The veterans appreciate it and the newcomers almost can’t believe it. But the connection that’s annually forged at training camp is as heartfelt as it is difficult to explain.
They can’t brawl every day, as they did in a high-profile, all-inclusive scuffle on Wednesday. But there’s a mentality, a camaraderie and a competitiveness that are fostered by such things, and that matters.
Our annual obsession with training camp is about to commence. And while the particulars are destined to be overblown, there’s a method to the madness that matters.
They need to add offense to maximize the opportunity at hand. But even if they don’t, and their history says they won’t, the postseason may yet be within reach.
They know they have to develop their next wave sooner rather than later. Development camp was an example of how hard they’re working to make it happen.