Hello football fans!
First, by way of introduction, my name is Greg Campbell. I am a BIG (Buffalo) Bills fan. (Don’t hold that against me… they used to be good!) ;-) I am the guy whom—if you have been a long-time listener to the Rants & Raves show—you may have heard referenced as, “Greg, from the Buffalo Bills Review.” Alas, due to many other endeavors in life—not the least of which is the growing brood of children in my home—I decided to hang up my sports talk show “cleats” at the end of the 2008 season. But, as I am still a fan of the NFL (and, of course, my Buffalo Bills) I do still follow what is going on in the league, and have a thought or two (as all of we NFL fans are prone to do) on all the goings on, whether pre-, post-, off-, or regular season.
The good folks of the Rants and Raves Network have seen fit to grant me a “key” to the ol’ blog here, and asked that I post content when I can … and so, without further ado … thus begins my RandR writing career:
(Perhaps “career” would be too presumptuous in this instance?) :-)
On Whether Or Not Players Should Be Scrutinized For Not Attending Optional Offseason Workouts
In our region, amongst the fans of the Buffalo Bills, there has been and continues to be chatter regarding our “beloved” Marshawn Lynch. You see, he has failed to attend any of the voluntary offseason workouts, organized team activities (OTAs), or even really to chat with his head coach, Chan Gailey.
Now, Gailey sloughs it off well, in as much as these workouts are truly not required. (In fact, the teams are required to not make them “required”.) But for whatever reason, the fans, and moreover, the press, can not drop this topic. Lynch’s absence is proof-positive that he (1) does not care enough to be with his teammates, learning the new offensive system, and (2) that he certainly then doesn’t belong with the team (cut, or trade him now!) and it is possibly even evidence that he’s not NFL material at all.
But… I thought they were optional… not required?
Yeah. Here’s the thing, people: I agree with you. I think it is rather damning evidence that Lynch—who is quite incredibly physically talented—does not have the “work ethic” to achieve greatness at the NFL level. While most of his teammates have been around nearly all of the offseason, getting to know their coaches, the system, and each other as much as they possibly can, Lynch has been barely noticeable to his team. (At least, from all public appearances.) He may be exceptionally gifted, but no gift is enough unless coupled with the relentless pursuit of excellence in using that gift or talent. Practice really does make perfect.
BUT (and of course, you knew there would be a big but…)
If these workouts really are “optional” then we need to let them be that, and stop all the crazy speculations and labeling. (Myself included.) NFL.com was reporting that Rex Ryan is not bothered that his star DB Darrelle Revis has not been in attendance at his team’s OTAs. The Bills have also not seen DE Aaron Schobel at their OTAs. And the list goes on.
Are some of these guys disgruntled with their teams? Sure. Are some of them slackers who deserve the chastisement of the fans and the press? Sure. Are all of them? No way. There are some guys who prefer to work out on their own, and will come for all of the mandatory camps, and probably some of the optional ones, too.
Lynch is in Buffalo. He’s reconnected with his teammates a bit this week. He’ll be at the mandatory mini camp today when their time comes.* There is still great speculation as to whether he’ll suit up in Buffalo red, white, and blue this fall, but all indications from One Bills Drive are that he will.
Even if he doesn’t have perfect attendance at all the extra-curricular activities.
* – Lynch was in fact NOT at the practice today, which makes me question whether indeed it was mandatory or not. Apparently not.
“If these workouts really are “optional” then we need to let them be that, and stop all the crazy speculations and labeling.”
Well said. If the teams have a problem with players not showing up for voluntary OTAs then maybe they need to make them manditory in the next agreement with the NFLPA… If they ever come to an agreement.
Great post Greg. I myself have said many a times, these are OPTIONAL, as in NOT REQUIRED. Or as a listener recently told us, it is not Voluntary, it’s VOLUN-TOLD!!!
Just trade his ass already.
See, I can actually understand it both ways. (As I said above.) Of course, it does make you wonder when folks like Lynch seem to not want to join their teammates for these practices, but I just get tired of people (especially the press) trying to find a sensational story anywhere they can.
Ken, the Bills are adamant that Lynch is not going anywhere, but I’m inclined to think that option is still open (as is the possibility of trading one of these four QBs), certainly before the trade deadline on October 20th, but more likely this summer sometime.
Greg: I’m in tonawanda so I’m aware of what Buddy has been saying and he hasn’t lied yet… I just don’t feel we need him or his baggage any longer.
Greg,
Great post. Seems to me that the whole thing is a*&e about face. You make ’em voluntary and shirkers will dodge ’em.
Just make them obligatory. What’ll NFL Network have to talk about then!
