Draining camp?
by Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
Two weeks from today, the Dallas Cowboys will converge on San Antonio for the start of the club's 50th training camp. But in this age of seemingly endless offseason workouts, is a three-week camp really necessary? Express-News Cowboys beat writer Tom Orsborn, with help from Dallas quarterback Tony Romo and Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs, explores some of the pros and cons of having such a lengthy affair. Romo went through all of camp last year only to fade in December. Suggs, meanwhile, sat out of it last season because of a contract dispute but still wound up making the Pro Bowl after helping the Ravens reach the AFC championship game.
Tony Romo, Cowboys quarterback
"I like camp. It's fun. I've said it before: We like to compete. I like to compete. It's really enjoyable to go two times a day a lot of the time, where you get to see whether or not you did it good or bad. It's fun to get out there and to compete with yourself and with other people."
- speaking to reporters last month at minicamp
Terrell Suggs, Ravens linebacker
"All last year, I said training camp is overrated. I know they didn't expect me to come out and have the season I did - but I did. I took advantage of my ability to train longer. It's great when you have that extra time, when you're not there beating up each other, and you're actually just working."
- in an interview last month with the Los Angeles Times
ORSBORN'S VIEW:
Back in the day, training camps routinely lasted six weeks and were viewed as vital to regular season success. But that was before million-dollar contracts eliminated offseason jobs that allowed players to make ends meet but prevented them from staying fit.
With all the offseason work players do now, camp shouldn't last more than two weeks. A lengthy one, coupled with four preseason games, just adds to the chances of players getting hurt.
As Suggs proved last season, regular season excellence doesn't hinge on running play after play in July and August.
Cowboys training camp
Kickoff event: 7 p.m. July 28; features Intocable and Randy Rogers Band; free
Practices: July 29-Aug. 12; Aug. 15-19
Where: Alamodome
San Antonio Express-News
Two weeks from today, the Dallas Cowboys will converge on San Antonio for the start of the club's 50th training camp. But in this age of seemingly endless offseason workouts, is a three-week camp really necessary? Express-News Cowboys beat writer Tom Orsborn, with help from Dallas quarterback Tony Romo and Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs, explores some of the pros and cons of having such a lengthy affair. Romo went through all of camp last year only to fade in December. Suggs, meanwhile, sat out of it last season because of a contract dispute but still wound up making the Pro Bowl after helping the Ravens reach the AFC championship game.
Tony Romo, Cowboys quarterback
"I like camp. It's fun. I've said it before: We like to compete. I like to compete. It's really enjoyable to go two times a day a lot of the time, where you get to see whether or not you did it good or bad. It's fun to get out there and to compete with yourself and with other people."
- speaking to reporters last month at minicamp
Terrell Suggs, Ravens linebacker
"All last year, I said training camp is overrated. I know they didn't expect me to come out and have the season I did - but I did. I took advantage of my ability to train longer. It's great when you have that extra time, when you're not there beating up each other, and you're actually just working."
- in an interview last month with the Los Angeles Times
ORSBORN'S VIEW:
Back in the day, training camps routinely lasted six weeks and were viewed as vital to regular season success. But that was before million-dollar contracts eliminated offseason jobs that allowed players to make ends meet but prevented them from staying fit.
With all the offseason work players do now, camp shouldn't last more than two weeks. A lengthy one, coupled with four preseason games, just adds to the chances of players getting hurt.
As Suggs proved last season, regular season excellence doesn't hinge on running play after play in July and August.
Cowboys training camp
Kickoff event: 7 p.m. July 28; features Intocable and Randy Rogers Band; free
Practices: July 29-Aug. 12; Aug. 15-19
Where: Alamodome
posted by The Gryphon at 8:44 PM
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