Sunday At The Post

QUOTE/STORY OF THE WEEK...

"Criticism is necessary and useful; it is often indispensable; but it can never take the place of action, or be even a poor substitute for it. The function of the mere critic is of very subordinate usefulness. It is the doer of deeds who actually counts in the battle for life, and not the man who looks on and says how the fight ought to be fought, without himself sharing the stress and the danger." -- Teddy Roosevelt, 1894, the foundation of his later “Man in the Arena” speech.

"Of all the public men that I have known, on both sides of the Atlantic (and there are few that I have not known in the past thirty years), he stands out the greatest, and as the most potent influence for good upon the life of his generation." -- Viscount Lee of Fareham, English statesman, on hearing the news of Teddy Roosevelt’s death.

The Works of Teddy Roosevelt on video...

THINGS WE LEARNED LAST WEEK IN THE NFL...

1. Tom Brady is back and seemingly healthy, throwing the ball well at mini-camp. As I wrote Friday, the Patriots’ offense is going to be very explosive, although much depends on Mr. Brady staying healthy. He will have some moments early in the season when the pocket gets a little crowded around his feet. The critical aspect of a quarterback’s comeback from a lower body injury is not the injury but his own eye level. Keeping your head upright, looking down the field, is the key. If he’s looking around at the line, dumping the ball off early, it will be the first sign he’s not mentally right. The knee is going to be fine; it will be his mind dealing with the fast pace of the game that may take some time.

2. Anquan Boldin fired Drew Rosenhaus and is currently in Europe after interviewing three new agencies: SFX, led by Tom Condon, Eugene Parker and Kennard McGuire. Boldin expects to make a decision when he returns. Whomever he hires will have to begin the negotiating process over again. The hiring of a new agent does not mean a trade is more likely to happen. From my perspective, hiring a new agent means a new deal is most probable.

3. Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown announced that he was a premier back in the NFL. Even head coach Tony Sparano passed along some praise. But this year will be critical for Brown as a big-time back. He needs to improve his play from a year ago if the Fins are to avoid taking a step backward. Brown last year had nine games of fewer than 50 yards rushing; most of his big plays came off the wildcat formation. We reported here that the Fins entertained trade offers before the draft but did not make a deal. This is a big year for Brown – it’s time to show that he’s a big-time back, not just talking about it. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Well done is better than well said.”

4. The Eagles have hired former Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart as an assistant coach. Stewart and Eagles head coach Andy Reid have had a relationship since their days at Northern Arizona together. Stewart will need to learn the Eagles’ system before he can help acting coordinator Sean McDermont. Jim Johnson has taken an indefinite leave of absence to fight metastasized melanoma. We wish Jim all the best as he fights this disease.

5. Speaking of Miami running backs, former Dolphin Keith Byars has taken the head coaching job at Boca Raton High School. Byars beat out 160 applicants (high school football is big in Florida) to win the job. Best of luck to Keith. It’s great to see him back in the game.

THINGS I HEARD AROUND THE NFL LAST WEEK...

1. Michael Vick update: According to people I’ve talked to who are close to him, Vick is in great spirits and looking forward to the future. I’m told he’s in great “non-professional football shape” and is determined to prove he can regain his superstar status in the NFL. He’s also very determined to do all the little things he didn’t do previously. He intends to spend more time studying the game, more time preparing to play, more time working on his game. Two years alone with nothing but your thoughts can be a powerful motivational tool.

2. According to some of the Cleveland rookies who made the 10-hour one-way bus ride this weekend to work in Eric Mangini’s camp, there was much discontent. The trip to Hartford, Conn., was not a happy one. Let’s face it: All the talk about the camp being voluntary was hogwash. What unsigned rookie is going to tell his head coach no and then expect to get a good deal? Mangini controls everything in that building; you piss him off and you’ve pissed off the entire Browns kingdom. I love the idea of Mangini having a camp in Hartford, but to make his rookies feel obligated to attend isn’t right. I’m sure the NFLPA will look into this one.

3. Several people in the NFL told me not to rule out St. Louis as a possible destination for Vick. The Rams might have some ownership issues to deal with before actually signing him, but they have genuine interest. They’ve been doing their due diligence on Vick, and if the Commissioner does reinstate him, look for them to actively pursue him. It makes sense -- a new coach with an older quarterback who hasn’t played well. Playing in a dome on carpet would highlight Vick’s speed and athleticism.

