Sunday at the Post

QUOTE/STORY OF THE WEEK...

“I think the one thing that anybody can take from O.J. (Brigance) is really his approach to life on and off the field. We are at a time in our country where that might be lacking in a lot of areas. And certainly, having him around and being able to talk to those student athletes is very worthwhile because of the way he exhibits himself and the leadership he portrays. If we had more leaders like O.J. in this country, our country would probably be in a better place.” -- Matthew Sign, former Rice teammate of O.J. Brigance

Longtime Baltimore Ravens fixture O.J. Brigance, who turns 40 years old on Tuesday, is currently fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Brigance has fought this deadly disease with the same tenacity and spirit he used to cover kicks in the NFL. He has never felt sorry for himself, but he’s done the noblest thing any human can do — he has tried to help others at a time in his life when he needs the help.

APO.J. Brigance

Aristotle once said, “Excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.” Brigance is brave as he stares into the abyss; instead of giving in, he gives back. He gives back to those who can use his help, those who can use his wisdom and, most of all, those who can use his courage. He is a true American hero.

“Don't look at me any differently. Don't feel sorry for me. I'm still here. I'm still one of you.” – O.J. Brigance

Happy birthday, O.J. A toast to a very noble man!

“As a child, he demonstrated a great deal of persistence and a strong will. Some of it wound up getting him some spankings, but through it all, any time there was a challenge maybe he couldn’t do, he’d just circle the wagons, focus and go after it. That’s his life outside of football as well. Football has been his focus, but it hasn’t necessarily made him the man he is today -- a mentor and a leader.” -- Marcus Brigance, O.J.’s father.

Join the Brigance Brigade

AROUND THE NFL...

“Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake.” -- Napoleon Bonaparte

APChiefs head coach Todd Haley

1. Is trouble brewing in Kansas City? Head coach Todd Haley clearly has not come to the defense on his starting quarterback, Matt Cassel. Here’s what Haley said: “You’ve got to ultimately do what you think gives your team the best chance to win. If that means another quarterback being in there other than Matt Cassel, then sign me up.” Ouch.

That’s not an endorsement for a player they traded for and gave a huge deal to. Cassel has been injured, and the fact the Chiefs might be the slowest NFL offense in the league doesn’t make his job of producing points very easy. For various reasons, there aren’t many happy people inside the walls of the Chiefs’ facility, and maybe a win will cure this problem. But I doubt it.

2. From SF Gate… “Rich Gannon is not welcome here,” Raiders executive John Herrera said Friday when asked about the ban. “We told CBS we did not want him in our building, we did not want him to be part of our production meeting, and that's where it sits.” Since Herrera made a fool of himself with his comments, the Raiders had to allow Gannon access, per NFL rules. Now, Raiders loyalists who bash me on this site, explain how this can happen.

They should put a statue of Gannon in front of the Raiders facility because since the team’s return to Oakland in 1995, they are 93-132 (45 of those 93 wins came with Gannon at quarterback). Since 1990, the Raiders have made the playoffs six times, and three of those times came with Gannon leading the team. Before Gannon led the team to the Super Bowl in the 2002 season, the Raiders’ previous appearance in the championship game was 1983, some 26 years ago. Rich Gannon was a great player and is a great person. This is ridiculous, but it’s typical of the Raiders.

APDeMarcus Ware

3. Last week, DeMarcus Ware was singled-blocked 22 times in the game against the Giants and was unable to record a sack. Has something happened to Ware or is the lack of a legitimate rusher on the other side affecting his game? From the people I’ve talked to in the NFL, losing Greg Ellis has hurt Ware because Anthony Spencer has not been very effective.

4. This week, Seneca Wallace gets the start at quarterback for the Seahawks. His record as a starter is 5-7, which begs the question: Why didn’t the Seahawks draft Mark Sanchez at No 4, knowing that starter Matt Hasselbeck hasn’t been able to play all 16 games in three of the past four years? The Browns and the Rams are going to be asking themselves the same question all season.

