One day after the lockout was lifted, NFL players were trying to go back to work and do what they get paid for, playing football. But when New York Jets players showed up to their practice facilities Tuesday to train, they were met with a road block.
Brandon Moore, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Bart Scott, and Jerricho Cotchery all arrived to the Jets' headquarters bright and early hoping to work out on Tuesday morning, but as they entered they were told that they were indeed welcome, but they could not use the facilities without trainer or coach supervision. Neither team representative was available, according to The New York Times.
"It's kind of weird, kind of awkward, not to have access to the facility like we normally do," Moore said. "It was uncomfortable, like I shouldn't be there."
United States District Judge Susan Nelson ordered to lift the lockout on Monday, although many believe it to be temporary after owners vowed to appeal the decision.
The players that did show up said the employees weren't rude, but the building in general was unwelcoming and they all left soon after they arrived.
"Everything was shut off," Cotchery said. "The locker room is open, but as far as everything else, you can't do anything."
Ferguson believes his effort to work out on Tuesday should be counted toward his league-high $750,000 workout bonus. He must appear at 85 percent of offseason workouts to receive the bonus.
"Oh, most definitely, I made every opportunity to avail myself to work out. But at this time I wasn't afforded that opportunity," the offensive lineman said. "At the end of the day, we're trying to get the season started, and we want to make every effort to come in and do the things that we know will help team building and allow us to be successful."
Cotchery wanted to rehab his back injury from surgery he had in February.
"I'm a big cold tub guy and I hadn't been in a cold tub in a while," the wide receiver said. "I wanted to come in and hop in the cold tub. I'm disappointed I wasn't able to do that."
The other New York team had a better experience on Tuesday. Giants players who showed up were able to use their facilities like normal.
"I am going to come back as long as the door is open. There was no tension here," defensive end Chris Canty told reporters. "Coaches are excited to have guys back in the building."
The Giants seem to be alone in their smooth transition.
According to The Seattle Times, the Seahawks' team headquarters were locked, keeping their players out. It was also reported that Buffalo cornerback Leodis McKelvin was turned away at the gate and was told to wait for clearance from his coach on when to return.
"When I got into this game, I had security guards, when I got cut, that didn't let me in," Moore said. "You'd get released and your [access] code wouldn't work. But being under contract and coming to a place you come to every day … It's kind of weird not to have access to the facilities like you normally do.
"You can't speak to anybody and everybody is hiding out. Nobody is available and nobody is walking the halls, and nobody is there to be seen. It's awkward that it's come to this."
