LIONS +3.5 v BENGALS
“No Crying In Football?”
Intro
It’s funny how perception can alter our collective view of reality and thus how we can interpret a situation radically different based on personal/professional expectations. A perfect example of this can be seen in today’s NFL as we are currently viewing how a head coach of a 0-5 team is being praised while at the same time a different HC that has been two the last 2 Super Bowls (winning 1) yet whose team is 2-3 to start the season is being systematically crushed by the media jackals while his team is condemned. Welcome to the vastly different worlds of an “exalted loser” in the Detroit Lions HC Dan Campbell and the suddenly “Emperor With No Clothes” (scary thought) HC of the KC Chiefs Andy Reid.
Let’s us take a look at this example of vastly different expectations and the myriad of quotes coming from the always self-righteous and critically judgmental sports media, the participants in the center of this morass and the critical/praising nature of comments by the media based on the expectation of themselves and others on their supposed upcoming seasons projected results. In this assessment (below) simply compare the quotes describing a perennial dormant of a franchise (Detroit) which nobody thinks much of and is currently winless against the quotes directed at the 2-time defending AFC Champion with one Super Bowl under their belts and comprised with a current nucleus who have been targeted a preseason favorite to go to their 3rd straight Super Bowl (KC).
(KC, like the L.A Dodgers and the T.B Lighting themselves, now seem to be experiencing a case of “institutional arrogance” and something that the Lions in the past, now or forever in the future for that matter will never be “blessed to experience.” This “condition” will be tabled for a different post in another time. For today let’s focus on a team like Detroit and why outside of a lucrative paycheck the players/coaches as a collective unit continue to “fight hard and show grit” while continually coming up short in the end with no realistic organization hope for success on the horizon).
“Positive Loser”
“Like everyone else, I love the fight, and I love how Dan Campbell is so invested in his players. It’ll probably be a little while before we can use wins and losses to assess the job he’s doing. For now, at least, the thing to watch is how engaged the team is, and how young players are developing.”
They have lost some tough games. Again, they are competing, which is a good sign for a first-year coach.”
“It’s all proof that Dan Campbell’s heart is truly in this. He really cares and he really feels for the team. He feels their frustration and their pain. That shows a lot more than you can imagine to a young team. It shows that this is guy that has your best interest at heart. He really cares about you. This guy isn’t just looking for a check.”
This is the guy. I’ve said it a million times about a million coaches, but this is the guy. Dan Campbell can take this team places, and it’s going to be because he cares. Even if he fails, you’ll never be able to say he didn’t care. I applaud Dan Campbell for this moment.
Remember this is a team/organization in Detroit that the hack media are unconditionally rolling out the praise and adulation for which is currently 0-5 to start the season and has one playoff win since 1943 (1991).
‘Pathetic Winner”
“It’s a certain urgency you have to have when you play for the Chiefs, knowing that everybody in this league wants what we have. All the success we’ve had, teams are chasing that — that glory.”
“You kind of have to take it on the chin,” Mahomes said. “We’ve still got a long season left, but this one you’re going to remember . “You kind of have to take it on the chin,” Mahomes said. “We’ve still got a long season left, but this one you’re going to remember.”
“I didn’t see this coming,” coach Andy Reid said. “We didn’t handle ourselves the right way. That’s my responsibility. Mistakes are things that frustrate you. You know that we can do better on turnovers, penalties and big plays.”
“It starts with me,” Mahomes said. “Three of them were on me. I have to correct that. It’s something that I’ve not usually done in my career, but I have to re-evaluate where I’m at, what decisions I’m making.
“Frankly they don’t LOOK well-coached or HUNGRY either. Too many players more worried about money than winning. For example, I don’t think Matthieu is going to hit anyone hard until he gets a new deal.”
“This was an all-out ass kicking in which a team that they dominated twice came into their house and humiliated them. If that doesn’t do it, then maybe the Chiefs really are in some serious trouble.”
“I think almost certainly an element of what ails the Chiefs right now is reading too many of their own press clippings.”
“I’m out of comments. I’m just tired of hearing about January. This isn’t the team from previous years, clearly. The guys on offense just look careless, even guys that typically aren't sloppy. This was embarrassing all around.”
The above vitriol is directed to a 2-3 team that is one offsides from 3 straight Super Bowl appearances and has lost this year to 3 current division leaders (Chargers, Ravens, and Bills).
Your Choice?