5. I’m a big believer in first-half point differential, but I also believe in the theory of adding completed passes to rushing attempts -- and whichever team has the advantage usually wins the game. For example, in the Bengals-Packers game last week, the Bengals had 15 completions and 34 rushing attempts for a combined total of 49. The Packers had 18 rushing attempts and 21 completions for a total of 39. The Bengals won the game. But the most bizarre combination of the week occurred in Miami on Monday night when the Fins had a 71-25 advantage and still lost. Amazing.

MY VIEW OF THE GAMES, PLUS NOTES AND WEATHER...

“I don't know the Key to Success. But the Key to Failure is Trying To Please Everybody” -- Bill Cosby

Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions

Indoor game. Outside, partly cloudy with a 20-percent chance of rain and highs in the mid-70s.

The Redskins have lost seven of their last 10 games and four consecutive road games. They’ve been held to 20 points or less in nine of their last 10 games. Where’s the offense?

APUpset Alert in Detroit on Sunday. Can Campbell and the 'Skins get out with a win?

Chad Rinehart, a third-round pick in 2008, will make his first start at right guard and will have his hands full with Lions rookie defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill. Hill has been very impressive, and the Lions’ defensive front is showing improvement.

The ‘Skins lack big-time playmakers on the outside once the opponent takes Santana Moss away from their offense. Percent of completion is not relevant for the Skins; they need big plays to score. Jason Campbell has completed 68.9 percent of his passes this season. Moss has just five receptions for 41 yards.

The Lions are doing everything in their power to make Matthew Stafford comfortable in the game as they are 57 percent run in the first half and lead the NFL in this area.

The Lions just cannot make big plays down the field; they are the worst team in the league in plays of 10 or more yards and passing first downs. They need to make at least three today. If they can protect, they will make them.

The ‘Skins will need to create turnovers; they must get an extra possession in the game. Even with Albert Haynesworth, they are still not able to get sacks.

The Lions have lost nine straight home games and allowed 24-plus points in 21 of their last 24 games. Lions opponents have completed 80.6 percent of their passes this season.

Green Bay Packers at St. Louis Rams

 Indoor game. Outside, sunny with highs in the upper 70s.

Aaron Rodgers has been sacked a league-high 10 times this season. That’s the most a Packers team has allowed through the first two games since 1992 when they allowed 12 in Brett Favre’s first year with the team.

APThe Packers have to keep Rodgers off his back.

Steven Jackson has 241 rushing yards and one touchdown in his last two games vs. the Packers. Jackson has 100-plus rush yards in three of his last four games.

The Packers’ defensive front is too strong for the Rams’ offensive line. The Rams have a hard time when they deal with power and quickness, and the Packers have both.

The Packers need to create problems on defense, especially on third down. The Rams are the worst team in the NFL in converting 3rd-and-6 or more. They’ll need to be careful to not turn the ball over on third down.

The Packers lead the NFL in dropped passes. Add that to the fact they’ve been sacked too often, and it makes becoming consistent on offense very difficult.

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings

Indoor game. Outside, mostly sunny with highs around 70 and winds more than 20 mph.

The 49ers and Vikings are two of four NFL teams with only one turnover this season and two of five teams without an INT.

APWill Singletary's 49ers be 3-0 after they leave Minnesota?

The 49ers have yet to allow a point in the first quarter this season. They have outrushed their opponents 277-106 and are giving up only 2.7 yards per rush. This is key -- the 49ers must play with the lead if they want to operate their offense in this style.

Crowd noise always makes it hard to run the ball on the road. The last time the 49ers played on the road, they averaged less than one yard per rush.

The 49ers have been the best team in the NFL in goal-to-go situations, which is critical for the style they want to play. They are the 31st-ranked team in three-and-outs. The 49ers are either hit or miss.

The 49ers have been very effective in defending third-and-less-than-four, and when you play a team like Minnesota, this is the critical down. The 49ers are the fourth-best team in the NFL in this area.

