Earlier this week, the folks at JoeBucsFan.com pointed out that Bucs center Jeff Faine opted not to attend player-organized lockout workouts, even as he praised Saints quarterback Drew Brees for organizing such sessions in New Orleans.
In an open letter posted at TampaBay.com, Faine now says that he’ll be attending the lockout workouts in the future.
“As [quarterback] Josh [Freeman] well knows, the relationship between a center and the quarterback is of utmost importance and he knows that I support him completely in his efforts to prepare during the lockout,” Faine writes. “Although I missed the first three days of field work in Tampa because of prior commitments, I will be part of future sessions to build team camaraderie. As professionals, we are all accountable for our training and preparation regardless of where we live in the off season. I can assure you I will do all I can to continue to build on our team success from last season.”
Faine also addressed his past comments expressing pessimism regarding Freeman’s ability to organize lockout workouts. “You’re not going to see Josh Freeman and our receiving corps down at the University of Tampa soccer field,” Faine said in February. “They might go out there and run some routes and throw. But you’re talking about getting an entire receiving corps together being able to work against an entire defensive backs corps. It’s just not going to happen.”
Again, Faine has done an about-face.
“Back in February when I was asked about the feasibility of organizing player workouts, I wasn’t questioning Josh Freeman’s ability as a leader, I was more saying how difficult it will be for any individual to logistically get the entire team together for an offseason program comparable to one organized by the Buccaneers,” Faine said. “If I wasn’t clear on that matter, I apologize.”
Faine started his letter by explaining that “the fans deserve to hear the truth directly from me.” Based on his past statements, we’re not quite sure what the truth really is.