Davante Adams, a veteran wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, is part of a growing trend in the NFL that prioritizes strategic rest over the traditional, all-encompassing training camp grind. At 33 years old and entering his 13th NFL season, Adams, along with other Rams veterans, has been given scheduled rest days during the team's training camp at Loyola Marymount University. This approach contrasts sharply with the older generation of football players who believed training camp was a crucible designed to break down players and identify the strongest.
Adams expressed his belief that separating talent from lesser players doesn't require excessive physical punishment. "Training camp is not supposed to come out here and tear your body down to separate the boys from the men," Adams stated. "That's the old school way of doing things. There are ways of separating the boys from the men, but I don't think it's through just trying to callous us coming out here and killing us on the field."
Despite his views, Adams admitted his own ingrained work ethic, noting it took him 12 seasons to even have an off-day. His dedication has yielded significant accolades, including six Pro-Bowl selections, three All-Pro honors, over 12,000 receiving yards, and 117 touchdowns, the most among active NFL players. However, Rams head coach Sean McVay recognizes the need to manage his veteran players, including Adams, to prevent them from overexerting themselves. "We've got to pull them back and protect them from [themselves] because they just want to work," McVay said.
Adams humorously described NFL seasons in terms of "dog years," suggesting that 13 seasons equate to 91 in human years, highlighting the cumulative toll the sport takes. Even at this perceived age, Adams continues to demonstrate elite performance, engaging in intense practice duels with the Rams' new All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. Their matchups are described as "iron sharpens iron," pushing both players to improve.
The Rams' strategy extends beyond Adams. Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett is also being managed due to lower-body soreness, having missed recent practices. McVay emphasized that there is no cause for concern, framing it as part of the team's effort to keep key players fresh for the upcoming season, which begins with a game in Melbourne, Australia.
McVay, entering his 10th season as head coach, has increasingly adopted a patient approach, understanding that his team's success hinges on its stars being at their peak in January, not August. "I'm getting more patient as I'm getting older," McVay admitted. This philosophy acknowledges that pushing players to their physical limits during training camp can be counterproductive, and that rest and recovery are as crucial as strain for maintaining performance. The Rams aim to have their most valuable players ready for the rigors of the regular season and playoffs, a modern evolution from older, more punishing training camp methods. Adams and Garrett are still pursuing a championship, and the Rams believe this strategic management of their veteran talent is key to achieving that goal.