In normal years, the annual NFL rookie symposium is mandatory, and offseason activities are scheduled so that every rookie in the league can attend. But during the lockout, the regular symposium has been scrapped, the NFLPA* is hosting an optional alternative symposium, and at least one rookie has decided to attend a player-organized workout instead.
The Sacramento Bee reports that 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will not go to Florida for the symposium so he can stay in the Bay Area for a four-day player-organized minicamp for the 49ers’ players.
Kaepernick is mostly recovered from last month’s leg surgery and will be able to drop back from center, something he wasn’t able to do the last time all the 49ers’ offensive players got together. So he thinks the opportunity to throw to his receivers is more important than the opportunity to listen to lessons about life in the NFL.
Kaepernick is hardly alone: Only about half of this year’s rookies are expected to attend the symposium.