As Mike Friday prepares to finally unleash the Dawgs of Chula Vista, at least in a well-controlled, domestic format, there are some thoughts to chew on.

Is the long layoff thanks to everyone being stuck in some kind of COVID doghouse in some chase-your-tail way a benefit to the players? With the USA pack being so dependent on some key players, could the shutdown be a case of let injured dogs lie?

Friday says no, at least not for this long. By now the players are chewing the throw pillows.

"No player has wanted this amount of time off," he barked. "And as a group we are not benefiting from it. We are keen to get back to doing what we do on the World stage and representing the USA rugby community in the way they should be. Hopefully this is the start of that road back to normality."

"This" being today (Friday December 4, 2020) and tomorrow (Noon and 3PM Pacific each day shown live here>>) in a series of scrimmages between a team called the Ridgebacks and a team called the Schnauzers. You don't need to be McGruff to figure out the theme.

USA Men's 7s Set For Intrasquad Clashes

The teams are a mixture of the Alphas, the want-to-be Alphas, and some pups given a run with the main pack. As such it's a chance for everyone to be seen by Friday. But the coach really just wants to unleash the players and see their tails wagging.

"We are looking to provide the players the opportunity to enjoy the game as it’s meant the played first and foremost," said Friday. "This is an opportunity for the younger guys to lead and be exposed to that responsibility and all that it brings in these unique steaming conditions, which is nothing but a positive learning experience. We know the younger players less experienced players have to 'get it wrong to get it right' but we also have to stress them under physical and mental fatigue."

That sounds a little harsh being that this is the first competition since March, and indeed there's more to this than a bit of snarling between the old dogs and the new. 

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"They have had to endure a lot these last eight months in terms of the uncertainty around COVID and [USA Rugby's] bankruptcy together with dealing with the disappointment of the postponement of The Olympics," said Friday.

Now ... before you say they don't deserve to be howling about this, because there are first responders risking their lives and people who have gone out of work because of COVID, realize first of all that many of these players nearly lost their jobs, too. USA Rugby's financial troubles put everyone—players and coaches—under a real threat of being left out in the cold. The Olympics thing is also a big deal—like many, they saw their dreams dashed, or at least put on hold. Yes some have it worse, but that doesn't mean they had it easy.

So we should just revel in the fact that the chain link fence has been knocked down for a couple of days, their tails are up, and they're on the scent.

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"I want to see smiles and the boys competitive edge clear to see," said Friday when asked if he wanted the players to hold back at all. "It’s important for their well-being to be able to express themselves in a full contact group of games and compete fully; 100% intensity is the aim as we all want to see the competitive nature and robustness throughout the squad. We do expect they will be rusty and have to adapt to the pace of a full contact match environment. I am hoping to see the technician and tactical sharpness to improve game on game."

And that's probably all wise counsel because these Dawgs want to run.

"They have all made great strides these last 11 weeks and are more than snapping at the heels of the experienced boys. The pack continue to grow its strength in depth with the gap in competition narrowing due to the younger players ambitions, development and work ethic to the challenge."

Thanks Mike, you got there in the end.