The New Orleans Saints held their first of ten Organized Team Activitiy (OTAs) practices Tuesday morning at the team's facility in Metairie.
Tuesday started with an early breakfast followed by a team meeting and offense, defense and special team meetings.
"We are so excited" said Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach Joe Vitt. "Our players have had a great offseason in the strength program up to this point. We are excited. They are excited. When you cross the white lines and you get into practice everything takes care of itself."
The OTA's consist of no live contact or one-on-one offense vs. defense drills. Special Teams drills are permitted with no live contact. Team offense vs. team defense drills (EX: 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills) are permitted.
"To finally get back on the field where we enjoy being is fun for us," said S Malcolm Jenkins. "We have a lot on our plate. We have a Super Bowl in New Orleans this year. We have a tough schedule and a lot of questions marks on who is going to be with us and who isn't. The biggest thing is guys are focusing on getting better, especially with the new scheme."
The Saints offseason program began the week of April 16-20. The program is nine consecutive weeks, to be completed over a ten-week period. Below is a summary of how the offseason program will unfold.
Phase One: Weeks 1-2 of Offseason Workout Program
*The first two weeks of a team's offseason workout program is limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only.
*Only full-time or part-time strength and conditioning coaches are permitted on the field during the workouts.
*Other coaches are not permitted on the field, and may not participate in or observe activities.
*No footballs, except quarterbacks may throw to uncovered receivers.
*No helmets
Phase Two: Weeks 3-5 of Offseason Workout Programs
*All coaches permitted on the field.
*Individual player instruction drills permitted.
*Special Teams drills permitted on a separate basis.
*No live contact.
*No team offense vs. team defense drills.
*No one-on-one offense vs. defense drills.
*No helmets.
Phase Three: Weeks 6-10 of Offseason Workout Programs (OTAs begin)
*All coaches permitted on the field
*10 Organized Team Activities (OTAs) permitted over this four-week period.
*Maximum of three OTA days during each of the first two weeks.
*Maximum of four OTA days during either week three or four, with mandatory veteran mini-camp to be held during other week.
*No live contact.
*No one-on-one offense vs. defense drills.
*Special Teams Drills permitted with no live contact.
*Team offense vs. team defense drills (EX: 7-on-7, 9-on-7, 11-on-11 drills) permitted, with no live contact.
*Team may require helmets, no shells permitted during this phase or any mini-camp.
Mini-Camps
Mandatory Mini-Camp
*One per club.
*Week three or four of phase three of the offseason program
*Counts as one of the nine offseason workout weeks
*Physicals on Monday; practices Tuesday through Thursday; day off on Friday.
*Offseason Phase Three rules govern on-field activity (helmets permitted; (no shells)
Mini-Camp Rules
*Two-a-day practices only allowed on two of the three mini-camp practice days.
*Maximum of three and one-half hours per day of on-field activities.
Time limit per practice is two and one-half hours
*Second practice may only be for the remaining portion of the daily three and one-half hour maximum and limited to walk-through instruction only.
*No organized team activities (including treatment and taping) prior to 7 am or after 8:30 pm.
*Players must be given at least one hour each for both lunch and dinner.
*Maximum of ten hours per day for Club activities (including taping and treatment but excluding meal time).
Rookie Mini-Camps
*No limit on number.
*During seven weeks of Rookie Football Development Program
*Not permitted on weekends; except for one three-day post-draft rookie mini-camp as follows:
-First or second weekend after Draft, at Club's selection.
-Friday through Sunday, or Saturday through Monday at Club's election.
*Maximum of 10 hours per day for Club activities.