Now you can clearly see what expectations are and how it can/will invoke highly different responses based on perceptions. It is evidence that emotions are strong no matter what the circumstances surrounding the current Chiefs/Lions are and how its directed. So, which would you rather be a part of? One which evokes sympathy for moral victories or one that is champion which is currently being demeaned for underachieving in a culture that demands winning at all costs.
For the sake of this post and my selection I would much rather be in the position as part of the Chiefs where winning is demanded and expected. Therefore, today I will bypass the Chiefs and their situation or a later post if circumstances dictate it so instead I will focus my attention on the current critically soft touch atmosphere in Detroit where if one simply gives effort and the appearance that they as players/coaches care then they will garner the support of a champion (sounds very high school to me). My question is one of within this type of atmosphere what do the players and coaches do differently in their approach when the bar is set so low? Also, how does an organization like the Lions allow such a mindset that to be a success one just needs to be competitive while giving off the appearance of effort and where a simple playoff appearance let alone a Super Bowl is a “million miles away.”
Coach Speak
Personally, I’m not a big fan of lifetime positional coaches as they make the transition to the NFL’s “big chair” especially when they never “won anything” at the lower level. This observation goes for Lion’s 1st year HC Dan “knuckle-dragger” Campbell. Unlike myself that can see through this/his professional weakness, I challenge you to find some of the “sheep” in the sports media saying a negative word about him.
Campbell was set up perfectly for this position. The organization needed a simpleton puppet the GM could control as the owner is not involved in the day-to-day operations. Prior HC (M. Patricia) and star QB (M. Stafford) were all systematically shown the door which allowed for a fresh reboot. Campbell, having vast experience as a tight end coach and once was installed as an interim HC of another at the time train wreck (2015 Dolphins) was the perfect fit to come in and provide the organization a “patsy” until they could find a legitimate HC to build the program back to whatever the Lions organization considers respectability. To his credit it appears that Campbell is playing along as he is pulling the perfect con-job by curing considerable favor with a downtrodden fan base that is clueless on what an actual championship level NFL HC looks and acts like. This fan acceptance fuels a click-based media to promote the “Caveman Coach” in a positive light. Instead of demanding questions on his inept game prep, in game management, and use of the roster he gets a pat on the back and support. Campbell uses the lack institutional knowledge and of how winners conduct themselves to use the sympathy card in his openly emotional display describing the love for his players in another heart wrenching loss. His strange and odd press conferences (“bustin’ kneecaps” + 20 daily espresso shots) has made him into not only a local cult hero but one who is garnering national kudos all in the name of losing. This masterful plan has galvanized his players that need something to mask their professional depression of being part of a team that has no chance of competing for a title with this perpetual bottom feeder to now being part of a unit that although possessing one of the worst rosters in the league into at the very least a highly competitive and somewhat overachieving team in the midst of a complete rebuild. That being stated the problem (of many) I have with Campbell is 2-fold:
- Coaches like Campbell, who rely on “shtick” can only take a team to a mostly “respectable” level. In this context it’s like the cement layer who provides the “solid slab” which serves as the foundation to build the new home. Once this “rock” is set, it’s now time for the roofers, technicians, plumbers, and landscapers to come in and finish the house. Campbell’s act is allowing him to be a “cement layer’ but as good of a “concrete mixer” that he might turn out to be, Campbell lacks the overall proper knowledge to put up the “homes frame, wiring, plumbing, roof while also beautifying the yard.”
- Clouded by emotion the media/fans alike neglect the fact that Campbell in-game coaching acumen leaves a lot to be desired as he has no clue how to manage games. His ill-timed FG attempts, high risk 4th down chances, going for 2 in in opportune situations (except for last week in Minnesota) and ill-advised use of time outs gets overlooked yet if his name was Anthony Lynn (ironically the Lions current OC) he would be mocked, ridiculed and on the “hot seat” to possibly be fired. But because he is the current media darling, he gets a pass. Not with me he doesn’t as it is my hope that after this “free year” his sabotaging characteristics are held accountable.
Blah-Blah-Blah
“Winning franchises win. They win at everything. It’s hard for me to even think that way because my mind doesn’t work that way. We’re here to win. We have a locker room of guys that want to win. They’ve won their whole life. And sometimes you guys will ask me, ‘Do you have to learn how to win?’ Well, if you believe that, if you never actually win, then you won’t learn how to win. We’re the Detroit Lions. We’re a professional football team. (I would add the word “barley” to the last sentence).
