This week,A few more thoughts on Greg Jennings – NFL Nation Blog – ESPN, posted the NFL’s little-known rules for rookie participation in offseason programs. The key portion for our consumption: Draft picks and college free agents can’t participate in organized team activities until after final exams at their respective schools.
That isn’t an issue on most campuses,49ers backup QB switch saves $7 million – NFL Nation Blog – ESPN,Cheap Air Jordan Shoes,Falcons will open on national stage – NFL Nation Blog – ESPN, where finals occur in early May. But there are at least four NFC North players, all from Pac-12 schools,Raiders looking at another linebacker – NFL Nation Blog – ESPN, who apparently will miss all or most of their team’s OTAs this spring because of a later academic calendar.
Atop the list is first-round draft pick of Oregon, a guard who figures to compete for an immediate starting job. The Bears’ OTAs will take place between May 13 and June 6,How NFC West rates in past three drafts – NFL Nation Blog –, but Oregon’s final exams . Long is eligible for this weekend’s rookie minicamp but not the Bears’ veteran mandatory minicamp June 11-13. (*Update: An earlier version of this post said Long was eligible for veteran mandatory minicamp. Upon review, that is not the case.)
The same is believed to be true for a trio of UCLA players who were drafted by NFC North teams. running back ,, along with punter and ,Execs comments questioning Seahawks trade for Percy Harvin – ESPN, appear ineligible for OTAs until after June 14. The Packers and Vikings are both scheduled to have OTAs wrap up on the same day.
Franklin would not be eligible for the Packers’ veteran mandatory minicamp,NFL32 Bush headed to Detroit – NFL Nation Blog – ESPN, which is scheduled for June 4-6. Locke and Baca would be able to participate because the Vikings’ mandatory minicamp is scheduled to start June 18. (Update: Frankin’s eligibility status has also been revised.) Packers defensive end , also of UCLA, is eligible for OTAs because he has already graduated from school.
How critical will these absences be? Repetitions are the key to learning, but most rookies are swimming when they arrive at training camp regardless of their offseason participation. But in Long’s case,Beyond starters, Titans need guard depth – NFL Nation Blog –, for one,NFL32 Packers and Matthews get deal done – NFL Na,airjordansale.productzone.net, it stiffens the learning curve required for him to compete effectively for a Week 1 starting job,Retro Air Jordan Shoes, as many have projected he will.