A Fantasy Football Players Guide to the NFL 'Off-Season'

The term 'Off-Season' couldn't be any further from the truth for most NFL Coaching staffs. In addition, perhaps to a lesser degree, the same can be said for many NFL players. The truth is, when it comes to coaching in the NFL, there simply isn't an off-season.

Below, we'll briefly highlight the typical off-season coaching 'to-do' list. As you examine this material, be sure to think about your Fantasy league. Look for keys that might mirror your Fantasy coaching situation. Keep this overview in mind, as you absorb NFL events and happenings during the off-season. As you examine NFL News Headlines, take note as to how it pieces together with the material below. If you have a firm grasp of off-season events and your competition doesn't --- you have an advantage.

January/February
The playoffs and Super Bowl are now history. Only one team completely realized their goal --- winning the Super Bowl. During late January and into February, after the playoffs have finished up, most coaches usually start preparing for the coming season. During this time, many will start getting ready for the college draft. Typically, this will involve film study, working with in-house staff and/or outside scouting services. While this is happening, it's also time to being evaluating the veteran free agent market. To make things more complex, this actually becomes a three-tier exercise. With March right around the corner, the staff is already under the gun. They must start to evaluate, grade out and rank current players against all promising free agents and top collegiate prospects. In addition, these player evaluations must be examined with financial, bonus and other salary cap related issues in mind. From this exercise, they look for value and best fit. Likewise, team self-assessment usually takes place at this time. To successfully execute a well-designed plan for the coming year, an NFL team should have their initial player evaluations crafted by early February. Without this 'cheat sheet' in hand by mid-March, the team could jeopardize their ability to execute on a well-designed plan. During this time, most NFL coaches will also look to informally chat with some of the best college prospects via phone and/or in person at various collegiate year-end events. Finally, if the team plans to make a significant change in philosophy (e.g. implement a new offensive or defensive scheme), the staff usually designs the new process map at this point. This may include modifying the playbook and/or exploring new schemes.

February/March
This is the time most NFL coaching staffs will really firm up their player evaluations. It's time to interview and evaluate new talent. This includes rookies as well as veteran free agents. To get a better read on the rookies, all teams take a trip to the NFL Combine. This takes place in mid-February. At the combine, over a 3-5 day period, the coaching staff will interview and watch the best college players perform drills designed to measure athletic skill in various areas including speed, power and coordination. After taking in all the information and watching tapes, the staff is tasked with firming up their player ratings. From these evaluations, the coaching staff and senior team officials begin to formulate their draft day rankings and strategies. In addition to the college player ratings, the Head Coach and his direct staff will often invite select free agents to their practice facility. Like the more formal combine, the free agent visit provides the staff an opportunity to interview and evaluate. Often, these free agent visits continue well into March. However, if a good NFL free agent signs, it often happens in March or very early in April. So, March is typically a busy month on the NFL Waiver Wire. In addition, many NFL Head Coaches travel to the NFL owners meeting in March. If a Head Coach has a special-need player on the current roster, they'll usually really make it a point to see how that player is doing with their off-season workout program in late March.

April
If a Coach has any doubts about a college prospect, they'll usually visit that player for a customized workout program in early April. Likewise is a desired free agent is still available, they may invite the player in for an interview. In addition, in early April the Head Coach usually starts to implement his off-season training programs. At this point, the Head Coach must direct his staff and be sure they are setting up coordinated mini-workouts with appropriate veteran players. Here, the coaching staff is looking to modify player techniques and/or improve on a given player weaknesses. While this is happening, the Head Coach is usually intimately involved with finalizing all plans for the fast approaching NFL Draft. Come the third week of April, the Head Coach takes part in the NFL Draft. The NFL Draft is a weekend long marathon event covering almost the entire weekend. To finish the month, the Head Coach will usually begin to prepare for the upcoming mini-camps. Often, this includes reviewing training materials, considering new plays and/or new system outlooks.

May
In May, the Head Coach should have his detailed schedule ready for Training Camp. Training Camp starts in late July. In addition, the coaching staff usually runs one or more mini-camp sessions in early May. During mini-camp, the coaching staff has another chance to evaluate veteran players and their newly drafted rookies as well. In addition, the staff begins orientation for all new players. For the rookies, this can be a very intense time. The difference between an NFL scheme and a college scheme is often significant. Mini-camp sessions can include workouts, field and classroom activity. Late May often gives most coaching staffs a good opportunity to fully firm up the playbook and various internal staffing responsibilities. Finally, this time of year provides for competitive analysis and external inspection.

June/July
The coaching staff starts the June timeframe by spending time with a number of un-drafted rookie free agents, drafted rookies and many veteran players. During this time, the coaching staff is really looking to identify potential college free agents. This period of time requires the coaching staff to really become mentors and teachers. Most of the coaching staff is involved with scheme review and other teaching activity. At the start of July, the pressure is on to finalize team preparations for the coming Training Camp. Here the Head Coach will review goals, player evaluations and finalize classroom materials with the aid of his staff. In addition, the Head Coach may get in the middle of messy rookie and/or veteran contract negotiations. By mid-July the Head Coach should have his team mentally ready for Training Camp. Most teams fully start Training Camp in late July.

August 
Come August, Training Camp is in full swing. Training Camp officially signals the end of the NFL's 'off-season.'