The NFL coaching experience of Stan Parrish was obvious in his first spring season. He kept top performers like All-Mid-American Conference running back MiQuale Lewis out of the spring game, limiting the beating their bodies would take before the regular season.
That mentality has carried over into the preseason, to the liking of wide receiver Briggs Orsbon.
"Coach Parrish has made it more like an NFL camp," Orsbon said. "It's more player friendly and that's the thing I think a lot of the players enjoy."
The camp hasn't changed too much since Parrish spent the previous three seasons as Brady Hoke's offensive coordinator.
"It's got the same feel to it, because he's been coaching here a long time," senior safety Alex Knipp said.
Orsbon said Parrish is attempting to save the players' legs.
"I think we have done less conditioning than in the past," Orsbon said. "But every once in a while he'll surprise us with stuff during practice, just to try and keep us sharp."
The lightened load should help the Cardinals in the final three weeks of the season when they visit Mid-American Conference West rivals Northern Illinois University, Western Michigan University and play host Central Michigan University.With a new defensive coordinator, the defense is experiencing a greater change than the offense. Doug Graber is installing a 4-3 defense, which is still a work in progress.
"We've still got a long way to go," Knipp said. "We're still putting in defenses."The offense also has a new coordinator in Eddie Faulkner, but Parrish is still very active with the unit. During Tuesday's practice he could be found providing instruction to Kelly Page, his new quarterback.
As training camp becomes more preparation for the first game of the season, Sept. 3 against the University of North Texas, the team will fall back into typical game-day routines.
"Really it's not that big a change for us," Orsbon said. "With him being offensive coordinator to head coach it's not that big a change."
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