How will we know how effectively our players used the time leading up to training camp to get into some reasonable level of conditioning? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

How will we know how effectively our players used the time leading up to training camp to get into some reasonable level of conditioning?

Ray R

Ray R

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How will we know how effectively our players used the time leading up to training camp to get into some reasonable level of conditioning?

With TC just around the corner, I realized that I have very little idea how well our players have prepared for training camp.
Videos of them working-out? - Remember that old saw - Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.
That is going to be part of my approach to addressing this question.

I'm considering listening to the coaching reports, but will they be honest about a guy showing up poorly prepared? We shall see.

I've wondered if they will be requiring that a player spend more time in the weight room?
How will I know if it is a result of the teams demands, or an earnest effort by a player to improve in an area that he didn't realize he was weak at?

Will they be putting some constraints on individual player's diets or just watch them eat all, and everything they want?

Will the coaches be successful in getting the players up-to-date and effective with the new play book soon enough to avoid a poor performance in our first five or so games?

What will be the initial indicators that the "intellectual" part of the game by the player's is improving?
I realize there will be a flurry of changes in players positions on the field and in the team level (1st or 2nd team) as coaches become familiar with the players; but I also realize this could "mask" the fact that some players are not "getting it".
How will I know one from the other?

As happy an anxious as I am for this new team and coaching staff, I am impatient in wanting to know how well the players are really doing.

I guess I'll just have to wait for the preseason games to find out, and even then, there are likely to be "coaching" driven changes of players and positions for reasons I will not be able to fantom.

Shouldn't there be a count-down thread for our first season game - or will I need to learn to read a Calander - LOL
 
I know nutrition-wise, they meet with the players often and outline based upon the detailed sports science tests they run on each player what they should be focused on eating-wise. If a player needs to gain weight, they are provided a calorie count and an outline for when they are away from the facility. Same for players that need to lose weight. When they are at the facility each player has their own specific diet in the system and their food is based upon that. It's been focused on in a couple of hard knocks episodes and seems a league-wide practice.

Regarding how much they work out, they were coming into the facility daily until a couple of weeks ago and will be back in 10-15 days depending upon if they are a rookie or not. Many work out outside of the facility as well. No idea how to know unless they are sharing it on SM like Tyreek or Tua.
 
Fin-Loco said:
I know nutrition-wise, they meet with the players often and outline based upon the detailed sports science tests they run on each player what they should be focused on eating-wise. If a player needs to gain weight, they are provided a calorie count and an outline for when they are away from the facility. Same for players that need to lose weight. When they are at the facility each player has their own specific diet in the system and their food is based upon that. It's been focused on in a couple of hard knocks episodes and seems a league-wide practice.

Regarding how much they work out, they were coming into the facility daily until a couple of weeks ago and will be back in 10-15 days depending upon if they are a rookie or not. Many work out outside of the facility as well. No idea how to know unless they are sharing it on SM like Tyreek or Tua.
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Thanks for the information on diet that you provided. While I had heard that was what teams did, I had no credible knowledge that it was true or to what degree those standards were adhered to.

Your information about the training room is heartening. I knew they had one and it was used and that we have strength training coaches. How that all was being applied was a mystery to me.

The part where you use your head (intellectually - as opposed to spearing an opponent) plays a tremendous part in the game, and I am pretty much at a loss when it comes to knowing how well the players are really doing in that area.
 
Fin-Loco said:
I know nutrition-wise, they meet with the players often and outline based upon the detailed sports science tests they run on each player what they should be focused on eating-wise. If a player needs to gain weight, they are provided a calorie count and an outline for when they are away from the facility. Same for players that need to lose weight. When they are at the facility each player has their own specific diet in the system and their food is based upon that. It's been focused on in a couple of hard knocks episodes and seems a league-wide practice.

Regarding how much they work out, they were coming into the facility daily until a couple of weeks ago and will be back in 10-15 days depending upon if they are a rookie or not. Many work out outside of the facility as well. No idea how to know unless they are sharing it on SM like Tyreek or Tua.
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A bid of a side topic, but many of these players, particularly the "big boys", are better served not to do certain types of training away from the facility. Yes, in a perfect world they should all come to camp in well-conditioned and if they have any sense, acclimated somewhat to the heat/humidity. I don't expect them to arrive in full pad playing shape. Receivers, DBs, etc are a different matter. They should come in able to run/sprint all day long, heat/humidity or not. No excuse not to be in close to playing shape for those guys.

What I'm getting at is that players are not contractually protected against injury when they are away from the facility. The Juwan James situation is an example. The team did right by him in the end, but they didn't have to from a legal standpoint, and not every org would have done so.
 
