Redefining Practice
Titans head coach Robert Saleh is eliminating traditional football drills such as sled workouts and one‑on‑one exercises, replacing them with practices that more closely resemble game‑day conditions.
The changes involve retiring heavy equipment including offensive‑line sleds designed by Bill Callahan, as well as large hanging bags that once occupied the training field.
Offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo explained that the removal of sleds is driven by efficiency concerns, noting that fewer drills lead to better team readiness and performance.
Saleh’s philosophy centers on making practice mirror actual gameplay, which has led the team to reduce scripted periods and one‑on‑one drills in favor of more group‑oriented workouts within a 30‑yard by 30‑yard area.
The ripple effect extends beyond Tennessee; former equipment designer Bill Callahan, who helped create the retired sleds, now coaches the Falcons, where the discarded gear may find a new home.
Long‑time Titans beat reporter Paul Kuharsky has chronicled the evolution of the team’s training methods for nearly three decades, providing context to the ongoing transformation.