Giants players followed the lead of a few other NFL groups, declaring Thursday that they won’t go to face to face deliberate exercises, refering to COVID-19 concerns. The offseason exercise program is scheduled to start on Monday.
Up until now, the Broncos, Seahawks, Patriots, Lions, Browns, Bears and Super Bowl-champion Buccaneers have all unveiled their expectation to avoid any face to face exercises this spring.
In a proclamation gave for the NFL Players Association, the Giants players said: “Our team is a strong, unified brotherhood of professionals who love the game of football and work year-round to perfect our craft. We also have to make the best decision to protect our health and safety, which is why players on our team are exercising our CBA right to not attend in-person voluntary workouts. We stand in solidarity with players across our league who are making informed decisions with the help of our union, both in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and what the data shows about the benefits to our overall health and safety.”
A year ago, the whole NFL led offseason programs distantly.
Veterans and set up players won’t be harmed by this, yet youthful players, draft picks, undrafted youngsters and those on the edges of lists could be influenced by not getting the chance to establish a connection at the group office.
The NFL this week reported that Phase Three of its offseason program will contain 10 on-field deliberate practices and a three-day obligatory minicamp, running from May 24-June 18.