Offseason Workouts Begin

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No Offseason in NFL

http://www.azcardinals.com/news/news_details.html?iid=2716


The cliché lives from sneaker commercials to weight rooms across the country. There is no off-season. With mini camps and training camp fast approaching, players today know they need to be in shape before they report to camp, not once practice is in session.

The team’s 14-week, voluntary offseason strength and conditioning program begins next Monday. However, a handful of players have been spotted at the facility this week getting a jump with their own conditioning workouts.

“You never want to come in out of shape,” said running back Damien Anderson. “The coaches will see that. We’ve had an ample amount of time to get ready. You come to camp to compete, the first weekend after the draft you better be in top tier shape.”

Conditioning in March can mean the difference between a fourth quarter rally or a fourth quarter let down. Players and coaches know this, which is why they don’t mind putting in the time and sweat in the weight room.

“[The fourth quarter] is why you work so hard, that’s why you sweat and you go out there and run the 440’s and things that you hate so that when you get in those adverse situations in the game and it’s raining and it’s cold, you know you’ve been here before,” said Anderson.

“When you get to this level it’s the little things that are going to make you better because everyone in the league is a tier one athlete. Everyone can play the game, everyone is fast and strong, but it’s the little things that make you better whether it’s cerebral in the classroom or in the weight room.”

Offseason conditioning also is a time to forge the bond between teammates that will be tested throughout the season.

The Cardinals newest quarterback, Kurt Warner, was among those working out on his own this week, barely three weeks after he was introduced to the Valley of the Sun. Aside from finding a new place to live and acclimating himself to the area, Warner felt it was important to set a tone through leadership off the field in the offseason workouts.

“I think it’s huge to be here. Just to be here from more of a leadership standpoint and say I want to be around,” said Warner. “I want to get to know the guys and start leading from day one off the football field. The way that people see you work and respect you off the field translates on the field as well.”

The offseason may seem to get shorter and shorter with each passing year but the locker room doesn’t mind, neither do the weights stacked on the end of a barbell. Before long players will be reporting to training camp in Flagstaff and the off-season workouts will be a distant memory. Until of course, the fourth quarter of a tight game, when the little things make the difference.



Written By Mike Kane

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I doubt many players will be slackin on these this year. :thumbup:
 

jerryp

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Interesting that they have quotes from Anderson. On the default rosters of NFL2k5, Anderson has like the highest strength of any running back in the game. I'm almost 100% certain that the strength rating in the game determines how well the shoulder charge and stiff arm work. So you can just plow people over if you have good stick skills.

Anyone know who is taking part besides Warner and Anderson?
 

Scott MS

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jerryp said:
Anderson has like the highest strength of any running back in the game.

Of course, what other running back can roll over in a car and recover 100%? :D
 
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