Quote:
Originally Posted by FAX
Basically, I think the NFL needs more guys who are willing to lay down the law with players. The pendulum has swung too far toward the side of the individual's right to be a selfish dumbass and needs to return to the idea that, in order to be a winner, the team's interests have to trump personal ones.
FAX
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I agree with this, but there are better way to do it. When a coach goes to the media, it's a sign of weakness. A coach who demands respect and knows how to lead can get things done internally. When he has to take it public, he's basically trying to drum up sympathy from the fans. This creates an us against them mentality, and nobody benefits from that. It certainly doesn't generate respect from the team.
Any respect that he generates will be because he didn't tolerate the behavior, not because of the press conference. When he sent him to the locker room, that was a sign of leadership. When he went on his rant, that was a rookie coach having a meltdown.
A team is like a family, and a player needs to know that a coach has his back in public even if he's chewing the player's ass in private. If a coach gets to the point where he doesn't have the player's back, the player needs to be cut.