The right side of the Vikings’ offensive line has been ineffective all year. The 49ers’ Isaac Sopoaga has been playing the best football of his career and will be matched on that side.

The Vikings are the 30th team in the NFL in three-and-outs on offense. The 49ers are the best team in not allowing first downs passing, and this has come from playing two good passing teams in Seattle and Arizona.

The Vikings will have to make plays in the passing game to win the game -- they can’t expect to run and win. This is the best defense they will have faced all year.

The Vikings have five takeaways this season and a plus-4 turnover differential. The Vikings have outscored opponents 44-10 in the second half, including 24-0 in the third quarter. If they don’t get the lead in this game, it will be hard for them to come back on the 49ers.

Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots

Showers are possible, with a 40-percent chance of rain, while winds are expected to be 13 mph. Highs should be in the mid-60s.

APWill Matty Ice get the Falcons out of Foxboro with a W?

The Falcons want to play with the lead and must control the tempo of the game. This defense is not built to play total football for four quarters -- it must use its speed and athletic talent to create negative plays. The Falcons cannot take away the run from their talent level, but they can when they gain the lead.

The Falcons have outscored their opponents 31-13 in the first half this season and are 13-1 under head coach Mike Smith when leading at halftime.

Whether Randy Moss or Wes Welker play, I’m not sure the Falcons can match the Patriots’ wideouts. Julian Edelman is really a good player and will be even better this week.

The Patriots must handle John Abraham and not allow him to beat them off the edge. His ability to rush and disrupt creates problems for the Patriots. Since 2000, Abraham has had nine sacks against the Patriots in ten games.

The Patriots must disrupt the timing of the Falcons’ passing game and can’t allow Tony Gonzalez to have free access into his routes. They must jam, reroute and disrupt this passing game.

The Patriots’ offense has just three plays of 20 or more yards this season (tied for fewest in the NFL). They must also limit their third downs (fewer than 12 today). They’re bad on 3rd-and-four or less, ranking 24th in the NFL. They must make chunks of yards on drives.

The Patriots are second in the NFL in 10-play drives, which is further evidence they have not made big plays.

The Falcons are a unique blitz team and will always have a new blitz for the Patriots’ protections. They have to find a way to make disruptive plays.

The Patriots must convert in the red zone. Last year, they were the 14th-best team in red zone offense; this year, they’re 26th. They must convert their chances into touchdowns.

Tennessee Titans at New York Jets

There's a 40 percent chance of rain, so showers are possible. Highs are expected in the mid-70s, and there could be winds reaching 11 mph.

Titans Pass Defense
LAST 2 SEASONS

                         2008             2009
Comp Pct.          59.5             70.7
Pass YPG         199.8            339.0<<
TD-INT              12-20              5-2
Passer Rating     69.1            107.8

The Titans have allowed 58 completions in two games ranking 31st in the NFL. Right now, they’re not good playing zone or man to man. They must find something they do well.

APJohnson's speed could be the difference-maker on Sunday.

The Titans have allowed too many big plays of over 20 yards this year. They have allowed 10, ranking 27th in the NFL. The Jets have given up only two.

The Jets don’t have the wide receivers who can make a difference against the Titans’ corners. This matchup favors the Titans for the first time all season.

Titans are all about their defensive front. For them to win today, their defensive line must dominate the game, especially Jason Jones.

Chris Johnson is the X-factor in the game. If the Titans catch the Jets in one of those overload pressures, Johnson might hit a home run. His receiving yards will be critical today.

The Titans are one of the best protection teams in the NFL and they will be able to scheme the protections well. But can Kerry Collins react fast enough to make the throws?

Jeff Fisher knows the Buddy Ryan pressure package as well as anyone in the NFL, having played for Ryan and coached for him. He’ll have his team ready.

No rookie QB in the NFL has ever started and won his team’s first three games of the season. But what makes Mark Sanchez success so remarkable is that the Jets are the worst team in the NFL in gaining four or more yards on first down. He’s been able to make plays in spite of being down in the count.

