NFL OTAs

Another problem in the NFL is the so called voluntary meetings in the offseason. These offseason activites are "required" for all but the most established players and forgiving coaches. There should be a ban on such meetings until July 1 except for rookies and unsigned free agents.

It's voluntary, but you should be there

NFL coaches and players don't always agree on the importance of attending off-season practices
vol.un.tary adj. 1 proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent; 2 unconstrained by interference; 3 done by design or intention; 4 having power of free choice

Welcome to the NFL off-season, where coaches hand out playbooks but apparently hide the dictionaries.The people at Webster's would have a field day with the hand-wringing and furrowed brows management displays over players' absences from the so-called OTAs. That's short for organized team activities, which are voluntary and which the Bears wrapped up last week in advance of training camp beginning July 26 in Bourbonnais.

It may as well be code for official truancy accounting.