[tyke1doe]

Fans tend to think that players in the NFL are extra motivated because they play professional football and make millions.

But NFL players are like real people in their particular jobs.

You have some who are very passionate about their jobs and would do it without making a lot of money.

You have some who are playing football for any number of reasons - it's the only thing they know to do, they're good at it but they could take it or leave it, they're in it for the money, etc.

I'm sure there are some who have a burning desire to make it to the playoffs and be a winner.

There are others, I don't think they even care. They play football. They're making money. They're ready for the off season.

I'll never forget what Michael Irvin said about players: Someone are just there to cash a paycheck. They really aren't there to win. So when Jimmy Johnson came on board, Irvin went to him and told him, "This one doesn't need to be here, and this one doesn't need to be here, etc."

The other thing he said is you can tell the players who want the ball in crunch time. There are some players who actually are scared to handle the ball or be in the line up when a critical game-winning play is at stake. Then there are other guys who live for that moment. They want the ball in their hands. They want to step up and make the game-winning play.

I suspect there are some players on the Cowboys who are just ready for the season to be over. They won't tell you this, of course.

But the Cowboys and NFL football isn't/aren't any different from the work situations in other non-sports environments.