The 2013 league year began on March 12, but not until this week were players and coaches allowed to "begin class", if you will, at One Arrowhead Drive.
So, when the doors opened on April 1, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had his lesson plans ready.
"You really want to start off with the base fundamentals of the philosophy of what you're going to establish with the team," coach Reid said.
"We focused in on that. Offensively and defensively and special teams-wise, coaches did the same thing there. We mainly went over philosophy for the offense; you talked about formations and motions and shifts and all the things, the protections, all the things that lead up to being able to put in the actual play."
Coach Reid's teaching and coaching philosophy stem from one goal.
"It's simple. You work to win. Whether it's on the field or off the field in life," said coach Reid.
"That's what we're here to do. So we're going to do that as a football team. You come to work, you come to work with a purpose and that's inevitably to win football games."
Finally allowed to come to work, the Chiefs players seemed to describe themselves as students.
"It's like the first day of school," Chiefs QB Alex Smith admitted.
"Guys are coming in enthusiastic, ready to go. That's what it's about now, putting in the time. Kind of the first day of all of this and to get in here together as a group for a workout in the weight room and in the meeting rooms, a little bit. It's the first day, so with the offense, you're just kind of learning the ABC's of it, the fundamentals and looking at that first, before you can do anything else."
Smith's new WR Dwayne Bowe agreed.
"Right now it's like the first day of school, (players) just wanting to be attentive and be smart about doing their work," Bowe said.
"It's still kind of new. I'm sure after a couple of weeks of the team being together, getting that continuity, it will be different, but right now it's the first day of school. Everybody is feeling each other out."
The guys on the defensive side of the ball also spoke about the change and new look of the team.
"Everything is different – new coaching staff, new regime, new system, new players," Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers admitted.
"It's good to put names to faces, coming out here just starting this chemistry and getting this thing turned around on the right path."
Joining Flowers in the Chiefs secondary is newly-acquired CB Dunta Robinson, who made the most of his first day with his teammates and coaches.
"I just wanted to see how things were run in the facilities and get to know the trainers, just get to know everybody that we're going to be working with throughout the year and that's what I did," Robinson said.
"We came in and got to work."
If all goes according to plan, the Chiefs work, including the offseason education and preparation, could have the team graduating to the playoffs in 2013 and beyond.
