— Brian Chojnacki (@BroadcastingBri) June 12, 2018
Don’t let Leonard Fournette’s face fool you, it’s time for more fun. This week, 28 of the 32 teams, are on the practice field for mandatory minicamps. The Bears, Dolphins, Patriots and Lions got a head start going through minicamp last week.
Over the next three days, coaches will put their rosters through evaluations and competition for the last time before training camp. And the players gotta be there. Unless they’re holding out, then they’re not coming.
Here’s some of the best stuff from around the league:
But first, who’s not here?
The annual tradition of top players sitting out mandatory minicamps is here. So far, the list is headlined by a 1,200-yard rusher and the league’ defensive player of the year.
Those not at minicamps:
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Adam Schefter breaks down the contract dispute between the Falcons and Julio Jones that has the WR sitting out minicamp.
Five days after winning the Champions League for the third year in a row, Zinedine Zidane stunned the football world with news of his decision to step down as Real Madrid manager.
Zidane made the announcement Thursday alongside club president Florentino Perez, saying he had taken the club as far as he could during his two-and-a-half years in charge.
“I love this club and the president dearly but it is time for a change, and that is why I took this decision to step down,” Zidane said.
Gracias Zidane. pic.twitter.com/Npo3bFN0Mb
— #CHAMP13NS ???? (@realmadriden) May 31, 2018
Despite leading the club to yet another Champions League triumph, it appears that Real Madrid’s failures in the league and Copa del Rey took a toll on the 45-year-old.
“If I was the manager here next season, it would have been tough for us to win trophies. You saw in the Copa (del Rey) this season and I can’t forget our domestic campaign that easily,” he added, according to the Guardian.
Real Madrid finished the domestic campaign 17 points back of La Liga champion Barcelona in third place, and bowed out of the Copa del Rey after losing to Leganes in the quarter-finals.
As a player and coach you decided to say goodbye at the top. Thank you for two and a half incredible years. Your legacy will never be erased, one of the most successful chapters in the history of our beloved @realmadrid pic.twitter.com/dO6bw74aA3
— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) May 31, 2018
Perez, who said he hoped the Frenchman would be by his side “forever,” echoed a sentiment shared by many in saying that he was surprised by Zidane’s departure.
“This was a totally unexpected decision. Zidane informed me of his choice yesterday,” added Perez.
Real Madrid enjoyed a wildly successful spell under Zidane, who was appointed manager in January 2016 following Rafael Benitez’s dismissal. Less than five months later, Zidane guided Real Madrid to European glory.
9 – Zinedine Zidane picked up nine trophies in his two years and four months with Real Madrid, the most titles by a manager with the club since Miguel Muñoz won 14 trophies in 14 years (1960 – 1974). Galactico. pic.twitter.com/9h43EUoGb7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 31, 2018
He entered the record books after his last match in charge when Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in the Champions League final, becoming the first manager in the modern era to win the tournament three consecutive times.
The win also admitted Zidane to an exclusive club as only the third manager – alongside Carlo Ancelotti and Liverpool’s legendary Bob Paisley – to win a trio of European Cups/Champions League trophies.
Zidane as Madrid coach (2016-18) ?
UEFA Champions League ??? UEFA Super Cup ?? Club World Cup ??? Spanish Super Cup ? Liga ?#UCL #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/iPaSM4MIv1
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 31, 2018
Although Perez did not delve into possible replacements, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has previously been linked to the job, reports the BBC, though he just signed a new five-year deal. Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and former Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri are also reportedly expected to be considered for one of the most desirable jobs in football.
The New York Giants and star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. are nearing that line they have tiptoed around for months. It has them trying to avoid eye contact and confrontation all the while doing it with an awkward smile.
Odell Beckham Jr. did individual drills with a trainer during OTAs, but he may be cleared to get more involved during minicamp. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
The showdown is coming, maybe this week, more likely early this summer.
