Ultimately the judge of what makes sense will be in the season results. Lou had no shortage of pointing the finger a communication issues, guys not ready etc. Went through cycles of blaming/benching bona fide starting NFL players. Also, Murphy and Battle were buried on the depth chart week 1 of TC.
Defense in training camp had the world believing Burrow was washed up (right before a MVP caliber season). Defense played great in shared training camp practices by all reports. Interject game planning etc. They couldn't stop shit with any consistency during the entire season.
So maybe there is something to practicing with a purpose not just having extended field trips during OTAs?
The health of Burrow during TC has also been an early season factor.