Even though they're “voluntary”, the OTA's have become more important to NFL teams because coaches are using them to install their offensive plays as well as defensive fronts and coverages.
Utilizing the time properly allows them to get more detailed work done in training camp.
I've talked to you previously about how Reid has utilized that time over the years to put in game plans for his NFC East opponents. The Birds have gotten the best of this division for about a decade and one of the reasons has been Reid's ability to game plan for those teams.
They put in a game plan, run the plays to get it on tape, then look at it and study it to see what adjustments need to made. They continue to polish the game play and by the time the season gets here, they're very well prepared for those three NFC East teams.
This is one of the reasons why making coaching changes puts a team behind the eight ball. If you change coaches you're spending so much time putting in your new offense and new defense that you don't have the time to get into the detail of preparing for specific teams.
Most games are won and lost in the details. Now, more and more NFL coaches are utilizing the OTA's in the same manner as Reid.
For instance, Saints head coach Sean Payton, who has done a great job over the years of running his offense, is getting important work done in OTA's. After the Saints recent OTA's, Payton spoke to the local media.
“We could play a game today,” Payton told reporters. “All of our goal-line, short-yardage, two-minute, third down, red zone – all that stuff is in offensively and the kicking game. In training camp we’ll have a chance to go right from the beginning and obviously get more reps at it.”
Payton said about two thirds of the playbook had been installed during the offseason.
“The difference between now and training camp is that now you’re installing it and you may only get to rep a play three times, where in training camp you install it and you might get to rep it 13 times,” Payton said.
You can see how offensive-minded Payton is. He had better get that defense ready to play.
