Why do some people disregard the effect of locker room material?

[Fixit]

A lot of people say that what the opposing team says or does can't possibly motivate a team.

If that's the case, why do we cheer, or boo? Why do we show up to the games at all?

There's no question that actions by others can give that extra bit of motivation, even for a team as motivated as the Patriots.

It's why there's such a thing as a homefield advantage.

It's why we get on our feet and cheer as loud as we can, giving our tiring starter a bit of us so he can reach back, on an 0-2 count with two outs and runners on the corners, for one last heater. It's why we scream ourselves hoarse so our D can come up with a critical goal line stop.

Athletes are human beings (most of them, anyways). I can tell you that if I was a pro football player, and someone was stupid enough to pop off before the game, it might make the difference between going my true 100% and going what I believe to be my 100%.

 

[mrrhodeisland]

A lot of people say that what the opposing team says or does can't possibly motivate a team.

If that's the case, why do we cheer, or boo? Why do we show up to the games at all?

There's no question that actions by others can give that extra bit of motivation, even for a team as motivated as the Patriots.

It's why there's such a thing as a homefield advantage.

It's why we get on our feet and cheer as loud as we can, giving our tiring starter a bit of us so he can reach back, on an 0-2 count with two outs and runners on the corners, for one last heater. It's why we scream ourselves hoarse so our D can come up with a critical goal line stop.

Athletes are human beings (most of them, anyways). I can tell you that if I was a pro football player, and someone was stupid enough to pop off before the game, it might make the difference between going my true 100% and going what I believe to be my 100%.

Brady jawing up Smith in the Steelers game is proof enough to me.

 

[EasyMac]

Brady jawing up Smith in the Steelers game is proof enough to me.

MAN! That was one of my favorite moments from this season!

 

[aluminum seats]

A lot of people say that what the opposing team says or does can't possibly motivate a team.

If that's the case, why do we cheer, or boo? Why do we show up to the games at all?

There's no question that actions by others can give that extra bit of motivation, even for a team as motivated as the Patriots.

It's why there's such a thing as a homefield advantage.

It's why we get on our feet and cheer as loud as we can, giving our tiring starter a bit of us so he can reach back, on an 0-2 count with two outs and runners on the corners, for one last heater. It's why we scream ourselves hoarse so our D can come up with a critical goal line stop.

Athletes are human beings (most of them, anyways). I can tell you that if I was a pro football player, and someone was stupid enough to pop off before the game, it might make the difference between going my true 100% and going what I believe to be my 100%.

Totally agree. Every edge helps.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

I won't completely disregard it. But it is of very minimal value.

The problem is that people seem to way overemphasis it.

Patriots did not beat the Steelers because of A. Smiths comments. The Pats won that game because they have better WR than the Steelers have safeties.

Tom Brady's will to win existed long before spygate.

The reason we cheer on defense, and not on offense is because the noise interferes with the offense. Not what is being said.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

To be frank-it's a bit overrated.

Take Anthony Smith's comments, for example-it wasn't that it gave the Pats that extra motivation(the Pats are always motivated for games, so it's not like they needed this), it's that it put THE STEELERS on a LOSE/LOSE mode-they KNEW they had to WIN, or else his comments would come back to haunt them for a long, long time.

Pt being that it puts alot of pressure on the team that MAKES these comments. You always want to go out and play loose with alot of enthusiasm. Doing things like this will almost always take that away, which would give you a disadvantage.

 

[onegameatatime]

It's a little pick-me-up, but it happens on both sides and I'd say it's way overrated.

How many teams have the Pats played where the media said constantly the other team could not won. Guess what? They did not win, despite all that bulletin board material they had.

Joe Gibbs said every nice thing under the sun about the Pats. We crushed them.

Pats had every incentive to load up on the Eagles ... but barely beat them.

Pats didn't torch Smith because Smith talked -- it's because he was not that good. He was benched two games later.

 

[spacecrime]

Patriots did not beat the Steelers because of A. Smiths comments. The Pats won that game because they have better WR than the Steelers have safeties.

This is the big mistake everyone makes.

Having better WRs or better players or even a better team does not guarantee a win.

A win is composed of a number of things.

It is incorrect to attribute a win to any ONE factor.

The Pats did NOT win because of Brady or Moss, even if they scored all the points. Others contributed to those points. Was Moss a bigger factor than Kaczur? Sure, but if Brady got stripped sacked for a defensive TD on the play Moss caught a TD, you have a 14-point scoring swing.

