COLUMBUS — Spring barely has sprung, and new Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel already has made it clear he is a stickler for details.

        Right down to the color-coded chart that shows designated areas of observation for the media, high school football coaches and assorted VIPs during spring drills, which opened Saturday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Facility.

        That reporters even can watch practice is a departure from the way previous coach John Cooper conducted business.

        For two years, the press has heard how embattled quarterback Steve Bellisari has been a brilliant practice player. Now reporters can witness that first-hand as well as chart the development of a young team that must replace its top four wideouts, its starting tailback, three-fourths of the starting defensive line, both starting cornerbacks and its record-setting place-kicker.

        “Coach Tressel and his staff give things a new taste. He is really hands-on, which is good for the team and keeps us disciplined and focused on what we have to do,” said fullback Jamar Martin, one of six returning starters on offense.

        At various times Saturday, Tressel actively coached the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. He ran with the quarterbacks and even lined up as a linebacker and defensive back.

        Tressel wasn't the only coach taking a hands-on approach. Ken Conaster, the special teams coordinator, began grappling with defensive tackle Mike Collins and linebacker Cie Grant for the ball during a fumble drill.

        How's this for paying attention to detail? Ohio State spent time during Saturday's practice on breaking the huddle and lining up properly — without running a play.

        “Efficiency is the key. We are only allowed so many days and we have to make sure we get all the possible reps we can,” said Tressel, who will oversee 14 more workouts leading up to the Scarlet and Gray Game at Crew Stadium on April 28. “It's a new system for them with a lot of new terms and numbers and new meanings. But communication becomes the key, and I think we made a step forward today in terms of communication.”

        Part of the communication process for Tressel has involved sitting down with center LeCharles Bentley and linemate Ty son Walter to discuss their feelings. Walter, who missed last season with a hip infection, sued Bentley in December over an alleged assault during a February 2000 team conditioning session.

        “I have verbalized privately to those guys that being a team is the most important thing,” said Tressel. “We can ill afford to let anything interfere with that.”

        Asked for a comment, Walter said, “If it's not about football, I'm not going to talk about it.”

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