The NFL Code of Respect
It is said that respect is a two-way street, meaning that it’s not enough for you to GIVE respect, you also have a right to GET it as well. This may be seen in how teams respect one another both on and off the field.
I want to use an example to discuss how even in the National Football League there must be respect. Now, a lot of people talk about how players have to respect coaches, and I agree. The coach is the figure head of the team, and must be the leader. As such, that means that those under his command must respect his authority.
That’s fine, I got that.
But it goes both ways too. Sometimes the coach has to remember that he is not God, and is just as human as the team he coaches. Lots of times the delicate balance of team is broken when players no longer have the absolute respect of their head coach. This happens a lot in sports, but let me use a recent example.
I have the highest respect for current Head Coach Mike Singletary, one of the reasons the Chicago Bears won the Superbowl (along with Walter Payton, Jim McMahon and others). Many of you have seen the turmoil that has happened with the San Francisco 49ers, and how they recently fired their head coach and put Mike Singletary at the helm.
When I saw this, I was very happy for Singletary, and I felt it was LONG overdue. It’s like wondering why Joe Greene never got a shot at a head coaching job in the NFL. And we know Mike Singletary is a very intense player, and we hoped to see that happen with the 49ers.
Many of you know about how Singletary removed Vernon Davis from the game, then sent him to the showers. Singletary made a statement about how he’d rather play with 10 guys and get flagged every time than play with guys that are not with the team.
Now, when I first heard that, I thought that maybe he was right. Sometimes players get a little too emotional in the game and need to be tamed a bit. So maybe Mike Singletary was right in “nipping it in the bud” with this Davis by sending him to the showers. Maybe it was the way to get control of a bad team…and let’s not fool ourselves, this is a bad team.
But then a story comes out how Mike Singletary took his pants off during the halftime of a game to demonstrate how humiliating it was for the beating the 49ers were getting. That made the news all around sports media, and I was then starting to wonder what’s up with Singletary…that kinda seemed extreme…and weird.
Turns out, that info was “leaked” to the media, which now has Mike Singletary upset because as he said, “what happens in the locker room ought to stay there”.
In most cases I am inclined to agree, but I am making an exception, and even saying this about what happened…Singletary made himself fair game…so he needs to take his OWN medicine.
It pains me to say that, because I love Mike Singletary, but in the events of the last week or so, I think the coach has no right to argue about what the media found out. I think the better way to put this is “turnabout is fair game”.
Singletary had no problem throwing Davis under the bus, making his announcements to the media and the sports world. And although I don’t have a problem with the coach telling his players about stuff they don’t want him to do, and EVEN if he has to discipline his players, fine. But the moment you open your mouth to the media about that, you publicly humiliate one of YOUR players.
Where’s the respect in that?
And yet, Singletary gets bent out of shape when somebody leaks out what he says in the locker room. I don’t see how that is any different and it is possible that in what Singletary did, may have caused a severe fraction in the team. Lots of players on the 49ers are actually speaking on behalf of Davis, in support that maybe Mike Singletary should not have opened his big mouth to publicly embarrass one of his players. Perhaps one of those players (or coaches) felt that the respect of the team is not just about respecting the coach alone. It’s about respecting every player as a human being, and when they make a mistake, you correct in in the confines of your team…not to the media.
So maybe the info leaked on Mike Singletary dropping his pants was justified. Heck, if you want to embarrass one of your players, fine, but don’t get upset when you get embarrassed yourself.
I really think if Singletary had just yelled at him and let him be, it would have been cool. Or even if he sent him to the showers, that is fine, just don’t tell the media what that was about. That was only between you and Davis…not the rest of the world. I can imagine the teammates of Davis felt that Singletary was too hard on him. Discipline is fine, I am all for it, but to put his shame out there for the world to judge is not fair to Davis, and I thought Mike should have been a better man than that. So I think he got what he deserved with the “pants dropping” example. It ought to be a sign to the coach that just as you treat your players with little respect, expect the same.