“When they line up to play us, to respect us, know they’re going to be in for a dogfight, and that we expect to win. To do anything else does not respect the Lions. And to me, I’m always going to put the Lions first and we have to find ways to win games. We have all these young kids. To me, for all these guys, you’re trying to teach them what it takes to win.” (How would he know anything about winning)?
In his continuance of pulling the wool over the public’s eyes Campbell continues with the “smoke and mirror” approach by stating that he “loves the grit” the players show each week as they navigate life in an unwinnable situation. This word “grit” has been a trendy buzz word of late to characterize players that have heart, show fight, and that never quit. Yes, Coach Dan that’s what professionals should always do but somehow this “grit” is a special and unique gift only reserved for the fortunate few (who happen to all currently be on the Lions). Ahh, this word “grit” got those psychoanalytical bells ringing in my head once again as I welcome one and all to another long and nauseating version of what I affectionately have coined as “Psychobabble.”
“Grit and Bear It”
In psychology, grit is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual's perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular long-term goal or end state (a powerful motivation to achieve an objective). This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie on the path to accomplishment and serves as a driving force in achievement realization. Distinct but commonly associated concepts within the field of psychology include "perseverance", "hardiness", "resilience", "ambition", "need for achievement" and "conscientiousness". These constructs can be conceptualized as individual differences related to the accomplishment of work rather than talent or ability.
Grit is defined as "perseverance and passion for long-term goals.” Researchers observed that individuals high in grit were able to maintain their determination and motivation over long periods despite experiences with failure and adversity. They concluded that grit is a better predictor of success than intellectual talent (IQ).
Earlier studies of achievement often emphasized the notion that high-achieving individuals typically possess traits above and beyond that of normal ability, and that grit serves as the overriding factor that provides the stamina required to "stay the course" amid challenges and setbacks.
PRIDE
Grit is one just one factor Campbell has alluded to that his players possess and for why they continue to “fight” in the midst of overwhelming odds against any tangible “success.” In addition, one also has to possess an intrinsic pride in what they expect more out of themselves both personally and professionally. Pride is more than just a word one can use in describing a group of players in a tear filled after-game press conference. It is multi-dimensional and comes in many different forms that can create tentacles which outlines ones resolve and when grouped with like-minded groups (team) creates a bond.
I Am The Omega!
Pride is a fundamental human emotion involving a complex self-evaluative process. Different from other “purely” basic emotions, such as love or jealousy, pride is comprised of two distinct facets:
“Alpha” Pride-Pride in self.
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“Beta” Pride-Pride in behavior.
Furthermore, you can distinguish the different forms between authentic pride and hubristic pride:
Authentic pride-Evoked by accomplishment from successful behavior and positively related to genuine self-esteem and prosocial traits. Authentic pride is triggered more by unstable, specific, and controllable attributions, such as solid results due to hard work.
Hubristic pride-Tends to have the person engage in self-aggrandizement and positively related to narcissism. Hubristic pride is more likely to occur from stable, global, and uncontrollable causes, such as feelings of superiority from “who I am.”
Me v We
Both self-and other-focused pride are sources of positive emotion; moreover, the categories of self and social have been identified as well-being factors. Self-focused pride emphasizes more on interaction within oneself and response to oneself whereas other-focused pride accentuates interpersonal interaction and the influence between self and others.
Short-Term v Long-Term
Pride derived from subjective histories of success may promote eagerness towards new anticipatory goals. This promotion-related eagerness may energize and enhance performance and thus renew the experience of pride. As such, pride can transition from a temporary emotional experience towards a durable attitude of pride. According to the time-spans of user, a new challenging goal may evoke an anticipatory pride for a person with a subjective history of success (QB T. Brady with Buccaneers); incremental progress in problem solving may elicit a momentary pride; when reflecting on an overcome challenge, a person may feel an episodic pride in the achievement. These performance-related types of pride are short-term, event-specific, and ascribed to internal attributes, such as ability or effort (focus on a upset in a singular event). Additionally, another kind of long-term and cognitive attitudinal pride exists in organizational studies, which does not rely on single events, but cumulative experience related to the overall evaluation of a target, such as being proud of one’s team (Campbell).
Prideful Kitties
Pride is one of the most intense experiences in work life (highly evident in pro sports) and work itself is a source of pride. Institution-building pride (teams) which is based on largely intangible value and collective interest from self-serving pride which is driven by power and materialism.
