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Chicken or the egg How important is training camp for a rookie? Time will tellPosted: Wednesday July 23, 2003 5:43 PM
Training camps are under way, and many teams are getting down to business without their top draft picks. And while that isn't stop-the-presses news, it may -- or may not -- bode well for players who endure a prolonged contract squabble. I began compiling players who had missed part of their rookie training camp, thinking I would find those players made significantly less impact in their first season. After sifting through the numbers, I came away with a different perspective. Training camp attendance does not equate into first-year success, and missing training camp doesn't preclude a player from having a stellar year. Recent examples of first-round picks who were tardy to camp include:
Then again, there are holdouts who went on to have standout seasons:
For every Cade McNown (11 days missed; 15 games, eight TDs, 10 picks) or John Tait (sat out training camp; three starts in 12 games played) there is an Edgerrin James (three weeks) or LaDainian Tomlinson (four weeks) who goes on to be offensive rookie of the year. As expected, teams do not like stars-in-the-making to miss any time that could be used toward reaching their potential. And yet here we are again, under the glaring sunshine, pads popping, sweat rolling, fists clenched, legs churning ... and waiting on more than one-half of the first-round draft picks to suit up. It boils down to who's watching whose back. The agent has to take care of his client. The team has to do what's best for the franchise. Agents look long term in an effort to secure the player's financial future. On the other hand, coaches are more reluctant to put a player on the field if he doesn't have a grasp of the offense or defense. Ask any agent and he'll tell you the bottom line is getting the best deal for the player. The team, meanwhile, says a player's first training camp is the most important part of a rookie's season, if not his career. In the end, it is ultimately the player's decision. Some want to get down to business as soon as possible; others want to enjoy a few more days of summer. Which way is best? Depends on whether you're signing the deal or offering the deal. History shows there's no foolproof way to determine if missing training camp has a positive or negative effect on a rookie. At least, how he plays. How fans and his new teammates welcome him when he finally shows up? Well, that's a completely different matter. B. Duane Cross is a senior producer for SI.com.
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