Sometimes coaches need to realize that treating players like inmates in prison does not work. You must treat them like MEN, because they are MEN. Once you get the respect of MEN, then you can lead these MEN, and thus get the respect of these MEN.
It’s like Duke Football several weeks ago. Duke played at home vs. Virginia and won that game, and during that game a Duke player intercepted a pass and ran in the end zone. On the way there, he dove in celebration in the end zone, which by some stupid rule is now considered excessive celebration..
(and don’t get me started on that)
The Duke player got up, was happy and celebratory as the fans were excited and cheering. But the second he got to the sidelines, not one but TWO coaches on that team jumped down his throat trying to tell this guy how stupid it was to do that.
This is a problem with people used to losing, they find the WRONG things to discipline. Yes you talk to him and tell him not to do it again, but tell me this, how many games have Duke won in the last 5 years? This is a team that does not see winning much, so you BETTER enjoy every bit you can get.
Since winning that game vs. Virginia, they lost the next two, and recently beat Vandy in a very low scoring game. Perhaps they learned that chewing out a kid for scoring a touchdown was an issue they didn’t have to treat like a felony.
Mike Singletary can learn from that. Great player he may be, and one of the best defensive linemen of our time…but being a coach means respecting ALL players just as much as you want them to respect you. If he does not learn this soon, there may be a mutiny.
Friday, October 31, 2008
How to get wrestling fans, part 5
How to get wrestling fans part 5
You guys will notice that I bounce from topic to topic because I cover several different sports at the same time, so if you read one blog about wrestling and don’t see anything for two or three blogs, don’t worry, I try to get back to it when I can.
This is an ongoing topic on what I might do if I was in charge of a local wrestling federation. Not some multi-million dollar federation where you have millions to throw around. I’m talking about a local wrestling show where you can provide people in a few towns some nice and decent talent. These are for the real wrestling fans, not those that watch only “Smackdown” or “Raw” on television. That’s fine if you are into that, but lots of times we ignore the people who try to bring us local entertainment right in our back yards.
So this is a blog of what I might do if I had a wrestling federation and what I would do to make it better. If you have read the other blogs on wrestling, you know we have covered a few topics, including Location, Sound Quality and Promotions/Advertisings.
So let’s continue with the next element: Video Quality and Post Production.
Back in the days of the 70’s and 80’s this would have been hard because the equipment used for video was expensive and pretty big. But today anybody can take videos…Youtube is an excellent example of this. For good or for bad, you can easily get videos of yourself or others to the faces of thousands, or millions.
But how can you utilize this when it comes to local wrestling? Well, many local wrestling businesses forget the power of the media. Any match that you have can be recorded for several uses. As a guy that has a degree in radio and television, I want to try to share some points on this.
First off, if you’re gonna do it, do it right. Don’t go buying cheap stuff because the end product needs to be good. Remember, this is your calling card to anyone who has not been to your events; give them a good impression. Now we’re not gonna get too involved in the actual names of cameras and editing suites, because for every one I say, there could be options. But the key here is this, get some decent cameras.
Now, here is a problem I think many people miss, recording a match is more than just setting a camera and “letting it roll”. Lots of federations use a single camera on a fixed location…no good.
Give the people angles of action, not just from one camera. You can get 2, maybe 3 digital cameras, and set positions around the ring and have three different angles. If you can’t do 3, then do two, but it is critical to have more than one angle to record these events.
Now, the problem with this is that most people have no experience in editing. This is where you have to combine multiple sources into one source for the best presentation. Say I have a “match of the year” one night, and I want to sell that match on DVD. I need to give the fans the best I can give them, because if it is done right, those fans may share it with others, and those people who see it might be my next set of fans. However, editing isn’t as easy as “point and shoot”.
This is what a lot of federations rely on, just shooting once and using the exact same footage. Not good. If I am going to get wrestling fans, I need to give them a product they can be proud of which will also help create interest in my events. It also creates a steady income of past events that can keep the money coming in.
