Burks & The Tennessee Titans

📷 brobible.com article (Getty)

The article (though it has been on mind since mid-May): Titan Treylon Burks 🏈

Coach Vrabel's words:

“It’s hard to think they can create with a trainer how we do things… it’s just different,” he said. “They’re working, they think that they’re trying to get in shape, but that’s just not the case.”

What I would suggest: Strength coaches and trainers who are not affiliated with the team should, at least, collaborate with the team to get an idea of the pace of OTAs.

Why not?

The team wins...because they get a player who is more ready and who possibly enters camp more connected to the team.

The player wins...because he receives better conditioning and preparation.

The caveat: Players do not know which team will draft them. Therefore, when a potential draftee works out, leading up to the NFL Draft, the discretion falls on the strength & conditioning coach and player to perform well in anticipation of practice intensity regardless of the team who rosters him. 

I have never been in this type of situation, but man would it be an honor. 

Would I contact all of the NFL teams? No. However, we would have conditioning drills in and out of pads to prepare for heat changes. We would pay close attention to rest and drill intervals. Sleep 💤 and nutrition would serve as keys 🔑 to success as well. 

In the end, Burks is a professional football player with WR shoes to fill. It's a lot of pressure to play as a rookie, replacing the former lead wide receiver 🤨.

Derek | @teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com