So from what I've seen, spring ball kicks off March 7 (someone jump in here and correct me if I'm wrong) and then the guys are off March 14-18 for spring break and the spring game is April 16.
That's 40 days. Now I get it, take your time, watch TONS of film of practice from every conceivable angle in order to elongate the learning period. But I think, just my humble opinion, that all the work that will get done between March 7 and March 14 will be rendered moot because of the week off for spring break. I say that because we had that same sort of schedule back in the day and I can assure you, between the road trips to South beach, Destin, (a big group of us went one year to Panama city for the MTV spring break party and thank God there were no cell phone cameras back then) and south padre, I just think the level of work they'll be getting in may be hampered due to the time off.
When you've got a solid week of practice and then a vacation to look forward to, as a 19-22 year old kid, it's human nature to be thinking about chicks, booze, and partying. (All completely understandable) However, your focus isn't 100% on football until you get back from your break, albeit 10 pounds heavier, sun burned and saddle sore.
Personally, I'd like to see practice start after the break was over. "Boys, go knock yourself out because when you get back, your a$$ is grass and we're the lawnmower". Or perhaps implement some like Michigan is doing and send the guys off for a team oriented active spring break. He's taking his kids to the water park after practice, going to Disney one day, universal studios the next and to a Detroit vs Pittsburgh baseball game one day. I think it's a great idea and it also has that "NFL training camp" feel to it. Plus, he gets to monitor his kids over spring break to insure that nothing bad happens. I'll grant you that the next team to do it will be pointed at and mocked a bit (oh you're just copying michigan) but who cares. I'm about getting in quality work with minimal distractions.
Any thoughts?
That's 40 days. Now I get it, take your time, watch TONS of film of practice from every conceivable angle in order to elongate the learning period. But I think, just my humble opinion, that all the work that will get done between March 7 and March 14 will be rendered moot because of the week off for spring break. I say that because we had that same sort of schedule back in the day and I can assure you, between the road trips to South beach, Destin, (a big group of us went one year to Panama city for the MTV spring break party and thank God there were no cell phone cameras back then) and south padre, I just think the level of work they'll be getting in may be hampered due to the time off.
When you've got a solid week of practice and then a vacation to look forward to, as a 19-22 year old kid, it's human nature to be thinking about chicks, booze, and partying. (All completely understandable) However, your focus isn't 100% on football until you get back from your break, albeit 10 pounds heavier, sun burned and saddle sore.
Personally, I'd like to see practice start after the break was over. "Boys, go knock yourself out because when you get back, your a$$ is grass and we're the lawnmower". Or perhaps implement some like Michigan is doing and send the guys off for a team oriented active spring break. He's taking his kids to the water park after practice, going to Disney one day, universal studios the next and to a Detroit vs Pittsburgh baseball game one day. I think it's a great idea and it also has that "NFL training camp" feel to it. Plus, he gets to monitor his kids over spring break to insure that nothing bad happens. I'll grant you that the next team to do it will be pointed at and mocked a bit (oh you're just copying michigan) but who cares. I'm about getting in quality work with minimal distractions.
Any thoughts?
