NFL players organizing their own workouts is sign of boredom

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick told reporters last week that he is planning to have an organized workout or two with his wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs, possibly as soon as this week.

"This time, we can do it our way," Vick said.

Well, there is a way to organize a workout, and then there is Mark Sanchez's way, and Vick would be wise to follow Sanchez's blueprint. It is, after all, the gold standard, and as we all know the Eagles are the NFL's gold standard, so nothing less should do.

Sanchez recently held a five-day passing camp with 14 of his New York Jets teammates in Southern California, where the quarterback lives in the offseason. Sanchez rented plush villas on the Pacific Ocean to house the players. He catered lunch every day from a local restaurant - including fish tacos - and had a truck on site from the famed West Coast hamburger joint In-N-Out Burger.

Every day, there was an optional morning workout with Sanchez's personal trainer, followed by a film session when the QB reviewed cut-ups from last season, and then an hourlong practice. Sanchez made up playbooks, provided Gatorade, had ice baths set up on site, and even had a postpractice "skills" competition that included a water-balloon toss. He gave away prizes, including a 65-inch 3D television, Meister watches and iPads. Everyone in attendance received sandals and gear.

Sanchez recruited sponsors and trainers. One night, he took the guys to see a Lakers playoff game. The camp even had a catchy name: Jets West.

Not surprisingly, most of the Jets' key offensive players attended, even free agent-to-be wide receiver Braylon Edwards, 40-year-old quarterback Mark Brunell, and veteran running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

"The teams that are doing it - it will get them a win or two next year," Tomlinson told the Newark Star-Ledger.

If there is a next year.

As the NFL lockout continues to drag on, player-organized practices are cropping up across the country. They really are sort of silly. Players typically eschew the post-draft minicamps that would normally be going on right now. The veterans don't want to be there, don't think they are all that helpful or necessary, and generally feel that there is more to be lost by way of injury than there is to be gained.