Even nowdays with digital cameras and the like, you still need to learn HOW to use it. Some people think all you need to do is turn it on and start recording. But that’s the difference in amateurs and professionals…you DO want to be professional in what you do, right?
I would get a couple of people to learn how to record events, if that means hiring a couple of college students, fine, at least I know they are studying their craft while helping us. I would make sure we have a fixed angle (a camera set in one position, and never moved) and a roving camera (one that circles the ring). If I could get a third, that is fine, but if not, I can live without it. My aim is to get as much footage of the matches AND the fans if possible.
And while quality is a given, the post production adds a whole new angle, and even some elements some wrestling federations don’t apply…announcers. It just sounds too bland to watch a DVD of a wrestling match and all you hear is the sounds of the slams, grunts and occasional yells from the audience.
There needs to be filler in the post production, and this is where announcers come in. You’ve never watched a wrestling match on television without announcers, so why settle for less when you get a DVD?
Guys, the post production of the wrestling matches has to be as intense and professional as the matches themselves. If there was as much effort put into post production as there were in the matches, you could sell each DVD for $20 and nobody would complain. These are the tangible sales that can easily recoup any losses.
If I had a wrestling event in a town, this could be an example. If I had a facility that seated 300, and sold tickets for $9 each, I am hoping to make about $2700. But that is a high estimate because most times I don’t expect to sell out, even with concessions. Now if I recorded the event that night, I can make it available for sale, and in time, we might be able to recoup any losses of that event.
One reason this can happen is local fans want to buy the product that they participated in, because they might be seen in it. I mean, wouldn’t you like to get a DVD of a wrestling night where in a pan across the fans, there YOU are, sitting there yelling and screaming? Another reason is that it allows fans who don’t travel to keep up with the wrestling federation. I might have events in 4 towns, but many of my fans can’t travel to the other three. This way, I can offer the DVD of what happened in the other towns so they won’t feel left out. And it might just encourage them to travel the next time we are out of town.
There are numerous advantages of video quality and post production, but lots of times local wrestling federations don’t take advantage of it. It’s not gonna make them multi-millionaires but it certainly can help bring more revenue. And the video can be a great promotional tool on the internet or even local television. So you might want to think about that.
Anyway, got more stuff to write about, we’ll talk more about this again soon.
You guys will notice that I bounce from topic to topic because I cover several different sports at the same time, so if you read one blog about wrestling and don’t see anything for two or three blogs, don’t worry, I try to get back to it when I can.
This is an ongoing topic on what I might do if I was in charge of a local wrestling federation. Not some multi-million dollar federation where you have millions to throw around. I’m talking about a local wrestling show where you can provide people in a few towns some nice and decent talent. These are for the real wrestling fans, not those that watch only “Smackdown” or “Raw” on television. That’s fine if you are into that, but lots of times we ignore the people who try to bring us local entertainment right in our back yards.
So this is a blog of what I might do if I had a wrestling federation and what I would do to make it better. If you have read the other blogs on wrestling, you know we have covered a few topics, including Location, Sound Quality and Promotions/Advertisings.
So let’s continue with the next element: Video Quality and Post Production.
Back in the days of the 70’s and 80’s this would have been hard because the equipment used for video was expensive and pretty big. But today anybody can take videos…Youtube is an excellent example of this. For good or for bad, you can easily get videos of yourself or others to the faces of thousands, or millions.
But how can you utilize this when it comes to local wrestling? Well, many local wrestling businesses forget the power of the media. Any match that you have can be recorded for several uses. As a guy that has a degree in radio and television, I want to try to share some points on this.
First off, if you’re gonna do it, do it right. Don’t go buying cheap stuff because the end product needs to be good. Remember, this is your calling card to anyone who has not been to your events; give them a good impression. Now we’re not gonna get too involved in the actual names of cameras and editing suites, because for every one I say, there could be options. But the key here is this, get some decent cameras.
