All 32 NFL teams engage in training camp each year, and many join up with others to engage in joint practices. The issue with joint practices is emotions can run high, leading to training camp fighters. To combat potential fights, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has established an odd rule to weed skirmishes out.
More news: Giants Rookie Malik Nabers Throws Punches, Brawl Erupts at Joint Practice
Right before joint practices between the Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles were set to kick off, Mayo addressed the team.
Mayo told reporters, “If you are a starter and you fight, you are playing the entire preseason game. If you are a backup and you fight, you aren’t playing in the preseason game at all.”
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Mayo apparently established the rule to be a punishment for both veterans and new arrivals. Should a starter get into and start a fight in joint practices, they will be forced to play in the upcoming entire preseason game.
Conversely, if a backup player gets involved in a fight, they will be barred from playing in preseason at all. The secondary punishment is far worse, as backup players typically involve third and fourth-stringers and rookies attempting to carve out a role on the 53-man roster.
Training camp fights have been rampant this season. The Giants and Lions were involved in many scuffles, as rookie Malik Nabers threw punches during one fight, and quarterback Daniel Jones was also seen throwing Lions players to the turf.
Multiple fights also occurred at Seattle Seahawks practice, with receiver DK Metcalf swinging a helmet at his own teammate.
Even Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stated that he wants fights to be removed from competitive spirits.
Though the game of football is rough, unnecessary training camp fights can often lead to horrible situations. Veterans are meant to show rookies how to approach the professional side of the game, and they should step in to stop rookies from making costly mistakes.
Those costly mistakes can often lead to in-game fights, resulting in penalties that may change the course of the game. Though Mayo has an odd way of handling fights, there is some wisdom to how he is approaching stopping fighting in their tracks.
The hope is that training camp fights can start to become lessened in time. For now, it appears head coaches are starting to come up with better plans to keep players from buying into emotions and hurting their fellow cohorts.