Mach2 said:
A bid of a side topic, but many of these players, particularly the "big boys", are better served not to do certain types of training away from the facility. Yes, in a perfect world they should all come to camp in well-conditioned and if they have any sense, acclimated somewhat to the heat/humidity. I don't expect them to arrive in full pad playing shape. Receivers, DBs, etc are a different matter. They should come in able to run/sprint all day long, heat/humidity or not. No excuse not to be in close to playing shape for those guys.

What I'm getting at is that players are not contractually protected against injury when they are away from the facility. The Juwan James situation is an example. The team did right by him in the end, but they didn't have to from a legal standpoint, and not every org would have done so.
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NFL is a year around business these days. Most players who want to either keep their spot or seize someone else are putting in extra work and many go and practice with their position colleagues from other teams.

Work out wise to speak to Ray's question, the MD have multitudes of trainers and each player is analyzed via the Dolphins league leading sports science program. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...ies-futuristic-sports-performance-program-nfl and many other articles regarding how the phins have put the most money (as of a few years ago) into SS. I've always wondered why it doesn't seem to equal fewer injuries but maybe it does for some. Their workouts are customized as is their rehab.
 
Fin-Loco said:
NFL is a year around business these days. Most players who want to either keep their spot or seize someone else are putting in extra work and many go and practice with their position colleagues from other teams.

Work out wise to speak to Ray's question, the MD have multitudes of trainers and each player is analyzed via the Dolphins league leading sports science program. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...ies-futuristic-sports-performance-program-nfl and many other articles regarding how the phins have put the most money (as of a few years ago) into SS. I've always wondered why it doesn't seem to equal fewer injuries but maybe it does for some. Their workouts are customized as is their rehab.
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Yes, it is a fine line for players to walk. Risk of one path v risk of another. We all take the risk of an accident or something happening every day, part of life.

The article is from the Philbin era, so I don't know how many of those guys are still around, or if the strategies employed today are the same, but given the importance of player health, and relative minor costs to have such a program in place, it isn't surprising that all franchises would put an emphasis there. It only makes sense to do so.

Ultimately though, the individual player has to buy into, and believe in the program. You can't force Soloman Kindly (as an example) to eat and train properly if he is lazy or doesn't care.
 
Mach2 said:
Yes, it is a fine line for players to walk. Risk of one path v risk of another. We all take the risk of an accident or something happening every day, part of life.

The article is from the Philbin era, so I don't know how many of those guys are still around, or if the strategies employed today are the same, but given the importance of player health, and relative minor costs to have such a program in place, it isn't surprising that all franchises would put an emphasis there. It only makes sense to do so.

Ultimately though, the individual player has to buy into, and believe in the program. You can't force Soloman Kindly (as an example) to eat and train properly if he is lazy or doesn't care.
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Yep. Just grabbed the first article about sports science and the Phins. Ross wanted it so I'm sure it's still very focused on.
 
Mach2 said:
A bid of a side topic, but many of these players, particularly the "big boys", are better served not to do certain types of training away from the facility. Yes, in a perfect world they should all come to camp in well-conditioned and if they have any sense, acclimated somewhat to the heat/humidity. I don't expect them to arrive in full pad playing shape. Receivers, DBs, etc are a different matter. They should come in able to run/sprint all day long, heat/humidity or not. No excuse not to be in close to playing shape for those guys.

What I'm getting at is that players are not contractually protected against injury when they are away from the facility. The Juwan James situation is an example. The team did right by him in the end, but they didn't have to from a legal standpoint, and not every org would have done so.
Click to expand...

I'd argue legal aside. Those "big" boys have alot more to lose coming into camp not in the expected shaped vs. getting hurt on their own prior.

Supposedly that's what happen to Solomon. He came to camp out of shape and was never able to catch-up.

Heck, Coach M&M(Mike McDaniel) has said just as much parapharsing..."Those that came in out of shape hav a hard time catching up!"
 
ANUFan said:
I'd argue legal aside. Those "big" boys have alot more to lose coming into camp not in the expected shaped vs. getting hurt on their own prior.

Supposedly that's what happen to Solomon. He came to camp out of shape and was never able to catch-up.

Heck, Coach M&M(Mike McDaniel) has said just as much parapharsing..."Those that came in out of shape hav a hard time catching up!"
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Oh, no doubt. I wasn't talking about being over weight, and not in good condition. There's no excuse for showing up at camp and be out of breath, clutching knees and vomiting after running a few gassers or not being in the weight room on an aggressive schedule.

I was thinking more about training in ways that are constantly stressing knees and that sort of thing. I realize offseason injuries can happen at any time. I just meant that there are ways to minimize some of the risks.

I may not have explained it vey well.
 
Bet you 10 bucks Kindley comes in..... FAT
Sexy Chris Farley GIF
 
That's a good question Ray and a tough one to answer. I usually go by preseason games, if they look like crap and have trouble getting in the end zone with the first team, I see that as a negative sign for the early part of the regular season.
 
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