Sunday at the Post

QUOTE/STORY OF THE WEEK...

“We are stunned and saddened to learn of Vikki’s passing. She was a warm and popular person in the Bengals family, and our immense respect and affection for Mike makes this especially hard. Our hearts go out to Mike and his family.” -- Mike Brown, owner, Cincinnati Bengals

Vikki Zimmer, the wife of Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, died suddenly Thursday at the age of 50. No details of her death have been released. The Zimmers were married for 27 years, having met at Weber State in Utah. They have two daughters and a son, Adam, who is a member of the New Orleans Saints coaching staff.

All of us at the National Football Post extend our condolences to Mike and his family.

APOur thoughts and prayers go out to Mike Zimmer and his family.

“Mike is part of our Bengals family, and we’ll support him in every way we can. We will dearly miss Vikki. She was a friend to all of us, and a big supporter of Mike’s players. Her thoughtfulness to them in so many ways will also be greatly missed.” -- Marvin Lewis, Bengals head coach

Vikki used to bake cookies for the players during the season and was always a part of the team.

“Those kids work so hard and so long. They really like it when you make them that stuff. They’re worried about putting on weight, so I want to make it a little bit healthy, but (Mike) tells me they destroy whatever it is, no matter what they say.” -- Vikki Zimmer

“We are heartbroken to hear of this loss, and our hearts go out to Mike, Adam, Corri and Marki. We remember Vikki for her vibrant love of life and her loving devotion to her family.”-- Jerry Jones, owner, Dallas Cowboys

AROUND THE NFL...

“A love affair with knowledge will never end in heartbreak.” -- Michael Garrett Marino

APBeason (above) wants Peppers to step it up.

1. Did you see Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Jon Beason’s comments this week about Julius Peppers? He was very diplomatic in his approach, but he made it clear that everyone needs to step up their game, including Julius. Peppers is on cruise control, and based on his play so far in three games, there’s no way the Panthers can franchise him again next year.

2. Many people I talked to in the NFL were happy that the ‘Skins decided they needed more scheme advice than personnel advice. Bringing in Sherm Lewis to assist coach Jim Zorn was a hot topic. Lewis was working at a bingo parlor and had not been involved with pro football for five years. As one executive said to me, “As long as they keep blaming the coaches, we have a chance to keep beating them”.

3. Speaking of the Redskins, my evaluation of Clinton Portis (look at his stats the past nine games in the game matchup below) is not very impressive right now. He lacks the lower body strength and power to run through arm tackles, and one Redskins insider told me Portis spends more time in the GM offices than he does on the field.

APThe Edwards trade was a big story in the NFL this week.

4. The consensus of the NFL executives I spoke to last week on who got the better of the Braylon Edwards trade from the Browns to the Jets was that there was no consensus. With the uncertainty of Edwards on and off the field and the uncertainty of Eric Mangini in selecting players, there were votes for both sides. There was agreement that the players the Browns acquired are not going to impact the deal.

5. The trading deadline is nine days away and some teams will be very active. The Raiders are shopping most of their players (not JaMarcus Russell), and there are other teams that will be active. Could linebacker Derrick Johnson of the Chiefs be gone next week? Or running back Larry Johnson? Do you think the Browns will trade Brady Quinn if Derek Anderson plays well today?

6. Dick Jauron is on a very hot seat in Buffalo. Although the players came out in support of him, their actions on the field are not supporting him. Jauron refused to make changes this offseason to his staff, and that alone placed him on the hot seat.

7. Anquan Boldin had a few comments on his contract situation: “Yeah I’m doing good. I let the whole contract talk, you know, to the side. If they get me done, fine. If not, I guess I have to find a home somewhere else. But as long as I’m playing football, I’m doing good.” Wonder if he’ll be traded in nine days.

MY VIEW OF THE GAMES, PLUS NOTES AND WEATHER…

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

Partly cloudy and cool, highs in the low 50s with winds reaching 12 mph. There's a 20-percent chance of rain.