Players can take intrinsic pride in how they perform, how they train, and whom they work with. Experience of pride in achievement can be empathized by others in social interaction at work and thereby contribute to psychological empowerment and promote future successes (team unity) and introduces a powerful “closed loop of energy” derived from pride: better performance by the team contributes to winning, and winning instills a strong feeling of pride, which fuels future better performance. This cycle can be repeatedly applied in organizational management. There are two types of organizational pride:
Emotional pride-Is triggered by successful organizational events.
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Cognitive pride-The general perception of the organization and employees’ sense of belonging to the organization. On this matter, the celebration of successful events, presence of a successful team history and culture, have been identified as activators of organizational pride (Alabama football).
In summary, pride experience can be derived from self-focused achievement and other-focused interpersonal interaction. The richness of pride also lies in covering a time-span from a temporary emotion to a durable attitude. Pride can be intensively experienced within the team dynamic, and intrinsic pride can be evoked by organizational celebration and reputation (Patriots).
Smoke + Mirrors
In addition, two dimensions of pride were identified relevant for design: social dimension from self-focused to other-focused and temporal dimension from short-term to long-term.
Self-Focus Short-Term Pride
Personal pride can be distilled into three aspects and can be effective in the short term but also give off the false sense that “it could work” long term.
- Enhancing self-respect.
- Enhancing self-efficacy.
- Promotion of one’s personal goal achievement.
Design for Self-Focus Long-Term Pride
Successful personal goals are designed for self-focused long-term pride. There are three aspects:
- Fostering self-worth.
- Developing one’s competence.
- Develop and maintain one’s interest.
Design for Other-Focus Short-Term Pride
Individual pride-related goals are both other-focus and short-term. They emphasize two aspects:
- Enabling one’s influence in social interaction.
- Evokes a sense of belonging to an organization.
- Revealing long-term impacts of one’s contribution to others.
Summary
So, as you can see when building a long-term successful NFL team, it’s just not as simple as reviewing Mel Kiper’s draft guide and looking the up the players and/or giving the high-priced free agents “carte blanche” while simply putting them all together and hope the “cake bakes” perfectly. It’s not a coincidence that the same teams within the same league that is theoretically built in akin to a political Socialism model (salary cap-schedule-draft) for “equality” are a success (Patriots-Chiefs-Packers-Seahawks-Ravens-Etc.) and conversely the same are perennial failures (Lions-Jets-Giants-Bengals-Jaguars-Etc.) no matter who is donned in their team colors every Sunday.
To be a success within professional sports an organization will have to have a pride and grit that is intrinsic within the player and then planted, nurtured, and cultivated by the “competent” organization on a continual basis. The 1st step in this process is the diligent ownership group which hires like-minded prideful individuals that are highly qualified and professional, next the acquisition of coaching and player personnel directors which then takes this similar approach in acquiring the specific talent which is also mentally aligned. This institutional prideful like mindedness will set the templet for how this organization will conduct business now and into the future. This modius operandi (M.O.) will be consistent with ownership's philosophy in their business approach and empower those within the organization to use their identified individual pride in guiding their personnel in reaching their ultimate personal potential. Once this is established the organization will then cultivate all this intrinsic grit and mold it altogether to make the “perfect pie.” When done correctly the organization won’t have to sell or promote in the vein attempt to convince others in joining their special “club” since those outside the organization will be naturally dawn to the unique team dynamic and ironically take less compensation as to be part of what the team is “selling.” The player will give of themselves knowing that if they become part of the special and unique unit this initial “giving” will by simple osmosis elevate their personal brand thus the team’s success and personal accolades will naturally follow (Dodgers-Patriots-Lightning-Lakers).
Game-Time
Yet as much I have disdain for Campbell and his antics; for us the sports investor it’s all about the cover and at the present time the feisty Lions under Campbell have given it everything they got as the Motor City Kitties have come up just short in all 5 of their games against early season playoff contenders. This goes to the initial energy and positive “Rah Rah” nature which works with a young/new team; but remember this it’s all an act used by many with head coaching limitations, used primarily as a smoke screen to cover up their fraudulence (E. Orgeron-LSU/PJ. Fleck-Minnesota) and wears thin very quickly when there are no wins on the ledger.
