Leadership: In My Humble Opinion

[LarryCanadian]

It is tough to evaluate Garrett as a total team leader when perhaps he is "following orders" to some degree and showing respect to both Jerry and Wade by following their chain of command and not countermanding what he has been told to do.

One thing I will say about Garrett. He hasn't complained about his lot working under Wade or Jerry. That shows some integrity. Wade has the same approach.

BUT, Wade looks lost on the sideline. Can't have that on a battlefield or a sideline if you ask me - at any coaching position. A young player, maybe, but not in your leader. Indecisive, confused, unenergetic, uninspiring, dismayed, beaten - he is NOT MOTIVATING or seemingly TEACHING his players.

Athletes and troops alike will subconsciously not perform for a leader exhibiting those traits. Athletes will even chose consciously not to follow someone when they don't respect them, unlike the military where they pretty much have to or else......

I think Wade treats his players with respect and rarely if ever singles them out, etc. This is worthy of commendation. I highly doubt from a military standpoint that this would fly though? You screw up, you hear about it, everybody knows, but that is OK. Learn from it and move on, adapt (isn't that a Marine motto) and overcome. Not in Wade World though. We won't even get an answer as to who missed a block? Different styles. Wade's isn't working, at least any more.

We throw words around like warrior and professional too casually.

I KNOW that I, at age 41, and many NFL players could benefit from some military level leadership and discipline and "seasoning" or maturing. But sports is not the military either, there are a lot of factors that go into the NFL that you can or can't do from a military perspective.

The OP is very interesting though and the insight into leadership is appreciated.

LarryCanadian

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Here's a military dictate for you:

Don't fight battles you can't win.

For Garrett to take the head coaching role right now would be horrible for his career. He can't win in this situation. Not this season.

For what it's worth, Steve Dennis said on Tuesday that he wouldn't be surprised if Garrett wants out of here as soon as possible.

He wasn't quoting Jerry, obviously -- but that was his opinion on what Jason thought about the structure of the team.

 

[yentl911]

For what it's worth, Steve Dennis said on Tuesday that he wouldn't be surprised if Garrett wants out of here as soon as possible.

He wasn't quoting Jerry, obviously -- but that was his opinion on what Jason thought about the structure of the team.

For what it's worth I wouldn't be suprised if JG is forced out of here as soon as possible.

This entire team has become a joke.

Casey

 

[Plankton]

A complete cleansing is what this team needs. NOT a guy who is just as much to blame.

If Wade gets the fall for the defense, JG gets the fall for the O. DeCam gets the fall for ST.

Making a change without a clean sweep is just letting it fester. Gotta get rid of this mojo and get a total cleanse....

Jones needs to remove himself too. Also, the roster needs to be roto-rootered of the quitters.

 

[casmith07]

It is tough to evaluate Garrett as a total team leader when perhaps he is "following orders" to some degree and showing respect to both Jerry and Wade by following their chain of command and not countermanding what he has been told to do.

One thing I will say about Garrett. He hasn't complained about his lot working under Wade or Jerry. That shows some integrity. Wade has the same approach.

BUT, Wade looks lost on the sideline. Can't have that on a battlefield or a sideline if you ask me - at any coaching position. A young player, maybe, but not in your leader. Indecisive, confused, unenergetic, uninspiring, dismayed, beaten - he is NOT MOTIVATING or seemingly TEACHING his players.

Athletes and troops alike will subconsciously not perform for a leader exhibiting those traits. Athletes will even chose consciously not to follow someone when they don't respect them, unlike the military where they pretty much have to or else......

I think Wade treats his players with respect and rarely if ever singles them out, etc. This is worthy of commendation. I highly doubt from a military standpoint that this would fly though? You screw up, you hear about it, everybody knows, but that is OK. Learn from it and move on, adapt (isn't that a Marine motto) and overcome. Not in Wade World though. We won't even get an answer as to who missed a block? Different styles. Wade's isn't working, at least any more.

We throw words around like warrior and professional too casually.