Carson Palmer is 6-3 career vs. the Ravens with 12 TDs, 8 INTs and 2,235 passing yards (his most against any opponent and an average of 248.3 yards per game). He must throw the ball well to beat the Ravens.

The other player who must play big for the Bengals is WR Chris Henry, who has the talent to give the Ravens some real problems.

APWill Ocho top 100 yards today against the Ravens?

Palmer’s last game against the Ravens was the season opener last year when he was 9 of 24, 94 yards, INT, 32.3 passer rating (career low in passer rating and his fewest completions in any game in which he played the entire game).

Chat Ochocinco has gone 17 consecutive contests without a 100-yard game, his longest drought since going without 100-plus receiving yards in his first 20 career games from 2001-02.

The Ravens lead the NFL in rush defense (59.5 YPG) and fewest yards per rush (2.6 yards per rush allowed).

The Ravens have given up 15 completions of 20 or more yards this season (tied, third most in NFL). Palmer must make big plays.

The Ravens have allowed 24 or more points in three games this season (they allowed 24-plus points in four games all of last season). They must outscore teams.

The Ravens have 5.0 yards per rush this season (tied, third in NFL) and are second in third-down percentage (50.9 percent, 27 of 53).

The Ravens defense has 6 INTs this season and leads the league with 77 since 2006.

The Ravens defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 39 consecutive games (longest active streak in NFL).

Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills

Partly cloudy and cool, highs in the low 50s with winds reaching 12 mph. There's a 20-percent chance of rain.

The Browns are 0-4 for the first time since 1999 when they started 0-7 in their return to the NFL. They’ve lost 10 straight games, one shy of their longest losing streak in franchise history set in 1974-75.

APWill Anderson be able to put an end to the Browns' losing streak?

The Browns have been outscored 118-49 this season and have been outscored by their opponents 247-80 during their current 10-game losing streak.

The Browns are 31st in the NFL with a minus-7 turnover differential this season.

The Browns have allowed 13 sacks (tied, third most in NFL).

The Browns are last in total defense, allowing 403.3 YPG.

Derek Anderson is 13-15 as starter but just 3-7 in his last 10 starts. He tied a career high with 48 pass attempts last week.

In the Braylon Edwards trade, the Browns acquired Chansi Stuckey, who was tied for third on the Jets in receptions with 11 for 120 yards and one TD.

Stuckey is one of 10 players currently on the Browns roster who was with the Jets under Eric Mangini in 2008. He has some trouble getting away from press coverage whether he’s in the slot or not.

The Bills have lost 11 of their last 14 games and have lost their last two by a combined score of 65-17 against Saints and Dolphins.

Trent Edwards has been sacked 16 times (second most in NFL). If the Bills can protect, they can move the ball. They must give Edwards some time.

Fred Jackson is sixth in the NFL with 333 rush yards this season.

Terrell Owens is fifth on the team with eight receptions (Fred Jackson has 18, Josh Reed 11, Lee Evans 10, Derek Schouman 9). Owens’ receptions through four games are his fewest to this point since 1997:

Terrell Owens’ Fewest Receptions

First four games of season, career 
                 Rec     TD
1996*          3         0
1997           7         1
2009           8         1
1998          13        1

*Rookie season

Washington Redskins at Carolina Panthers

Showers (40-percent chance of rain) with highs in the low 70s and winds calm at 6 mph

APThe 'Skins are actually worse at stopping the run after they spent $100 million on Haynesworth.

The Redskins have been held to 20 points or fewer in 11 of their last 12 games and have been outscored by their opponents 47-13 this season.

The Redskins are actually ranked lower in rush defense with Albert Haynesworth (22nd in NFL, eighth in rush defense last season).

Clinton Portis has been held under 100 rush yards in nine straight games. The Redskins are 21-4 when he has 100 or more rush yards. Is this Portis, or is this the line? Or is it the design of the run game?

