There’s something refreshing about spring football, what with all the new faces and the game so far away, and there’s always something nuanced about new coaches as you get to know them. Erik Slaughter, whose surname seems just so ironic right now, and his way with defensive linemen ought to show you why, especially when compared to the methods of his predecessor.

“I’m a positive person,” Slaughter said. “I don’t like to be yelled at and degraded. I prefer a pat on the back. I’m going to push them hard to work hard, but I’m going to love them harder.”

You thought Kirelawich was old school? He was, for sure, but Slaughter is a throwback to a time most players ought to remember fondly, back when their game was just that.

“We’re going to be out there working every day, but there’s no rule in football that says we can’t have fun while we’re doing it,” Slaughter said. “I think guys perform better when they have confidence in what they’re doing.

“A confident football player is a fast football player and a fast football player makes plays. That’s the name of the game.”

P.S. Video isn’t my creation. We’ll get the spelling right soon.