JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone isn't interested in copying last year's blueprint for organized team activities (OTAs).
While the previous strategy eventually led to a run to the AFC Championship Game, Marrone wanted to improve the OTAs plan in his second offseason at the helm. Complacency is something Marrone clearly wants to avoid, both in his team's locker room and within his coaching staff.
Marrone isn't banking on last year's accomplishments. He doesn't view those previous successes as a predictable launching pad for his returning players.
"We started from Day 1 [of this offseason program] and never assumed that our players would pick up where they left off," Marrone said during his first OTAs press conference with reporters on Tuesday.
"For us, it has been a couple weeks. We have been meeting with the players and what they are going through today is not anything new for them as far as schematics. What is going to be new today is practice, setting our standards and things of that nature. That is really for the whole team because we have not done that in such a long period of time.”
The Jaguars will look to establish a new standard for practice during the team's 10 OTA workouts. The squad's initial session ran smoothly, which is a good sign for a team that is looking to improve upon its previous output.
The coaching staff is staying true to its established identity but is also looking to take advantage of the new talent that was added during the offseason. Instead of sticking with the play calls that worked for recently departed players like Marcedes Lewis, Allen Hurns and Aaron Colvin, the staff is adjusting its scheme to fit the strengths of its current roster.
"We are going to try some things and that’s what it is for from a schematic standpoint, to see some things that we thought could help us," Marrone said.
"There are some things that are maybe to fit better with the skillset of some of the players that we have. We’re just trying to see what they can handle and what they can do."
Along with adjusting the schematics, the coaching staff has updated its practice methods. Improvements are being made to last year's program in hopes of finding a more successful return during the season.
"As far as the practice and the way the practices are rolled out, we tweaked some things that we went back and looked at last year and said, ‘Did we really get what we wanted out of this? Well, let’s change this,’" Marrone said. "As far as the structure of the periods and everything, that will remain the same.”
Marrone is hoping his players find a comfort and consistency through their work during OTAs. Finding a rhythm will help the team as it looks to have a strong training camp during the summer.
"To see them get better," Marrone said. "Meaning to see the habits form where you do not have to constantly be reminded to go to the ball, to run to the football. Mistakes, we know that they are going to occur, but that they become limited as you go through it."
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.