Clinton Portis

Last nine games

Rush Att. PG          18.9
Rush YPG               62.4
Yds. per Rush         3.3
TDs                           2

Jason Campbell has the third lowest TD percentage among active players:

Lowest TD Pct.

Active QBs, min. 1,000 pass attempts

                                       Attempts    TD      TD Pct.
David Carr                         2,223        64         2.9
Joey Harrington                 2,538        79         3.1
Jason Campbell                 1,254        40         3.2
Kerry Collins                      5,822       191        3.3
Josh McCown                     1,058        35         3.3

The Panthers lost their home opener this season and are playing their second home game after going 8-0 last season (regular season only).

The Panthers are last in the NFL in rush defense (182.7 YPG) and have been out-rushed by their opponents 548-303 (been out-rushed by their opponent in all three games this season).

Teams have doubled Steve Smith and played eight in the box, and the Panthers have not had an answer for how to handle that defensive scheme.

The Panthers are last in the NFL with a minus-8 turnover differential. Jake Delhomme has 2 TDs, 7 INTs, 2 fumbles lost, 7 sacks this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions

The Steelers have lost three consecutive road games and haven’t lost four in a row since 2006.

The Steelers have outscored their opponents 31-0 in the first quarter and are the only team that has not allowed a point in the opening quarter this season.

APMendenhall could be poised for another big week.

Rashard Mendenhall is averaging 5.8 yards per rush this season and had 29 rushes, 165 yards and two TDs in his second career start last week.

Ben Roethlisberger is third in the NFL with 1,193 passing yards this season.

The Steelers defense has 0 INT and one takeaway in 3 games without Troy Polamalu, who has the team’s only INT this season.

Daunte Culpepper is 41-54 career as starter. He’s lost his past five starts and nine of his last 10 (0-5 as starter with Lions). He’ll struggle with the speed of the game, especially playing the Steelers.

The Lions have been outscored by their opponents 78-29 in the second half this season.

Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs

Rain and thunder are expected (30-percent chance of rain). Highs expected to be in the mid-50s with winds 10 mph.

A loss would drop the Cowboys below .500 for the first time since losing their season opener in 2006.

The Cowboys abandoned the run in the second half against the Broncos last week despite leading 10-7 at halftime (seven rushes, 26 pass plays in second half; 18 rushes, 21 pass plays in first half).

APThe Cowboys need to get their ground game going.

The Cowboys were held to 19 yards on their seven rush attempts in the second half. Last week was the first time in their last 19 games that they lost when leading at halftime.

The Cowboys have lost seven of their last nine games when held to fewer than 100 rushing yards.

The Cowboys defense has six sacks and four takeaways in the last two games after not having a sack or takeaway in their first two games. They’re 29th in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 256.3 YPG.

DeMarcus Ware has no sacks in his past five games (longest drought since his 2005 rookie season).

The Chiefs are last in third-down offense this season (9-51, 17.6 percent) and 31st in total offense (246.5 YPG).

The Chiefs are one of three NFL teams without a rushing TD. Larry Johnson has 2.6 yards per rush and two TDs in his last 12 games.

Matt Cassel has been sacked 10 times in 89 pass attempts this season (one sack for every 8.9 pass attempts). The Chiefs have been outscored by their opponents 31-6 in the first quarter. They get behind and can’t protect.

Oakland Raiders at New York Giants

Partly cloudy, a 20-percent chance of rain, with highs in the low 60s and winds at 9 mph.

The Raiders are 5-26 in non-divisional road games since 2003 and are 25-75 in their last 100 games, the lowest winning percentage ever for 100 games in the NFL.

APDHB could be in for a long afternoon.

The Raiders are last in the NFL with 11.3 completions per game. They have three TDs and have not scored a TD in their last two games.

Rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey has two receptions for 36 yards. He has a hard time getting away from press, and the Giants are a very good press team.

The Raiders have been held under 200 total yards in three straight games for the first time in franchise history. Michael Bush had 12 rush, 55 yards and one TD in his only career start in the season opener vs. San Diego.

