Offensive line sleds are gone, one-on-ones are limited and scripted periods can disappear as Saleh pushes the Titans toward practice that better resembles the game.
By PAUL KUHARSKY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When the Titans defensive line works on its own, it lifts sleds, corners around bags and smashes into dummies.
When the offensive line works, there are no extras to be found.
Olga and Bertha, giant heavy sleds that had to be hit just the right way to work, were designed partly by Bill Callahan. But Carmen Bricillo has retired them as well as a giant heavy hanging bag. He said they are stored away somewhere. There is a rumor they were sold the Falcons, where Callahan now coaches.
“The thing to me about having a sled really comes down to efficiency,” Bricillo said. “Where am I going to go? I’m usually in an area 30 yards by 30 yards. Where are you going to push the sled to do a group workup in that regard? If I have a one-man sled, I have 16 guys. We’re going to have 15 guys standing there and only one working? No. 1, it’s about efficiency. If I can get it done without it, I’ll do it without it.”
But the missing sleds also fit Robert Saleh’s larger philosophy. As often as possible, he wants football practice to look like football.
