Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

Just a question that I'm finally going to bring up...

Whenever a former awesome vet (ex. Brooks) is released I always read about how someone needs to pick him up and he can mentor the younger players. I TOTALLY understand that there are veteran tips that true students of the game can pass on, but am I being a dick in saying that overall this might make up 1% of the young players overall experience?

I just think that a lot of people overvalue having veteran players on a team to "tutor" the young ones. I feel like if they were great coaches we'd have already asked them to coach if their playing days are behind them.

I feel the same way about coaching up. A lot of us had the hope (including myself) that by reuniting players like Erasmus James with former coaches that all of a sudden a light would be flicked on. Just a little rant...

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

Well, there's something to be said for veteran leadership. I know I heard on a broadcast last year that Roy Williams was looking for veteran help when he got to Detroit because he didn't know how to best prepare for opponents. It's much more difficult to succeed in the NFL, ask Devin Thomas, and it takes a lot more than just relying on physical ability. In college, a lot of times, a guy is a man among boys and he can dominate just by showing up against say 70% of his competition. In the NFL, most guys can't just show up and be great, they need another player (preferably a great one) to teach them how to prepare for games.

That's my opinion.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=jdlea;565234]Well, there's something to be said for veteran leadership. I know I heard on a broadcast last year that Roy Williams was looking for veteran help when he got to Detroit because he didn't know how to best prepare for opponents. It's much more difficult to succeed in the NFL, ask Devin Thomas, and it takes a lot more than just relying on physical ability. In college, a lot of times, a guy is a man among boys and he can dominate just by showing up against say 70% of his competition. In the NFL, most guys can't just show up and be great, they need another player (preferably a great one) to teach them how to prepare for games.

That's my opinion.[/quote]

That said, it does beg the question: What exactly is the position coach doing that he's not preparing these guys?

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

Yeah I do think people overvalue the impact of "mentoring". A lot of vets have no use for showing the younger guys the ropes so they can basically take their jobs.

Good players are typically the way they are because they are self-motivated, and not led around on a leash like a lost puppy.

Sure you need veteran leadership on your team and I'm not underestimating the importance of that. But the idea that all veterans want to mentor the younger guys and is worth a roster spot because of that does get overplayed with the fans.

Kinda like the idea that any free agent is available for the vet min.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=jdlea;565235]That said, it does beg the question: What exactly is the position coach doing that he's not preparing these guys?[/quote]

Exactly.

As far as veteran leadership for the locker room, that is something most definitely needed. I think that RW situation was a testament to crappy coaching up in Detroit. :frusty:

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

IMO the biggest impact vets can have on the younger guys is if they've been in the system for a long time they can be a big help in position meetings. The other thing vets can do, is teach young guys to watch film correctly. But I also feel like every team already has a few of those guys.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;565236]Yeah I do think people overvalue the impact of "mentoring". A lot of vets have no use for showing the younger guys the ropes so they can basically take their jobs.

Good players are typically the way they are because they are self-motivated, and not led around on a leash like a lost puppy.

Sure you need veteran leadership on your team and I'm not underestimating the importance of that. But the idea that all veterans want to mentor the younger guys and is worth a roster spot because of that does get overplayed with the fans.

Kinda like the idea that any free agent is available for the vet min.[/quote]

I know it's a different sport, but in the NBA Playoffs I kept hearing about how Rashard Lewis came to the NBA right out of high school, fell to the 2nd round and was on the road to a short NBA career when Ray Allen showed up in Seattle and basically saved his career. They talked about how he found a whole new way to prepare and became a far better shooter thanks to Ray Allen, so there is something to be said for veteran leadership.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;565238]Exactly.

