I realize that DeMaurice Smith let the players negotiate for less time getting ready to play NFL football while giving all the power to Godhell. Football is sloppier to start than it was years ago when coaches ran players in the ground and toughened them up. Now we can't force players to fit the system. More and more players are opting out of voluntary workouts.

I realize that more injuries occur in physical practices but if your not ready for it then playing the game is where you will get hurt if your body is not ready for the punishment. If you were a player for the Saints would you opt out of the chance to build chemistry with your team mates and impress the coaches? Personally, I'd try hard to follow the schedule that Brees used to gain such success. First in and last out of the facilities.

It isn't that simple Rugs. What gets players hurt in full pad practice is missing the off-season workouts which should be designed to get players ready to hit. Junior High, High school, and college all do extensive off season workouts leading up to full pad workouts to prevent this by getting joints, tendons, and ligaments in shape for the stress and torque of full practices and games.

Being "in shape" is not being in "football conditioned" as those have two fairly different requirements. The less they do before pads the more injuries you will see especially in the front 7 on either side of the ball.

Exactly. I fully expect to see more injuries this year.

More than last year? This year the players have far more access to off-site training facilities which were not open at all last year. They couldn't even go to local high schools or parks to workout. They will have three preseason games as opposed to none like last year.

The only player that I’ve see do structural work is Kamara because he does a lot of off balance work. Sleds, straight line running, stadiums, weights, that’s not football conditioning. They would get more football conditioning playing basketball that solo workouts at a field or field house. That gives them strength and stamina but doesn’t condition them for lateral and torsional stresses on ankles, knees, and hips which is why we see so many tweaks and sprains.

The only player that I’ve see do structural work is Kamara because he does a lot of off balance work. Sleds, straight line running, stadiums, weights, that’s not football conditioning. They would get more football conditioning playing basketball that solo workouts at a field or field house. That gives them strength and stamina but doesn’t condition them for lateral and torsional stresses on ankles, knees, and hips which is why we see so many tweaks and sprains.

It isn't that simple Rugs. What gets players hurt in full pad practice is missing the off-season workouts which should be designed to get players ready to hit. Junior High, High school, and college all do extensive off season workouts leading up to full pad workouts to prevent this by getting joints, tendons, and ligaments in shape for the stress and torque of full practices and games.

Being "in shape" is not being in "football conditioned" as those have two fairly different requirements. The less they do before pads the more injuries you will see especially in the front 7 on either side of the ball.

The better rugby teams practice live tackling every week in a scrimmage. They don't just play on Saturday. They also play on Thursday after fitness and skills drills on Tuesday. You've got to get used to taking a beating and not breaking down because your ligaments and muscles are conditioned for it from practicing.