4. The Bears signed linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, a starter in each of his six seasons with the Rams and their leading tackler in four of those seasons, but they also wanted corner Rod Hood, who signed with Cleveland. The Bears have done a great job adding pieces after the draft, but wanting Hood implies they’re not satisfied with their depth at corner.

5. Everyone I’ve talked to in New Orleans says Reggie Bush is working harder than ever this offseason and is becoming a better teammate because he’s around for OTAs. Bush needs to have an injury-free season, but more importantly, he needs to prove to his teammates that he’s dedicated to being the best, not just the best reality-show guy. So far, he seems to be winning a few of them over.

BOOK OF THE WEEK...

This time of year in the NFL allows everyone involved in the game on and off the field to increase their knowledge, work on self-improvement and find one or two things that can benefit them during the season. This quiet time is for book reading, spending time on articles that can widen your knowledge, improving your intellectual capital.

Here’s a book that can benefit everyone. When I read leadership books, I look for one or two new themes that can be implemented in my daily life. Here’s one that’s insightful, easy to read and very practical:

“Equipped to Lead: Managing People, Partners, Processes, and Performance,” by Dan J. Sanders and Galen Walters.

Product description from Amazon

“Unless you manage a hook-and-ladder company, your workday shouldn't be spent putting out fires. Yet leaders often spend most of their time running from crisis to crisis.

“In his groundbreaking New York Times bestseller Built to Serve, United Supermarkets CEO Dan Sanders showed how putting profits before people encourages organizational chaos, saps motivation, stifles innovation and undercuts competitiveness. He also unveiled a revolutionary people-centered business model championed by United and challenged other business leaders to put the human factor first.

“In this follow-up to that inspirational bestseller, Dan and coauthor Galen Walters provide the tools needed to put the people-first model to work in your company. You’ll master the four Ps critical to long-term success: People, Process, Partners, and Performance. And you will create an organization that puts front-line people before bottom-line profits, allowing you and your organization to profit more than you ever thought possible.

“Equipped to Lead gives you tools to create an organization where

1. ROIH (return on investment in humanity) drives the bottom line

2. The Employee Satisfaction Ratio is a key component of every P&L statement

3. Workplace chaos is transformed into a creative corporate culture

4. Employees are equipped for higher levels of success

“Whether you lead a sprawling international conglomerate or a staff of 30, using the proven tools and techniques in Equipped to Lead will help you and your organization realize maximum potential—in your people, in your performance, and in your profits.”

VIDEO OF THE WEEK...

The end of the Jay Leno run as “Tonight Show” host on NBC...

With so many new, young college graduates entering the workplace, this video offers some wonderful career advice. Someone once told me the world gets out the way for people who know where they’re going.

In this clip, Carol Bartz (chairman, president and CEO of Autodesk) points out that young workers needn't be afraid of lateral career moves. Ambition often focuses only on upward motion. Ladders are unstable, Bartz says, but pyramids have depth, safety and strength.

I must admit, I’m addicted to Twitter online. It’s fun, easy to do and allows access to the world. Here’s an article and video from the founders discussing their future revenue plans.

More on Twitter: Bill Simmons (Sportsguy33@Twitter.com) is providing funny commentary along with videos of the day. Deadspin suggested this one in honor of the National Spelling Bee. They call it the best Spelling Bee moment ever. You be the judge; I thought it was tremendous.

LEADERSHIP IMPROVEMENT IDEA...

For all college graduates, here are 25 Ways to Distinguish Yourself. I realize your parents have paid for a top-notch education, but in the workplace these might enhance that wonderful education. Download the whole manifesto from the link above. You may not be able to do all 25, but

Rajesh Setty is the author of this manifesto. He believes being part of the commodity crowd erodes your value. You need to rise above the crowd by following Setty's 25 ways.

#1 Care as if it’s your own

#2 Do your daily work with passion!

#3 Build strong relationships

#4 Dream BIG !

#5 Set the right expectations

#6 Ask for help

#7 Celebrate small victories

#8 Set higher standards

#9 Know your values

#10 Pursue right memberships

#11 Help people help themselves

#12 Be a reader

#13 Plan by outcomes

#14 Think long-term

#15 Embrace uncertainty with ease

#16 Ask the right questions

#17 Engage with a coach

#18 Be relevant

#19 Get back on your feet FAST !

#20 Lead a volunteer effort

#21 Balance Innovation and Continuous Improvement

#22 Learn to sell

#23 Learn systems thinking

#24 Walk away from free

#25 Influence the influencers

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

Christopher Buckley returns to Yale, his alma mater, to give the commencement address. Buckley provides an entertainingly funny article of his day.