As far as veteran leadership for the locker room, that is something most definitely needed. I think that RW situation was a testament to crappy coaching up in Detroit. :frusty:[/quote]

I think, though, that it may be a function of coaches just participating in the "scheduled" activities unless a guy asks him to stay after and help him. (All me guessing) I'm of the opinion that it takes a lot more than team meetings and practices to get a guy ready to contribute in the NFL. You need to be out there after hours, working your tail off to be great and I guess that may be something that isn't stressed by position coaches? :confused-

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=jdlea;565242]I think, though, that it may be a function of coaches just participating in the "scheduled" activities unless a guy asks him to stay after and help him. (All me guessing) I'm of the opinion that it takes a lot more than team meetings and practices to get a guy ready to contribute in the NFL. You need to be out there after hours, working your tail off to be great and I guess that may be something that isn't stressed by position coaches? :confused-[/quote]

I'd find it hard to believe there is a coach in the NFL that doesn't stress those types of things. At some point though the responsibility falls to the player to take the reins and do what he needs to do. Watching film, extra work in the weight room, whatever. The coaches can't hold the players' hands 24/7.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

I think where learning under veterans comes into play it's not so much about them teaching rookies or younger players plays and techniques, it's more so teaching them what it takes to be successful in the league. Randle-El, Santonio Holmes, etc. talk a lot about how hard Hines Ward works and see that showed them what it takes to be a success.

Coming in as a rookie with an open mind and a willingness to learn is the biggest thing, but if you can model yourself-from a work ethic standpoint-after an established vet, that's where you can see the impact.

Another example is the Santana Moss/Malcolm Kelly situation. Kelly has said in many interviews how Moss has helped him deal with his lost rookie season because Moss essentially had the same thing. Moss missed most of his rookie season with a knee injury, press and fans wrote him off as a bust, he had to shake it off and emerge as a player to be reckoned with. Kelly now has a model to follow in his own locker room. Imagine if it was a T.O. or Chad Ochocinco? They wouldn't have that type of experience to share so Kelly may still have those questions and doubts that Moss helped him overcome.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

I imagine a lot depends on the personality of the veteran and the rookie. Some vets probably don't have the time of day for guys that may or may not be there teammate or who is trying to take their or their buddy's job. Some rookies may not even approach the vets and just be trying to learn on their own by listening to the coaches.

On the other hand, if a the vet is a good guy who isn't feeling particularly threatened (or is a REALLY good guy and just wants what's best for the team) AND the rookie is busting his ass and being respectful, THEN the vet just may give him some advice on the field - the old "watch his knuckles" kinda advice. I bet most vets are to intent on their own jobs to do much more than that except in rare occasions.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

This is a good question for which I have brought up and contemplated myself. I have come to believe it's both coaching and vetrans that get the job done. I keep telling myself that it's the position coach's job (as in Hixon) to teach/develope, but I think it's probably more his job to teach fundamentals for which I get blasted about how players should already have the fundamentals or they would not have made it to the pros. I believe this to be a false statement. A prime example would be Robert Hensons interview where he keeps stating the TE coach is teaching him fundamentals all the time which he did not get in college. I also see the older vets a lot of the time coaching the younger players on the side lines after a play went sour on their route running or how to shed the blocker or how to lose the defensive player.

So I have come to believe it's a two part system but I am still concerned with our WR coach and the lack of developement. If all the team brings in is lemons then you make lemon juice. It seems the team brings in players and they are cut come regular season and we have no one new. Last yr was a nice change but again who's job was it to get Thomas in shape and ready to play? Who's job was it to make sure he learned the plays and routes? ultimatly Thomas's but I would think the positions coach would have taken special interest in getting the player to learn the offense even if it meant quizing him everyday on plays.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

Warren Sapp hit the nail on the head on this issue. This isn't just an NFL problem, it's everywhere.

[URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/06/21/brooks/index.html?eref=T1"]Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Vince Young in Monday Morning QB - Peter King - SI.com[/URL]

