Thread: Citing COVID-19 concerns, Broncos players will skip voluntary in-person OTAs

Broncos players appear to have conflicting stances on skipping OTAs

Denver Broncos players released a statement through the NFL Players Association on Tuesday that said they will be skipping the team’s voluntary offseason program, citing COVID-19 concerns.

Broncos players were the first in the NFL to take such a stance, and the Seattle Seahawks quickly joined them.

Several players, including star outside linebacker Von Miller, have posted photos and videos of themselves on social media out and about in public this offseason. The players’ public statement suggests it’s not safe for them to gather together for practices at the team’s facility, though.

https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/202...skipping-otas/

Also:

Broncos still plan to begin OTAs on April 19

Denver Broncos players released a statement through the NFL Players Association on Tuesday that said they will not attend in-person organized team activities this spring, citing COVID-19 concerns.

The statement seemed to imply that all of the players are unified in their stance, but it’s unclear if that’s actually the case. Nearly two dozen players have already used the team’s facility for rehab and workouts this offseason.

https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/202...tas-on-monday/

NFLPA sending wrong message. Now isn't the time to hide behind the strength of the union when teams already have minimal time to build chemistry.

Plus the excuse rings hollow.

Originally Posted by Elevation inc

!. I expect pretty much every team to follow suit except NE lol. Nothing is voluntary there

Nope, Pats have jumped on too....

Such a joke.

Originally Posted by SR

Such a joke.

Eh, this just gets a shoulder shrug from me. I see this having little to no impact on the season.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

Eh, this just gets a shoulder shrug from me. I see this having little to no impact on the season.

That isn't why I think it's a joke.

The NFL on Wednesday sent a memo to teams outlining rules for its offseason programs -- rules the league has decided to impose after failing to reach agreement with its players' union on some key aspects.

The parts of the offseason program that are voluntary under the CBA -- everything but the annual mandatory June minicamps -- will remain so. But while the NFLPA has publicly called for the entire offseason to be conducted virtually in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the league is telling teams on-field work will be permitted.

Phase 1 of the offseason program, which reflects what the players requested, will run from April 19 through May 14. All meetings will be conducted virtually and no on-field work will be permitted. The league says it wants to use this phase to focus on vaccine education efforts and making vaccines available to players, team staff and their families as soon as their various local regulations permit.

rest - https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...eing-mandatory

Originally Posted by SR

That isn't why I think it's a joke.

That's fair, I just can't muster much of a GAF either way over posturing like this that happens in April. I think we'll have all forgotten about this by September.

This is why I wasn't all that concerned about this. Looks like this has pretty much already worked itself out.

Bunch of twats.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

This is why I wasn't all that concerned about this. Looks like this has pretty much already worked itself out.

The NFL had not released the guidelines, so the union made a decision because they were not aware of the plan. Now that the league has released a plan that is agreeable on the surface (instead of no plan), it seems reasonable that players will participate.

Well you can’t force anybody to get the vaccines, I just hope they show up but if not oh well I’m over it.

Originally Posted by Jeudy10Hamler13

Well you can’t force anybody to get the vaccines, I just hope they show up but if not oh well I’m over it.

Yes, you can.

Originally Posted by Jeudy10Hamler13

Well you can’t force anybody to get the vaccines, I just hope they show up but if not oh well I’m over it.

Businesses absolutely can legally require it. Everything I've read on this from legal experts pretty much agrees on this point.