It’s always said the NFL is a copycat league, and most of the time it involves the actual play on the field.
But that’s not the only things that are done, especially when coaches leave one organization for another. Thus, it’s no surprise what Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur has incorporated into the team’s practice regimen.
LaFleur was even able to upgrade the experience he had with the Los Angeles Rams and the screens used in practice to show replays as soon as a play concludes.
“It’s something that we had at the Rams that was extremely beneficial,” he said Tuesday. “It's going around the league now. Atlanta had them last year with Raheem Morris, who was in L.A. Minnesota has them. I'm telling all the secrets right now, but most people
know that a lot of us have those screens.”
LaFleur also explained that with the first few weeks of training camp being conducted in State Farm Stadium, the replays can be shown on a Jumbotron.
After the return to the Tempe facility in August, there will be smaller screens to get the job done.
LaFleur said, “We'll end up having two big screens out there. They won't be in the end zone because they're not going to be the Jumbotrons. I was joking that this is the first time I've ever had the Jumbotrons because I've never practiced in a stadium per se. So I was hoping that maybe (owner) Michael (Bidwill) would put up big old Jumbotrons over in Tempe. But in lieu, we'll end up having them on the side right there.”
Perhaps he can convince Bidwill to find a way to have a Jumbotron at the new practice facility being constructed in Scottsdale. But that’s a story for another day.
As for the positives of having the replays instantly available, he said, “There's so many benefits. You get to see it in real time and getting the coaching immediately; the immediate feedback, good or bad. That's what sticks with them, and so I tell all the coaches, you should be able to see practice live watching your guys, but there are a lot of things, particularly up front, O-line, D-line, stuff like that. So, be able to get two or three cracks at it before that next play; coach up your guys.
“And if we're doing it the right way, this should streamline and make our post-practice meetings as a staff go way quicker because we've already seen practice and we've seen the corrections. So, it's extremely beneficial.”
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals benefitting from instant replays of plays during practice