I KNOW that I, at age 41, and many NFL players could benefit from some military level leadership and discipline and "seasoning" or maturing. But sports is not the military either, there are a lot of factors that go into the NFL that you can or can't do from a military perspective.

The OP is very interesting though and the insight into leadership is appreciated.

LarryCanadian

Thanks for the comments. I just think that both jobs have a lot of parallels with leadership styles that I think should be examined from those that might not have an understanding of that word "leader" or "leadership" that they throw around.

More often than not, it actually is the quiet professional that inspires his men the most...but it comes from those things you said - the presence and the bearing, the teaching. Not from yelling and cursing and spitting in people's faces when they make mistakes, but explaining why it was a mistake, and what the right answer is to make sure the mistake is corrected in the future.

One of the things we harp on in the Army is task and purpose - one should always explain the purpose of the task to Soldiers, or in this case, football players. Giving your folks a task without teaching them why it's important appears to be exactly what Wade is doing with this football team.

 

[CooterBrown]

What Is Leadership?

I joined this site in October 2008 in the middle of what turned out to be a somewhat circus of a season for the Cowboys – we had Terrell Owens, Adam “Pacman” Jones, and Tank Johnson on the team, and we also had Jerry Jones making the fan-favorite trade for Roy Williams at the trading deadline to attempt to get us over the hump. One of the things that I have seen argued about by fans on this website in the last two years has been leadership. Everyone here loves to throw around the word leadership in different contexts – is [player] a leader? We need some leadership on offense/defense. [Player] is not a vocal leader, he should be getting in people’s faces! While I have usually argued what leadership is in bits and pieces here and there, I figured that I would take a good look at what I think it is from my perspective.

As a Military Officer, leadership is a concept that you encounter throughout all of your training. Whether you are at a service academy, in an ROTC program at a college or university, or a prior-Enlisted Soldier going through the rigors of the Officer Candidate School, you will encounter some form of training, seminar, briefing, or class on “leadership.” But what is it?

From an Army standpoint, as that is what I am mostly familiar with, “competent leaders of character are necessary for the Army to meet the challenges in the dangerous and complex security environment we face.” Additionally, we are strong advocates of the BE-KNOW-DO model for leadership. Army leaders set the example, teach, and mentor – Field Manual 6-22, Army Leadership, has four parts that try to put this intangible quality into a tangible source. Out of all of those, I think the best example of what to look for is in Chapter 2 – Leadership Requirements Model. At the risk of sounding too military, I will try to put these as close to football terms as I can.

The Leadership Requirements Model has two main avenues – Attributes and Core Competencies.

Attributes include being a leader of character (values, empathy, and the warrior ethos), a leader with presence (having good bearing, being physically fit, composed, confident, and resilient), and having intellectual capacity (mental agility, sound judgment, innovation, interpersonal tact, and domain knowledge).

Core Competencies include leading (leading others, extending your influence, leading by example, communicating), developing (creating a positive environment, preparing oneself, developing others) and achieves – basically, gets results.

Now, in thinking about football players on the Dallas Cowboys, both past and present, who fits these molds?

Troy Aikman – high values, empathy for teammates, a warrior spirit, physically and mentally fit, always composed and confident, resilient and tough, master of his domain, innovative, achieves results.

Tony Romo – high values, empathy for teammates, a warrior spirit, physically and mentally fit, always composed and confident, resilient and tough, master of his domain, innovative, achieves results.

Basically, what a leader does is he inspires others around him to be their best, and to want to be their best for the greater good of the organization. I think that goes without saying for Cowboys legends such as Roger Staubach, Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith and others. I also think it goes without saying for current greats like Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, Terence Newman, Bradie James, Jason Witten, Miles Austin and Jay Ratliff.

Where I am conflicted on this is with the chain of command on the coaching staff. I do not think that Wade Phillips possesses all of the traits necessary to be a sound leader. Now, this is not a knock on him as a person, as I do believe he possesses some if not many of the traits, namely a person of high character and someone who empathizes and is arguably a master of his domain. But I think he falls short in some that weigh more heavily than others, such as his innovation, resiliency and toughness, and the warrior spirit.

