Lots of Injuries to Consider

[Doc-phin]

It may be a bit of stating what we already know, but it just struck me how many key players are currently not healthy.  This is not an "oh my god, the season is over" post, just a thinking point as to how different it seems as to recent memory.  I am also posting the report that really got me thinking about this.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-miami-dolphins-ota-updates-051910,0,7506841.story

I will list as many of the injuries that are pestering my optimism as I can.  None of them are official because they don't have to be reported yet.

Defense:  Crowder (foot), Torbor (undisclosed), Will Allen (knee) "running a bit gingerly", Ferguson (knee), probably missed somebody.

Offense:  Pennington (shoulder) "pushing the ball",  Brown (foot) seems on track, but can't really run yet, Cobbs (knee) reportedly able to run, Garner (undisclosed), Marshal (hip), Turner (undisclosed surgery) will miss all OTAs.

On top of that:  We have a few rookies that had injuries they are coming off of from college.  We are installing an entirely new defense.  It sounds like our offense is getting a revamp with lots of installs which Brown and Marshal are only getting "mental reps".  Finally, there are bunch of critical contracts to be negotiated. 

[Pappy13]

And yet none of it really matters until at least August when training camp starts.  And Favre and Pennington are 2 recent examples that show that even training camp is a bit overrated.  Football is still 90% about lining up and making plays.  You either can or you can't.  Certainly it helps to have a full training camp so everything is clicking on all cylinders, but it's not something to worry about, especially in May.

The only exception to that is rookies.  Rookies need a full training camp not just because of the installs, but just to get acclimated to new league.  Hold out for 3 or 4 weeks of training camp as a rookie and you might never catch up your rookie year.

[Doc-phin]

How much lower body weight lifting do you think these guys can do while injured?  I wouldn't think it would be much at all.  Now is the time they need to get into proper shape in order to have a productive training camp.  IMO, this is the main reason you see most players take two years to get back to form after lower body injuries.  Sure they can play, but at what level.  In this league, you need to be at top form if you want to be a difference maker.

Therefore, I don't agree.  Sorry.

[Pappy13]

There are plenty of conditioning things that can be done even while injured, you just have to be a little creative and don't put too much stress on the injured body part.  Maybe not quite as much weight lifting, but cardio and flexibility are just as important to athletes and those can be easily worked on and then the weight lifting can come later once you are healed.