odog422
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,658
- Reaction score
- 311
SCHLERETH: Gibbs must deliver Taylor-made message
Published: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 11:17 PM EST
E-mail this story | Print this page
Columnist Mark Schlereth thinks that Commanders head coach Joe Gibbs should bench safety Sean Taylor following a game ejection and a fine by the league for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman last Saturday. (Andrew Harnik/Examiner file)
Mark Schlereth
Examiner columnist
Character. Integrity. Commitment. Leadership. Respect.
These are essential words. Like the reeds of a wicker basket, these words are woven together to become the foundation of every NFL organization’s mission statement.
In every facility, from behind their lecterns, coaches address the team trying to incite passion, unity and a reverence for the organizational tenets. These leaders of men talk about the sacrifice it takes to do something special. That only the toughest men, both mentally and physically, have what it takes to survive the rigors of a season. They talk about becoming a great football player, a great teammate, a great husband, a great father and a great man in the community.
Commanders coach Joe Gibbs is the living embodiment of the doctrine and principles that NFL franchises adhere to.
In the four years I was a member of the Washington Commanders while Joe was the coach, I never saw him waiver from his beliefs. I never heard him utter an expletive. I never saw him act out of selfishness or empty conceit. He was always true to the messages he delivered. Team ahead of individual, that’s the message that came down from the podium, and it’s the same message Gibbs needs to send to the whole Commander organization by benching Sean Taylor.
I believe in grace. I believe in second chances. But I also believe there’s no right way to do something wrong, and allowing Sean Taylor to play is wrong.
I sat in a meeting room in 1989 after Dexter Manley was suspended for life from the NFL for a third positive drug test. I listened to Coach Gibbs talk about how wrong it is to make concessions for a player simply because he has great talent. Sean Taylor is a supremely gifted athlete and he may be the most physically intimidating safety in the entire league. But spitting in the face of Tampa Bay’s Michael Pittman’s is a dehumanizing act committed by a cowardly player. Allowing Taylor to take the field this Saturday in Seattle sends a message to every player: The organizational tenets we ask you to adhere are only going to be followed by the organization when they benefit the organization.
In 1995, I signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos. During that season we had an incident where a Kansas City Chiefs player took a malicious cheap shot on one of our players and injured him. Twice a year for the next three seasons, every time we played the Chiefs, Broncos Coach Mike Shanahan talked about that play and how that player could never suit up for the Broncos because of his lack of character and integrity.
Shanahan preached those beliefs right up until 1999, when he made that Chief — cornerback Dale Carter — the highest-paid player on our defense.
That decision not only sent shockwaves through our locker room but also had everyone feeling betrayed. I don’t believe that it’s a mere coincidence the Broncos haven’t won a playoff game since.
Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. Sean Taylor’s behaviors make it painfully obvious he doesn’t understand that concept.
It is the responsibility of Joe Gibbs and the Commanders to stand firm in their beliefs and send a message to Taylor, the team, and the league that character, integrity, commitment, leadership and respect are more important than any one player.
Published: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 11:17 PM EST
E-mail this story | Print this page
Columnist Mark Schlereth thinks that Commanders head coach Joe Gibbs should bench safety Sean Taylor following a game ejection and a fine by the league for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman last Saturday. (Andrew Harnik/Examiner file)
Mark Schlereth
Examiner columnist
Character. Integrity. Commitment. Leadership. Respect.
These are essential words. Like the reeds of a wicker basket, these words are woven together to become the foundation of every NFL organization’s mission statement.
In every facility, from behind their lecterns, coaches address the team trying to incite passion, unity and a reverence for the organizational tenets. These leaders of men talk about the sacrifice it takes to do something special. That only the toughest men, both mentally and physically, have what it takes to survive the rigors of a season. They talk about becoming a great football player, a great teammate, a great husband, a great father and a great man in the community.
Commanders coach Joe Gibbs is the living embodiment of the doctrine and principles that NFL franchises adhere to.
In the four years I was a member of the Washington Commanders while Joe was the coach, I never saw him waiver from his beliefs. I never heard him utter an expletive. I never saw him act out of selfishness or empty conceit. He was always true to the messages he delivered. Team ahead of individual, that’s the message that came down from the podium, and it’s the same message Gibbs needs to send to the whole Commander organization by benching Sean Taylor.
I believe in grace. I believe in second chances. But I also believe there’s no right way to do something wrong, and allowing Sean Taylor to play is wrong.
I sat in a meeting room in 1989 after Dexter Manley was suspended for life from the NFL for a third positive drug test. I listened to Coach Gibbs talk about how wrong it is to make concessions for a player simply because he has great talent. Sean Taylor is a supremely gifted athlete and he may be the most physically intimidating safety in the entire league. But spitting in the face of Tampa Bay’s Michael Pittman’s is a dehumanizing act committed by a cowardly player. Allowing Taylor to take the field this Saturday in Seattle sends a message to every player: The organizational tenets we ask you to adhere are only going to be followed by the organization when they benefit the organization.
In 1995, I signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos. During that season we had an incident where a Kansas City Chiefs player took a malicious cheap shot on one of our players and injured him. Twice a year for the next three seasons, every time we played the Chiefs, Broncos Coach Mike Shanahan talked about that play and how that player could never suit up for the Broncos because of his lack of character and integrity.
Shanahan preached those beliefs right up until 1999, when he made that Chief — cornerback Dale Carter — the highest-paid player on our defense.
That decision not only sent shockwaves through our locker room but also had everyone feeling betrayed. I don’t believe that it’s a mere coincidence the Broncos haven’t won a playoff game since.
Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. Sean Taylor’s behaviors make it painfully obvious he doesn’t understand that concept.
It is the responsibility of Joe Gibbs and the Commanders to stand firm in their beliefs and send a message to Taylor, the team, and the league that character, integrity, commitment, leadership and respect are more important than any one player.