The Giants are looking for their first 5-0 start since 1990 when they started 10-0 and won the Super Bowl.

After sweeping a three-game road trip, six of the Giants next nine games are at home. The Giants have outscored their opponents 68-27 in the first half this season.

Steve Smith leads the NFL in receptions (34), reception yards (411) and reception TDs (four). His 34 receptions are the most ever in franchise history through the first four games of the season. Smith has a receiving TD in three straight games, longest for the Giants since Plaxico Burress in 2007 (six games).

Ahmad Bradshaw is averaging 5.6 yards per rush this season. He’s hard to tackle, and his speed and change-of-pace ability will make it tough on the Raiders defense.

The Giants are first in the NFL in total defense (232.3 YPG) and pass defense (115.0 YPG) under first-year defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan.

Eli Manning has only two INTs and two sacks in 125 pass attempts. He’s 30-9 in his last 39 starts, including playoffs.

Manning leads the NFL in third-down passer rating (146.3) and fourth quarter passer rating (147.5). Manning has started 75 games in a row and has never missed a game due to injury.

If Manning is unable to play, David Carr will make his first start since Nov. 25, 2007, with the Panthers when he was 10 of 22, 95 yards, 0 TD, 2 INTs in a 31-6 loss against the Saints. Carr is 23-56 as starter.

Tampa Bay Bucs at Philadelphia Eagles

Partly cloudy with highs in the mid-60s. There's a 20-percent chance of rain, and the wind figures to reach 9 mph.

The Buccaneers have lost four straight road games and nine of their last 12 road games. Safety Tanard Jackson returns for the Bucs at safety, which will help their defense.

APReid is going for a big win today in Philly.

The Bucs are 31st in total defense (393.5 YPG) and 31st in third-down offense (11-51, 21.6 percent). They’ve been outscored by their opponents 56-7 in the first and third quarters.

Mike Nugent is 2 of 6 on field goals this season. The Bucs need to have a more reliable kicker as points are hard to come by for them.

Josh Johnson will make his second career start (13-22, 106 yards, TD, INT, 3 sacks, 7 rush, 41 yards in first career start against the Redskins last week).

Andy Reid has 99 regular-season wins. A victory would make him the 34th head coach in NFL history to win 100 regular-season games and the 21st to do so with one team. He’s 11-1 at home against rookie head coaches.

The Eagles are second in the NFL in scoring with 31.3 PPG.

Michael Vick’s first game with the Eagles was against the Chiefs. He was 0-2 passing, 1 rush, 7 yards and had 11 total plays resulting in 30 yards.

DeSean Jackson is second in the NFL with 21.6 yards per reception and has a TD of 60 or more yards in every game this season (first player in NFL history to accomplish the feat).

Donovan McNabb has won five of his last six starts with 11 TDs, 2 INTs during that span. McNabb has 196 career passing TDs and 27 career rushing TDs and needs four more passing TDs to become the eighth player in NFL history with 200-plus pass TDs and 25-plus rush TDs.

Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams

Indoors.

The Vikings are looking for their first 5-0 start since 2003 when they started 6-0. They’ve won five in a row and have not won six straight since 2005.

APHappy Birthday, Brett.

Favre turned 40 years old on Saturday and will become the 12th QB in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to start a game at age of 40 or older.

Adrian Peterson had 25 rush, 55 yards, TD last week (it was the 10th time in his career that he had 25-plus rush attempts in a game, but the first time he didn’t get 100 or more rushing yards with at least 25 attempts). His 2.2 yards per rush against the Packers was the third lowest of his career.

Jared Allen has 6½ sacks, third in NFL, and his three forced fumbles are tied for first. He has 21 sacks in 20 games with the Vikings, and his three safeties are a franchise record.

The Vikings are tied for fourth with a plus-5 turnover differential. Not sure how the Rams can block the Vikings’ front on a consistent basis.