The question is – does Jason Garrett possess these qualities? I think we can unquestionably say that he possesses some, and the others remain to be seen. Character, values, empathy, and the achievement of results are all there. I think the others, namely the warrior spirit, resiliency and toughness, and innovation cannot be seen because he refuses to overstep his boundary as a “follower” to the head coach, Wade Phillips.

Bottom line: give Jason Garrett a shot. Sometimes an Army’s best leaders are those that hunger for a chance to prove they have the warrior ethos, resiliency, and toughness to inspire their Soldiers to do extraordinary things.

In my humble opinion, of course.

Well said "07"

When a unit consistently fails, the commander is relieved, not the entire chain of command. And, for those who say that this is football, not the army: there are more similarities than differences when it comes to teamwork, training, teaching, and leading a group of men to achieve an objective.
And for those who've never been in a combat unit, or combat itself, you probably won't understand. A commander is responsible for everything his unit does, or fails to do. And THAT is the principle of leadership that drives the army.

"This is 04, roger, out"

 

[casmith07]

Well said "07"

When a unit consistently fails, the commander is relieved, not the entire chain of command. And, for those who say that this is football, not the army: there are more similarities than differences when it comes to teamwork, training, teaching, and leading a group of men to achieve an objective.
And for those who've never been in a combat unit, or combat itself, you probably won't understand. A commander is responsible for everything his unit does, or fails to do. And THAT is the principle of leadership that drives the army.

"This is 04, roger, out"

Thanks for the comments, Cooter.

Having played both football and served in the Army, I think it's pretty unreal how close they both are.

Above in bold is ultimately what its all about, and you're right - they will relieve a commander, not the whole chain of command, unless they were all equally as crooked or jacked up as the CO.

Thanks again.

 

[LarryCanadian]

casmith07 I didn't mean any of what I said as a criticism. I agree with most, if not all of it. My point was that these guys aren't in an army. It is almost paramilitary style (training camp = boot camp), playing the game is a form of combat where physical injury is a real risk and actually likely as longterm health is truly sacrficed, strategy and tactics apply to sport and military.

Like I said, the input on leadership you gave is excellent, as posters have been debating that from coaches and players for months as you pointed out.

How do you feel about the varied types of leadership? TO, Tank, PacMan, all provided a type of leadership and continue to do so for another NFL team (also very unsuccessful this season). When we rid ourselves of these "leaders" I thought that would eventually improve the team, but the VOID was not filled, because what you described is lacking. Brooking had to come in here and took over right away, but he doesn't have the gas left in the tank to lead by example as much etc. Vocal, passionate, even articulate, but the scheme (omg the poor blitzes they call for this guy, NOBODY could be successful with) and his age work against him.

Totally agree as to qualities of leadership.
BUT, there are a few differences in the NFL.
These guys have been celebrities and "cool" usually from Highschool, through College, and then as players.
The are young, BUT rich. The least proven at the NFL level are often given the most money.
They are not really protected.
There is not as much solidarity (lot more finger pointing in NFL than I'd suspect in a barracks)
The whole hierarchy is completely "assbackwards" from the military.

That is why there is little accountability. GM has a pet draft pick who is a head case, but gets to start. Favourite screws up over and over on the field, but coach can't fine them, can't bench them etc.

It is a more complicated leadership in today's NFL because the dynamics are pretty different. You got 20 year old "thugs" or "spoiled kids" or "divas" that make 100 times what many coaches or military personell would make that you almost don't dare to point out there shortcomings to. When a guy like Bill Parcells gets a Jersey thrown in his face - well that says something.

I'm guessing there is plenty of politics in the military at all levels, and there are probably favourites, and some guys get away with more than other guys, but there is a strict rule of "following orders" and there is both written and unwritten rules of accountability that are lacking in sports, particularly the sports of today.