Mark Sanchez
THIRD-DOWN PASSING, THIS SEASON

Comp-Att.         17-23
Pass Yds            228
TD-INT                1-0
Passer Rating    119.5<<
Yds per Att.          9.9
Sacks                   1

Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles

Showers are in the forecast (a 40-percent chance for rain) with 10-mph winds. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-70s.

The Chiefs are 30th in the NFL on third downs this season (7 of 25, 28 percent). Do you think they miss Tony Gonzalez?

APHow many snaps will Vick get in Week 3?

The Chiefs had at least one first down on their first 10 drives last week against the Raiders but committed nine penalties for 70 yards.

The Birds are 25th in the NFL in handling the blitz, and when they blitzed last week against the Saints, the Eagles’ offense suffered. Expect the Chiefs to bring the heat from the first play to the last and make Kevin Kolb prove he can make tight throws.

If Brian Westbrook is not able to go, this will greatly affect the Eagles’ ability to pass protect, as LeSean McCoy is very suspect in protecting. The Eagles will need to be careful here.

The Chiefs are the slowest offense in the NFL. They have no playmakers. It will be hard for them to make big plays against the Eagles.

Expect more wildcat from the Eagles this week with Kevin Kolb gaining his second start. The Eagles must find ways to control the Chiefs’ pressure package.

Eagles Wildcat Offense
WEEK 2 vs. SAINTS

Plays                  9<<
Rush Att.            7
Rush Yds          45
Comp-Att.         0-2

>>Plays at QB: D. Jackson 4, B. Westbrook 3, J. Maclin 2

Expect the passing element of the wildcat to come out as Michael Vick returns.

New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

At best this one will be hot and sticky, with scattered thunderstorms in the area -- a 40 percent chance of rain -- and highs in the upper 80s. Wind is not expected to be a factor.

Heat and humidity will affect the game and challenge the depth of the Giants.

The Bucs want to be able to play a seven-man front, and if they do, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will have huge games.

APAhmad Bradshaw

The Buccaneers have been outscored by their opponents 23-0 in the first quarter this season. Their defense has allowed 7.5 yards per play (worst in NFL). They can’t get behind and expect to win.

The Giants wide receivers have been able to make great strides running with the ball after the catch. The Bucs’ secondary is ranked 25th in the NFL in allowing yards after catch.

The Bucs must find a way to pressure Manning. If they can’t get to him, they’ll get torched in the secondary.

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

A few showers will be in the area, putting the chance of rain at 30 percent. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper-70s with the winds pegged at 10 mph.

The Browns have lost eight straight games and four straight road games.

The Browns have scored one offensive TD in their last eight games. Their offense ranks last in the NFL in third-down conversions (6-26, 23.1 percent). Hard to score when you don’t keep the ball.

APCan Quinn get the Browns on the board?

Brady Quinn has his eye level down and is holding the ball as he waits for someone to break open. He’ll need to speed up his game today. The Browns are 31st in the league in sacks allowed, and three of their nine sacks have occurred on first down.

The Browns were 31st in total offense last year, and through two games this year, they rank last in the NFL in total offense (234.0 YPG, exactly half of the Saints’ NFL-leading average of 468.0 YPG).

The Browns have only three pass plays over 20 yards for the season and they cannot run the ball effectively. Hard to score with no run game and no ability to make big plays.

The Ravens are the best team in the NFL in combining completions and rushing attempts. This offense is now multi-dimensional.

The Browns have been outrushed 411-143 this season and are allowing 5.6 yards per rush. They have to scheme to shut down teams, and once halftime adjustments are made, the talent level is not able to make plays. The Browns lack talent on both sides of the ball.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans

There's a good chance the roof will be closed for this one. Isolated thunderstorms are expected to be in the area, and temperatures are expected to be in the upper 80s.

The Jaguars have lost their last four road games and are 2-5 all-time at Houston (lost last three games at Houston). The Jaguars have yet to score a first-half TD and have been outscored 31-9 in the first half this season.

APJack Del Rio

Jack Del Rio is 5-7 career against the Texans. The Jaguars have lost four in a row and 14 of their last 19.

