“Voluntary” For Players Isn’t Voluntary For Fans

May 27th, 2017

Telling words

The Bucs can’t discipline or call players out for skipping OTA/spring practices, but Joe and fans sure can.

NFL rules severely limit practice time compared to the way things were before the current (2011) labor agreement.

Development time, chemistry-building time, practice, etc., has been sliced significantly.

Spring practices known as OTA sessions are limited and “voluntary.” And some players skip practices for personal reasons. Things happen. Joe gets that, but Joe is seeing a little irony in what DeSean Jackson said last week — and what he did.

After the opening OTA on Tuesday, the veteran Jackson noted the cut in practice time makes team sessions together more important.

“Now with how the CBA [Collective Bargaining Agreement] is, you only get so many amount of opportunities to go out there and get better. I think today was a great start and we’ve got 12 more practices like that to continue to go out there and get better,” Jackson said.

And guess what? Jackson was a no-show at the next practice Thursday.

Again, players have their own lives and they have rules to work with under the CBA. But wherever you work, there are the people who are all-in at all costs, and those who aren’t. Joe hopes the Bucs’ newest veterans are in the former camp.

33 Responses to ““Voluntary” For Players Isn’t Voluntary For Fans”

  1. BucEmUp Says:

    This shouldnt surprise anyone, Jackson is known for this. Maybe this is a silent shot back at Mknken for running his mouth

  2. Jim Says:

    I ain’t worried.

  3. Ben the GA Buc Says:

    Vets need to take it easy on their bodies more than most. DJax will be fine.

  4. Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:

    😄I haven’t said anything so is not to get people’s panies in a jumble but Desean always misses a few days here and there. If he’s at every training camp practice I’ll be shockingly surprised. When he catches his first one for 60 no one will remember.

  5. Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:

    NFLnetwork was at redskin’s camp last season and on the day I caught it Desean was a no go. This does not surprise me. Just ball on Sunday’s and we good.

  6. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    I don’t think missing time now will mean too much on Sundays, but I think it goes to show where his priorities are at. Of course, if he pulls up lame with a hammy on a deep route in May, we’ll all be saying he should have skipped that day. lol

  7. LakeLandBuc Says:

    It’s only underwear football.

  8. RayJameisStadium Says:

    Vets known themselves better than anyone else and I’m ok with these adults being committed to the team by their own discretion.

    All is good!

    Go Bucs!!!

  9. Ace WigSplitta Says:

    He should have bailed after Moenken called him out even though he was there with the team… Jackson felt slighted !

  10. feelthepewterpower Says:

    I thought Koetter held several players out of practice? I agree and players should be practicing as much as possible, but it is possible he was inside doing other work.

  11. Supersam Says:

    He’s got 30 million reasons on why he started his Labor Day weekend early.

  12. Supersam Says:

    Memorial Day lol

  13. bucNation Says:

    not worried about a guy not practicing in may…

  14. jimmy Says:

    Maybe Todd Monken was right after all?

  15. Fred E. Bucs Says:

    If he has a good year, this is nothing. If he underperforms and seems to lack effort, we shall harken back to this day!

  16. stu Says:

    he is what he is…

  17. OneBuC55 Says:

    “Practice! Practice!..not the game, we talking bout Practice! Man”…

    Just give us 110% effort on Sunday and or else…he’ll find out real quick how pissy Tampa Bay Bucs fans can really be…We’ll run his a@# out of town…

  18. R.O. Says:

    Who cares… If our jobs were optional sometimes how many of you would show up?

  19. Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:

    If the money gauranteed regardless R.O they would hardly ever see me.

  20. BucEmUp Says:

    R.O we aint making 30 mil to win games

  21. Mike Says:

    Fire monken

  22. theodore Says:

    How is DJAX going to learn to run fast if he doesn’t practice?

  23. BigHogHaynes Says:

    When are we gonna big to learn that when you have the power, you’d better use it, Voluntary is the key word here people!

  24. DBS Says:

    What happen. DJax did not get your permission to be absent and be away from Jameis? Maybe he had permission from Jameis not attend Voluntary practice.
    But then again it was 2 days ago. Have you asked him why he was not there or just ready to crucify him for not being there?

  25. Buc 4ever Says:

    We as fans must understand that these are OTAs and the players don’t have to attend. We are lucky that Jameis have brought the receivers together several times for workouts and I’m sure they will continue. This team will go as far as Jameis takes us, which I hope are several Super Bowls.

  26. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Raise your glass men

    We lost another legend today.
    Gregg Allman – the founding member of The Allman Brothers Band.
    Has passed away at the age of 69.

    Thanks for the great tunes #midnight rider

  27. Buc89 Says:

    Does he follow the Buccaneers on instagram? If so, then this is a non issue.

    If he doesn’t follow the bucs on instagram then it’s pretty obvious he’s a slouch!!!!

  28. Not there yet Says:

    It’s not mandatory so there’s no need to give media or fans an excuse, it’s not impossible it was justified but d Jackson is a temporary fix with a short contact like Brent Grimes and Chris Baker and Ayers.

  29. Bill Says:

    Practice? We talkin’ about practice? ………… No, we’re talking about the number of rings Allen Iverson has. Yeah, we’re talking about practice. Be there. Tom Brady was at practice today.

  30. buddy Says:

    Monken just saying what other coaches have about Jackson. He’s a “ME” guy so other teams know what the Bucs coaches are about to and already finding out. Its Desean’s world and they are just living in it. Selfish dude, wait until Bucs lose a game and he don’t catch a pass. The truth about this guy will surface. Keep drinking the Kool Aid Bucs Superfine….LOL

  31. buddy Says:

    Superfans I meant

  32. SteelStudBuc Says:

    He’s allowed to take days off right now. I know I’d I had the option of taking a day off and not getting punished then I’d probably stay home.

  33. grafikdetail Says:

    @Bill… no we talkin about the Hall of Famer Allen Iverson? put some “respek” on his name