By Adam Schefter Special to NFL.com Adam Schefter's "Around the League" reports and commentaries can be seen regularly on NFL Total Access. CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Attendance at the NFL's Rookie Symposium is as revealing as it is mandatory. Since the NFL kicked off its symposium, four notable players have either reported late to it or left early over the years: quarterback Ryan Leaf, safety Sean Taylor, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones. Each has encountered varying degrees of controversy or adversity. Willie McGinest's new contract comes with responsibilities, which he shares with rookies. But the encouraging news this year is that no rookie reported late to the Rookie Symposium at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif. No rookie left early, either. In fact, the only incident that NFL officials reported was a toothache that one player incurred on the symposium's opening night. No problem there. Throughout the symposium, various speakers -- including such luminaries as New York Jets running back Curtis Martin, Cleveland Browns defensive end Willie McGinest and former Houston Texans general manager Charley Casserly -- preached to the rookies about the choices they make and the consequences they have. But it seems as if this rookie class knew a thing or two about it before the lectures even kicked off. FOOD FOR THOUGHT Aside from listening, rookies did a whole lot of eating. From the time they reported to the symposium Sunday night to the time they exited Wednesday afternoon, rookies ate as if they were trying to put on weight for next month's training camp. The 254 rookies consumed 1,400 pounds of chicken wings, 1,400 hamburgers and 1,500 pounds of fried chicken, according to NFL officials that organized the symposium. All told, that was over two tons of meat -- a whole lot of meat. AN AUDIBLE Kerry Collins will take his 33,637 yards and 173 TDs to a fifth career team. Kerry Collins will take his 33,637 yards and 173 TDs to a fifth career team. After toying with the idea of retiring, quarterback Kerry Collins now is preparing to play. Those who know Collins said he is interested in signing with another team this coming season, and the most likely candidate is the Tennessee Titans, who need another veteran quarterback to complement Billy Volek. Talks between the Titans and Collins are expected to heat up as the summer's temperatures do just before training camp. There's still a chance Collins could balk at the Titans offer if it's not enough, but the way it sounded this week was that he will be on a roster when training camp opens. GONE FISHING Last season, the Raiders didn't have a lot of wins or camaraderie. But new coach Art Shell is trying to change that. With the assistance of former Raiders defensive back Willie Brown, who now helps teach Oakland's defensive backs while emphasizing team and player development, Shell organized a fishing trip and barbeque on June 22. First, about 25 players spent the day fishing on a lake in Brown's hometown of Tracy, Calif. Then, once the fishing expedition wrapped up, the players headed out for a barbeque. The day turned out to be a football version of surf and turf. QUOTES OF THE WEEK Martin passed along two notable bits of advice to rookies that he once learned: "Discipline is the bridge between thought and accomplishment." "Don't sacrifice what you wish for most for what you wish for right now." Wise man, Curtis. Very wise.
I don't know what Curtis' plans are post-football -- and I have a feeling they don't include anything related to football -- but the Jets should do everything they can to keep him involved if that's what he wants. The man is class personified. Latrell Sprewell and T.O. on one side of the pendulum, CMart on the other.
:rofl: I read this article earlier today and that is the first thing I thought. The 254 rookies consumed 1,400 pounds of chicken wings, 1,400 hamburgers and 1,500 pounds of fried chicken, according to NFL officials that organized the symposium. All told, that was over two tons of meat -- a whole lot of meat. Gonna be some fat ass rookies reporting in a couple of weeks...
That works out to about 15 pounds of meat per person, over a three day period. You have got to be kidding me!
I once tried to eat 33 wings and failed. However much that weighs, I don't know how the heck you even attempt to eat 15 lbs. of anything, much less meat, in three days. Anyway, glad to see Curtis is doing this. Nobody in my mind would know better about how to speak to these rookies.
That reminds me of that great Subway commerical with Willie Randolph giving the press conference and one reporter says "I have a question--that's a lot of meat!" and Willie replies "Yeah it's a lot of meat!" instead of "I said ask a fucking question sherlock."
I tend to agree. Curt IS fotball. Like Montana WAS. He may appear in the background down the way but I have a feeling that if doesn't win the big one then he will fade into obscurity like Barry Sandes did. Until SB time rolls around again and the media needs to fill 2 weeks of nothingness and has to find a way to fill it with football related trash.