From the article:
"I'll tell you the real reason,'' his friend [B][URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/3140"][COLOR=#0000ff]Warren Sapp[/COLOR][/URL][/B] said over the weekend. "Because it's not the same for the veterans anymore. The NFL doesn't need us. In this NFL, the old vets don't factor in. The kids don't listen to nobody. Nobody! My last year in Oakland, I'd try to talk to some of the kids.[B] [URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/7046"][COLOR=#0000ff]Tommy Kelly[/COLOR][/URL], [URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/5691"][COLOR=#0000ff]Terdell Sands[/COLOR][/URL].[/B] But they had no interest. I thought the ghosts in that building were so valuable, but none of the young guys cared. Once in a while, one of the old legends would come in the building, or make a trip. [B]Jack Tatum[/B] would be around, and I'd say, 'You know who that dude is? You know how he played?' And the kids would be like, 'Nah, I don't care.'
"The game's different now. Look at [B][URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/7752"][COLOR=#0000ff]Vince Young[/COLOR][/URL][/B]. Why wouldn't he listen to [B][URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/3115"][COLOR=#0000ff]Kerry Collins[/COLOR][/URL][/B]? I'm sure Vince thinks, 'Nobody's been through what I'm going through. Nobody's been through my kind of pressure.' Are you kidding me! Kerry Collins, fifth pick in the draft, has all the ups and downs, gets benched, makes those racist comments, has the alcohol problems, moves from team to team, comes back, has success ... Vince Young should suck up all the knowledge Kerry Collins has to offer! There's no better role model for him.''

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;565299]Warren Sapp hit the nail on the head on this issue. This isn't just an NFL problem, it's everywhere.

[URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/06/21/brooks/index.html?eref=T1"]Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Vince Young in Monday Morning QB - Peter King - SI.com[/URL]

From the article:
"I'll tell you the real reason,'' his friend [B][URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/3140"][COLOR=#0000ff]Warren Sapp[/COLOR][/URL][/B] said over the weekend. "Because it's not the same for the veterans anymore. The NFL doesn't need us. In this NFL, the old vets don't factor in. The kids don't listen to nobody. Nobody! My last year in Oakland, I'd try to talk to some of the kids.[B] [URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/7046"][COLOR=#0000ff]Tommy Kelly[/COLOR][/URL], [URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/5691"][COLOR=#0000ff]Terdell Sands[/COLOR][/URL].[/B] But they had no interest. I thought the ghosts in that building were so valuable, but none of the young guys cared. Once in a while, one of the old legends would come in the building, or make a trip. [B]Jack Tatum[/B] would be around, and I'd say, 'You know who that dude is? You know how he played?' And the kids would be like, 'Nah, I don't care.'
"The game's different now. Look at [B][URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/7752"][COLOR=#0000ff]Vince Young[/COLOR][/URL][/B]. Why wouldn't he listen to [B][URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/3115"][COLOR=#0000ff]Kerry Collins[/COLOR][/URL][/B]? I'm sure Vince thinks, 'Nobody's been through what I'm going through. Nobody's been through my kind of pressure.' Are you kidding me! Kerry Collins, fifth pick in the draft, has all the ups and downs, gets benched, makes those racist comments, has the alcohol problems, moves from team to team, comes back, has success ... Vince Young should suck up all the knowledge Kerry Collins has to offer! There's no better role model for him.''[/quote]

Saap is right on the money. Young should be soaking up all the knowledge he can from Collins. Instead he cries to the media about wanting his job back and if he can't get it then trade me. Excuse my language... but what a ****ing baby!!!! Does Vince Young realize that he has ZERO value in the NFL as a starter??? His best chance to become a starter again is w/ Tenn. He needs to suck up his pride, live at the Tenn facility and learn how to play QB instead of talking about it. He's got the poster boy for someone that's turned around an NFL career sitting right in front of him and he doesn't try to take advantage of it. What a dumb ass.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=skinsfan69;565305]Saap is right on the money. Young should be soaking up all the knowledge he can from Collins. Instead he cries to the media about wanting his job back and if he can't get it then trade me. Excuse my language... but what a ****ing baby!!!! Does Vince Young realize that he has ZERO value in the NFL as a starter??? His best chance to become a starter again is w/ Tenn. He needs to suck up his pride, live at the Tenn facility and learn how to play QB instead of talking about it. He's got the poster boy for someone that's turned around an NFL career sitting right in front of him and he doesn't try to take advantage of it. What a dumb ass.[/quote]

Has Collins made himself available to Young? I think back to Tony Banks, I think it was him, who I remember once said one of his biggest regrets was the way he acted and treated other quarterbacks on the team, especially younger guys. He said he purposely distanced himself because he was so possessive about his job. But that he watched the way Dilfer handled himself on the team and wishes he had been more like him. Willing to teach and be a part of the team.

