Most people know LaGarrette Blount's name for the wrong reasons. After the 2009 college football opener in which Blount's Oregon Ducks were beaten by Boise State, Blount punched an opposing player who was taunting him.
Blount was immediately suspended by Oregon head coach Chip Kelly for the rest of the season. He was allowed to continue to practice with the team, but his playing days - at least in college - seemed to be over.
Blount was reinstated before Oregon's season finales after doing all the right things - being a good teammate, learning from his mistakes, good behavior.
All the NFL teams stayed away from LaGarrette in the 2010 NFL Draft. It seemed no organization was willing to take a chance on his character and questionable past.
Eventually, the Tennessee Titans offered LaGarrette an opportunity to in training camp. He was released before making the team and had an incident with a teammate, though the Titans said that didn't lead to his dismissal. With his release, everyone expected LaGarrette to ride off into the sunset.
But Tampa Bay was in need of running back depth, so they decided to give him a shot. He didn't play in three of the first five games and in the other two he combined for 10 carries and 30 yards. Hardly impressive.
If you follow football, by now you know that LaGarrette Blount had a breakout year. He accounted for 1,007 yard on 201 carries and scored six touchdowns. He is a legitimate contender for the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
I didn't write this to condone what LaGarrette Blount did. But I think it is important that we learn from his story.
Stay patient and take advantage of opportunities when you get them. And it becomes even more important if you make a mistake. You may only get one chance.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
the College and NFL Head Coaching Carousel
What have you done for me lately?
That is the sentiment among many college programs and in the front offices of several NFL teams on what is typically called "Black Monday," to signify the end of tenures.
The NFL season hasn't been over for a full day and John Fox and Eric Mangini are already out of Carolina and Cleveland, respectively, with Marvin Lewis expected to part ways with Cincinnati.
Though Fox and Lewis have had significant runs with their teams, Mangini had two full seasons in Cleveland and achieved a 10-22 record. Earlier this season, Denver severed ties with head coach Josh McDaniels in the middle of his second year.
And in college, it seems to not necessarily be worse, but just as confusing.
Ralph Friedgen was fired from Maryland after 10 years. And 2010 saw a turnaround. The Terps finished 2009 with a 2-10 record. This year, Maryland finished 9-4 after a Military Bowl victory over East Carolina and Friedgen was named ACC Coach of the Year.
To clear up any confusion, I am not necessarily opposed to the "what have you done for me lately" culture, especially in the NFL. While schemes are more complex, everyone runs a Pro-Style offense and the best football players in the world are playing on teams.
But regardless of what level you are at, you need talent to win. Coaches that have talent, but don't win, should be shown the door as Wade Phillips was earlier this season by the Dallas Cowboys.
By the end of the week, it is expected that coaching situations will become more clear for teams like the Dolphins, Texans, Titans, 49ers, Vikings and Cowboys. Counting the teams I already mentioned and the Giants, who have already apparently decided to bring coach Tom Coughlin back, 11 NFL teams have some speculation about the future of their head coaches.
Is that a good thing? More than one-third of the teams are not certain who their coach is going to be in 2011. Is it a coincidence that out of those 11 teams, only one - the Giants - have a Super Bowl championship in the 2000s?
Is it also a coincidence that one of the NFL's most popular teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers, have had 3 coaches since 1969 and have won six Super Bowls. The best team of the 2000s, the New England Patriots, have had the same coach, Bill Belichick, since 2000 and has won three Super Bowls.
One could say, and I wouldn't argue, that the Steelers and the Patriots have had some really good players. But if a coach like Eric Mangini finishes 10-22 in two seasons and doesn't get to pick his players, how much blame should he receive?
Whatever task is in front of you - coaching, playing,working - have a sense of urgency to get the job done. Your success and how long you are around may depend on your results.
www.ToTheTopPerformance.com
That is the sentiment among many college programs and in the front offices of several NFL teams on what is typically called "Black Monday," to signify the end of tenures.
The NFL season hasn't been over for a full day and John Fox and Eric Mangini are already out of Carolina and Cleveland, respectively, with Marvin Lewis expected to part ways with Cincinnati.
Though Fox and Lewis have had significant runs with their teams, Mangini had two full seasons in Cleveland and achieved a 10-22 record. Earlier this season, Denver severed ties with head coach Josh McDaniels in the middle of his second year.
And in college, it seems to not necessarily be worse, but just as confusing.
