| | By Doug Brien
Special to ESPN.com
Editor's note: What is life in an NFL training camp like? Kicker Doug Brien takes you inside the camp of the New Orleans Saints with his daily diary for ESPN.com.
Sunday, July 16
|  | | Doug Brien got new pants to comply with new team rules. |
THIBODAUX, La. -- Our first day of practice went well -- especially considering the heat index was over 105 degrees. It is not uncommon for the first few practices of training camp to look pretty sloppy. However, from my vantage point we looked fairly crisp for a first workout. I think the practices were good
for two reasons: we have already had about 30 practices during our "coaching
sessions" which helped us get in synch a little and the fact that those
practices were in New Orleans which allowed us to get used to the heat and
humidity.
Perhaps the biggest difference between this year's training camp and last
year's is the structure that coach Haslett has brought to the team. He has
rules, guidelines and procedures for everything. In addition, he is not
afraid to fine players for breaking his rules. Perhaps the policy he feels
strongest about is being on time. He always emphasizes what time an event
begins and that being even 30 seconds late is grounds for a fine. And the
fines are not cheap. It is $610 for being late to a meeting -- for your
first offense. That number grows for repeat offenders.
There are some other new policies. Last year about 80 percent of the players on
the team were riding golf carts around camp. This year, there are "no golf
carts, scooters, or other motorized vehicles allowed on premises." Rob
Kelly and Jared Tomich brought their motorized skateboards to camp this year
only to find out they would have to remain parked in the dorms. Another new
policy is that all players must wear thigh pads and kneepads in their pants
for practice. Now, I don't know if you have been paying attention, but
almost no one wears these pads during practice, or games for that matter. I
haven't worn them since college. In fact, the pockets on the inside of my
football pants that hold these pads had been removed from my pants
altogether. So, for our first full-padded practice, I had to get new pants
and carve up some thigh pads and kneepads into the smallest form possible so
that I was in compliance.
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By laying a very firm and clear set of guidelines, I believe a
message is being sent to the 2000 Saints: you can either do things our way
or leave. ” |
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Although some of these new rules will take a little getting used to, I think
they are necessary. With so many new faces on this team, perhaps coach
Haslett's and Randy Mueller's biggest challenge is to get everyone on the
same page. By laying a very firm and clear set of guidelines, I believe a
message is being sent to the 2000 Saints: you can either do things our way
or leave. Personally, I will live with their rules because I want to be a
part of the team that finally brings some respect to the New Orleans Saints
and I think this team has a good shot at doing that.
Material from kicking.com.
Visit Doug Brien's web site at http://www.kicking.com
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ALSO SEE
Doug's diary: Greetings from Thibodaux
NFL Training Camp 2000
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