For the Jags to win the game, they must be able to effectively run the ball. Maurice Jones-Drew has four rushing touchdowns and 5.4 yards per rush in five career games against the Texans.

Matt Schaub is 0-2 career against the Jaguars as a starter but does have 566 pass yards, 3 TDs, INT in those two games. Schaub is 4-1 in his last 5 home starts with 8 TD, INT, 107.5 passer rating.

Jacksonville can’t get a pass rush and only has one sack in two games. Wonder why they struggle to defend the pass?

New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills

Showers in the forecast put the chance of rain at 40 percent, with highs in the upper 60s. Winds could be a factor, too, at 14 mph.

Drew Brees has two or more pass TDs in eight consecutive games and has 25 passing TDs in his last eight games.

APCan Thomas come back and keep the ground game humming?

The Saints have been able to make plays on defense this year -- seven takeaways and six INTs. They are best when they can play with the lead and take chances on defense.

Mike Bell gives the Saints the power in their run game they so badly needed last year. Bell has 5.1 yards per rush this season; Reggie Bush has just 2.8 yards per rush. Bush is a specialty player, not a running back.

The Bills must play this game in the same style they played the Patriots. Expect the Saints to move the ball but be able to play well in the red zone.

If the Bills can protect they will throw the ball well today. But with two young players at tackle, it will be hard to be consistent in protection. The Bills start two rookie offensive linemen (Eric Wood and Andy Levitre) and a second-year left tackle (Demetrius Bell) who had never started a game prior to this season. The Bills will have another new starting offensive lineman after placing RT Brad Butler on IR with a knee injury (Jonathan Scott will start at RT and has started six games in four NFL seasons).

Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks

Sunny, highs around 70 degrees. Winds expected to be 5 mph.

The Bears have lost three straight road games and have lost nine of their last 12 road games.

This year, their top three reception leaders are all WRs: Earl Bennett (nine receptions), Johnny Knox (eight) and Devin Hester (eight). Knox leads all rookies with 152 receiving yards.

APCutler looks to keep the wins coming as the Bears head to Seattle.

The Bears have eight pass plays of 20 or more yards this season (tied for fourth in the NFL). Now that they can make big plays in the passing game, it will open up the run.

The Bears must be able to control Patrick Kerney off the edge. The Bears can throw the ball if they can handle the crowd noise and the Seattle edge rushers. The Seahawks defense has seven sacks and has not allowed a passing TD.

Expect more Bears RB Matt Forte today. The Bears need to slow down the rush of the Seattle.

The Seahawks will need to protect Seneca Wallace as the Bears are very effective getting up the field. The Bears can win on the edges and must keep Wallace from running around. Wallace is the biggest running threat the Bears face.

When does Hester make a play in the kicking game? Soon, I bet.

Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers

Sunny and warm, with highs in the upper 80s. Winds are expected to be at 7 mph.

Chad Pennington has been sacked six times with 62 pass attempts this season. He must be able to make a big play passing without having to resort to the wildcat.

The Dolphins and Cowboys are the only teams this season without a takeaway, and the Dolphins are tied for last in the NFL with a minus-5 turnover differential, a complete turnaround from last year.

The Dolphins had 12 wildcat plays for 107 yards and one TD last week against the Colts after having just three wildcat plays for four yards in Week 1 against the Falcons. This wildcat is different from any other because the Dolphins have two 235-pound backs.

The Chargers defense has allowed 20 or more points in five straight games and seven of its last eight games.

APWill Jake Long be able to slow down Merriman?

In spite of the poor red area performance, the Chargers have been almost Saint-like in moving the ball. They’re going to have to outscore teams with the way their defense has played.

Philip Rivers is 20-5 career at home as starter. Rivers leads the NFL with 688 pass yards this season.

WR Vincent Jackson has 17.9 yards per reception this year and has 17.2 yards per reception in his career. He’s a big playmaker and a mismatch receiver against smaller corners.