Regards
Philip
Surprisingly, this very post is a de ja vu (sp?) from 2 years ago when Gailey came into my beloved Chiefs organization. Everyone talked about why LJ wasn’t attending OTA’s (besides from suspensions), although the hype ended up praising the work effort of Jamal Charles instead…
The result?
Johnson was never involved in the offense that season and Jamal Charles ended up getting the same amount of reps and far more yardage because he was MENTALLY involved in the offense. He actually cared. Unlike Grandmama he sat on the sidelines begging to be traded…
Comparatively, didn’t the Bills just draft some new stud running back this year? You’re d@mn right the Bills aren’t really going to turn down trade talks. Once they evaluate their new talent, Lynch will be gone in a month’s time.
Interesting perspective, Dan. Thanks for adding. Lynch is undoubtedly “disgruntled”. No question about it. I believe he basically said as much in an interview he did with Yahoo! Sports a while back, claiming that he had asked to be traded, but the Bills didn’t want to do that. He sees the proverbial “writing on the wall” (or at least, he thinks he does) and doesn’t much like going from 12th pick overall (or whatever he was) to perhaps 3rd on the depth chart.
There certainly is a goodly amount of tension in the faces and voices and words of the coaches and players here when they are asked about Lynch and his absence, and in this case (as in the case of LJ in KC a couple years ago?) there does seem to be a bit more bubbling under the surface.
All indications (publicly) are that Lynch will be a Bill when the season starts, and a member of their own version of the Giants’ “Three-Headed Monster” from recent seasons … but it would in no way shock me if they do move him.
In the end, the point is, these are voluntary workouts. They shouldn’t be, but they are. I do think that it says something about your character, heart, desire, whatever … when you don’t show up for them … BUT … they are still voluntary. I do feel the press (for want of a juicier story) do make a bit too much of the absent players… (though admittedly in this case, there is more going on, it would seem…)
Case in point, though… if you watch the highlights at BuffaloBills.com of this weekend’s Saturday practice (which was voluntary) immediately after they mention that Lynch was not in attendance, they also mention that FRED JACKSON was not in attendance for the SAME practice!! Ha! No one is talking about THAT now… in fact, that was the only mention I’ve seen. He is not injured, nor was there any other explanation given (or asked for) in his absence!
The real story is not the absence. People have been assuming (perhaps correctly so, we don’t really know) that Lynch is hacked off because the Bills picked another RB with their #8 selection in the draft. Then, when he doesn’t show up for any of the voluntary team workouts… well, that must really be a story! But if you follow Buffalo, you know Marshawn had an incident a couple years ago that really, REALLY soured him toward the press … perhaps he’s just playing games with them now. :-)
We don’t know… we can’t know until he says something, or the Bills do something.
Till then… Lynch can do whatever he wants till it’s mandatory. That may be dumb (on several levels), but, it’s his prerogative.
Whew. I sure have a lot to say on this subject!
Great artical but the problem with these work outs beeing optional is if you loved the sport and truely did care for your team you would show up for everything, not jsut when you get a pay cheque for turning up.
Personally I believe that no matter what the curcumstances optional or not you should turn up to suport the team even if you do not take part in trainning. I am from the UK and play rugby for a local side and yes all trainning sessions are optional but becuas I love the sport and want to help the team I will turn up to train in rain or sun what ever the curcumstantances and surely an NFL player who is payed MILLIONS a year should feel the same way show deidicated to the team and team mates, who cares if their optional you turn up because you care for your side it strikes me that many of the players dont particularly care for the game anymore and care more so for the money.
Well, it should be noted that a few sources (including the Bills) have reported that Lynch was at One Bills Drive last week, working out with the team. He just has not participated in any practices.
Good article Greg! I lived in Toronto for many years so I am very familiar with the Bills and the media. Unfortunately I could never get behind them so I have been a lifelong Browns fan instead and had season tickets for many years but I digress. I think not showing up to optional workouts displays a lack of leadership. A rounded player has to possess leadership skills in the locker room and those that skip optional workouts send the wrong message to their teammates and will have trouble being respected.
Why don’t they make them all mandatory so that if they miss a day, they miss pay.(day)
I don’t think I would show up for optional work days. Of course, I wouldn’t expect to be promoted ahead of all of those who chose to attend the optional work days.
But this is a slightly different case because there is no or little additional value for Lynch to attend. His team stinks. His numbers will be the same, whether he attends or not. And his paycheck will likely be the same.
If they had a real offense with some potential to break some records or do some damage, then he at least would have a reason to show up for extra work.
btw Greg really enjoyed the article.
Just a couple last points from me.
a) He is NFL material with above average level of talent.
b) I personally do not believe that players have to love the game to excel at the game. There are certain players who are just good enough to excel without passion for the game.