Ross Tucker is quickly becoming one of my favorite NFL writers. He's already a must read for me and always provides a unique, relevant point of view, that all other media members miss. He is a former offensive lineman who played for multiple teams. His angle is that of the players with the business and training side of football. Everything a player experiences that you don't see in the game. Take a look at some of his articles.
He explained that Pat and Kevin Williams were probably taking StarCaps, not to mask a steroid, but to make weight and avoid a fine. A closed-minded strength coach can injure a team. What rookies need to do to succeed. NFL players don't necessarily trust their team, especially when it comes to injuries.
Two days before a game, players will dehydrate themselves to avoid a $431 per pound fine.
ReplyDeleteTucker is very realistic...he recommends that rookies refuse to be pushed around. "Don't get punked."
Javon Walker had his long term health concerns in mind by having a surgery and not telling the Raiders about it.
Laurence Maroney played with a broken bone in his shoulder and Antonio Cromartie played with a broken bone in his hip.
Read a few of Tucker's thoughts and let me know if anyone else is providing such unique insight.
I found his "Utilize the resources" potion from the letter to rookies entertaining and unique from anything I've read elsewhere. From the sample you've provided, I may begin to read Tucker on a more regular basis.
ReplyDeleteNote: the graininess of your photo is not helping Tucker's cause.
I enjoy his writing and look forward to trying to read it on a regular basis. I trust that if he puts up a new article that is particularly noteworthy, you will share it here and put some comments on it.
ReplyDeleteTucker definitely makes the NFL sound like a very cutthroat place... he points out that "veterans may or may not tell the truth" about things to rookies, because "helping [rookies] isn't on the agenda" for improving their own standing.
Furthermore, he writes players with inuries are at risk, so players have to look out for #1 when taking care of surgeries, etc. I definitely feel like part of this cutthroat atmosphere is brought about by the ability of teams to release players at any time, for any reason, and pay them nothing more than what's been guaranteed. That would lend a lot of stress and competitiveness to a workplace I imagine.