Jake Long must play well against Shawne Merriman this week as Merriman can create plays and has yet to have a sack.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

The forecast calls for a bit of heat, with highs in the upper 70s, and a bit breezy, with winds expected at 11 mph.

The league has given up trying to run on first down against the Steelers: Teams have been 27 percent run on first down against them and 73 percent pass. The NFL average is 47/53 run vs. pass.

APThe Bengals need to get after Big Ben on Sunday.

Cincinnati has the right defensive line to push the pocket and get into the face of Big Ben Roethlisberger. They are more power rushers than they are speed, and with DT Patrick Sims inside, they’re very stout. Sims will rotate, but he’s a disruptive force inside.

The Bengals wideouts have had a case of the drops in the first two games and have not given Carson Palmer any help making plays. Laveranues Coles has three receptions for 20 yards and three drops.

The Steelers are 9-1 under Mike Tomlin in games following a loss. Tomlin is 4-0 career against the Bengals.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

Sunny and warm, with highs in the mid-70s. The wind is expected to blow 11 mph.

The Broncos lead the NFL with just 13 points allowed this season, tied for second fewest allowed in franchise history through two games, but have played two bad offenses and now the one-dimensional Raiders.

APCan Royal and Marshall get it going today against the Raiders?

The Raiders will have to find a passing game to win. All teams will force the Raiders to make throws.

The Broncos must be able to protect and attack with Eddie Royal in the slot. The Raiders do not have a very good slot cover man.

Elvis Dumervil had four sacks last week, one shy of his 2008 total. Dumervil has four sacks in six career games against the Raiders.

Last week against the Chiefs, Russell was 7 of 24 (29.2 percent) and became the second QB since 1997 to win a game with under 30 percent (minimum 20 pass attempts). In two career starts against Denver, Russell has completed 73 percent of his passes, 332 yards, 3 TDs and no INTs.

The Raiders are last in the NFL in completions for the second straight year (21 completions this season) and are the only team with a completion percentage below 50 percent.

Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals

This game figures to be played indoors with the retractable roof closed. Temperatures outside are expected to reach 106 degrees in the Arizona desert.

The Colts won last week against the Dolphins despite having the ball for just 14 minutes, 53 seconds, the lowest time of possession for a winning team since the NFL began tracking the stat in the 1970s.

APIt's Manning vs. Warner Sunday night in the desert.

The Cardinals are 17-0 under Ken Whisenhunt when having a positive turnover differential, including playoffs (1-15 when they have a negative turnover differential).

The Cards must find a way to take away Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark and force the ball to other players. Last week, the Dolphins took away Wayne but forgot about Clark.

Neither team runs well, but the team that wins this game might be the best running team. 

A CELEBRATION...

“When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry.” -- William Shakespeare

While fighting in the Pacific during WWII, Gen. Douglas Macarthur wrote this letter to his son, Arthur IV:

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak; and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee -- and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high, a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men, one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these thing are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom and the meekness of true strength.

Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain!"

My two sons celebrate their birthdays this week. My youngest, Matthew, turns 19 on Sept. 30, and my oldest, Mick, turns 21 on Oct. 1. Happy birthday to both of you from the proudest father in the world.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK…

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” -- Ambrose Redmoon

O.J. Brigance Outside the Lines…A must see…

BOOK OF THE WEEK...

“History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days.” -- Winston Churchill

“FRANTIC FRANCIS: HOW ONE COACH’S MADNESS CHANGED FOOTBALL,” by Brett Perkins

Francis Schmidt served as head coach at Tulsa, Arkansas, Texas Christian, Ohio State and Idaho. His career record was 158-57-11. Because Schmidt's teams were known for trick plays involving multiple laterals and non-standard tackle-eligible (and even guard-eligible) formations, the press labeled his approach as a "razzle-dazzle offense." They were also known for scoring points, so the press called him Francis "Close the Gates of Mercy" Schmidt.