In NFL, you pay a guy $7 Million to come in and QB your football team. He is the defacto leader by definition of football for the most part. In the military you don't usually put a 20 year old in charge of a Battalion.

I think the frustration that is going on for many fans is that lack of structure, hieararchy, responsibility, comeradeship, accountability, and yes, quite frankly, FORCED COMPLIANCE to DIRECTION.

Takes a unique dude to "lead" in NFL today. And after 3-4 years, even good ones get tuned out as their message gets old.

If someone could apply the leadership qualities you describe from the military and apply them smoothly to the dynamics of pro-athletes, they will likely be very successful coaches, QB's, team Captains, etc. I'm guessing though, that the average locker room of the NFL would be enough to drive an experienced military officer insane! Probably a very different environment.

The successful leadership qualities though, would almost assuredly be the ones you have already pointed out. How to apply them to an NFL team is the Billion dollar question, IMHO.

 

[DABOYZ]

I am in the military as well. I will simply say take the military aspect out of football, becuase most of your successful pro coaches have never served in the military. So the leadership points that were made don't neccesarily work in the NFL.

To add to all of this we know that most of this country's leaders come from the Navy, lol.

 

[CooterBrown]

To add to all of this we know that most of this country's leaders come from the Navy, lol.

Now I understand why our country is so screwed up. :laugh1:

 

[ZeroClub]

Nice analysis by casmith07, but the problems are bigger than leadership characteristics of the coaches.

Any meaningful analysis of what is wrong with the Cowboys must fully consider the most influential person in the organization: Jerry Jones.

 

[casmith07]

casmith07 I didn't mean any of what I said as a criticism. I agree with most, if not all of it. My point was that these guys aren't in an army. It is almost paramilitary style (training camp = boot camp), playing the game is a form of combat where physical injury is a real risk and actually likely as longterm health is truly sacrficed, strategy and tactics apply to sport and military.

Like I said, the input on leadership you gave is excellent, as posters have been debating that from coaches and players for months as you pointed out.

How do you feel about the varied types of leadership? TO, Tank, PacMan, all provided a type of leadership and continue to do so for another NFL team (also very unsuccessful this season). When we rid ourselves of these "leaders" I thought that would eventually improve the team, but the VOID was not filled, because what you described is lacking. Brooking had to come in here and took over right away, but he doesn't have the gas left in the tank to lead by example as much etc. Vocal, passionate, even articulate, but the scheme (omg the poor blitzes they call for this guy, NOBODY could be successful with) and his age work against him.

Totally agree as to qualities of leadership.
BUT, there are a few differences in the NFL.
These guys have been celebrities and "cool" usually from Highschool, through College, and then as players.
The are young, BUT rich. The least proven at the NFL level are often given the most money.
They are not really protected.
There is not as much solidarity (lot more finger pointing in NFL than I'd suspect in a barracks)
The whole hierarchy is completely "assbackwards" from the military.

That is why there is little accountability. GM has a pet draft pick who is a head case, but gets to start. Favourite screws up over and over on the field, but coach can't fine them, can't bench them etc.

It is a more complicated leadership in today's NFL because the dynamics are pretty different. You got 20 year old "thugs" or "spoiled kids" or "divas" that make 100 times what many coaches or military personell would make that you almost don't dare to point out there shortcomings to. When a guy like Bill Parcells gets a Jersey thrown in his face - well that says something.

I'm guessing there is plenty of politics in the military at all levels, and there are probably favourites, and some guys get away with more than other guys, but there is a strict rule of "following orders" and there is both written and unwritten rules of accountability that are lacking in sports, particularly the sports of today.

In NFL, you pay a guy $7 Million to come in and QB your football team. He is the defacto leader by definition of football for the most part. In the military you don't usually put a 20 year old in charge of a Battalion.

I think the frustration that is going on for many fans is that lack of structure, hieararchy, responsibility, comeradeship, accountability, and yes, quite frankly, FORCED COMPLIANCE to DIRECTION.

Takes a unique dude to "lead" in NFL today. And after 3-4 years, even good ones get tuned out as their message gets old.

