Maybe it's better that the Bears haven't jumped to make a player organized workout.
As we discussed yesterday, a couple of teams' players organized their own unsupervised team workouts, so we wondered why Jay hasn't done that with his team and if it mattered to you. In normal years, i.e. when the owners and players aren't bickering at one another, the coaching staff is present, the training staff is there, and they move with a goal.
However, there are two problems inherent in this year's edition of the offseason.
First, what will the players work on? They'll have last year's plays, sure, but no opponent to gameplan for. They could always practice technique, but can Jay Cutler teach Johnny Knox when there's a flaw in Knox's blocking technique? How about working on Zackary Bowman's cornerback instincts?
Second, any injuries the players suffer are entirely on them. Because they aren't team-sponsored activities, the team's training staff isn't there. As an NFL agent said:
"People should realize that if players get hurt now, on their own time, that's a non-football injury and they don't have to be paid or have their contracts after that. ... I tell my guys to work out, but under supervision that is professional and to be careful. They have to stay in shape from a cardiovascular and strength standpoint, but other than that I don't know how important it is to go out and play touch football."
It's great to see NFL players have the drive to stay in shape and work, but I can't go grab my brother, shove a football in his stomach and say "We're going to have an NFL-quality workout." No, we "go play catch." And then pray we don't stumble on a rock buried in the ground.