"A lot of those drills were totally new to us," Mettenberger said. "After a few days of it, we didn't look as sloppy. He's trying to do a lot of drills in a short amount of time to get a bunch of guys reps. That's the best way to do it."
At one point, though, Cameron decided he was going too fast. He stopped practice and said, 'Take off your helmets, gather yourself and take a deep breath. Listen, you're going to mess up.'
But a few beats later, and they were back at it.
"I think that kind of put us all on the same level with him," Landry said. "He kind of understood the pressure that we're putting on ourselves for him, and he kind of gave us a chance to take a deep breath. We're not NFL players yet. Then, as practice went on, we gradually got better."
For many LSU players, the first days of Cameron brought back memories.
"It definitely was like the first day at LSU," Landry said. Or maybe the first day of school.
"It's about teaching," Cameron said on the LSU Radio Network last week. "Coaches are teachers. We try to teach them a system. You bring some expertise to the table. They've got to learn the material. They have to think that when they leave the table that they're better and can keep getting better."
It has not been easy and may not get easy for some time.
"We're starting a new offense," Mettenberger said. "It's tough right now. We really haven't get into the whole offense to even know the plays. It's completely new terminology. It's flip-flopped from last year."
LSU is learning a new language.
"The wording, the lingo of plays are different. The concepts are a little bit different," Landry said.
"Numbers mean totally different things," Mettenberger said. "Words mean a total different thing. But it's easier. It's more understandable. Guys aren't thinking as much."
There are also more reads for Mettenberger.
"I think it definitely fits Zach a lot better," Dickson said. "It's more of an offense that he can take control of. There are a lot more checks for him. I guess you could say it's Zach's offense."
There is clearly a new sheriff in town, and he is a yeller.
"Not a bad yeller," Dickson said. "I'd just say he's real enthusiastic. He's real demanding — real demanding. If you don't make that play in practice, he'll get on to you."
If not then, after he watches it on film the next dawn.
"He's real demanding," Dickson repeated. "He's real energetic. I'm excited. I mean, I love him as a coach."
There are more meetings with the entire offense and the coordinator as opposed to just position meetings.
"The meetings have changed," Dickson said. "The tempo's changed. I love it."
And so far, head coach Les Miles has stayed out of the way. Through the opening practices of spring, Miles has spent more time with the offensive line and with line coach Greg Studrawa, who also was offensive coordinator the previous two seasons, than with Cameron.
"I think it is going very good," Miles said. "It is fast paced, but it's under development. What has to happen is the offense has to accomplish it. It is a challenge to them, and I think they are really enjoying the challenge. They are recognizing that there are some real benefits to that style of play."
LSU's players like the taste of the NFL, even if it is fast food at the moment.
"It's not as hard now," Landry said. "We're getting more reps at it and getting better at it. It's one of those systems that is run in the NFL, so I feel like coach Cameron's system is going to get us ready for the NFL. We're doing a lot of different things offensively to mix it up. I just think some big things are coming forward from here."
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