If someone could apply the leadership qualities you describe from the military and apply them smoothly to the dynamics of pro-athletes, they will likely be very successful coaches, QB's, team Captains, etc. I'm guessing though, that the average locker room of the NFL would be enough to drive an experienced military officer insane! Probably a very different environment.

The successful leadership qualities though, would almost assuredly be the ones you have already pointed out. How to apply them to an NFL team is the Billion dollar question, IMHO.

I didn't take your comments as criticism at all - I think it's great to get some people in here with different takes on their ideas of leadership.

Somewhere in here between all the different perspectives is the right answer...some combination of them all.

Thanks again, man And yes, I agree with a bunch of what you said above, too. Especially with what you said about the 20 year old "kids".

 

[casmith07]

Nice analysis by casmith07, but the problems are bigger than leadership characteristics of the coaches.

Any meaningful analysis of what is wrong with the Cowboys must fully consider the most influential person in the organization: Jerry Jones.

Still leadership. The overall commander/leader (Jerry Jones) is responsible for putting together the right combination of junior leaders (coaching staff) in order to get the troops (players/team) to accomplish the mission (win football games/championships).

 

[ZeroClub]

Still leadership. The overall commander/leader (Jerry Jones) is responsible for putting together the right combination of junior leaders (coaching staff) in order to get the troops (players/team) to accomplish the mission (win football games/championships).

Correct ... Jerry's leadership is the main issue here.

He needs to 1) assemble the right team and then 2) get out of their way.

Jerry hasn't been so hot with #1 and is absolutely awful with #2.

I do not think there is any head coach who would or could be fully successful under Jerry's current style of "leadership."

Any meaningful analysis of what is wrong with the Cowboys must fully consider the most influential person in the organization: Jerry Jones.

 

[casmith07]

Correct ... Jerry's leadership is the main issue here.

He needs to 1) assemble the right team and then 2) get out of their way.

Jerry hasn't been so hot with #1 and is absolutely awful with #2.

I do not think there is any head coach who would or could be fully successful under Jerry's current style of "leadership."

Any meaningful analysis of what is wrong with the Cowboys must fully consider the most influential person in the organization: Jerry Jones.

I disagree and agree in part. I think Jerry has largely stayed out of the way since the Parcells era with regard to football stuff. He has utterly failed at #1, and failed the second he hired Wade Phillips.

As for #2 - he has not stayed out of the way with idiotic decisions such as making training camp a circus, etc. for his marketing purposes, but whenever I see people say that Jerry is "meddling" I just think it's sour grapes from the late 90s teams.

 

[03EBZ06]

Now I understand why our country is so screwed up. :laugh1:

: :laugh2:


AOCS, USN (Ret)

-----------------------

Lot of good points by 07 and others. I also have been very critical of lack of leadership within organization. However, as long as Jerry has open door policy and continually undermines the coaching staff, the chain of command doesn't exist and will be very difficult to create correct path of leadership by coaching staff.

 

[casmith07]

: :laugh2:


AOCS, USN (Ret)

-----------------------

Lot of good points by 07 and others. I also have been very critical of lack of leadership within organization. However, as long as Jerry has open door policy and continually undermines the coaching staff, the chain of command doesn't exist and will be very difficult to create correct path of leadership by coaching staff.

I think the open-door policy is a good one to have...but I think the wrong person has it. Generally, you only exercise the open-door policy with the General if everyone else in the chain of command is failing to do their respective jobs.

The main person that should have the open-door policy should be the head coach. All problems should stop once they reach his desk. If not, then HE should use the open-door policy with the owner/GM in order to release/trade/punish or whatever else needs to be done. Players should see Jerry Jones a few times a year: on the sidelines before a win, on the stage at the Super Bowl when they receive the Lombardi Trophy, and every once in a while during the off-season at a team banquet or community service event.

Other than that, they should NEVER see him. His mug is all over TV way too much....he needs to operate behind the scenes. I remember being afraid if the Brigade Commander or Division Commander was supposed to be "coming through" - you didn't WANT him in your shop.

