New Orleans Saints
By Ross Jackson
Through the first four days of New Orleans Saints training camp, there have been many easy-to-spot changes at practices. The pace, the schedule and the focus on recovery have all included changes from previous years. Changes that players have been glowing about each and every day.
Those new procedures have been a big part of why head coach Kellen Moore has been the biggest story of camp. The quarterback battle rages on, adjustments in the offensive line take center stage as pads go on Monday and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s new scheme has his players buzzing. But Moore’s attention to detail has been second to none.
Efficient Practice Approach
Moore gets a lot done during practices. He’s been rotating three quarterbacks, Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough and Jake Haener amidst a quarterback battle. Usually doing so would cause one of those passers to see far fewer snaps than the others.
But because of the amount of work he manages to get into a one to one and a half hour window, there may be light days here and there for individuals, but the quarterbacks are seeing a lot of work.
During Sunday’s practice, while Rattler was doing red zone team drills with the first team, Moore had Shough on the parallel field running the same drills with another unit. That took the period from eight reps to 16 without adding time to the overall practice.
Common Sense Approach
Something like that might feel small, or like a “duh” moment, but Moore’s also the coach that has insisted on these changes, despite previous coaches having the opportunity to do so.
Moore’s innovation isn’t just about doing things differently. It’s been about doing things that work in a better, more productive way.
Linebackers coach Peter Sirmon framed it from the on-field perspective very well when he told LouisianaSports.Net in an exclusive interview, “I don’t think innovation means carelessness. I think innovation is a better way of playing tried and true techniques.”
That’s certainly been true of Moore.
Unique Approach to Recovery
Last year, then-interim head coach Darren Rizzi made waves with his installation of the “activation period,” which brought to light that the team didn’t stretch before practices. A good reminder that not everything that feels like common sense is obvious or understood.
This year, players are relieved by the approach to team health and player consideration.
“I will say that this is probably the best my body has felt day four into camp since high school,” center Erik McCoy said. “For a long time, I think (the team has) put a big emphasis on the recovery portion. Like right now, have a break until 1:30 (just over two hours later) and that’s for recovery.”
There’s nothing new about dedicated time to recovery and rehab or pre-hab. But clearly the way that Moore and his sports performance staff led by Ted Rath have emphasized those elements is paying off.
