The “virtual workout” has replaced spring minicamps in this strange new world created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the NFL first laid the groundwork for a new three-week offseason training program last month, no one knew how it would work. Players have been given the tools for “classroom instruction, workouts and non-football educational programs” but it’s all on them to complete these workouts on their own. No one was quite sure what to expect.
Eagles safety Rodney McLeod recently shared how the program has been going in an interview with ESPN. According to McLeod, he has been conducting video conference calls with new defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel. Head coach Doug Pederson has also addressed the squad during a 15-minute team meeting via Zoom.
“There’s like two different workout groups,” McLeod told ESPN. “They broke it down based on the equipment that you have in your home, so if you’re a guy that has access to a full gym, you’ll probably get the normal workout as if we had OTAs right now.”
It’s been a lot of individual work, too. McLeod said he has been doing a “lot of weights and kettlebells and bands” since he doesn’t own a home gym. The team-sanctioned workouts tend to last around 45 minutes to an hour.
“It’s really on you, however long it takes you to complete the workout, but they’re the same amount of time as was initially scheduled before all this took place,” McLeod said.
Rodney McLeod emerging as a leader for the Eagles and a mental health advocate in the community:
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Eagles Ramping Up Virtual Classroom Sessions
When the league first announced the decision to go virtual on April 13, they knew there would be some obstacles. Not all players have state-of-the-art equipment in their homes.
The NFL allotted up to $1,500 to send to individual players for things like kettlebells, resistance bands and Apple watches. The three-week virtual training program will run through May 22 for the Eagles. According to 6abc’s Jeff Skversky, the Eagles are planning to ramp up their classroom sessions with rookies this week in the form of team meetings, position meetings and playbook study.
There will be a second phase to it if the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep NFL facilities closed, too. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero outlined how veteran mandatory minicamps may work:
If club facilities do not reopen during the offseason program, the window for which concludes June 26, there will be a secondary option for teams. Organizations can conduct a mandatory veteran minicamp on a virtual basis, with limits of two hours of classroom time and two hours of workout time, Pelissero reported.
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Eagles Safety Details NFL’s New ‘Virtual’ Workout Routine