Life in the NFL is about to get boring.
Embracing mandatory minicamp like you didn’t know you could
Tuesday’s Rise ‘n Grind discusses the last week of mandatory minicamp and OTAs before the NFL goes on summer break.


Like really boring.
This is the final week of OTAs and mandatory minicamp around the NFL before a month and a half vacation prior to the start of training camp.
People often say there’s no offseason in the NFL because news never stops. But if there’s any period of the year that’s really quiet, we’re about to reach it. So before that arrives, let’s embrace the final week of pad-free NFL practices!
Over in Kansas City, the early thought is Patrick Mahomes’ unique talent will help him create separation on quick throws. Mahomes has been seen starting his throwing motion while he is still turning his body, before his feet are set. That has created some concern regarding his footwork, but it could be beneficial, too. There’s only so much Chiefs fans can read into Mahomes’ NFL ability after one start. But by golly, they’ll analyze all they can from that one game.
Over in Detroit, Matt Patricia is impressing his new players and the media. It’s only spring, but people have opinions on everything from his cursing to his player punishments. “I think the one thing that sticks out is expectations are high,” Lions guard T.J. Lang said via NFL Network. “We realize that we’ve got a short offseason. We’re going to be in training camp and before you know it, we’ll be playing in preseason games. So we don’t have a lot of time to waste. We expect to go out there every day and be on top of the things and get it right.”
It should be a fun summer for the Lions!
Meanwhile, over in Atlanta, cornerback Desmond Trufant is making plans to improve his playmaking ability. Can Trufant mold himself into a turnover machine? He won’t have Julio Jones to go up against during mandatory minicamp, as the star receiver continues his hold out, but Falcons fans are hoping Trufant can improve upon his lacking interceptions and pair up with Robert Alford to create a dynamic cornerback group.
That’s what we’re reading into today during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. And while NFL news is going to slow down soon enough, we’ll eat it all up this week! Ya know, stuff like new Raiders players in their full uniforms for the first time! We bet you couldn’t wait to see that.
NFL news
- Let’s imagine the alternate universe where Peyton Manning picked the Titans over the Broncos.
- What would the NFL look like if the Colts never moved to Indianapolis?
- Earl Thomas is holding out until the Seahawks give him a new contract.
- Terrell Owens skipping his Hall of Fame induction is ... the perfect ending to his career.
- Rob Gronkowski had a really nice day at the Belmont Stakes.
- We combined Bill Belichick and Tony La Russa to make the most brilliant, unlikable coach ever.
- Texans safety Andre Hal was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Who would you rather have anchor your defense: Khalil Mack or Howie Long at his peak?
What NFL fans are talking about
Zack Martin is now the NFL’s highest paid guard after the Cowboys signed him to a 6-year contract extension.
The NFL is a copycat league. But Bucs Nation believes teams should be embracing originality and creativity instead.
If Earl Thomas’ holdout costs him games, expect Bradley McDougald to fill his spot at free safety for the Seahawks.
Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen are the best running back duo in the NFL. Who saw that coming?