Plus, whatever points you offense scores is meaningless if your defense allows more points. Look at how many points the Bengals scored against the Browns.

There is less difference in talent than most people realize in hte NFL, and motivation is important. Never discount motivation.

 

[mrrhodeisland]

There is less difference in talent than most people realize in hte NFL, and motivation is important. Never discount motivation.

:agree:



10 char.

 

[Fixit]

There is less difference in talent than most people realize in hte NFL, and motivation is important. Never discount motivation.

Exactly.

Here's an example: would a QB rather play behind a line who kind of likes him, or behind a line that would run through walls for him?

 

[patsox23]

If you think that Smith's comments didn't, on some level, give the Pats a little bit of extra motivation/energy, during a time in the season when they were clearly exhausted and beat up, you're nuts.

I think it's maybe a little overblown sometimes, but I couldn't disagree more with those that play the "well, they're professionals, they shouldn't NEED extra motivation." No, they shouldn't. But they take advantage of it. Every time.

 

[Imperator]

I think it deffenitly helps.

Say a guy quips something along the lines of "They're not that good" to the media, about his upcoming oppponents. Even if it's just a little matereal, it'll go a long way.

That bit of trash talk may motivate guys for a whole weeks practise, to push themselves a little harder each day. And then of course it's going to translate on the field. Athletes have egos and when they feel they are disrepected, they tend to go out and play a little harder. And keep in mind, a little bit can mean a lot on pro sports.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

If you think that Smith's comments didn't, on some level, give the Pats a little bit of extra motivation/energy, during a time in the season when they were clearly exhausted and beat up, you're nuts.

I think it's maybe a little overblown sometimes, but I couldn't disagree more with those that play the "well, they're professionals, they shouldn't NEED extra motivation." No, they shouldn't. But they take advantage of it. Every time.

Did it give them motivation, i don't know. Did they already have motivation? YES!

If you think it was outcome determinative, in other words the Pats would have lost the game, but for Smith's comments, then you're nuts.

 

[Fixit]

If you think it was outcome determinative, in other words the Pats would have lost the game, but for Smith's comments, then you're nuts.

That's not what anyone's saying.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

That's not what anyone's saying.

Yes, that is exactly what people have been saying. "The only reason the Patriots are 15-0 is b/c they are extra motivated by spygate."

And if the locker room material doesn't change the outcome of the game, then it doesn't have an effect.

 

[Fixit]

Yes, that is exactly what people have been saying. "The only reason the Patriots are 15-0 is b/c they are extra motivated by spygate."

Anyone here, dude.

Don't insult us by comparing us to those media ******s.

 

[fnordcircle]

The issue isn't that there is no such thing as locker room material it's that the media and dopey fans all find the stupidest things as bulletin board material.

I mean there's a thread here complaining that Collinsworth says the Cowboys can (CAN, not will) beat the Patriots and someone was so offended they had to make a thread about it.

I mean do you honestly think Tom Brady is saying to himself "Oh my God someone dares think another team can play us competitively? I'LL SHOW THEM BY GOD, I'LL SHOW THEM ALL" and then does like 200 push-ups with a really angry look on his face?

Give me a break.

Anthony Smith guaranteeing a victory, the Colts complaining about the roughing up of receivers, stuff like that can and does add a modicum of emotional fuel to the competitive fire but I'm so sick of every little comment that isn't completely gushing about the Patriots being twisted to be bulletin board material by someone with an insecurity complex about their football team.

 

[aluminum seats]

That's not what anyone's saying.

Thank you!! There have been too many threads here about how various motivational things are "overrated" by people, when I never see that happen here. Things like spygate, respect, whatever, add yet another edge to the team, that's all.

 

[eom]

There is less difference in talent than most people realize in hte NFL, and motivation is important. Never discount motivation.

yes -- and the pats' motivation is to win, not what the jackass of the week is saying.

they have won a string of 21 games, 3 superbowls, unseated the greatest show on turf, and are currently on the verge of a 16-0 regular season.
if you think anthony smith is what motivates them, you are sadly mistaken.
don't discount their motivation.

 

[Pats Fanatic]

If you don't think that locker room type material doesn't influence them then watch some of the America's Games programs., it motivates them big time. People forget how much hate drives people (and not just on a football field).