Now, here is a problem I think many people miss, recording a match is more than just setting a camera and “letting it roll”. Lots of federations use a single camera on a fixed location…no good.
Give the people angles of action, not just from one camera. You can get 2, maybe 3 digital cameras, and set positions around the ring and have three different angles. If you can’t do 3, then do two, but it is critical to have more than one angle to record these events.
Now, the problem with this is that most people have no experience in editing. This is where you have to combine multiple sources into one source for the best presentation. Say I have a “match of the year” one night, and I want to sell that match on DVD. I need to give the fans the best I can give them, because if it is done right, those fans may share it with others, and those people who see it might be my next set of fans. However, editing isn’t as easy as “point and shoot”.
This is what a lot of federations rely on, just shooting once and using the exact same footage. Not good. If I am going to get wrestling fans, I need to give them a product they can be proud of which will also help create interest in my events. It also creates a steady income of past events that can keep the money coming in.
Even nowdays with digital cameras and the like, you still need to learn HOW to use it. Some people think all you need to do is turn it on and start recording. But that’s the difference in amateurs and professionals…you DO want to be professional in what you do, right?
I would get a couple of people to learn how to record events, if that means hiring a couple of college students, fine, at least I know they are studying their craft while helping us. I would make sure we have a fixed angle (a camera set in one position, and never moved) and a roving camera (one that circles the ring). If I could get a third, that is fine, but if not, I can live without it. My aim is to get as much footage of the matches AND the fans if possible.
And while quality is a given, the post production adds a whole new angle, and even some elements some wrestling federations don’t apply…announcers. It just sounds too bland to watch a DVD of a wrestling match and all you hear is the sounds of the slams, grunts and occasional yells from the audience.
There needs to be filler in the post production, and this is where announcers come in. You’ve never watched a wrestling match on television without announcers, so why settle for less when you get a DVD?
Guys, the post production of the wrestling matches has to be as intense and professional as the matches themselves. If there was as much effort put into post production as there were in the matches, you could sell each DVD for $20 and nobody would complain. These are the tangible sales that can easily recoup any losses.
If I had a wrestling event in a town, this could be an example. If I had a facility that seated 300, and sold tickets for $9 each, I am hoping to make about $2700. But that is a high estimate because most times I don’t expect to sell out, even with concessions. Now if I recorded the event that night, I can make it available for sale, and in time, we might be able to recoup any losses of that event.
One reason this can happen is local fans want to buy the product that they participated in, because they might be seen in it. I mean, wouldn’t you like to get a DVD of a wrestling night where in a pan across the fans, there YOU are, sitting there yelling and screaming? Another reason is that it allows fans who don’t travel to keep up with the wrestling federation. I might have events in 4 towns, but many of my fans can’t travel to the other three. This way, I can offer the DVD of what happened in the other towns so they won’t feel left out. And it might just encourage them to travel the next time we are out of town.
There are numerous advantages of video quality and post production, but lots of times local wrestling federations don’t take advantage of it. It’s not gonna make them multi-millionaires but it certainly can help bring more revenue. And the video can be a great promotional tool on the internet or even local television. So you might want to think about that.
Anyway, got more stuff to write about, we’ll talk more about this again soon.
Halloween warnings to college football
College Football warnings on Halloween
Already I am late in my weekly warnings and I hope it is not too late to bring tidings of fear and caution to those teams of the Division I, and the warnings I hope to share. For it would seem that South Florida never got the warnings before they lost their game to Cincinnati in their own home…it proves that you are not even safe in your own home stadium.
Who then shall also be warned? I hope for the sake of the post season that people will hear my voice, even on this Halloween:
Be warned, both Northwestern AND Minnesota, that your battle against one another could doom the loser as a vampire to sunlight. Yes you both now qualify for the post season, but we all wonder the path taken to get those “easy” wins. Are you as good as the records say, or have you been hiding the truth from us? I warn you, the truth shall be revealed in the sunlight as one of you must fall.