The Vikings defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 27 straight games (second longest active streak in NFL) and has not allowed a rush TD this season. They’ve outscored opponents 38-3 in the third quarter (most third-quarter points of any team).

The Rams have lost 14 consecutive games, longest losing streak in franchise history and the longest active streak in the NFL. They’ve lost 6 straight at home.

The Rams are last in scoring offense with 6.0 PPG and have three TDs in four games.

Marc Bulger is 4-26 in his last 30 starts. He’s the reason the Rams have not drafted a quarterback in the past two years. One bad mistake leads to more mistakes.

Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers

Mostly sunny, highs in the upper 60s, with winds pretty tame at 9 mph.

Matt Ryan has just 1 INT and 2 sacks in 91 pass attempts this season. He’s 4-5 career on the road.

MRToday's game in San Francisco will be a big test for Ryan and the Falcons.

The Falcons have been out-rushed by their opponents 408-277 and are allowing 4.7 yards per rush. They are small and are not effective when they have to play on the road.

Falcons are 9-0 when Michael Turner has 100-plus rush yards. Turner’s longest run in his last game was seven yards against the Patriots. That’s the first time in his 19 games with the Falcons that he did not have a run of 10 or more yards. The Falcons must control the ball and keep their poor run defense off the field.

Tony Gonzalez leads the team with 160 receiving yards (he also has 13 receptions, 2 TDs).

Roddy White has 7.9 yards per receptions (15.4 yards per receptions in his career entering 2009).

The Falcons are 13-1 under Mike Smith when leading at halftime. Their defense is 30th in the NFL, allowing 381.3 YPG. They must play a certain style and cannot get behind in the game.

The 49ers have won seven of their last nine games. They’ve won five straight home games and are looking to win six for the first time since 2001. They’re 5-1 at home under coach Mike Singletary.

The 49ers are second in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 13.3 PPG this season and fourth in rush defense (73.8 YPG)

Quarterback Shaun Hill is 7-0 career at home as starter and 10-4 as a starter overall. He has one or no INT in 12 career starts. He has been sacked 13 times this season, third most in the NFL. But he protects the ball. Punter Andy Lee is their MVP.

Patrick Willis leads the team in both INTs (two) and sacks (2½). The 49ers have just 20 penalties compared to 37 for their opponents.

Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals

Indoors.

A Texans win would put them above .500 for the first time since 2007 when they were 3-2. They’ve won three of their last four road games.

Brian Cushing leads the team and is second among NFL rookies with 33 tackles.

APCushing has been making plays all over the field.

DE Antonio Smith is without a sack and faces his former team (played first five seasons with Cardinals).

The Cardinals have lost three straight games following a bye week. They’re 0-2 at home and have dropped three of their last four home games.

The Cardinals are 31st in rushing offense (60.7 YPG) and last with 19.0 rushing attempts per game. They have the highest percentage of pass plays this season: 70.6 percent pass, 29.4 percent run.

Kurt Warner has 4 TDs, 4 INTs, 7 sacks in three games. He has 49 career 300-yard games, tied with Warren Moon for fifth all-time.

Pass protection has been a huge problem for the Cards. They must give Warner time to throw.

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

Rain possible, maybe even snow showers. A 30-percent chance of rain, with highs in the mid-40s and winds around 11 mph.

The Patriots are facing an undefeated opponent for the fourth consecutive week, excluding Week 1: Week 2 at Jets (1-0), Week 3 vs. Falcons (2-0), Week 4 vs. Ravens (3-0), today at Broncos (4-0).

APCan Brady and the Pats hand the Broncos their first loss?

The Patriots are just the second team since the 1970 merger (joining the 1986 Eagles) to play four straight games against undefeated opponents, excluding the first game of the season.

QB Tom Brady leads the NFL with 174 pass attempts (21 more than any other player). Brady has two passing TDs in his last three games. He looks like he’s finding his rhythm now much like Peyton Manning found his last year after injury. I expect a big game from Brady.

