Offseason practices routinely involve contact, even though they aren’t supposed to involve contact. For the most part, the league and the NFLPA look the other way; the trade off, as it has been explained to us, is that training-camp practices have become less grueling.
Still, every once in a while a team gets smacked for violating the offseason workout rules. Three years ago, the Raiders got their knuckles rapped. This time around, it’s the Ravens.
The union and the NFL have issued a joint statement regarding the violation, which will result in the forfeiture of the final week of the Ravens’ Organized Team Activities. Here’s the full text:
“The NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association have
resolved a complaint by the Players Association against the Baltimore
Ravens concerning violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement’s
off-season workout rules.
“It was determined that the Ravens violated the rules concerning the
intensity and tempo of drills conducted on the Club’s organized team
activity days (‘OTA days’) and the length of time spent by players at
the Club’s facility on such days.
“As a result, the Ravens will forfeit the final week of their off-season
program (June 14-18, 2010). Ravens’ players are not permitted to be at
the facility on those days, but will be paid for the sessions. The
Club cannot reschedule the canceled days.”
It’s unknown how the violation was detected. Often, the situation hits the union’s radar screen after one or more players complain. If that’s the case, then the Super Bowl contenders may have a little locker-room problem.
And the folks who complained may have to answer to Ray Lewis.