SPORTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014 Offseason academies keep NFL players in shape KANSAS CITY: This past offseason, Chiefs ago, Geoff Schwartz went from a journey- knew, quarterbacks such as the Vikings’ breaking down film in the classroom. offensive lineman Jeff Allen and Donald man trying to stick with a team to a starter Teddy Bridgewater and Matt Cassel were “Whatever I need in terms of technique, Stephenson could have made like a couple for the Chiefs, and then signed a four-year, hanging around the practices. Fitzgerald getting stronger in the weight room, talk- of college kids on spring break, sleeping ‘til $16.5 million deal with the Giants. never invites anybody; they just drop in. ing to someone about going through the noon and then hitting the beach. Instead, “If you play offensive line and you’re try- And while he’s never promised “cutting- NFL lifestyle, just any questions I have that I they rose with the sun and worked until ing to get better,” opined Chance Warmack edge facilities,” Hall of Famers such as Cris need a second opinion on, he’s there for they dropped. You see, Allen and of the Titans, “then that’s the place to go.” Carter often show up to help. me,” Warmack said. Some team executives Stephenson joined a growing number of There are other places to go for other posi- “There’s nothing more competitive than worry that the camps increase the chance players taking part in offseason camps and tions, too. IMG Academy’s Athletic and the environment we have on an everyday of injuries, and that the programs might not academies, often organized and run by for- Personal Development program in Florida basis (in the NFL),” Fitzgerald said. “I try to complement the club’s philosophies. On mer NFL players. The lure is simple: The rare promises “deluxe housing, fine dining, cut- simulate that in terms of workouts, try to the other, they provide players an opportu- opportunity for guys with gumption to get ting-edge training facilities and equipment, make it competitive. You don’t want to get nity to do “football work.” ahead in a business that has become partic- world-class fields” and even a full-service too far away from the competition. The “From an organizational standpoint, you ular about the amount of time players can spa to those who attend its offseason pro- drills that we run, I’m trying to whip Mike’s applaud someone trying to make them- spend with their regular coaches at their grams. Those who have worked with the (butt). He’s trying to beat me every day. You selves better,” Chiefs general manager John team facilities. program, overseen by former NFL quarter- get results.” The guys who attended Dorsey said. “And when you put guys in “With the new collective-bargaining back Chris Weinke, include Steelers tight Bentley’s academy are certainly seeing competitive environments, peer pressure agreement, we’ve got a lot of time to our- end Heath Miller and Rams offensive line- results. Warmack spent three days at home always does something.” selves,” Allen explained this week, “so it’s all man Rodger Saffold. Not all camps promise with family after Tennessee wrapped its off- That way, when the season rolls around, about what you want to do with your time. full-service spas, though. In fact, many are season program in June, and then headed you’re able to beat your peers. “You have to I wanted to invest in myself, and that’s why little more than private workouts organized to the desert. He spent four of the five be self-driven in your offseason. You have a lot of guys do those things.” Make no mis- by players that grew through word-of- weeks he had left before the start of Titans to be able to take advantage of that time. take, Allen means investing. When he mouth into large-scale endeavors. Cardinals training camp in what can only be You can’t sit and do nothing,” Chiefs quar- joined Stephenson at the LeCharles Bentley wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, for example, described as boot camp: terback Alex Smith said. “Everybody kind of O-Line Performance Academy in Scottsdale, started a camp after his first Pro Bowl in Wake to his alarm at 4:30 am and quickly goes their own direction and has to find Arizona, the third-year pro paid his own 2005. Other players began showing up, head out the door. Arrive at the facility by 5 what fits for them. There are places all over way. It was a small investment, though, mostly pass catchers such as teammate am for a personalized, 2-hour workout. the country now, a lot of them in Arizona. considering the potential payoff. After Michael Floyd