Randy Moss has three TDs in seven career games against the Broncos with one 100-yard game. His speed will be a challenge for the Broncos secondary.

The Patriots are 21-1, including playoffs, when Brady, Moss and Wes Welker all play. Since 2003, they are 23-4 in October and 53-0 when they have a positive turnover differential in that same span. Add in Julian Edelman as another slot receiver and the Patriots are a very tough match.

The Patriots have run an NFL-leading 290 offensive plays compared to 214 for their opponents. They have ranked among the league leaders in most offensive plays in each of the last four seasons.

The Broncos have allowed two TDs and 26 points this season (tied, fifth fewest points allowed through the first four games since 1970).

LB Elvis Dumervil is tied for first with eight sacks this season (all in his last three games) after totaling five sacks all of last season. Teams must treat him as a down lineman and not let him match on running backs.

The Broncos’ defense has six INTs by six different players and has not allowed a passing TD. They’re tied for first in the NFL with a plus-7 turnover differential. They are the Miami Dolphins of 2009. Same style of play, no mistakes, means not losing the game. They force their opponents to beat them.

Kyle Orton has not thrown an INT in his last 155 pass attempts (longest active streak among starting QBs). The Broncos are the only team that has not thrown an INT this season. Orton will need to take a few chances today.

Orton has at least one passing TD and no INT in each of his first four starts with the Broncos and can become the only player since 1960 with at least one pass TD and 0 INT in his first five starts with a team. Orton is 17-2 career at home as starter and 25-12 as a starter overall (won seven of last eight starts).

Broncos Defense
This season

                                       Rank
PPG Allowed      6.5          1st
Yds. per Play     4.0          1st
Total YPG         239.8       2nd
Sacks                 15          2nd
Takeaways         10        T-2nd

Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall is a one-man wrecking crew. Who covers him is important, but they better be able to tackle him as well.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks

Partly cloudy and cool, highs in the mid-50s. Winds are expected to be calm at 5 mph, with only a 10-percent chance of rain.

The Jaguars are tied for fourth with nine takeaways and tied for sixth with a plus-4 turnover differential. They are 11-2 at home against NFC teams under coach Jack Del Rio.

APGarrard is looking to leave Seattle with a victory.

Mike Sims-Walker is tied for second in the NFL with three receiving TDs and has 19 receptions, 278 yds and 3 TDs in his last three games. QB David Garrard has been sacked twice in the last two games with 67 pass attempts.

Maurice Jones-Drew is tied for first in the NFL with five rushing TDs and has 45 total TDs in 51 career games. Jones-Drew has 4.7 yards per rush and is seventh in the NFL with 298 rush yards.

When the Jags throw the ball, it makes Jones-Drew more effective. Seattle’s pass defense is suspect and will struggle to cover the Jags.

Matt Hasselbeck has lost nine of his last 12 starts. He’s back today, but his offensive line is a mess, missing both starting tackles. Their lack of protection is going to make it very difficult on Hasselbeck.

Julius Jones is averaging 4.4 yards per rush but has not been dominating. Edgerrin James is below 3.0 per carry and has a long run of eight yards. Old backs always struggle.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh had eight receptions for 103 yards last week at Indianapolis but is still looking for his first TD with Seahawks.

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans

Partly cloudy and cool, highs in the mid-60s with a 20-percent chance of rain. Winds are expected to be around 8 mph.

Divisional games are always close, and even when the Titans were bad, they knew how to play the Colts.

The Titans cannot play from behind. They must control the tempo and not make mistakes that put them behind.

APIs another 300-yard game in the future?

The Titans are all about their defensive line. Defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse must step up their games.

Peyton Manning has four straight 300-yard games for the first time in his career and can join Kurt Warner (2000) and Steve Young (1998) as the only QBs in NFL history to start a season with five consecutive straight 300-yard games.

Manning has 300-plus passing yards in six of his last seven games. The only game he didn’t reach that mark was in Week 17 last year against the Titans when he was 7 for 7, 95 yards and a TD before leaving after the first quarter.