Ralph Friedgen was fired from Maryland after 10 years. And 2010 saw a turnaround. The Terps finished 2009 with a 2-10 record. This year, Maryland finished 9-4 after a Military Bowl victory over East Carolina and Friedgen was named ACC Coach of the Year.
To clear up any confusion, I am not necessarily opposed to the "what have you done for me lately" culture, especially in the NFL. While schemes are more complex, everyone runs a Pro-Style offense and the best football players in the world are playing on teams.
But regardless of what level you are at, you need talent to win. Coaches that have talent, but don't win, should be shown the door as Wade Phillips was earlier this season by the Dallas Cowboys.
By the end of the week, it is expected that coaching situations will become more clear for teams like the Dolphins, Texans, Titans, 49ers, Vikings and Cowboys. Counting the teams I already mentioned and the Giants, who have already apparently decided to bring coach Tom Coughlin back, 11 NFL teams have some speculation about the future of their head coaches.
Is that a good thing? More than one-third of the teams are not certain who their coach is going to be in 2011. Is it a coincidence that out of those 11 teams, only one - the Giants - have a Super Bowl championship in the 2000s?
Is it also a coincidence that one of the NFL's most popular teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers, have had 3 coaches since 1969 and have won six Super Bowls. The best team of the 2000s, the New England Patriots, have had the same coach, Bill Belichick, since 2000 and has won three Super Bowls.
One could say, and I wouldn't argue, that the Steelers and the Patriots have had some really good players. But if a coach like Eric Mangini finishes 10-22 in two seasons and doesn't get to pick his players, how much blame should he receive?
Whatever task is in front of you - coaching, playing,working - have a sense of urgency to get the job done. Your success and how long you are around may depend on your results.
www.ToTheTopPerformance.com
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Warrick Dunn
Warrick Dunn was an NFL running back. After a college career at Florida State, Warrick was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the 1997 season. But being an NFL running back isn't the story. Winning the 2010 Humanitarian Heisman is.
He played with the Bucs from 1997 to 2001, then jumped ship to play with the Atlanta Falcons from 2002 until 2007, missing the Bucs Super Bowl XXXVII championship in 2003. He finished his career by returning for a final season in Tampa Bay in 2008.
In his career, he ran for just under 11,000 yards and 49 touchdowns and caught another 15 TDs.
Warrick Dunn grew up in a single parent home. His mother was a police officer and worked off-duty security shifts to make extra money. When Warrick was eighteen, his mother was killed in a robbery without achieving her dream of owning a home.
After making it to the NFL, Warrick started the Homes for the Holidays which assists single parents in purchasing their own home. Later, the Warrick Dunn Family Foundation was established to provide additional services to single parents.
By the end of 2010, Warrick will have helped 100 single parents achieve home ownership. He provides down payment assistance and new furniture. More than anything, he provides hope.
Many people struggle through life and are hopeless. While most of us cannot provide new homes or furnishings, all of us can provide a smile, a word or a gesture. Too many people walk around the world in their own little world - not speaking or even making eye contact with others.
Take the time to check on a neighbor or smile at strangers in the grocery store. Learn a lesson from Warrick. Life is more than ourselves. It is about the people and the world around us. Do your part.
www.tothetopperformance.com
He played with the Bucs from 1997 to 2001, then jumped ship to play with the Atlanta Falcons from 2002 until 2007, missing the Bucs Super Bowl XXXVII championship in 2003. He finished his career by returning for a final season in Tampa Bay in 2008.
In his career, he ran for just under 11,000 yards and 49 touchdowns and caught another 15 TDs.
Warrick Dunn grew up in a single parent home. His mother was a police officer and worked off-duty security shifts to make extra money. When Warrick was eighteen, his mother was killed in a robbery without achieving her dream of owning a home.
After making it to the NFL, Warrick started the Homes for the Holidays which assists single parents in purchasing their own home. Later, the Warrick Dunn Family Foundation was established to provide additional services to single parents.
By the end of 2010, Warrick will have helped 100 single parents achieve home ownership. He provides down payment assistance and new furniture. More than anything, he provides hope.
Many people struggle through life and are hopeless. While most of us cannot provide new homes or furnishings, all of us can provide a smile, a word or a gesture. Too many people walk around the world in their own little world - not speaking or even making eye contact with others.
Take the time to check on a neighbor or smile at strangers in the grocery store. Learn a lesson from Warrick. Life is more than ourselves. It is about the people and the world around us. Do your part.
www.tothetopperformance.com
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