Archive for the 'Football Equipment' Category
The first NFL training camps started in April, as teams welcomed back veterans and some new players as well. Many of the spring training camps are voluntary, but unless a player is protesting their contract, most show up. The spring training camps are an excellent way for the team’s new players, including rookies, to become acclimated with the playbook. The reason most rookies don’t see a lot of success in their first year in the NFL is because they’re not used to the playbook, and to contributing to an offense or defense at the NFL level. It’s surprising that many players who achieve huge success at a college level fail in the NFL. While some talent translates well from college football to the NFL level, it takes a lot of time and dedication for most players to achieve success. Even players that are first round draft picks have about the same chance of succeeding in the NFL as others.
It’s fun to watch the teams break out their football training equipment and test their skills, with the new season less than six months away, teams who are able to click in practice will have the most success in the new year.
There’s nothing like a rousing football season of highly competitive teams, and on face, 2009 appears to be just that. Last year there was fierce competition in the east, and the Patriots, who won 11 games, didn’t even make it into the playoffs. In addition, the number one ranked Titans were knocked off in the early rounds of the playoffs. With the return of Tom Brady to the Patriots, it will be even more competitive in the east. In addition, the west, which has been weak in recent years, now has several promising teams including the Arizona Cardinals, who made a trip to the Super Bowl last year, and the rejuvenated Seattle Seahawks lead by an uninjured Matt Hasselbeck and several new offensive weapons.
Expect sales of football team jerseys to spike in September as the United States prepares for another great year of football. With the draft fast approaching, even now is an exciting time to see who picks who and who looks best going into the 2009 season. But just like the Arizona Cardinals last year, we’re probably in for more than a few surprises.