs rookie-record 48 catches and three TDs.
2001 -- Justin Smith: The Bengals' hard-charging defensive end missed training camp and the first game of the season in his holdout. He finished with 67 tackles and 8 1/2 sacks.
2002 -- Patrick Ramsey: Sixteen days after camp started, Ramsey signed with the Redskins and took his place among the QB rotation. He was sacked seven times by New Orleans, but endured to finish the year with 1,539 yards, nine TDs and eight INTs.
For every Cade McNown (11 days missed; 15 games, eight TDs, 10 picks) or John Tait (sat out training camp; three starts in 12 games played) there is an Edgerrin James (three weeks) or LaDainian Tomlinson (four weeks) who goes on to be offensive rookie of the year.
As expected, teams do not like stars-in-the-making to miss any time that could be used toward reaching their potential. And yet here we are again, under the glaring sunshine, pads popping, sweat rolling, fists clenched, legs churning ... and waiting on more than one-half of the first-round draft picks to suit up.
It boils down to who's watching whose back. The agent has to take care of his client. The team has to do what's best for the franchise. Agents look long term in an effort to secure the player's financial future. On the other hand, coaches are more reluctant to put a player on the field if he doesn't have a grasp of the offense or defense.
Ask any agent and he'll tell you the bottom line is getting the best deal for the player. The team, meanwhile, says a player's first training camp is the most important part of a rookie's season, if not his career. In the end, it is ultimately the player's decision. Some want to get down to business as soon as possible; others want to enjoy a few more days of summer.
Which way is best? Depends on whether you're signing the deal or offering the deal. History shows there's no foolproof way to determine if missing training camp has a positive or negative effect on a rookie.
At least, how he plays. How fans and his new teammates welcome him when he finally shows up? Well, that's a completely different matter. "
.................................................................
If we suspect that a rookie in the NFL will step in and contribute mightily we can use that to win money. Trouble is which ones.
Even Shockley with NY Giants had a good first year and we could easily see the talent was there. It takes time just like it is with us when we start a new job with alot of pressure and responsibility.
He is just now getting to the level of a major star player in the NFL.
KOD
"Training camps are under way, and many teams are getting down to business without their top draft picks. And while that isn't stop-the-presses news, it may -- or may not -- bode well for players who endure a prolonged contract squabble.
I began compiling players who had missed part of their rookie training camp, thinking I would find those players made significantly less impact in their first season. After sifting through the numbers, I came away with a different perspective. Training camp attendance does not equate into first-year success, and missing training camp doesn't preclude a player from having a stellar year.
Recent examples of first-round picks who were tardy to camp include:
1999 -- Akili Smith: The Bengals' first-round pick missed almost one month of practice to begin his rookie year. He played in seven games that season with two TDs and six picks.
2000 -- Travis Taylor (Ravens) and Rob Morris (Colts): Taylor sat out 10 days, while Morris missed 12. Both players had their season cut short by injury.
2001 -- Deuce McAllister: The Saints' top pick was AWOL for eight days. His rookie year stats: 16 carries, 91 yards, one TD.
2002 -- Bryant McKinnie: Standing on principles, the massive tackle sat for 98 days; he wouldn't agree to an $8.1 million bonus when Roy Williams, drafted one spot behind him, got a $9.35 million bonus. He eventually signed with the Vikings and played in eight games.
Then again, there are holdouts who went on to have standout seasons:
1999 -- Fernando Bryant: The Jaguars' All-Rookie cornerback started 18 games, including two playoff games, and had three picks after missing 11 days of training camp.
2000 -- Sylvester Morris: He sat 20 days before agreeing to terms with Kansas City, then played in 15 games with 14 starts. He finished with a Chiefs rookie-record 48 catches and three TDs.
2001 -- Justin Smith: The Bengals' hard-charging defensive end missed training camp and the first game of the season in his holdout. He finished with 67 tackles and 8 1/2 sacks.
2002 -- Patrick Ramsey: Sixteen days after camp started, Ramsey signed with the Redskins and took his place among the QB rotation. He was sacked seven times by New Orleans, but endured to finish the year with 1,539 yards, nine TDs and eight INTs.
For every Cade McNown (11 days missed; 15 games, eight TDs, 10 picks) or John Tait (sat out training camp; three starts in 12 games played) there is an Edgerrin James (three weeks) or LaDainian Tomlinson (four weeks) who goes on to be offensive rookie of the year.
As expected, teams do not like stars-in-the-making to miss any time that could be used toward reaching their potential. And yet here we are again, under the glaring sunshine, pads popping, sweat rolling, fists clenched, legs churning ... and waiting on more than one-half of the first-round draft picks to suit up.
It boils down to who's watching whose back. The agent has to take care of his client. The team has to do what's best for the franchise. Agents look long term in an effort to secure the player's financial future. On the other hand, coaches are more reluctant to put a player on the field if he doesn't have a grasp of the offense or defense.
Ask any agent and he'll tell you the bottom line is getting the best deal for the player. The team, meanwhile, says a player's first training camp is the most important part of a rookie's season, if not his career. In the end, it is ultimately the player's decision. Some want to get down to business as soon as possible; others want to enjoy a few more days of summer.
Which way is best? Depends on whether you're signing the deal or offering the deal. History shows there's no foolproof way to determine if missing training camp has a positive or negative effect on a rookie.
At least, how he plays. How fans and his new teammates welcome him when he finally shows up? Well, that's a completely different matter. "
.................................................................
If we suspect that a rookie in the NFL will step in and contribute mightily we can use that to win money. Trouble is which ones.
Even Shockley with NY Giants had a good first year and we could easily see the talent was there. It takes time just like it is with us when we start a new job with alot of pressure and responsibility.
He is just now getting to the level of a major star player in the NFL.
KOD