This selection is based not the Detroit in as much as it is a conflation involving the Lions brethren in the perennial NFL basement in the downtrodden themselves Cincinnati Bengals. Although Cincinnati, who is usually grouped within the same sentence as Detroit when one discusses the dregs of the league, this year the Stripped Cats unlike Detroit appears to have a light at the end of the dark and dreary tunnel. On paper this Queen City crew is slowly collecting a group of young, exciting, and talented players that if they stay and grow together could not only climb the Cats out of their decades of slumber but actually compete for divisional supremacy for years to come. Now blessed with young and talented players at key positions the Cats should not be the easy “W” that each opponent marks on their schedule when they see the Bengals on it. But this is the Bengals we are taking about and when you view the ineptitude roaming the sidelines of their supposed leader in HC Zac Taylor it gives one serious pause when including the Bengals as a viable and long-term future threat.
Jocks v Nerds
These two HC meeting today at Ford Field couldn’t be more diametrically opposites. Unlike Campbell who is a “hands in the dirt-old school-knuckle-dragging caveman,” Taylor is an unassuming analytically driven nerd who if they both went to the same high school together as kids, they each probably would be surprised to find this out. As it pertains to the schematic knowledge of how to diagram plays in pursuit of offensively attacking an opponent, Taylor is by far the more superior and with the weapons he possess in his arsenal this matchup against a defensive roster lacking talent and now wounded it should be a game that the Sean Mc Vay understudy should easily expose in use to his advantage and ultimately overwhelm the disadvantaged Kitties. This is where Taylor can be too smart for his own good and to where Campbell can turn the tables over the supposed “whiz kid.” It’s called trust.
Campbell although hampered with 1/10th the talent unconditionally trusts his “guys.” The players respect this and are thankful for his belief in them. It is evidenced by the way they continually go for it and never quit. Conversely Taylor is all about power + control. This approach was never more highlighted by how he put the “handcuffs” on his franchise QB Joe Burrow against Green Bay last week. As the Bengals were driving to win the game in OT, Taylor on the GB 45 ran the ball 3 straight times as his plan was in setting up a “easy” game winning 57 yd FG attempt. We all know now how this disastrous plan played out. When asked post game why he didn’t try to gain more yardage by opening up the playbook and allowing his talented players the opportunity to make positive plays as to put the kicker in better position for an easier FG attempt or God forbid actually score a TD, Taylor stated “I trusted our kicker (McPhearson) could make it.” Really? You trusted a kicker to make a 57-yard FG, but you don’t trust Burrow, Mixon + Chase to keep moving the ball? Conversely, Campbell on the road and instead of kicking a game tying extra point and play for OT said, “we are always going to go for the win as I trust my guys to get it done.” NUFF SAID!
Conclusion
In the end the players play for themselves not a team or a coach but when the players know the coach trusts them, they then play with a freedom and joy even in the midst of dysfunction. Although both these coaches are not going to be the long-term answer for their respective franchises its evident that Campbell will always be seen in a positive light and welcomed wherever he ends up next, whereas the **** and control freak and in over his head Taylor will quickly be an afterthought as he picks up the pieces of his complete failure with Cincy, then ending up at some irrelevant college never to be seen nor heard from in the NFL ever again.
So, I will start drinking early today (vodka martinis) as this game will be a years’ worth of dysfunction all rolled into one. In my drunkin’ stupor I will “hitch my wagon” to the “old school caveman” whose team will run thru a wall for their passionate HC to get that much needed win and the “monkey off their backs;” against a Bengal Bunch with their voiceless QB (Throat Contusion), off a heartbreaking loss, with a division rival on deck (Balt), and in a rare an unfamiliar position as a road favorite. All of this while being put in position with a HC who lacks the faith and trust in their world class abilities. Their attempt to keep Detroit winless will be in vain as they become the perfect “Daniel” for the hungry group of Cats that would love nothing better that to defeat and conquer their wild kingdom cousin Bengals and for at least 1 glorious week finally “Restore The Roar!” Good Fortune To All!” PhD!
OTHER PLAYS:
Eagles +7 (Thur.) (W) (I had absolutely no business winning this investment)
Browns -PK-150
Chargers/Ravens over 51
2-TEAM 7-POINT TEASER:
Jaguars +10/Titans +12.5
2-TEAM 7-POINT TEASER:
Panthers +10/Patriots +14
OVERALL RECORD:
2021/ 17-16-0-50%
2020/ 55-46-6-55%
2019/ 54-53-4-50%
2018/ 49-30-2-62%
2017/ 48-47-3-50%
2016/ 48-42-3-53%
2015/ 36-18-5-67%
GOOD FORTUNE TO ALL! PhD.