Players bolting town
A long season officially ended after a long night for some.
On New Year's Day, at 10 a.m., the Vikings had their final meeting before heading out for the offseason.
Vikings coach Brad Childress encouraged his players to be safe, to work out, to participate in the offseason conditioning program at Winter Park and focus on self-improvement.
"It was the season-ending meeting," Vikings safety Darren Sharper said. "Similar... I've been through 10 of these now."
After the meeting, the Vikings provided their phone numbers and schedules, and the players briefly visited with their position coaches.
Several Vikings said the team clearly needs "playmakers" for next season, but they were confident -- unlike under Red McCombs -- that the new leadership structure would address the obvious needs.
"I don't want to disappoint anybody," Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield said. "But we need more players. I think (the front office will) do a good job."
Added Sharper, "Everyone knows, (we need to) add more playmakers."
Defensive end came up, along with receiver.
Any other suggestions?
Well, here's some good news: CB Cedric Griffin said he needs just a month for his shoulder to heal.
"The shoulder and neck area is feeling better, and I'm just going to get some rest for the offseason, and I'm going to come back healthy and strong," he said.
Also, FB Tony Richardson said his right forearm has healed, and he will be ready for any offseason work.
On New Year's Day, at 10 a.m., the Vikings had their final meeting before heading out for the offseason.
Vikings coach Brad Childress encouraged his players to be safe, to work out, to participate in the offseason conditioning program at Winter Park and focus on self-improvement.
"It was the season-ending meeting," Vikings safety Darren Sharper said. "Similar... I've been through 10 of these now."
After the meeting, the Vikings provided their phone numbers and schedules, and the players briefly visited with their position coaches.
Several Vikings said the team clearly needs "playmakers" for next season, but they were confident -- unlike under Red McCombs -- that the new leadership structure would address the obvious needs.
"I don't want to disappoint anybody," Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield said. "But we need more players. I think (the front office will) do a good job."
Added Sharper, "Everyone knows, (we need to) add more playmakers."
Defensive end came up, along with receiver.
Any other suggestions?
Well, here's some good news: CB Cedric Griffin said he needs just a month for his shoulder to heal.
"The shoulder and neck area is feeling better, and I'm just going to get some rest for the offseason, and I'm going to come back healthy and strong," he said.
Also, FB Tony Richardson said his right forearm has healed, and he will be ready for any offseason work.
posted by Unknown at 12:07 PM
2 Comments:
I don't blame these players one bit for getting out of town as quickly as possible. Remember when you went home for the Summer after being away at college your first year? You couldn't wait to get back to your freedom and free thinking ways... It's part of finally being an ADULT, free from the authoritarian power and dogmatic tyranny of parental controls.
For your consideration: Those who are oppressed (no matter to what degree) will eventually revolt to an equal degree of that oppression.
See Dwight Smith, Koren Robinson, Travis Taylor, Marcus Robinson, Ray Edwards, Joe Senser (Our radio announcer), and all the others who didn't quite see eye to eye with the dictator. Be prepared for an exodus of quality players who have had enough of Childress' way. Free thinkers like Wiggins, Kliensasser, Sharper, Pat Williams, Travis Taylor, are certainly gone.
The first clue Childress was going to be like this was the first week he was hired and he let go EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE of previous years including our equipment manager who had been with us for 30 years and was the longest tenured equipment guy in the NFL! Childress is an egomaniacal a**hole of the highest order and needs to be removed.
Childress' is the old way and doomed to failure. Filling your world with sycophants and followers only works in cults. It no longer works in cooperative endeavors. Even the military is learning this and giving young soldiers a voice in battle. The result is less casualties per day served than in any other war in history. Think about it.
Tyranny is no longer an option even in something as insignificant as football.
By the way... This is the most undisciplined football team in the NFL. Leading the league in penalties and having more "off the field" incidents than any team other than the Bengals.
Tyranny as motivation leads to fear. Fear leads down only one of two paths: Adaptation (no more fear, therefore no more motivation, see Rams game) OR Attrition (followers who quit, i.e. the exodus to be seen over the Spring and Summer)
What athletes need is empowerment and a sense of control of their own destiny, not some blind faith in a mythical system.
But what do I know? I've only been a Sports PhD for 26 years...
Nate Diggity:
Troy Williamson is an interesting case and might well turn out to be an excellent player in another "system" where he will be taught some fundamentals and given a chance to learn his craft. He clearly didn't have the opportunity with Holtz while at So. Carolina. Some actual coaching and support would go a long way toward helping this young man.
Perhaps he will become another Cris Carter for another team. Remember when Cris was jettisoned from Philly where he was downtrodden? Denny did a great job teaching him.
Despite his reputation to the contrary Coach Childress is clearly not a "teacher" or "developer of talent."
Childress believes that repeating mantras is education. It isn't. For more insight into his "teaching style" pick up the 9-11-06 issue of ESPN Magazine where they profile him.
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