NFL lockout: Will Joel Gamble and Other Practice Squad Players Have an Edge? By Barry Barnes

Driving on route 32 to Sykesville, Md., NFL tight end Joel Gamble was venturing to Frostburg University for a private workout.  Like many players, he is anticipating the lockout to be over any day now and preparing his body for the upcoming 2011 season.

When the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is signed, ending the lockout that has spanned over a hundred days, the signing of free agent players will begin immediately.

Veteran free agents, rookies and undrafted rookies will be reporting to training camps all across the league, with a group of players yet to be recognized – the practice squad individuals.

Gamble represents the many players who were on NFL squads last season:  breaking a sweat during the week with their fellow mates while being their cheerleaders on Sunday.  Gamble, a Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania graduate, currently faces the same question that has haunted him, and others, day after day – will a team commit to him and offer a deal?

Some veteran players will re-sign with their previous club, while many will sign with another.  Rookies and undrafted free agents will be signing new deals altogether.  Unlike the veterans who will re-sign, the rest of the free agent players will have to learn a new system at an incredibly quick pace because of the lockout.  This may open the door of discouragement for many athletes.

However, free agent players who were a part of a team’s practice squad last season, like Gamble, may have an edge on  a new player because they are familiar with the team and in most cases (and most importantly) know the playbook.

This is the hope that Gamble has in his heart.

“Actually, it (the lockout) kinda gives me hope, actually,” said Gamble via phone with excitement.  “I’m thinking somebody is out there feeling down about the lockout and players may not be working as hard.  Normally, around this time of the year, players are working out at their team’s facilities, but due to the lockout, they can’t.

“So I feel as though it’s given me the momentum to get ahead of some of those guys, which I’m confident about.”

After Gamble graduated from Shippensburg (better known as Ship), he went undrafted in 2005 and landed in the Arena Football League (AFL) circuit where he played for the Tennessee Valley Vipers, Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz and Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings.

However, it was not until his stint with the American Indoor Football Association’s (AIFA) D.C. Armor (before the franchise folded) that Gamble’s dream came true.  He played his way onto the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad in 2009.  Unfortunately, Gamble has not cracked a spot on a team’s active roster yet, but his hard work ethic landed him on the practice squads of the Cleveland Browns and the Tennessee Titans.

Gamble is confident that that same hard work will land him somewhere soon as he has tasted what the NFL has to offer and knows now what is expected from him.

“I’m just pushing hard and working as hard as I can, man,” said Gamble.  “I’m working twice a day, ever since I came back from the season with the Titans.  I’m still pushing and putting God first in my life, staying in good condition.

“Hopefully something will happen,” he continued.  “I’ve spoken to a few teams before the lockout and once the lockout is over, I’m sure, pretty positive, that God has plenty in store for me.  So I’m feeling optimistic about things.”

Gamble is a soft-handed catching, blocking tight end and his talents landed him an invitation to try-out for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League (UFL) from the brilliant-minded former NFL, now UFL, head coach Marty Schottenheimer.

As NFL defensive ends get quicker from the edges – and as clever as defensive schemes are – a solid, every-down tight end is desperately needed.  Gamble’s talents, especially his ability to block, are well suited for teams to counter offensively against today’s defensive attackers.

“I’m a complete tight end…I take pride in my blocking ability,” said Gamble.  “Tight ends are seen as bigger receivers, bigger targets going across the middle.  But being on the field on every play… my blocking ability will allow me to be on the field for running plays, being that every-down tight end like (Tony) Gonzalez and (Antonio) Gates who can block and catch the ball.

“Shannon Sharpe was about my size – 6’2”, 240 lbs. – when he played,” he continued.  “He was the ultimate.  His work ethic was phenomenal and he’s one of the players I look up to and try to mold my game as his.

“I want to be that guy when coaches say, ‘We can put Joel on passing plays. Teams know he can block, so keep him in and maybe throw him a play-action pass to throw off their defense.’”

Gamble has been working out with trainer Troy Jones, owner of Training Zone Sports (TZSports) in Eldersburg, MD, as they focus on speed and circuit training, conditioning and athletic workouts.

Gamble had the opportunity to work out with some of the Baltimore Ravens’ players this summer when he was invited by wide receiver Derrick Mason. He was excited to catch passes from quarterback Joe Flacco.

“It was a great experience working one-on-one with Mason on running routes and catching some passes from Flacco.  It was great working with a couple of guys from my hometown team,” said Gamble.

Gamble represents a large group of individuals who were on practice squads around the NFL last season and years before, just waiting for the day when a franchise commits to them.  When the lockout is over, a frenzy of transactions will take place unlike anything that has happened in the league, in terms of free agency.

Other than the free agent talent signed, who would have a better opportunity with their teams than the practice squad players of the previous NFL seasons?  Most will have already learned the playbook.

Honestly, no one.

During a regular NFL offseason, rookies (mainly lower draftees and undrafted free agents) need the entire summer to prove to a coaching staff that they belong in the league.  With this soon to be shortened off-season, rookies will have little time to impress coaching staffs that are less than patient.  Here’s where practice squad players come in. Gamble and others have an edge due to their previous experience and knowledge of the playbook.

“From being a part of a NFC East team in the Eagles, a AFC North team in the Browns and a AFC South team in the Titans, I very familiar with knowing and learning a team’s playbook because I know how to apply it,” said Gamble.  “I believe when I get that playbook in my hand, I will pick it up quickly and be ready to help a team to win.”