Be ye warned, both Wisconsin and Michigan State; for I have seen teams break down like a wore-out Frankenstein standing in the middle of an earthquake. Can we not say that of you Wisconsin, when we thought you would certainly factor in for a Rose Bowl, or perhaps the BCS Championship? Now you struggle to just make it to a bowl, and the odds may be against you. Can you still win 6 games to qualify? And what of the Spartans? History says you are due to go on a losing streak, even though you are qualified for post season. But with a big game vs. Penn State at the end of your season, have you overlooked the teams at hand? We shall see…
I give you fair warnings West Virginia, to beware of the team that changes more than a family of werewolves. You travel deep into the dangerous woods, where Connecticut has fooled many people. This team started out undefeated although many wondered who they really were. But then this team was exposed, losing 2 games in a row, and we all thought we had seen the real Connecticut. But they are back in the top 25, and they need YOU to validate their greatness. But who exactly are YOU? Did we no see you lose 2 of the first 3 games, and wondered if the better days have passed you by? A win over a ranked team makes a strong point to a team trying to claw back in the Big East race….who then is REALLY the werewolf?
A caution to you Miami, as you travel to the depths of the Cavaliers of the lagoon. How else can we compare a team that was doomed after only 4 games, losing heavily to USC and even…to Duke? What manner of creature would dare to come from the depths of failure to fight for a season already lost? But this “creature” is now a powerful force, and seems unstoppable. Beating Maryland, then dashing the hopes of ECU, then conquering then ranked teams UNC and Georgia Tech. And you are in desperate need of wins…lest you not make post season. Can you survive this test?
Be fearful Arkansas, for an unstoppable blob comes your way in the form of undefeated Tulsa. This team treads in YOUR home, in your stadium, to make you an example and to impress any voters that are looking for another BCS Buster. You have had perhaps the toughest schedule in the country, but none shall pity you should you lose to this team. In fact, should you lose, the hopes of post season may be in jeopardy with only 3 other games left…your post season life is on the line. But WHO is this Tulsa team, who has defeated no one of consequence this year? Shall a Razorback fear such a team when you have faced the likes of Texas, Florida and Alabama? Will you fear the unknown of a Tulsa Golden Hurricane?
And who shall tell the state of Texas of the witching hour, and the fate of the BCS Championship? For we know that either Texas or Texas Tech will fall. We have seen the power of Texas, knocking off 3 straight ranked teams, but did you not barely escape the last game against Oklahoma State? Are we seeing…fatigue? And what of you, Texas Tech? What witches brew will you create to convince us that you are really as great as your record? Where then are your top 25 victories, for we see only one, the win over #23 Kansas. We shall see if you will ride high like a witch on a full moon, or melt like a familiar witch when dashed with a bucket of water.
Take great measure of caution Nebraska, you are being stalked. You need not travel to Crystal Lake or Elm Street to know that your adversary seeks your defeat. For Oklahoma has red in their eyes, and are still steaming from their loss to Texas earlier this year. Should any of the top undefeated teams slip and lose, Oklahoma will be in a very opportunistic position to possibly play for the National Championship. And to do that, all their foes must fall….including you. But you also play for post season life, do you not? You must have one more victory to qualify for a bowl, and you have 4 chances to get it. No one gives you this game against Oklahoma, and you may have a problem with Kansas. With Kansas State and Colorado left, your life lines are running short. Many already question your strength of schedule, claiming your wins come from weak teams, but can you quiet the criticisms and get those 6 wins for post season play? We shall see.
So my warnings have been given…so many more I wanted to give…but….
Well, it’s Halloween, and I got candy to give out! Happy Halloween guys, have fun this weekend!
Already I am late in my weekly warnings and I hope it is not too late to bring tidings of fear and caution to those teams of the Division I, and the warnings I hope to share. For it would seem that South Florida never got the warnings before they lost their game to Cincinnati in their own home…it proves that you are not even safe in your own home stadium.