 

[CCBoy]

casmith07 I didn't mean any of what I said as a criticism. I agree with most, if not all of it. My point was that these guys aren't in an army. It is almost paramilitary style (training camp = boot camp), playing the game is a form of combat where physical injury is a real risk and actually likely as longterm health is truly sacrficed, strategy and tactics apply to sport and military.

Like I said, the input on leadership you gave is excellent, as posters have been debating that from coaches and players for months as you pointed out.

How do you feel about the varied types of leadership? TO, Tank, PacMan, all provided a type of leadership and continue to do so for another NFL team (also very unsuccessful this season). When we rid ourselves of these "leaders" I thought that would eventually improve the team, but the VOID was not filled, because what you described is lacking. Brooking had to come in here and took over right away, but he doesn't have the gas left in the tank to lead by example as much etc. Vocal, passionate, even articulate, but the scheme (omg the poor blitzes they call for this guy, NOBODY could be successful with) and his age work against him.

Totally agree as to qualities of leadership.
BUT, there are a few differences in the NFL.
These guys have been celebrities and "cool" usually from Highschool, through College, and then as players.
The are young, BUT rich. The least proven at the NFL level are often given the most money.
They are not really protected.
There is not as much solidarity (lot more finger pointing in NFL than I'd suspect in a barracks)
The whole hierarchy is completely "assbackwards" from the military.

That is why there is little accountability. GM has a pet draft pick who is a head case, but gets to start. Favourite screws up over and over on the field, but coach can't fine them, can't bench them etc.

It is a more complicated leadership in today's NFL because the dynamics are pretty different. You got 20 year old "thugs" or "spoiled kids" or "divas" that make 100 times what many coaches or military personell would make that you almost don't dare to point out there shortcomings to. When a guy like Bill Parcells gets a Jersey thrown in his face - well that says something.

I'm guessing there is plenty of politics in the military at all levels, and there are probably favourites, and some guys get away with more than other guys, but there is a strict rule of "following orders" and there is both written and unwritten rules of accountability that are lacking in sports, particularly the sports of today.

In NFL, you pay a guy $7 Million to come in and QB your football team. He is the defacto leader by definition of football for the most part. In the military you don't usually put a 20 year old in charge of a Battalion.

I think the frustration that is going on for many fans is that lack of structure, hieararchy, responsibility, comeradeship, accountability, and yes, quite frankly, FORCED COMPLIANCE to DIRECTION.

Takes a unique dude to "lead" in NFL today. And after 3-4 years, even good ones get tuned out as their message gets old.

If someone could apply the leadership qualities you describe from the military and apply them smoothly to the dynamics of pro-athletes, they will likely be very successful coaches, QB's, team Captains, etc. I'm guessing though, that the average locker room of the NFL would be enough to drive an experienced military officer insane! Probably a very different environment.

The successful leadership qualities though, would almost assuredly be the ones you have already pointed out. How to apply them to an NFL team is the Billion dollar question, IMHO.

The similarities run through both sectors, be it civilian or military...as guiding principals run true for both. Once screening of individual view is removed, then the focus becomes applications. That isn't upon an emotional basis, but the emotion isn't lost due to all concepts being applied to real people who do have emotions. That is a difference although.

Cas brought in an overview application of informing and directing. Well on an individual level, it is broken down in task effectiveness by three difining elements. Task, condition, and standard are those elements.

It is upon this basis that all tasks are broken down to evaluate, educate, and direct accordingly. Not upon what seems likely in a particular situation. The freedom to depart comes into view when applied to a non task specific consideration.

This applies to football and the current situation as well.

The Cowboys have fallen prey to more human tendencies of undisciplined approach and a tendency to be lazy. They have lost the elements of action regulated by complying the the efficiency wrapped up in the simple aspects of defining a specific task; complying with conditions of technique; and then unselfishly seeing that standards are in force even through intensity of action.

