Report: Bill Belichick advocated for more time with players in offseason
There were a lot of headlines during last week’s NFL spring meetings in Arizona, but the league’s longest-tenured coach was reportedly laying the groundwork behind the scenes for a change to how things are done in the offseason.
More time with players
Via Mike Reiss of ESPN, New England Patriots coach Belichick was “especially vocal” about coaches getting more time with players during the offseason, something he believes would benefit the game.
Reiss wrote that while coaches, general managers and others were gathered to hear about some of the NFL’s successes as it begins its 100th season, Belichick spoke up.
“Belichick then passionately chimed in, and essentially said something along the lines of: While it is nice to hear good things, the focus should be on how it can be even better,” Reiss wrote. “One of the ways to do that, he said, was giving coaches more time with players.”
Monday marks the first day of the 2019 offseason program, though only for teams that have new coaches this season — the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets.
Fellow coaches on board
Not surprisingly, Belichick’s fellow coaches were on board.
As part of the current collective bargaining agreement, offseason programs were shortened by five weeks. Nearly every player still spends time at some kind of workout facility, refining mechanics, trying to get bigger or stronger, but also enjoying time with family and friends.
Just look at their Instagram pages for evidence: Von Miller was training in France last month, Cam Newton posted a picture training on a beach, Deshaun Watson has video of him throwing passes. It’s not like these guys are doing nothing for a few months they don’t have to be at their facilities.
“I'm in total support of his position,” Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “There's so much down time for these guys. I think there was a time when older players were bargaining for these breaks when they thought less was better. But these guys [today] love the game and want to be part of it. And we love coaching and helping them.
“The game would just be better if we were able to do that, and if we were in connection with them more, they would be healthier as well — we could monitor their wellbeing. You don't even have to mandate that. Just give them the option.”
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera also preached the potential benefits.
“There's so many positive things that could come out of it, in terms of development of young players, helping to really make sure these guys are learning the game and getting them ready for their opportunity,” Rivera said. “Keeping players in a structured atmosphere, there are so many tools we have in terms of player development, it makes so much sense that the sooner we can get them and work with them, the better it will be.”
To us it sounds like Carroll and Rivera want to maintain control over players who are grown men, but sure, support and structure and help and all that.
Belichick’s words carry weight
Belichick is beginning his 20th season as New England head coach, and 45th as an NFL coach overall. Given his status as the dean of league coaches, his words carry weight.
“It has a tremendous amount of weight,” Rivera said.
“He's one of the soothsayers. He deserves that and has earned that,” Carroll said of Belichick. “He’s been very active, and we all appreciate it.”
Any change to offseason access will have to be collectively bargained between the league and NFL Players Association.
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