Baltimore Ravens Subject of NFL Investigation Concerning Possible CBA Violation
The Baltimore Ravens are currently being investigated by the NFL for a possible violation of offseason practice rules.
A team source told ESPN that players were in full pads during rookie mini-camp last week during a non-contact special teams drill.
According to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) players can not be in full pads until training camp, which does not begin until later in the summer.
NFL investigating Ravens for using full pads in rookie minicamp. Team needed, ahem, "clarification" from NFLPA rep: https://t.co/jrjTPnZKjf
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) May 16, 2016
A players union representative for the Ravens pointed out the rule violation and the practice was paused after approximately five minutes into the drill. The coaches said they didn’t realize rookie mini-camps fell under the same offseason rules specified for organized team activities and team mini-camp.
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Players are allowed to wear helmets and a uniform, but are not allowed to be wearing shoulder and chest pads. This was part of a new initiative added in the 2011 CBA to protect players during their offseason workouts.
This is not the first time the Ravens have been investigated for possible offseason practice violations. In 2010 the team was revoked of on-field practice time after they had players on the practice field longer than the CBA mandates.
The Seattle Seahawks have been notorious repeat offenders under Pete Carroll, who has been reportedly fined in the neighborhood of $100,000. The Seattle Seahawks were stripped of two OTA practices and two mini-camp days by Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The National Football League Players Association has the specific rules agreed upon in the CBA on their website.
- Maximum 4 W/O Per Week (No Weekends), With One Week Being The Mandatory Minicamp (Not Permitted On Weekends)
- CONTACT WORK IS PROHIBITED IN ALL WORKOUTS (E.G. “Live” Blocking, Tackling, Pass Rushing, Bump-And-Run, Etc.)
- INTENSITY AND TEMPO OF DRILLS SHOULD BE AT A LEVEL CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING, With Player Safety As The Highest Priority
The is no word to when a decision will be made regarding the Ravens investigation. At worst, the team could lose practice days during this summer’s training camp.