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The Atlanta Falcons wrapped up a three-day minicamp on Wednesday, and things got a little heated.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, offensive lineman Harvey Dahl got into a couple of tussles, and even threw a “below-the-belt uppercut.”
Dahl scrapped the first time with linebacker Tony Taylor. The second time, Dahl mixed it up with defensive tackle David Patterson.
We don’t want to start banging the whole “there should be no contact in minicamp” drum again (okay, maybe we do), but why would players end up tussling in a non-contact minicamp if there wasn’t contact going on?
The issue potentially takes on a different tone this year, given that NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw is the target of unprecedented criticism. His foes will likely point to situations like this one to support the notion that Upshaw isn’t doing enough to enforce the letter of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which clearly prohibits contact during all offseason activities.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Well, maybe Harvey Dahl has a bad habit of saying unseemly things about teammates’ mothers?
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Rating: 2 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 17th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
was Paul Crew at qb?
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
April 17th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Ok really, you have to stop it. You’ve beaten this issue to death. We heard you, everyone knows there is contact at camp.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 17th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
This is nonsensical. I don’t think the chances of contact being involved are greater than 50%. If they were walking through plays and a guy puts his hands up to simulate a block, or moves his feet to circle around a player, I would hope Upshaw wouldn’t consider that contact… Odds are Dahl was overexcited and disagreed with Taylor and Patterson on speed/intensity. I don’t necessarily think there was contact, atleast contact along the lines of grabbing a player or pushing.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 17th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Who cares about the contact. As long as there is not pads, and it is not 50% speed, the players probably bring it themselves. These guys are football players. Not pansy assed lawyers. Eheheheheheh.
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Rating: 2.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 17th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Just because there were tussles doesn’t mean there were contact. He could’ve just talked some smack when a RB goes through a big hole and pretends to take it the hole, the DL says something like “You know that if we were in pads I would’ve dropped you” and it goes back and forth until they’re pushing and shoving.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
April 17th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Horse. Beaten. Dead. Now move on.
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April 18th, 2008 at 1:46 am
This issue will continue to come up again and again because the real issue is a political one, not a practical one. The League knows what goes on, but they only officially “know” when a complaint is filed, so they have plausible deniability. Likewise, the players union also has plausible deniability since they don’t “know” until a member makes their voice heard.
But while it’s in their members best interest, the NFLPA will never give up the concession that the guys are just supposed to be doing “walk-throughs”, and allow pads, without significant compensation. In turn, the NFL will never ask for the concession, because of what they would be required to give up in return.
However, both sides recognize most guys (especially rookies and those near the roster bubble) need as many “full-speed” reps as possible, pads or no, in order to put the best product on the field.
At the end of the day, changing things isn’t convenient nor is it in the best interests of those with the power to make the change. Sorry, Florio.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 18th, 2008 at 6:12 am
I think the Falcons may have been tampering with a player before free agency too. When does the schedule come out?
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April 18th, 2008 at 7:55 am
I think I broke his freaking neck!
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 18th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I think bringing this up is Florio’s way of ambulance chasing. A player complaining about contact is like a porn star complaining about getting something in her eye. eheheheh.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)