Who then shall also be warned? I hope for the sake of the post season that people will hear my voice, even on this Halloween:
Be warned, both Northwestern AND Minnesota, that your battle against one another could doom the loser as a vampire to sunlight. Yes you both now qualify for the post season, but we all wonder the path taken to get those “easy” wins. Are you as good as the records say, or have you been hiding the truth from us? I warn you, the truth shall be revealed in the sunlight as one of you must fall.
Be ye warned, both Wisconsin and Michigan State; for I have seen teams break down like a wore-out Frankenstein standing in the middle of an earthquake. Can we not say that of you Wisconsin, when we thought you would certainly factor in for a Rose Bowl, or perhaps the BCS Championship? Now you struggle to just make it to a bowl, and the odds may be against you. Can you still win 6 games to qualify? And what of the Spartans? History says you are due to go on a losing streak, even though you are qualified for post season. But with a big game vs. Penn State at the end of your season, have you overlooked the teams at hand? We shall see…
I give you fair warnings West Virginia, to beware of the team that changes more than a family of werewolves. You travel deep into the dangerous woods, where Connecticut has fooled many people. This team started out undefeated although many wondered who they really were. But then this team was exposed, losing 2 games in a row, and we all thought we had seen the real Connecticut. But they are back in the top 25, and they need YOU to validate their greatness. But who exactly are YOU? Did we no see you lose 2 of the first 3 games, and wondered if the better days have passed you by? A win over a ranked team makes a strong point to a team trying to claw back in the Big East race….who then is REALLY the werewolf?
A caution to you Miami, as you travel to the depths of the Cavaliers of the lagoon. How else can we compare a team that was doomed after only 4 games, losing heavily to USC and even…to Duke? What manner of creature would dare to come from the depths of failure to fight for a season already lost? But this “creature” is now a powerful force, and seems unstoppable. Beating Maryland, then dashing the hopes of ECU, then conquering then ranked teams UNC and Georgia Tech. And you are in desperate need of wins…lest you not make post season. Can you survive this test?
Be fearful Arkansas, for an unstoppable blob comes your way in the form of undefeated Tulsa. This team treads in YOUR home, in your stadium, to make you an example and to impress any voters that are looking for another BCS Buster. You have had perhaps the toughest schedule in the country, but none shall pity you should you lose to this team. In fact, should you lose, the hopes of post season may be in jeopardy with only 3 other games left…your post season life is on the line. But WHO is this Tulsa team, who has defeated no one of consequence this year? Shall a Razorback fear such a team when you have faced the likes of Texas, Florida and Alabama? Will you fear the unknown of a Tulsa Golden Hurricane?
And who shall tell the state of Texas of the witching hour, and the fate of the BCS Championship? For we know that either Texas or Texas Tech will fall. We have seen the power of Texas, knocking off 3 straight ranked teams, but did you not barely escape the last game against Oklahoma State? Are we seeing…fatigue? And what of you, Texas Tech? What witches brew will you create to convince us that you are really as great as your record? Where then are your top 25 victories, for we see only one, the win over #23 Kansas. We shall see if you will ride high like a witch on a full moon, or melt like a familiar witch when dashed with a bucket of water.
Take great measure of caution Nebraska, you are being stalked. You need not travel to Crystal Lake or Elm Street to know that your adversary seeks your defeat. For Oklahoma has red in their eyes, and are still steaming from their loss to Texas earlier this year. Should any of the top undefeated teams slip and lose, Oklahoma will be in a very opportunistic position to possibly play for the National Championship. And to do that, all their foes must fall….including you. But you also play for post season life, do you not? You must have one more victory to qualify for a bowl, and you have 4 chances to get it. No one gives you this game against Oklahoma, and you may have a problem with Kansas. With Kansas State and Colorado left, your life lines are running short. Many already question your strength of schedule, claiming your wins come from weak teams, but can you quiet the criticisms and get those 6 wins for post season play? We shall see.
So my warnings have been given…so many more I wanted to give…but….
Well, it’s Halloween, and I got candy to give out! Happy Halloween guys, have fun this weekend!
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