Copying this over here, as it relates to coaching ...
Toppy Vann wrote:I wonder what the ice creaming/chest bumping HC will follow up with this week in his pre-game speech following his cryptic comment last week that "We suck."
Wally's words about lack of intensity in practice were hardly endearing as I'm afraid to say - that comment is not for the GM to make nor for him to observe UNLESS his hand picked HC has had one too many chest bumps and injured his brain or one too many freezies that is giving him brain cramps.
Looking at the MTL and WPG game - you see the coaching staff on both teams - calmer and more focused - even when their teams are brutally stupid with penalties etc.
Quite frankly, a HC in any sport if he is focused and their teams are clear on everything - basically says the same things all year. Pre-game reminders and half time review and refocusing their team on the keys to the game - the good and the needed.
As a rank amateur coach for many years of kids and mens' teams I have never chest bumped, made long speeches nor changed the messages that I learned from a former pro coach I worked with and pro athletes I have coached (several of which were still playing in the CFL but off season played some soccer). As the former pros all say, they don't like speeches and as a player myself NO ONE freaking listens if it's not on something specific to a game. Playing football as a kid there was a role for the motivational Larry Reda speeches BUT not all the time. We focused on what we needed to do to win a game (which is what his teams always did).
It's really time for the Lions HC to clearly define what his team is about as "We suck" and 'coordinators with chips on shoulder' don't cut it in the real world of sports.
Wally when he was HC set the tone for the team and like him or not as a player - he was pretty clear what he wanted and what players had to deliver. Wally had that edge and of course said 'they're paid to win' not paid to play. I know coaching senior mens' soccer I liked that pressure from the club as a HC - typically two years to win or else - as it gave me the leverage with the players that they must perform. It's like the best work cultures - create a performance oriented environment where people know they must perform and that poor performance will be addressed.
BUT if these Lions don't get some clarity quick in what they are as a team top down, this will be long, long season.
Luckily the Riders chatter seems to be some complacency might be there as they are GC champs and look like a solid team.
One of your best posts, Toppy.
Sports and business. Leadership. Planning. Focus. Not blather. Not rah rah. Here is what we need from you. Three ideas max.
As I have said before:
Walter Payton to kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
Jimmy Johnson: We gotta protect the ball. We have to make plays.
Hells Angels. Outlaw organization but very effective: Do Angel business. Defend other Angels.
...........
Football Head Coach: A couple of reminders. And as important as anything, communicate a sense of promise (belief and confidence), a sense of urgency, a sense of seizing the moment.
I recall one of Vince Lombardi's pre game reminders. Paraphrasing: "We have practiced hard. There is nothing they can show us, that we have not seen before. You have earned this."
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.
Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.
Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.