But anyway, nice thread. I think it's really about, as Paintrain mentioned, what veterans can teach rookies and younger players about life as an NFL player not so much how to play the game. I think veterans can definitely teach younger players a lot but they have to be willing, and the younger guys have to be willing to learn.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=SBXVII;565293]....I think it's probably more his job to teach fundamentals for which I get blasted about how players should already have the fundamentals or they would not have made it to the pros. I believe this to be a false statement......[/quote]I agree with you, even at the DI college level some of the coaches aren't teaching good fundamentals. They're more worried about scheme (and some don't do that well) & recruiting. Plus the NFL is a different game from college anyway.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=SmootSmack;565307]Has Collins made himself available to Young? [/quote]Not that Peter King hasn't been wrong before, but King states in the article: "I have heard that Collins went out of his way last year to try to help Young when the struggling quarterback was having his quasi-breakdown. Young had no interest."

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;565309]Not that Peter King hasn't been wrong before, but King states in the article: "I have heard that Collins went out of his way last year to try to help Young when the struggling quarterback was having his quasi-breakdown. Young had no interest."[/quote]

Well then yeah, that's all on Young then.

Renaldo Wynn sort of addressed this issue in our chat with him a couple of years back.


WP: You’re often called a “locker room leader” And I know you like to take your teammates out to get to know them outside of football. Is this a role you naturally took upon yourself or, as a veteran, were you asked to fill this role?

RW: I just have a compassion for my teammates; I think this something natural that if they want me to find things out; I’ll do it. I want to see things through, see them be happy, especially the young guys that’s why this is my 6th year being a rep for my team, your teammates vote you, and they know that you have a moral conscious. I’ll do what’s right despite interests. Going to tell them what I feel is right and what’s in their best interest. You rep the players. Rep for the players and the rights of the player.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=SmootSmack;565310]Well then yeah, that's all on Young then.

Renaldo Wynn sort of addressed this issue in our chat with him a couple of years back.


WP: You’re often called a “locker room leader” And I know you like to take your teammates out to get to know them outside of football. Is this a role you naturally took upon yourself or, as a veteran, were you asked to fill this role?

RW: I just have a compassion for my teammates; I think this something natural that if they want me to find things out; I’ll do it. I want to see things through, see them be happy, especially the young guys that’s why this is my 6th year being a rep for my team, your teammates vote you, and they know that you have a moral conscious. I’ll do what’s right despite interests. Going to tell them what I feel is right and what’s in their best interest. You rep the players. Rep for the players and the rights of the player.[/quote]

The Reputable Wynn. LOL.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

I would say there are multiple facets of veteran leadership - some more critical than others

1. How to live and act of the field - this is not critical and mostly on the kid to act in accordance w/ the rules

2. How to prepare and become a [I][B]Professional[/B][/I] this is more critical and falls hand and glove w/ #1; if the kid is preparing he will have less time to find trouble

Both 1 and 2 fall into the overated category for me. As stated in this thread, at some point the kid has to step up and make the commitment to the NFL over the glamour that goes with it.

3. How to play like a champion when things look bad in a game. This is where a good veteran can be critical. I would say London Fletcher and chris Cooley fall into this category - high standards and ability to make plays when it matters forces the rest of the team play better. I chose Fletcher / Cooley over Ray Lewis / Tom Brady types to focus on their leadership on the field over the power of their pure talent, however, I think both Brady and Lewis have alot of field leadership as well.

My 2c

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;565299]Warren Sapp hit the nail on the head on this issue. This isn't just an NFL problem, it's everywhere.

[URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/06/21/brooks/index.html?eref=T1"]Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Vince Young in Monday Morning QB - Peter King - SI.com[/URL]

From the article:
"I'll tell you the real reason,'' his friend [B][URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/3140"][COLOR=#0000ff]Warren Sapp[/COLOR][/URL][/B] said over the weekend. "Because it's not the same for the veterans anymore. The NFL doesn't need us. In this NFL, the old vets don't factor in. The kids don't listen to nobody. Nobody! My last year in Oakland, I'd try to talk to some of the kids.[B] [URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/7046"][COLOR=#0000ff]Tommy Kelly[/COLOR][/URL], [URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/5691"][COLOR=#0000ff]Terdell Sands[/COLOR][/URL].[/B] But they had no interest. I thought the ghosts in that building were so valuable, but none of the young guys cared. Once in a while, one of the old legends would come in the building, or make a trip. [B]Jack Tatum[/B] would be around, and I'd say, 'You know who that dude is? You know how he played?' And the kids would be like, 'Nah, I don't care.'
"The game's different now. Look at [B][URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/7752"][COLOR=#0000ff]Vince Young[/COLOR][/URL][/B]. Why wouldn't he listen to [B][URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/3115"][COLOR=#0000ff]Kerry Collins[/COLOR][/URL][/B]? I'm sure Vince thinks, 'Nobody's been through what I'm going through. Nobody's been through my kind of pressure.' Are you kidding me! Kerry Collins, fifth pick in the draft, has all the ups and downs, gets benched, makes those racist comments, has the alcohol problems, moves from team to team, comes back, has success ... Vince Young should suck up all the knowledge Kerry Collins has to offer! There's no better role model for him.''[/quote]

There's a distance between young guys and vets, but if a guy isn't going to listen to another player he's not going to take much stock in what a coach is going to say either. I think it's more of a player thing than related to veterans vs. coaches. I think you learn from a veteran a completely different set of information than from a coach. The coach can give you the knowledge and how it fits into the scheme and all that, but a veteran can tell you how to apply it and what you need to do to be successful. There's a reason why these guys have been in the league for 10 years, they know how to play the game.

My guesses for Redskins veterans that are ineffective or unwilling to mentor other players (completely speculative and just based on the media).
-Santana Moss - no recievers have developed here lately and I've never heard the young guys talk about how Moss has helped them
-Clinton Portis - don't hear anything about his leadership or mentoring, I hear about him working out a lot on his own, and he's always worried about his carries
-Fred Smoot - he seems real talkative but in a trash talking way, don't know if he has a serious side where he teaches guys, also what he said about Kevin Barnes makes me think he's more concerned about his spot

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=an23dy;565401]Santana Moss - [B]no recievers have developed here lately and I've never heard the young guys talk about how Moss has helped them[/B]
[/quote]

You must not be listening too closely because Moss gets mentioned all the time by guys like Thomas as being a mentor for him.

exhibit A:

[quote]
Thomas was happy to discuss Moss, whom he called his mentor.

"He's my big brother," Thomas said. "I've got to show him some love here because he's shown me the ropes."

[URL="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/06/scenes_from_santana_mosss_30th.html"]link[/URL]
[/quote]

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;565406]You must not be listening too closely because Moss gets mentioned all the time by guys like Thomas as being a mentor for him.

exhibit A:[/quote]

Just me speculating, it's probably more of a media thing, how Moss is seen as a guy that flashes gang signs, gets a celebration penalty here and there, is from the U, he's still kinda young, and all that. I just don't hear Moss and mentor that often. I didn't read that article. I looked at Devin Thomas' blog, didn't see anything. Hadn't heard from Malcolm Kelly. Jerry Rice gets mentioned a lot as a mentor, from DeSean Jackson, Steve Smith, and other guys, you hear a lot about Hines Ward mentoring guys. I've heard Marvin Harrison, Derrick Mason, Torry Holt, Joe Horn, but I just don't put Moss in that category. I think Kelly and Thomas were a lot more raw than I thought they should have been. They seemed very unpolished in their route running and Thomas had more penalties than he should have for how little he played. Somebody has to be at fault, maybe they're not that good, maybe it's because they're rookies, or the injuries, or the WR coach.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

^^ No offense but I think you have the totally wrong impression of Moss. When does he flash gang signs?? He flashes 2-1 for ST.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