Beckham, who desperately wants a new contact, is almost healthy after breaking his leg in October. The Giants, who admittedly aren’t in a rush to pay him, said last week that Beckham could “possibly” be cleared for this week’s mandatory minicamp.
Giants players are set to undergo physicals Monday. Practices are scheduled from Tuesday-Thursday before a six-week respite prior to the start of training camp. That at least gives the two sides some time. Except nothing that has happened so far indicates they will get a deal done.
It’s not out of the realm of possibilities that doctors allow Beckham to do more this week than at OTAs. He’s mostly worked on the side with a trainer and in a select few half-speed individual drills. Nothing strenuous. Nothing that would put himself at risk for that $60 million or so in guaranteed money (in the range of what Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans was paid) that sits on the horizon.
Beckham has made significant progress since suffering the injury. He’s close to full strength. But it still remains unlikely he’ll be cleared for contact this week. It’s just not worth it at this point on the calendar with so much at stake for both sides.
As Landon Collins, who underwent surgery on his right arm in April, explained: “I could be [cleared for minicamp], but at the same time, at the end of the day we still won’t take any risks. It’s minicamp, we’re not playing for anything right now.”
The same holds true for Beckham. It would be in everybody’s best interest to avoid reaching that crossroads until at least later this summer, because when he’s cleared for contact that is when the showdown will occur if there isn’t a new contract. And right now, with no significant talks taking place about a new deal, it appears almost inevitable.
Beckham wants a new deal before the start of this season. This is no secret. He doesn’t want to put his body at serious risk again — this time for $8.5 million — without a new deal after what happened last season, when he first injured his ankle in a preseason game and then watched his career flash before his eyes when his leg was shattered in a Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Giants have been more discreet about their intentions. They’ve said they want Beckham around long term but still haven’t talked seriously about a contract extension with their top playmaker.
“It will get done when it’s supposed to get done” has been their organizational stance since general manager Dave Gettleman arrived. But earlier this offseason — when the Giants didn’t close the door on Beckham being traded — co-owner John Mara said there was a “possibility” he could play 2018 on his current contract.
That wouldn’t go over with Beckham, who has made a concerted effort this spring to prove to the Giants that he’s healthy and committed by attending a good chunk of the team’s offseason program. Players in similar contractual situations such as Aaron Donald, Zack Martin and Khalil Mack avoided OTAs as they awaited their new contracts.
Beckham, while in a different situation given his past indiscretions and the injury, handled it differently. In the process, he has built a strong relationship with Shurmur in the early goings of his new coach’s tenure. The two have been in constant contact and seem to understand where each side is coming from after a shaky start that saw Beckham pseudo-dangled on the trade block.
That should help if the two sides do reach a showdown that could get touchy and complicated. If it does, here are the notable checkpoints.
Key Dates:
Tuesday to Thursday — This week’s mandatory minicamp. Do the Giants ask Beckham to do more than has been the case the rest of the spring? That would be a mistake.
July 25 — The likely start of training camp. Will Beckham show without a new deal? And even if he does, don’t expect him to jump right into full-contact drills. That would be an unnecessary risk he’s not going to take with the regular season still almost seven weeks away.
Aug. 9, 17 and 24 — These are the dates for the first three preseason games. Can’t imagine Beckham will want to step on the field for any of these without a new contract, especially after getting injured last year in the second game of the preseason against the Browns.
Cristiano Ronaldo honoured Zinedine Zidane on Instagram in the wake of Thursday’s shock announcement that the Frenchman stepped down as manager of Real Madrid.
“I’m just proud of being your player. Mister, thanks for so much.” Ronaldo said in the caption, as translated by The Mirror.
Less than a week after guiding the team to its third successive Champions League crown, Zidane called a news conference to reveal his intention to leave the Spanish giant after two-and-a-half years in charge.
Real Madrid won nine trophies during his brief spell as manager.
Ronaldo also thrived under Zidane, capturing a pair of Ballon d’Or awards and various other personal honours during his short time with the 46-year-old.
