The Ottawa Renegades' defence will have a different look this season.

Well, that's only partially true. It will have probably more different looks than you can count.

Giving the opposition offence something to think about with multiple sets and the ability to camouflage their intentions has been elevated to a fine art by the Renegades new defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry, the veteran CFL coach.

It is designed for a high-pressure, aggressive defence.

"I don't want you to get up and go get popcorn when the defence comes on the field," he said in the early days of training camp. "I want people to say, "honey, you cannot go and have a leak now because you've got to see these guys fly around the field."

MAXIMUM PRESSURE

When Etcheverry's pressure defence is on, it can be exciting to watch. It is designed to put maximum pressure on the quarterback and force him to get rid of the ball before he's ready.

"It demands 100% maximum effort from everybody on the field, every play," said Etcheverry, who has a reputation for being a tough taskmaster.

Renegades GM Eric Tillman hired Etcheverry during the off-season. Tillman thought Etcheverry and Renegades coach Joe Paopao hit it off when they were among the CFL types who got together for Tillman's wedding in November of 2002.

"I think that week was by far the most time they had spent together," Tillman said. "They got along real well that weekend."

Tillman likes Etcheverry's approach and his philosophy.

Said Tillman: "He's very adaptable in the sense if I said to him, 'Take seven guys from Row 3 in Section E,' he'd say, 'okay, I'll get them ready to play.'

"To reduce (his defence) to it's simplest form, the longer the ball is in the quarterback's hands, the greater the probability of bad things happening.

"Force the quarterback to make quick decisions because on this big field, if you let him hold the ball, even for the best of DBs, it's hard for them to hold up on this big field.

"Our personnel affords us the opportunity to be more aggressive. We're a lot more athletic on defence."

Etcheverry gives the players a lot of responsibility in the execution of the defence. He sets the parameters, then lets them read and react.

"He studies everything to extremes," said defensive assistant Jim Clark. "It's almost an automatic way to play once you get the basics. He lets the players make decisions the coaches usually make. Some of them looked a little wide-eyed at the beginning, but now they are fantastic with it."

Etcheverry leans on his players to help each other. Kelly Wiltshire, who played for Etcheverry in Toronto and has been shifted to safety from linebacker this season, and others, are helping spread the word.

Linemen Roger Dunbrack and Tim Fleiszer have also been helping teammates absorb Etcheverry's ideals. Wiltshire has particularly welcomed the new coach's arrival and the move to safety. He considers himself a defensive back first.

'CAN DO MY BEST'

"Where we actually line up for plays, unless you really understand football, you won't know the difference," he said. "I think I'm a good cover guy and I understand the game. I think this is where I can be my best.

"I'll tell you what, to my credit, I can play in any system and I said that to coach Paopao face-to-face. (This system) has been good to me. A lot of the guys are confused, they don't know how it's going to be be. I just tell them, 'be prepared and bring your thinking hats.'

"You've got to be excited about this. I am and I'm trying to spread the word."

It all comes down to this: Plan your bathroom breaks accordingly.