The component of shock could be a big consider any NFL sport. A workforce that comes out with a singular technique or formation can typically win the day just by complicated their opponent within the second.
Sadly for Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley, he discovered the laborious manner how tough it’s nowadays to actually catch an opponent off guard. Hafley revealed Thursday that the Philadelphia Eagles had been in a position to defeat his former workforce — the Inexperienced Bay Packers — in Week 1 in 2024 as a result of Philadelphia had video of a few of Inexperienced Bay’s most crucial play calls.
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How did the Eagles receive these movies? Followers at coaching camp, in fact.
Hafley mentioned Kevin Patullo — the previous Eagles offensive coordinator who joined the Dolphins within the offseason — instructed Hafley the Eagles discovered in regards to the unique pressures they’d face from the Packers in Week 1 final 12 months because of coaching camp clips taken by followers.
The Packers misplaced that contest 34-29.
Hafley’s remark brings up a sticky scenario NFL groups must navigate in an period the place expertise makes all the pieces extra accessible. Groups undoubtedly need to maintain alternatives wherein followers can attend the occasional coaching camp follow, however want to carry again sure performs and coverages throughout these occasions, doubtlessly leading to a much less thrilling on-field product.
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His feedback additionally illustrate why so many NFL groups appear to be utilizing joint practices — not preseason video games — as methods to truly put together for the NFL common season. Groups are extra free to make use of precise in-game technique in joint practices, which are not televised and infrequently come towards groups they will not play within the common season. Groups really use their starters throughout joint practices, versus preseason video games, which seemingly function fewer and fewer reps by starters every year.
As Hafley concluded on the finish of the clip, there’s not a ton NFL groups can do about it. Permitting followers to attend coaching camp is a manner for groups to earn cash and improve pleasure for the upcoming season. The one factor an NFL workforce can do to stop precise technique leaking to opposition is to not run these performs when followers are current. It appears like Hafley will undertake that technique shifting ahead.