Tuesday was an important day in Mike LaFleur's coaching career.
For the first time since being named head coach, LaFleur stood in front of the meeting room and addressed the Cardinals in attendance as Day One of the voluntary strength and conditioning program began.
First impressions matter, and in Zaven Collins' eyes, the head coach stood out.
"It was awesome," Collins said. "He takes control of the room. He was a great leader today and guys were bought in. Guys were cheering, having a great time already, and it's day one."
The outside linebacker, who is the second-longest tenured Cardinals player behind Budda Baker, understands that a team won't win the Super Bowl on April 7. LaFleur, however, set the table for their identity.
It started with changes in the strength and conditioning room. Kyle Sammons was promoted as the lead guy in that room. Collins mentioned the adjustments made to both pre-workouts and and new sessions and added that explanations surrounding "the why" helps make them better.
In the meeting rooms, the focus shifts towards the basics of putting together a scheme.
Center Hjalte Froholdt said the basics during Phase One of the offseason program shouldn't be disregarded as less important -- even those as minute as executing the huddle.
"I think the whole point is that everything is a big deal," Froholdt said. "How about we just figure out how we get in the freaking huddle and we are all on the same page, because if the first group isn't on the same page, well then the rest of the people can't follow along. I think that's a big deal."
It harkened back to LaFleur's introductory press conference when he mentioned that "the worst play call is the late play call" and emphasized a clean huddle is a key factor to a clean operation.
The first day of the offseason program is similar to the first day of school. The returners all are excited to reunite, discussing offseason stories while also focusing on the tasks at hand. There is also a responsibility to integrate the new faces. Collins shared some friendly banter with new quarterback Gardner Minshew II about the Arizona heat.
"All of the new guys are super cool, super friendly," Collins said. "You can tell that they're bought into things that may be new to them."
What may be new to some, but not everyone, is Nick Rallis. The defensive coordinator was one of the staff members retained following LaFleur's arrival. The actual changes in the defense are still to be determined, but there is a clear passion to fix the wrongs from last season -- which Rallis made clear when he met with his players for the first time in 2026.
Asked if he could sense a chip on Rallis' shoulder, Collins leaned back in his chair. "Yeah," Collins said. "We'll just leave it at that."
Within the offensive line room, Froholdt said he could sense more confidence in the way second-year offensive line coach Justin Frye was working. It's a room that underwent a makeover this offseason. The team signed left guard Isaac Seumalo, right tackle Elijah Wilkinson, and added depth pieces with Oli Udoh and Matt Pryor. Another offensive lineman is a possibility during the draft as well.
Ultimately, there's only so much that can be done during the voluntary program. But shaping expectations has begun.
"The whole goal is to come here to win the Super Bowl," Froholdt said. "But in order to get there we've got to set the tone first and what the little things are."