I think I'm wrong about the gang sign thing, but for some reason I thought that was a story once. Anyways, I'm probably wrong about him, don't know why but for some reason I have the perception that he isn't seen as a nice guy.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=an23dy;565429]I think I'm wrong about the gang sign thing, but for some reason I thought that was a story once. Anyways, I'm probably wrong about him, don't know why but for some reason I have the perception that he isn't seen as a nice guy.[/quote]

Sometimes one's[B] perception[/B] is the [B]problem.[/B] :)

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;565427]^^ No offense but I think you have the totally wrong impression of Moss. When does he flash gang signs?? He flashes 2-1 for ST.[/quote]

Yeah, I saw Santana's United Way commercial on NFL Network last night. Looks like a real scumbag. :doh:

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

Just because a guy is a veteran does not mean he is - - or could be - - a mentor. Some people take to that role; others do not. Trading to acquire a vet who is not a mentor-at-heart and expecting him to play that role is as bad as signing a veteran free agent safety who can't cover a corpse and then realizing it's not gonna work out when you ask him to play a cover position. [cough**AA**cough].

Some young players will take advice from a mentor; others will not. If you have a rookie on your squad who is convinced that he knows it all and that he is God's gift to the NFL, you can have all the mentors and position coaches on the planet on your payroll, that kid is gonna do it his way.

Some players will take - or even seek - advice from another player that they will not take from a coach. That doesn't make a lot of sense, but it happens.

By all accounts, Derrick Brooks is the kind of player who would be a mentor to younger players. If a team needs a part-time linebacker and has young players who might be amenable to some veteran leadership, Brooks would be a good fit with that team.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

^I agree. Also I wonder how much of our problem is (if any at all) that we seem to pick up blue collar players. Players that are not #1 in their position but are servicable cause they are cheap. Then these blue collar players are constantly looking over their shoulder wondering if the next kid brought in is going to be better then them so they don't give them all the info they would need in other words only giving them 50% of the tips they know to the rookies in order to keep their jobs.

I know I'm probably thinking too much into this but if you were a #1 player at your position then you would not have problems mentoring younger players knowing full well they would have a hard time taking your job. But if your simply an ok person at your position then I wonder if the way of thinking is "good luck rookie." Then compound that problem with injuries to our starters and the rookies or second string player is getting a crash course from the vet while playing.

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

Here is another example of having to learn something he should have in college;

Jason Williams interview:

[B]“I need to work on my transitioning speed, downfield running and catching the ball in traffic,” Williams said. “I need to work on how to keep running even when the ball is not going my way and take the [safety] coverage off the top by maintaining my speed.”[/B]


[B]“[B]I’m just working on getting bigger, faster and stronger,” Williams said of his workouts. “I’m working out and getting some extra running in as well as catching. I’m trying to get reps with the quarterbacks, more so with [fellow rookie] Chase [Daniel] because he will pretty much be my quarterback during the preseason.”

One of the larger tasks for all the rookies has been learning the extensive playbook.

Williams understands that knowledge of the playbook is something that also can set himself apart from the other rookie receivers.

“I need to stay sharp in the playbook and work just as much if not more than the next guy. It’s a dog-eat-dog league and there is no rest for the weary here,” Williams said of the competition. “I just need to try and stay one step ahead by knowing the plays and going out there as much as I can.”[/B]
The more time Williams gets to learn the offense, the better chance he has of earning that fifth spot on the depth chart at wide receiver.

“Once you understand the concepts, the hardest part is splits and how far you are [lined up] from the next guy because that ultimately decides the play,” Williams said. “It’s all about timing in the NFL.

“We just need more time in the playbook to learn those plays. We go out there so we can get acclimated to running the plays on the field.”[/B]

Re: Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?
 

^Well not all of it is what he should learn in college but his learning the speed and splits would have been nice. What do they teach in college....."Ok, look, all your gunna do is run straight down the field and catch the ball. Got it."

They should be teaching them how to take the Safety out of the mix with how they are running. How to make a run play look like a pass play to take the secondary away from the line of scrimage. ...and the splits? They don't teach that? Honestly I didn't know what it was until he mentioned how close the WR's are to each other but all the formations teams use I would think college would be using it also. Oh well.