Edwards wants lots of overachievers

**jAZ** · 07-05-2006, 08:20 AM

http://www.topix.net/content/kri/121...19882725909830

Edwards wants lots of overachievers

Monterey County Herald
By KEVIN MERFELD
July 05, 2006

What you do in the dark comes to the light. You can say certain things but you have to live that way. What I say I'm going to do. Herman Edwards isn't in Kansas anymore but he's coaching the kids at his camp as if they were NFL stars Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez.

'My goal in life as a coach is to make you overachieve,' Edwards said. 'I don't care if you have great talent. If you do, you should be a great player. God gives you talent. You don't earn it. It's a gift from God, so use it. I always try to get players to overachieve. If you have that, then you've got something.'

The new Chiefs head coach gives his 800 kids at the 11th annual Herman Edwards Camp the chance to become the next Johnson or Gonzalez with NFL-quality coaching instructions. But more importantly, Edwards hopes to give his kids the confidence to believe that they can become that good.

'My goal is to give them self esteem,' Edwards said. 'It doesn't take a lot of talent to be good. All you need to do is show up and compete against yourself. That's what this is about.'

Edwards takes that approach everywhere he goes, whether he's revamping the Kansas City defense or helping a 9-year-old girl run a sharper out pattern. He also takes that attitude to every challenge he faces in life.

'The good players don't play against their competition,' Edwards said. 'They have a certain standard that they meet every time they practice, every time they play. I was that type of player. I believe you've got to teach the children that. They've got to compete against themselves. All you can do is the best you can do. There is always going to be someone bigger, faster, stronger and more talented than you. If you compete at a consistent level, you'll be successful, no matter what you do.'

Edwards is not the first coach to preach these lessons. One of his coaching mentors is Dick Vermeil, who Edwards is replacing in Kansas City. But Edwards knows there is a difference between saying what should be done and doing it. And he'll be the first one to say he needs to set an example for everyone else.

'You have to be a coach of integrity,' Edwards said. 'What you do in the dark comes to the light. You can say certain things but you have to live that way. What I say I'm going to do.'

That kind of integrity has made him well-known around the NFL. Fans know about his integrity for the game through his passionate sound bite, 'You play to win the game.' While his words seem like they should be syndicated they've been replayed so much, the idea behind them should be repeated.

'At the end of the day, the players change and the coaches change, but the game is sacred,' Edwards said. 'You have to protect the game. It's about making sure the game is played with great sportsmanship, great passion, great enthusiasm and great competitiveness.'

And those are values that can be taught at any level.

'I have a certain way I'm going to do it and I've always done it that way,' Edwards said. 'What you see on Sundays is what I'm doing this week.'

Copyright © 2006 Monterey County Herald, All Rights Reserved.

hypersensitiveZO6 · 07-05-2006, 08:53 AM

Maybe Rich Scanlon has a chance.

**DaKCMan AP** · 07-05-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperliteZO6

Maybe Rich Scanlon has a chance.

Rich Scanlon has been underachieving. If Rich Scanlon were to overachieve he'd already be inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame and have 20 Superbowl rings and MVP honors.

**noa** · 07-05-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Rich Scanlon has been underachieving. If Rich Scanlon were to overachieve he'd already be inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame and have 20 Superbowl rings and MVP honors.

Rich Scanlon does not care about personal awards like the MVP. Rich Scanlon wakes up every morning, puts on his cape, and fights crime and the denver broncos. This strategy will inevitably yield 20 superbowl championships for the chiefs, but Scanlon's efforts are sure to be overlooked.

MOhillbilly · 07-05-2006, 09:50 AM

football camp was always fun.

07-05-2006, 08:20 AM
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9847493	Edwards wants lots of overachievers http://www.topix.net/content/kri/121...19882725909830 Edwards wants lots of overachievers Monterey County Herald By KEVIN MERFELD July 05, 2006 What you do in the dark comes to the light. You can say certain things but you have to live that way. What I say I'm going to do. Herman Edwards isn't in Kansas anymore but he's coaching the kids at his camp as if they were NFL stars Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez. 'My goal in life as a coach is to make you overachieve,' Edwards said. 'I don't care if you have great talent. If you do, you should be a great player. God gives you talent. You don't earn it. It's a gift from God, so use it. I always try to get players to overachieve. If you have that, then you've got something.' The new Chiefs head coach gives his 800 kids at the 11th annual Herman Edwards Camp the chance to become the next Johnson or Gonzalez with NFL-quality coaching instructions. But more importantly, Edwards hopes to give his kids the confidence to believe that they can become that good. 'My goal is to give them self esteem,' Edwards said. 'It doesn't take a lot of talent to be good. All you need to do is show up and compete against yourself. That's what this is about.' Edwards takes that approach everywhere he goes, whether he's revamping the Kansas City defense or helping a 9-year-old girl run a sharper out pattern. He also takes that attitude to every challenge he faces in life. 'The good players don't play against their competition,' Edwards said. 'They have a certain standard that they meet every time they practice, every time they play. I was that type of player. I believe you've got to teach the children that. They've got to compete against themselves. All you can do is the best you can do. There is always going to be someone bigger, faster, stronger and more talented than you. If you compete at a consistent level, you'll be successful, no matter what you do.' Edwards is not the first coach to preach these lessons. One of his coaching mentors is Dick Vermeil, who Edwards is replacing in Kansas City. But Edwards knows there is a difference between saying what should be done and doing it. And he'll be the first one to say he needs to set an example for everyone else. 'You have to be a coach of integrity,' Edwards said. 'What you do in the dark comes to the light. You can say certain things but you have to live that way. What I say I'm going to do.' That kind of integrity has made him well-known around the NFL. Fans know about his integrity for the game through his passionate sound bite, 'You play to win the game.' While his words seem like they should be syndicated they've been replayed so much, the idea behind them should be repeated. 'At the end of the day, the players change and the coaches change, but the game is sacred,' Edwards said. 'You have to protect the game. It's about making sure the game is played with great sportsmanship, great passion, great enthusiasm and great competitiveness.' And those are values that can be taught at any level. 'I have a certain way I'm going to do it and I've always done it that way,' Edwards said. 'What you see on Sundays is what I'm doing this week.' Copyright © 2006 Monterey County Herald, All Rights Reserved.
Posts: 24,799

07-05-2006, 08:53 AM	#2
hypersensitiveZO6 EK Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10004900	Maybe Rich Scanlon has a chance.
Posts: 2,394

07-05-2006, 09:50 AM	#5
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	football camp was always fun. __________________ True Son of Liberty
Posts: 23,371