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Greetings, Darin, from the First Family of the Mailbag! Each of us has a question, but we're not expecting you to answer both in the same mailbag.
My question: I'm a retired college professor, so I'm curious about how practice is structured for learning, especially during training camp. What does an "installation" look like, and how is it different from a ""walk-through? Do position coaches devise drills for the specific players or player groups, or do they have a bunch of drills they've used over their careers? What does such a drill look like?
Laura's question: Almost every player who signs with the Panthers tells the press about how they are immediately welcomed and treated like they are part of a family. We hear some mentions of the coaching staff, but what does the rest of the staff do that seems to make such a strong impression?
Finally, from a college professor: GET BACK TO CLASS, ZACH! (Oh my, that felt good.) — Scott and Laura, Cheshire, MA
Not everyone gets multiple questions, but exceptions can be made for dignitaries. And naturally, Laura gets hers answered first.
The vibes are real, and begin with being genuine. When Canales talks to people, he's hyper-focused on them in a way that others aren't. Even his eye contact is intentional. But he also knows this is a relationship business, so his interest in the people he works with is about more than just being a good dude. And that's contagious. You see it throughout the staff, whether it's the perpetually upbeat Bernie Parmalee, or the high energy of a veteran like defensive line coach Todd Wash, or a newcomer like outside linebackers coach AC Carter. Canales was looking for particular traits in the people he hired, so it's natural that there are some similarities among them.
And they tend to get along. The coaches are playing golf together this weekend, on their last free weekend before the long campaign ahead of them. It might seem like a small thing, but the people you choose to be around away from the office are obviously priorities in your life.
As for the particulars of installation, they teach in a very precise way. As offensive coordinator Brad Idzik described it, the process goes through a number of steps.
When they're introducing new material, they'll give it to the players on their tablet computers beforehand, then install it in a meeting. The expectation to have studied it in advance is made clear. The walk-through is generally the first time they put it together on grass, where players line up and go through the motions of the play at less than game speed (hence the name).
In terms of individual drills, coaches usually bring their own. Some are hands-on, some stand back and yell instructions, some are bouncing from spot to spot to give individual attention. When Carter was working with rookie pass-rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen this spring, he'd put his hands on their shoulders and have them lean their weight into him to emphasize the need to stay low coming out of their stance. Offensive line coach Joe Gilbert will use a volleyball or sandbags to show his guys where he wants their hands to be. Everybody's a little different, but as long as they're teaching the same techniques, the teaching methods can vary.
Kind of like the tough love we all use on Zach. I'm sure wherever he is, he needs to hear it.