[News] Ravens Want More Offseason Time With Players

[BR News]

Owner Steve Bisciotti would like two two-day meetings during the offseason that aren’t about football.

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[The Mom Gene]

I love this idea. The fact that they aren't allowed any contact whatsoever is just ridiculous anyway. These teams are paying these guys MILLIONS of dollars. I just don't believe that there is anything wrong with counseling them in the offseason about behavior, finances, family life, etc. I don't believe it's any different than signing up for a seminar or a conference from any business or job standpoint.

[Minionhunter]

The metaphor from academia would be remediation.

 

It could be mandatory for the first 2-3 years then optional. The Ravens should apply /appeal to the players union to run a pre-implementation test program for it financed entirely by Biscotti /Ravens Inc. which would show that he is willing to put his money where his mouth is. It should not cost very much either, even if he had to fly in his whole draft class each time.

 

Heck he could likely get it partly financed by a social work school research program at UMB if he wanted to. I would love that project if I were a grad student. 

Edited March 29, 2016 by Minionhunter

[RavensDieHard21]

We seriously have one of the classiest and compassionate owner in all of professional sports along with one of heck of a compassionate and beloved head coach. we are truly blessed. Team chemistry is #1

[757RavensFan]

8 minutes ago, RavensDieHard21 said:

We seriously have one of the classiest and compassionate owner in all of professional sports along with one of heck of a compassionate and beloved head coach. we are truly blessed. Team chemistry is #1

As sad as Tray Walker's passing was, I don't think there's a better coach than Harbs to deal w/ a situation like that!

[eze17]

This actually sounds like a great idea...the problem is that someone will want to politicize it and make some sort of agenda beyond what Biscotti is saying. But I wish it well, especially if it could maybe help prevent another tragedy like in Mr. Walkers case. Sometimes these young guys just need to talk to someone, and the Raven's staff are a good and caring group of people.

[ellicottraven]

Awesome idea actually. I understand the CBA isn't due for another 5 yrs. However, this is the only long term agreement that I know that can't be amended based on ground conditions or the execution of said agreement. If it can be improved upon with facts garnered from executing it, why not? From what I gather from the website, we can't do anything about it for 5 more yrs? Doesn't make sense that it can't be incorporated now if it helps save lives!

[eze17]

Given the rancor between owners/players, it's just not as simple as it probably should be. Letting the coaches talk to players about life-problems sounds so easy, but someone on both sides will look at it as a way to get around off-season prohibitions to discuss football. Remember, with all good ideas there's always someone who screws things up! Hopefully the two sides can work this out and make it happen.

[harfordravenfan]

4 hours ago, eze17 said:

Given the rancor between owners/players, it's just not as simple as it probably should be. Letting the coaches talk to players about life-problems sounds so easy, but someone on both sides will look at it as a way to get around off-season prohibitions to discuss football. Remember, with all good ideas there's always someone who screws things up! Hopefully the two sides can work this out and make it happen.

Yup, especially the "bend every rule possible" teams. But could be setup with expects conducting them instead of the coaches. 

[salamander]

I think the prohibitions during the off-season are absurdly excessive anyway. Brilliant suggestion by Bisciotti.

[Space11jams]

Given the rancor between owners/players, it's just not as simple as it probably should be. Letting the coaches talk to players about life-problems sounds so easy, but someone on both sides will look at it as a way to get around off-season prohibitions to discuss football. Remember, with all good ideas there's always someone who screws things up! Hopefully the two sides can work this out and make it happen.

If the NFL wants to keep football out of it than they need to set up these functions for these young guys. Some of these guys never seen thousands of dollars at one time. For some of them to be hit with millions that's a big sum of money which can cause a lot of problems. I don't understand why the NFL hasn't taken notice of this and it's said that it takes a life for things to change. As they always say, crisis drive changes.

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

I think the organization could probably set something up with counselors or advisors now without the leagues consent if the coaches are not involved. As I blv they are allowed to visit the castle, just can't have anything to do with football. It doesn't have to be league wide and with the passing of Trey I'm sure there are plenty of players that could use some counseling.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

I like the idea and I think there is a way something like this can be done outside of the NFL teams so that it can get around that tampering idea.

Each team should have an independent counseling program that is available 24/7 to any player should they need to discuss health issues or financial matters, or things about life and nothing about football. This group of people should include financial advisors or planners and of course medical doctors and counselors. It would not contain any team coaches or team doctors. They should be pro-active as well and not simply wait for players to come to them. Every rookie should be contacted immediately and informed repeatedly about the services available to them. Routine calls to the entire roster should be made perhaps once a month at least to just check in with them and let them know these services are still here for them.

Essentially this would be an expansion of the NFL rookie symposium which lasts like what, two days? I am sure there is so much crammed in that it is like information overload for most people.

I hate reading about players that have some issues and a tragic end befalls that possibly could have been prevented if they just had somebody reach out to them. Walker's death was simply an accident. It was unfortunate that he was not wearing a helmet and his bike had no illumination for night time riding, but perhaps if those two things were in place he might still be here today. If anything, please let his passing be a lesson to other riders out there that you need to be extra careful when riding a motorbike as the bike itself offers no protection in an accident.