Due to regulations violations surrounding offseason exercises, the Detroit Lions will not be participating in one of their organized team activities.
Detroit will not be able to practice on June 10. The guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association include on-field contact during offseason sessions, though the team did not disclose the precise infraction. The Lions acknowledged breaking the rules and lost an OTA session as a result in a statement.
“On Friday evening, the organization was made aware by the NFL and NFLPA that Organized Team Activities (OTA) practices held the week of May 27 violated player work rules pertaining to on-field physical contact pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement,” the statement continued.
The team’s scheduled OTA practice for Monday, June 10 has been postponed. “We take very seriously the rules set forth within the NFL’s Offseason Program and have worked to conduct our practices accordingly,” the press release stated. “We will continue to be vigilant with our practices moving forward.”
The section in the CBA regarding on-field contact reads as follows (via the Detroit News’ Justin Rogers):
Live communication is not allowed (during OTAs). Except outside of the 10-yard line, simulated press coverage using hand placement (versus jamming) during 11-on-11 drills and related position group one-on-one drills (e.g., footwork and release work (no “live-contact” or “bump-and-run”) are allowed.
No one-on-one offense vs. defense drills are allowed. (e.g., offensive lineman vs. defensive lineman pass rush or pass protection drills, wide receivers vs. defensive backs bump-and-run drills, etc.).
The section goes on to explain that hand contact between a defensive player and receiver is allowed as long as the receiver is not impeded or forced to alter his route due to live contact.
That leaves other options for what might have happened at the disputed Lions practice.
Was it a play involving defensive backs and receivers, or was it a play between offensive and defensive linemen? Several reporters covering the club claim that the OTA sessions held during the week of May 27 were closed to the media.
Recess and younger players get three days of organized team activities (OTA) starting on June 10 and ending on June 11.
Veterans who completed Detroit’s required minicamp this past week will not be taking part. In late July, the team will assemble for their next training camp.
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