In the new, post-2011 CBA NFL, offseason workouts are supposed to feature less intensity, because they’re supposed to include no contact.
As it was before 2011, it’s sometimes easier said than done.
According to JoeBucsFan.com, a fight broke out at practice on Monday between rookie defensive tackle Akeem Spence and center Jeremy Zuttah. Spence emerged from the scrum without a jersey.
After practice, Spence said the fight happened because Spence fired off the ball too aggressively on the first snap.
“Hopefully [Zuttah] respects me for that because I want to be a part of the team,” Spence said. “It’s just me not knowing the speed. . . . Now I know I need to throttle it down a little bit but at the same time get my work.
“I’m not going to back down from nobody so I mean I had to let that be known here on the first day here. So, hey, there it is.”
Contact during offseason workouts often occurs via young players trying to prove themselves. Which makes it more important for the coaching staffs to educate the young players as to the limits of permissible contact during these sessions.
Actually, there’s supposed to be none. Which means there’s a chance the NFL and/or the NFLPA will be looking into the situation.