Perkins’ book examines the life of Schmidt and how he influenced offensive football during the 1930s and ‘40s. Perkins does a wonderful job explaining how Schmidt came to influence many future offensive-minded coaches and helped change the game from a plodding, low-scoring affair to the immensely popular game it is today.

LEADERSHIP IMPROVEMENT IDEA...

“Execs owe it to the organization and their fellow workers not to tolerate nonperforming individuals in important jobs.” -- Peter Drucker

I found a great new Blog Roll this week and wanted to share it with everyone. Dr. Bret L. Simmons obtained his doctorate in management from Oklahoma State University and is currently on the faculty at the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno. He’s very good speaker and has a clear and concise message to share with anyone who wants to work and improve their craft.

His topic below is one of the many problems in the NFL. Too many people in organizations are too scared to say what they think in face-to-face meetings. Many have all the answers at the water cooler but are too worried about their current and future employment to express their real feelings. Unfortunately in the NFL, the more agreeable you are the more promotable you become.

Here’s a sample of Dr. Simmons’ blog -- and it is very relevant to workings of the NFL.

Do Your People Ever Tell You No?

Aug. 10, 2009, by Bret L. Simmons • If not, you are in trouble.

You are not hearing what you need to hear from them, only what they think you want to hear. Don’t think for a moment that because you are the boss you know what’s going on in your organization. You only know what is really happening to the extent that your folks tell you what’s happening. And please don’t be tempted to think that this means you have some “bad apples” working for you.

Your followers have learned from you not to disagree, challenge or bring you bad news. That’s right, it’s probably you. Let me suggest the two biggest things you are doing to create this behavior in your folks:

Your people never see you say no. You never disagree or challenge the people you work for, so your people never learn from you how to do this with purpose. You send the very clear message that “no” is not acceptable around here.

People that have told you no are gone. You have systematically removed from your inner circle everyone that disagreed or challenged your policies and decisions. But that’s OK, because everyone knows they were not team players, or were disloyal or disrespectful. This is the rhetoric of conformity and exclusion.

The paradox here is you will think that lack of dissent is a good thing, a sign that you are providing stellar leadership. And it feels so good to be such a good leader.

Wake up. You are deep in self-deception. If no one ever comes to you with bad news, that’s bad news, and you cannot correct it with wishful thinking, a new policy or a motivational speech.

Acknowledge the gap between where you are and where you need to be, and live with the creative tension. Accept responsibility to change how you think about this situation, and then change your behavior.

ARTICLES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THAT AREN’T WORTH MISSING...

“A football coach's main problem is that he is responsible to irresponsible people.” -- Duffy Daughery

Fate’s hit reveals a wider football family. After brothers’ injuries, a community rallies. Great story, you must read this one.

Steeler fan has rare medical condition -OVERDEVELOPED SUPER MEMORY

COMMENT OF THE WEEK FROM THE POST...

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” -- Scott Adams

"As a Broncos fan, I would like to personally thank Al Davis and the entire Raiders organization for their insistence on being the resident AFC West mess year in and year out. Try as the Broncos might, they just can't steer the soap opera spotlight away from the Raiders. And after this year, that's saying something!"

 From "KL" on the story "Gannon is persona non grata in Oakland"

STORIES TO SHARE...

“The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.” -- Pierre Corneille, Le Menteur

“Ugly”: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage and, shall we say, love.

The combination of these things, combined with a life spent outside, had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been there was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, and his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.

His tail had long ago been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck and even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. “That’s one UGLY cat!”

All the children were warned not to touch him. Adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around your feet in forgiveness.

Whenever he spied children, he would come running, meowing frantically, and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If someone picked him up, he would immediately begin suckling on their shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.

One day, Ugly shared his love with the neighbor’s huskies. They didn’t respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment, I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly’s sad life was almost at an end.

Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and gasping and could feel him struggling. “I must be hurting him terribly,” I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear.

Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying, was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head. Then he turned his one golden eye toward me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.

At that moment, I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.

Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterward, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.

Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply.

It was time to give my all to those I cared for. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful. But for me, I will always try to be like Ugly.

Comments

Add a Comment