Both Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne are tied for third in the NFL with 26 receptions (Clark leads among TEs). Wayne is second with 399 reception yards.
Pierre Garcon is third with 20.7 yards per reception.

The Colts defense has 12 sacks (T-4th in NFL). Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis have a combined 9½ sacks (five for Freeney, 4½ for Mathis). Freeney has 10 sacks, four forced fumbles in 12 career games vs. the Titans.

Chris Johnson leads the NFL in both rush yards (434) and scrimmage yards (551). The Titans are T-29th in the NFL with a minus-5 turnover differential. The Titans have committed 11 turnovers, T-2nd most in NFL (had 17 turnovers all of 2008).

The Titans are allowing 282.3 passing YPG (T-last in NFL with Jaguars).

VIDEO OF THE WEEK…

“My ideas usually come not at my desk writing but in the midst of living.” -- Anais Nin

Jon “Love You Bro” Gruden talking football with the great Steve Sabol of NFL Films.

Denver head coach Josh McDaniels wired for sound as only NFL Films can do it. Great stuff.

BOOK OF THE WEEK...

“A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary.” -- Thomas Carruthers

In 1994, while working for the Browns, I took an executive evaluation to better understand the areas where I needed to improve as a leader. Bob Troutwine, who does psychological profiling for many NFL teams, was working with us at the time. He assisted the testing and provided me with incredible insight on what actions I needed to take if I wanted to excel in my job.

Then, some 12 years later, while working at the Hotel and knowing the end of my career in Oakland was near, I retook the test to again determine areas where I could use more help. From working in isolation at the Hotel, I became almost an independent contractor, which many become in any organization when everyone answers to one person and is not allowed to talk to others. Bob recommend that I try and become more of mentor because it would help me broaden my leadership skills and re-learn some of the important information I had learned over the course of my career. Once again, this was great advice from Dr. Bob.

Former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden has new book that’s due to be released Tuesday:

“A Game Plan for Life: The Power of Mentoring,” by John Wooden and Don Yeager.

APThe great John Wooden.

The book focuses on the people who taught, inspired and developed a young John Wooden into the man he became. Coach Wooden pays tribute to those who helped him, and others pay tribute to Wooden for mentoring them. Any book by coach Wooden is a great learning experience. He has co-written eight books, but this might be his best yet.

LEADERSHIP IMPROVEMENT IDEA...

“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” -- Thomas Jefferson

Ken sent this to me last week, and I could not believe how it applies to all the losing teams in the NFL. The NFL is a business, and like any other business, it must have a good plan for success.

Check out Seth Godin’s blog this week and apply it to the situation in Cleveland under Eric Mangini.

The hierarchy of success

I think it looks like this:

Attitude
Approach
Goals
Strategy
Tactics
Execution

We spend all our time on execution. Use this word instead of that one. This Web host. That color. This material or that frequency of mailing.

Big news: No one ever succeeded because of execution tactics learned from a Dummies book.

Tactics tell you what to execute. They're important but dwarfed by strategy. Strategy determines which tactics might work.

But what's the point of a strategy if your goals aren't clear, or they contradict?

Which leads to the first two, the two we almost never hear about.

Approach determines how you look at the project (or your career). Do you read a lot of books? Ask a lot of questions? Use science and testing or go with your hunches? Are you imperious? A life hacker? When was the last time you admitted an error and made a dramatic course correction? Most everyone has a style, and if you pick the wrong one, then all the strategy, tactics and execution in the world won't work nearly as well.

As far as I'm concerned, the most important of all, the top of the hierarchy, is attitude. Why are you doing this at all? What's your bias in dealing with people and problems?

Some more questions:

How do you deal with failure?
When will you quit?
How do you treat competitors?
What personality are you looking for in the people you hire?
What's it like to work for you? Why? Is that a deliberate choice?
What sort of decisions do you make when no one is looking?
Sure, you can start at the bottom by focusing on execution and credentials. Reading a typical blog (or going to a typical school for 16 years), it seems like that's what you're supposed to do. What a waste.

