Fights during NFL training camps aren't good for anyone.
On Wednesday, former offensive lineman and current ESPN analyst Damien Woody delivered a message to players in NFL training camps to act smarter before starting unnecessary fights.
Reading about these ‘fights’ in the Bucs/Jets joint practices….they’re stupid & waste of time. You’re not going to fight in a game, so why do it during practice. I’ve done it before & broke my hand doing it…complete waste of time/energy
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) August 16, 2023
As Woody notes, these fights are rarely serious and aren't worth the damage they might cause. Players can miss time due to injuries, hurting their team and potentially their own employment.
His message came after the Jets and Bucs got into three brief skirmishes early during a joint practice on Wednesday.
Only halfway through Jets-Bucs practice and we’ve already had 3 fights. All 3 have ended pretty quickly but tempers are hot
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) August 16, 2023
First fight of the day #jets #bucs pic.twitter.com/3lcYgTKY24
— Let's Talk Jets! (@TalkJetsRadio) August 16, 2023
Billy Turner takes on 3 Bucs pic.twitter.com/UZlP5gAX2S
— Let's Talk Jets! (@TalkJetsRadio) August 16, 2023
That isn't the only practice field where cooler heads haven't prevailed. On Tuesday, a Commanders-Ravens practice got heated when Washington corner Emmanuel Forbes and Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace exchanged blows.
Emmanuel Forbes and Tylan Wallace fight pic.twitter.com/KSyWJJ2ZUB
— (@JahanOPOY) August 15, 2023
Fights break out every year during training camp, especially when two teams practice together. That's why Saleh cut New York's joint practices with Tampa Bay down to one day instead of the originally scheduled two.
It's a wonder why teams agree to combined practices in the first place. While the reps against other teams are good, player health is more important. Unless teams can figure out how to work together without risking player safety, perhaps they should only practice separately.
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