Rushing rookies into minicamp means trouble

by Alex Marvez

Updated: May 19, 2008, 1:18 PM EST 6 comments

Not every youngster was so lucky.

Franchises spend months in pre-draft preparation because of how important those picks are toward building a strong roster. Yet many of the same teams are remarkably careless in the initial handling of their rookie classes.

By and large, rookies aren't physically or psychologically ready to practice in the two weeks following the draft. Many picks haven't been in pads since January. The layoff is even longer for those who hadn't participated in college all-star games.

Some players still have their head swimming like the morning after a wild draft-day party. Travel logistics and preparing for a move to a new city can become overwhelming, especially for those still in school.

But that didn't keep every team except Jacksonville and Denver from throwing their rookies into the fire earlier this month.

Veterans aren't treated so recklessly. Those players usually have more than a month of training in their team's off-season workout program before participating in a minicamp or OTA (organized team activity) practice. Rookies don't follow those types of detailed, football-specific workouts before the draft.

Multiple pre-draft visits with teams leave some high-profile picks ragged. Thomas had nine of them, leaving him in less-than-ideal physical condition entering Washington's minicamp two weeks ago.

"You don't get the chance to follow your daily workout routine," said Thomas, a second-round selection. "You have to make time on your own doing little things like push-ups and sit-ups in the hotel room. There's no time to hit the weight room."

Thomas said Washington's camp "wasn't that strenuous." Drills were done at a slower speed because players are trying to learn the systems being installed by new head coach Jim Zorn and defensive coordinator Greg Blache.

It didn't take long for Rashard Mendenhall to suffer his first NFL injury. ( Joseph Sargent / Getty Images)

That wasn't the case in Pittsburgh.

Running back Rashard Mendenhall, the 23rd overall pick, missed most of the Steelers' recent minicamp after straining a hamstring. In 2006, Pittsburgh's top two choices (linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley) were hurt during their first minicamp.

Woodley quickly rebounded from a minor hamstring injury. But Timmons suffered a torn groin muscle that led to a largely unproductive rookie season. Timmons blames 24 pre-draft visits that kept him from staying in tip-top shape.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has acknowledged the pre-draft travel schedule for top prospects "is really not conducive for preparing these guys to come in and meet what waits for them." But Tomlin isn't helping matters by conducting a full-squad minicamp rather than easing in rookies with their own camp or even waiting until June for on-field work.

Jerry Rice, the NFL's all-time leading receiver, said he saw plenty of overzealous youngsters practicing alongside more measured veterans during 20 seasons of NFL minicamps. Rice admittedly was one of them when drafted by San Francisco in 1985.

"When a lot of guys first come in, they want to impress right away," Rice said. "They want to show they belong. That can cause problems."

There are benefits for the 12 teams that held full-squad minicamps. Veterans provide tips that can ease a rookie's transition to the NFL, which is what Thomas said Redskins wideouts Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El did for him. Some coaches also want to immediately establish that rookies aren't "on scholarship" and will be held just as accountable as veterans.

But such meshing comes with a significant potential downside, which is why 18 clubs held rookie-only camps. Less individual attention can be given by assistant coaches with so many players participating in a full-squad camp. A rookie's confidence also can suffer and even get permanently damaged from early struggles against more experienced players. Media criticism for poor practices sometimes compounds the problem.

Two members of Miami's front office in 2001 told FOXSports.com that first-round pick Jamar Fletcher could never psychologically rebound after a lousy outing in a full-squad minicamp. Fletcher started only six games at cornerback in three seasons before being traded to San Diego.

Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio isn't taking any chances. He is bringing the Class of 2008 to Jaguars headquarters for the first time today. A full day of indoctrination — including extensive meetings and an expansion of the Jaguars workout program that was sent to rookies following the draft — awaits. By the time Jacksonville holds its first off-season minicamp June 6-7, rookies and veterans will have both participated in eight less strenuous OTAs.

Even a coach whose team is considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender can wait to get his newcomers on the field. Other franchises would be wise doing the same.

Alex interviewed Rice during a show the two recently co-hosted on Sirius NFL Radio. Alex will be appearing on Sirius from 12 to 4 p.m. ET Sunday with Jim Miller.

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