Isn't it odd that these six questions are so important and yet we almost never talk or write about them?

If the top of the hierarchy is messed up, no amount of brilliant tactics or execution is going to help you.

If the Browns hired Seth for just one day and had him come into their building and talk to the players, staff and coaches, he would find that many of the items on this list would be neglected.

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

“One man with courage makes a majority.” -- Andrew Jackson

Rocky, a huge Bears fan, was wounded in his tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Our hearts and prayers are with you, Rocky…

Goodbye to Giants stadium from the Boss….

Leaner Times at Harvard: No Cookies

COMMENT OF THE WEEK FROM THE POST...

“There are no foolish questions, and no man becomes a fool until he has stopped asking questions.” -- Charles Proteus Steinmetz

“Somebody didn't read Lombardi this week about GMs needing to keep quiet and avoid public criticisms of their team. Packer fans, what say you?”

From “Bob from Huntington, N.Y.” posted on the story “Packers GM Ted Thompson: We Have a (Playoff) Team”

STORIES TO SHARE...

“Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.” -- Albert Einstein

“Tear to the Eye,” author unknown, source unknown

Barbara was driving her six-year-old son, Benjamin, to his piano lesson.

They were late, and Barbara was beginning to think she should have cancelled. There was always so much to do, and Barbara, a night-duty nurse at the local hospital, had recently worked extra shifts.

She was tired. The sleet storm and icy roads added to her tension. Maybe she should turn the car around.

“Mom!” Ben cried. “Look!” Just ahead, a car had lost control on a patch of ice. As Barbara tapped the brakes, the other car spun wildly, rolled over, then crashed sideways into a telephone pole.

Barbara pulled over, skidded to a stop and threw open her door. Thank goodness she was a nurse. She might be able to help these unfortunate passengers.

Then she paused. What about Ben? She couldn't take him with her. Little boys shouldn't see scenes like the one she anticipated. But was it safe to leave him alone? What if their car were hit from behind?

For a brief moment, Barbara considered going on her way. Someone else was sure to come along. No! "Ben, honey, promise me you'll stay in the car!"

"I will, Mommy," he said as she ran, slipping and sliding toward the crash site. It was worse than she'd feared. Two girls of high school age were in the car. One, the blonde on the passenger side, was dead, killed on impact.

The driver, however, was still breathing. She was unconscious and pinned in the wreckage. Barbara quickly applied pressure to the wound on the teenager's head while her practiced eye catalogued the other injuries. A broken leg, maybe two, along with probable internal bleeding. But if help came soon, the girl would live.

A trucker had pulled up and was calling for help on his cellular phone. Soon, Barbara heard the ambulance sirens. A few moments later, she surrendered her lonely post to rescue workers.

"Good job," one said as he examined the driver's wounds. "You probably saved her life, ma'am." Perhaps.

But as Barbara walked back to her car, a feeling of sadness overwhelmed her, especially for the family of the girl who had died. Their lives would never be the same. Oh God, why do such things have to happen?

Slowly, Barbara opened her car door. What should she tell Benjamin? He was staring at the crash site, his blue eyes huge. "Mom," he whispered, "did you see it?"

"See what, honey?" she asked.

"The angel, Mom! He came down from the sky while you were running to the car. And he opened the door, and he took that girl out."

Barbara's eyes filled with tears. "Which door, Ben?"

"The passenger side. He took the girl's hand, and they floated up to Heaven together."

"What about the driver?"

Ben shrugged. "I didn't see anyone else."

Later, Barbara was able to meet the families of the victims. They expressed their gratitude for the help she had provided. Barbara was able to give them something more -- Ben's vision.

There was no way he could have known what happened to either of the passengers. Nor could the passenger door have been opened; Barbara had seen its tangle of immovable steel herself. Yet Ben's account brought consolation to a grieving family. Their daughter was safe in Heaven. And they would see her again.

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