Thursday, 30 May 2013
By: Rick Gaille

As a coach, I always loved Spring Practice, whether in high school or at Tulane University.* It was a time for individual improvement, repetition and team cohesion.

You had the time to work on skills and techniques that you do not have during the regular season when installation of the game plan is paramount.* Without the necessity of game preparation, individual player development becomes the emphasis.

That is actually the objective of NFL Organized Team Activities or OTAs.* It was great to be back on the practice field, although only as an observer.* The Thursday OTA was held indoors due to threatening weather.* While it was great to be back on the field, it was different not to be hot and sweaty at practice.

Much of our attention was on the defense being installed by new Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan.* While much has been said about the switch to a 3-4, the biggest change is the energy and aggressiveness of the unit.* While that is always the mantra of any new DC (would anyone come in and say they are going to be more passive?), some of the ideas in practice reinforced this attitude.

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