Hambone wrote:An observation. One big concern about any sports team is leadership and the loss of it when older core leaders depart. The Lions have endured their share of that what with the likes of Geroy, Banks, Reid and Keron Williams to name a few. I'm a believer that as core leaders depart there are always leaders-in-waiting who have been in the background absorbing and learning from the old guard. They are ready to step up and become the next core leaders. It's like from Flanders Field and the iconic images and statement on the walls of the Montreal Canadiens dressing room "To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be yours to hold it high". I never worry too much about a leadership void because I believe as leaders leave new ones are ready to step up and fill that void. The reason I raise this sentiment is because of Andrew Harris who I think may be Exhibit A. Sure there was the "good riddance" tweet when Khalif was traded. One can take his CBA comment about how united the union was in a couple of ways. However everything else I've heard from him since camp started has oozed of leadership. He sounds like a guy who isn't just willing but wants to accept that torch of leadership. Count me as impressed. II think this is an extremely positive sign coming out of camp. Just as positive as many things on the field.
Team leadership is critical as you note and I have always liked the Montreal Canadien use of that line. I found this too online below but for some reason did they not add the words or some like these - You are the Montreal Canadiens. -- this I might have imagined maybe.
"To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be yours to hold it high."
Since 1952-53, at the suggestion of then team head coach Dick Irvin Sr., these words have been emblazoned in the Canadiens dressing room, first at the Forum, and now at the Bell Centre.
http://www.hhof.com/htmlExhibits/exDressRoom.shtml
The best US university teams in football seem to get this right and establish a winning tradition of passing the torch at the RIGHT TIME to the RIGHT PEOPLE.
It strikes me that there are teams in pro sports where you really question what kind of team leadership exists in the player core as it can't be just be one or two. It has to be a leadership group that is strong in numbers and not all of them can be vocal.
The question is: Are these just old vets who average down their team's performance or the guys who elevate everyone to meet a high standard every game on every play?
The second critical ingredient is that this core has to be 100% committed to the coaching staff's vision and plans as the coach is not going to be out on the field when players are doing their jobs.
Some core players will lead purely by example and this transfers to team mates.
There was a time in the Lions when the REC corps seemed to have too much say with the HC and got coaches on offense shifted up and downstairs in games. That to me is the leadership gone awry UNLESS the HC is asking everyone which is legit to privately come in and state what their views on why they are failing. That wasn't the case back then.
Part of me thinks Geroy might have been viewed by the Lions as a guy who might not suck it up and take on a reduced role - and look and sound happy - in a Lion uniform even if he decided to play for half price.
Paris Jackson was one who sucked it up as we know now from his statements from Ottawa. I was shocked at how much he took the reduced role for at least his last 3 years. I am surprised he's saying it now.
Andrew Harris sounds like a feel good story and I think his courage of speaking out and being filmed with his long lost unknown father speaks volumes about his growth as a person and will - I am sure - be a positive role model for others - who are in similar situations to him and wonder what they should do. I was blown away by how open he was including letting his dad and girl friend be interviewed.
I think Harris might be one who needs to let his play do the talking though. It was coming into last season he stated how he wanted to be a leader in the side and then when he was misused (err NOT used) he showed the wrong leadership that hurts in a football team. He is not a bad guy for that - he's just not wired to sit on the sidelines or not get the ball like Paris Jackson did and know he can add value.
The more vocal leaders other listen to seriously are those who turn up on every down and their actions speak louder than their words and who players see as 100% committed to the cause - and not personal agendas. A tricky mix for pros.
Geroy seemed to have looked like a guy who helped others and was outwardly happy last year. He grew. Maybe Andrew is that way too now.
I always wonder if the Canucks leadership group is starting to be stale as to the mix - not the quality of the players.