and Packers tight end After a quick nap, return at 11 am for anoth- Everybody has their deal and what they are attending the Bentley camp two summers Jermichael Finely. The next thing Fitzgerald er 2-hour workout. Spend the afternoon comfortable with.” — AP Spotlight on referee; All Blacks, Wallabies clash AUCKLAND: The All Blacks and Wallabies sought pre-match talks with referee Romain Poite yesterday as they try to avoid giving away penalties in their highly anticipated return Rugby Championship Test. With both sides smarting from last week’s 12-12 draw in Sydney, New Zealand’s Steve Hansen and Australia’s Ewen McKenzie were keen to mini- mize any uncertainty in Auckland. All Blacks coach Hansen has already claimed an apology from last week’s whistleblow- er, South African Jaco Peyper, for a series of refereeing blun- ders including one yellow card. “I’ve seen Steve’s interpreta- tion of what the referee said so if there’s talk about free kicks at scrum time there were only three free kicks against the All Blacks but there were still 14 penalties” against them in the game, McKenzie said. “It depends on which bit you want to look at. So we’ll talk about the scrums.” McKenzie arguably has more to fear from Poite, who is seen to favor the dominant pack and was severe on the Wallabies in last year’s deciding British and Irish Lions Test. The All Blacks, who fell one short of a record 18th Test win last week, have played five internationals with the Frenchman in charge and never lost. The Australian coach SPA: Mercedes-AMG’s German driver Nico Rosberg drives during the first practice session at the Spa-Francorchamps cir- said he would be talking to Poite and last week’s referee cuit in Spa yesterday ahead of the Belgium Formula One Grand Prix. — AFP Peyper, who is also in Auckland for the today’s Test. He said the Wallabies were also unhappy with some of Peyper’s deci- Rosberg leads Hamilton in sions in a rain-soaked Sydney, but added “teams have to look at themselves over time rather than look at one game”. Belgian Grand Prix practice ‘It felt like a loss’ And he warned that Australia would not be cowed by their SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Formula One leader all their own way. Williams had a low-key start, move confirmed by the sport’s ruling body, record at Eden Park, the All Blacks’ spiritual home, where they Nico Rosberg set the fastest time in opening with Finland’s Valtteri Bottas 10th on the the International Motoring Federation (FIA). have not won a game since 1986. “They were going for a Belgian Grand Prix practice yesterday after timesheets and Brazilian Felipe Massa 15th. Rossi took part in yesterday morning’s world record last week and didn’t get there,” McKenzie said. renewing his duel with Mercedes team mate Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, winner of the pre- opening free practice session. Chilton said “We know what they’re capable of. They’re a very consistent and title rival Lewis Hamilton. Returning vious race in Hungary, was ninth. At the bot- that he had voluntarily stepped aside to allow side and have been the most consistent team for 100 years, refreshed from the August break, Rosberg set tom end of the field, Germany’s Andre the team to sell his seat to secure what he said we know that. It doesn’t mean they win every game.” Hansen a best time of one minute 51.577 seconds Lotterer limbered up for his F1 debut with was a much-needed financial boost. A team said he would also try to clarify points of the law with Poite as around the classic Ardennes circuit. Caterham as a replacement for Japan’s Kamui spokesperson confirmed that Chilton would the All Blacks seek to re-establish supremacy and lock up the Hamilton, who is 11 points adrift after 11 Kobayashi by lapping faster than Swedish be racing and that an application had already trans-Tasman Bledisloe Cup for the 13th year in a row. Captain of 19 races, was a mere 0.097 slower on a rookie team mate Marcus Ericsson. been lodged with the FIA for him to be back Richie McCaw said the home side were hoping to step up a cloudy but bright morning at the longest in the car for afternoon’s second free practice gear after last week’s game, which they were lucky to escape track on the calendar which is renowned for Chilton restored by Marussia session. with a draw. “It felt like a loss after the game,” McCaw said. fickle weather conditions. The one-two was Meanwhile, Max Chilton was restored in An FIA statement said: “The stewards have “We want to make sure we come out and do better this week.” their fifth in succession in practice.