This article is on my greaseboard in my office. Mr. Collins convinced me to break down my day. From now on, creative 45 percent, teaching 35 percent, other 20 percent will occupy my day. How you individually define each category is the critical aspect of this plan. You might want to break down your day as well. Thanks, Zak, for sending this to me first.

COMMENT OF THE WEEK FROM THE POST...

“Hey! He managed to get through a mention of the Packers without calling anybody a Sconnie! Nice work, Ray. If you were my son, you’d be a step closer to being allowed to touch the stereo.”

-From “Dan” on “Ray’s Rapid Ramblings”

REMEMBER WHEN...

I love all the talk about which players are doing well in OTAs or mini-camps that are dominating NFL news now. When a player does well now, it helps, but until the games are played it’s very hard to accurately evaluate the talent. And even then it’s hard to be accurate in the first year. For example, while working for the 49ers in 1986, we drafted a very gifted wide receiver from Delaware State by way of Pennsauken, N.J., named John Taylor in the third round.

Taylor was raw as a player. He was gifted and had long arms and strong, powerful hands, but he was inconsistent in most areas. Learning the 49ers offense is a challenge for a young player from a lower level of competition. Delaware State did not have a sophisticated passing game, so when Taylor arrived, he had a lot to learn, both on the field with his technique and off the field handling the volume of offense.

Taylor was a favorite of mine, in part because of our Jersey heritage but also because that spring I had personally gone to Dover to watch tape of him. So when we drafted Taylor, I was like a proud papa. All the coaches would call Taylor my guy, so when he messed up or was in coach Bill Walsh’s doghouse (which was most of the time because of his on-field play, not any off-the-field issues; John was a great person), I heard the details firsthand.

Taylor struggled to be productive or win favor with the coaches. When you get in the head coach’s doghouse, there aren’t many people in the organization who have the courage to challenge the evaluation. He was so far behind that almost everyone was convinced he had no chance to make the team. In fact, it was so certain he was getting cut that John McVay, our general manager, had me call around to my buddies in the league to see if we could get something back for him.

I called my friends at Tampa and begged for them to take my man, but they were convinced that if the 49ers wanted to get rid of a player there must be something wrong with him, so they passed -- even for a 10-round pick conditional pick.

The final cut day arrived, and I was the “go-and-get-them turk.” I arrived early that day, preparing to get the list of victims I needed to round up for their farewell meeting. As I passed through the small training room, I noticed my man Taylor on the training table in pain. I asked John what was wrong and he said he was having severe back pain. (Note: In 1986, the injured reserve rules were very liberal. Players only needed a four-week injury to be placed on the list and they could be brought back that season.) So I raced up the stairs to tell McVay that Taylor was hurt. Because of that, we could not release him and he had to be placed on injured reserve, which then saved me the embarrassment of having to deal with my mis-evaluation from my NFL friends.

With Taylor on injured reserve, I headed off to do my area scout duties, which kept me on the road for extended periods. After returning from one of my trips, I heard that Taylor’s back had healed and he had resumed practice. The first words I heard entering the building was how great Taylor looked, how he was dominating practice and had gotten out of coach Walsh’s doghouse. That news made my year.

Taylor went on to catch 347 passes during his NFL career, scoring 45 touchdowns and being named to the Pro Bowl twice. He made only one catch in the 1988 Super Bowl against the Bengals -- the winning touchdown.

So as you read about third-round or later picks being good or bad, don’t believe what you read. It takes time for the later round players to get familiar with the system, handle the volume of plays and the different level of competition.

MOTIVATIONAL STORY OF THE WEEK…

Author Unknown…

In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with Long Island. However, bridge-building experts throughout the world thought this was an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.

Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion, he managed to convince his son Washington, an up-and-coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.

Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.

The project started well, but when it was only a few months under way, a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was injured and left with some brain damage, which left him unable to walk or talk or even move.

"We told them so." "Crazy men and their crazy dreams." "It`s foolish to chase wild visions."

Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap, Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge. His mind was still as sharp as ever.

He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.

It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly, an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger, and he decided to make the best use of it. By doing this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.

He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish, but the project was underway again.

For 13 years, Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm until the bridge was finally completed. Today, the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It’s also a tribute to the engineers and their teamwork, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands, too, as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife, who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do.

Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal. Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realized with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are.

Have a great Sunday.

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