Another good read from Lombardi

[MoLewisrocks]

He's talking specifically about the situation in Arizona, but they are not alone. One of the things Belioli incorporated into their system on arrival here was top to bottom discipline, not just asking the players to adhere to it on the field but resolving that the FO would adhere to it off the field in financial dealings with players and even football staff. They have consistently parted company with players who struggled with that concept. Some sooner, some later depending on how vocal the player was or appeared poised to be. They don't expect players to roll over or be doormats. They try to do deals that will reward them sufficiently. But in order to achieve that balance players need to see winning on the field as something that matters at least as much as winning every last dollar at the negotiating table. Even when things didn't go the way he wished, Brady has consistently pointed to the success that discipline has provided.

The first problem child was Drew. Money wasn't the issue with him once he got his better than Favre on paper deal. It was entitlement to it and his franchise status. And the loss of his underperforming cronies and influence. Then there was Lawyer, who after one ring was satisfied to coast and resented all the focus on system. He warned teamates to get yours. Ty eventually had to go to prove no player is more important than the system. Then came Branch and Givens (including a situation where we couldn't persue one without the other having a meltdown). In the end both went. Then there was Willie, and Asante, who perhaps went a year late ala Branch. Most recently Vrabel and Hobbs have been moved on possibly pre-emptively. A message to all who remain. As was the Cassel trade to those who somehow believed BB would trade one year of position insurance for the chance to hamstring himself for an entire off season while setting the indefensible precedent of paying a backup QB almost twice what Brady will take home in 2009...

It will be interesting to see what transpires after 2009. Lots of potential UFA and/or RFA to be dealt with. It won't be just about fitting guys under the cap, if there is one, or flashing Kraft's wad in an uncapped situation. Adhering to sound principle is why they still won't break the bank for anyone. Even if the cap goes away permanently. And this is likely why they never really pushed all that hard for Peppers. They will always do what they believe is best for the team long as well as short term. Three Lombardi's allow them to continue to. They want to win it all every year, but they don't have the sense of desperation many in the present fan base seem to exhibit. Their broader bottom line goal is to remain consistently competitive and they never lose sight of that or do anything they believe could put that goal at risk.

Guys will have to want to stay enough or come here enough to work within the system. Pioli used to address it periodically. It's not just about the money and the performance when they approach players to sign or extend. They alway attempt to probe just how much the player truly wants to be or stay here. What sacrifices is he willing to make to win here. They aren't just using it as leverage, either. They are using that knowledge to build a more cohesive team with a core they can count on when the going gets rough because it's about more than money or personal individual success to those guys.

At any rate, food for thought going forward.

When he was with the Los Angeles Lakers, Pat Riley, president of the Miami Heat, developed a list of symptoms that he called the “Disease of Me.” Every time I read about what’s going on in Arizona, I can’t help but think of Riley. Here is his list:

SIX DANGER SIGNALS OF THE DISEASE OF ME:

1. CHRONIC FEELINGS OF UNDER-APPRECIATION – FOCUS ON ONESELF.
2. PARANOIA OVER BEING CHEATED OUT OF ONE’S RIGHTFUL SHARE.
3. LEADERSHIP VACUUM RESULTING FROM FORMATION OF CLIQUES AND RIVALRIES.
4. FEELINGS OF FRUSTRATION EVEN WHEN THE TEAM PERFORMS SUCCESSFULLY.
5. PERSONAL EFFORT MUSTERED SOLELY TO OUTSHINE ONE’S TEAMMATE.
6. RESENTMENT OF THE COMPETENCE OF ANOTHER – REFUSE TO ADMIT HIS CONTRIBUTION.

The National Football Post | Diner Morning News: Contract Disputes

 

[JSn]

That article was excellent. I really like Mike's stuff because I can apply a lot of the thinking to real life as I work with and oversee a lot of people. Strange people.

I wonder why he's not running a team's FO somewhere, though.

 

[reflexblue]

That article was excellent. I really like Mike's stuff because I can apply a lot of the thinking to real life as I work with and oversee a lot of people. Strange people.

I wonder why he's not running a team's FO somewhere, though.

Where do you work an insane asylum? As for the article its good the only thing i don't agree with is lumping Vrable/McGinist in with the others. Sometimes players just get old. I think Vrable would have stayed for less money if thats what it took. Tenn. just threw so much money at Givens he would have been crazy not to take it. But this is getting picky in the overall context of the article.

 

[BTTA]

I don't think anything about the Pats is in the article, just the Cardinals.

Where do you work an insane asylum? As for the article its good the only thing i don't agree with is lumping Vrable/McGinist ion with the others.

 

[dhamz]

I forget who it was who said that the most ironic thing about Pat Riley's "Disease of Me" is that not only did he coin the term, he has always been a lifelong carrier of the disease.

 

[JSn]

Where do you work an insane asylum?

I work with actors and musicians. So yeah, basically.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Therein lies the beauty/true value in the Patriots version. Belioli not only talk the talk, they personally walk it.

 

[JSn]

Therein lies the beauty/true value in the Patriots version. Belioli not only talk the talk, they personally walk it.

You mean Belariodams?