Voluntary OTAs are typically more similar to a walkthrough as coaches install concepts in the early phases of the team building process, but Mike McCarthy has things running a little differently in Pittsburgh this year. Multiple reporters have already noticed a palpable change in the practice atmosphere.

“It’s been quite intense for an OTA in my book,” Mark Kaboly said Monday via 93.7 The Fan’s Morning Show.

The Fan’s Steelers reporter Jeff Hathhorn agrees.

“It’s been interesting to watch these guys go through drills and it’s been very regimented,” he said. “It’s been very orderly and timely and regimented so far.”

Some of that may have to do with the newness of it all. After two decades of doing things Mike Tomlin’s way, there was a level of comfort that came with the routine. Players knew how each day and week was going to function. Not that Tomlin’s routine was worse, but it was familiar. That can lead to complacency.

It’s also worth noting that McCarthy’s coaching staff is larger than Tomlin’s. Not including the strength and conditioning staff, there are 22 total coaches in Pittsburgh, up from 19 with Tomlin. There’s an assistant head coach, a senior offensive assistant, and even a chief of staff in Steve Scarnecchia. Part of Scarnecchia’s job is logistics and scheduling, so perhaps he had a hand in making practice as regimented as it currently is.

Is McCarthy setting an early precedent and putting his best foot forward with the team early? Mike Tomlin famously did that to prove himself in 2007 with one of the most grueling training camps the players had ever been through. Will McCarthy’s new model for practice carry over into training camp and the regular season?

“McCarthy doesn’t need to prove that. He has that resume,” Kaboly said. “I’ve been really impressed with how he’s run these practices. I’m just curious to see how the training camp goes now…You can’t really do that throughout the whole season or training camp I don’t think.”

Players and coaches will settle into the new routine with time, but already we’ve heard of some game-week changes during the season. There will be no more victory Mondays, and the Steelers will get right onto their next opponent after film review and meetings on Monday. That sounds like a schedule that will continue to be regimented with every minute accounted for.

McCarthy is running a tight ship in Pittsburgh, and so far, the early reviews have been positive.