Now, applied, this equates to prior to each and every play for the team, and each player...NOT getting in physical positioning through stance and mental focus, to take his first step aggressively in response to a defined task. The team has lost most focus at the very beginning of each play.

There are a variety of tasks that each player is responsible for. Such as lower positioning that engages his hip flexors and leg muscles from which to maintain much more explosiveness. How often have you seen even DeMarcus Ware, standing with stiff almost straigh legs and bent over from the waste. That is a lazy and poor football position.

This is just one defining element of that task although. You have the next aspect of the task. In a run play, the task outside linebacker then has is to stop the direction of blocking coming his direction. He has to be in correct position to be effective. Here, many of the Cowboy players are receptive in the confrontation. That means, the condition for the task isn't being complied with. To point, using his own momentum and putting a shoulder on the outside underpad area of the approaching lineman, to stop and halt his direction of movement. Then using a strong hand strike to disengage, the linebacker is then in position to cover the outside and prime area of focus. His secondary response could additionally then be inside to limit effectiveness in that area.

The standard then is to stop direction of blocker, disengage from him in a manner that allows outside dominance or a restrictive inside influence.

Anything less than this is failure by that player.

In military manner this looks as:

Task: Assuming appropriate pre-play positioning, and with correct focus, meet an oncoming blocker with such force as to stop his direct. Then reacting in manner as to asure outside pressure and inside influence.

Condition: Assuming lowered body hip and leg loading with back straight and an outside from tackle positioning. Upon outside movement by the offensive tackle, exploding into his lead underpad body area. Then simultaneously and using an explosive hand punch delivered to the top of that same pad area giving distancing from that tackle. While maintaining lowered hip flexion and a widened foot stance, then exploding in the direction of the ball carrier. That with dominant direction given to outside pressure first. Auxillary responsibility including a restrictive ability to the inside.

Standard: Stop immediate direction of the blocker and sustain outside dominance in all situations.

This is where the team is losing it's current battles. Not in ability. As the team still out produces over the course of a game, the total yardages gained. It has the talent to produce, but isn't winning the specifics of application, or producing when an opponent is determined and putting it's own efforts to standard.

This isn't because the Cowboy players don't have equal or even better talent potential. It means that technique and the discipline to execute have become secondary in applications.

This all then returns to the need to reinforce the technique and hold accountable the players for their execution.

This all then falls directly in line with the posting of casmith07.

Is Wade Phillips the proverbial 'dancing bear?' I hardly think so. His team has lost the moring of the benefit of good technique during games. Not in being taught proper technique or how to apply them. The team is stocked with players with talent potentials to execute at a very high level. Yet, the team is not that....a team.

This brings considerations back into the area addressed by cas, leadership. Taken and strained, this is the ability to affect change and redirect to desired directions. This does not then include the social desire to tar and feather. Which usually ends up in escalating clean-up bills. At some point, most real people will tire of trying to beat up Wade Phillips. Hey, using Naval terms...he ran the vessel into the sand bar allright. But, he probably can extract it as well. That doesn't mean he still isn't the Captain. It then takes prudence to determine the degree of culpability for that action. But that isn't really the part of the process for those along the banks of the river cheering the steamboat race.

 

[casmith07]

Good old Task, Conditions, Standard! In my humblest of opinions, the best three-part teaching tool anyone can use for anything, whether its engaging targets with an M16A2 service rifle, or learning to tackle a ball-carrier.

 

[CCBoy]

I think the open-door policy is a good one to have...but I think the wrong person has it. Generally, you only exercise the open-door policy with the General if everyone else in the chain of command is failing to do their respective jobs.

The main person that should have the open-door policy should be the head coach. All problems should stop once they reach his desk. If not, then HE should use the open-door policy with the owner/GM in order to release/trade/punish or whatever else needs to be done. Players should see Jerry Jones a few times a year: on the sidelines before a win, on the stage at the Super Bowl when they receive the Lombardi Trophy, and every once in a while during the off-season at a team banquet or community service event.

Other than that, they should NEVER see him. His mug is all over TV way too much....he needs to operate behind the scenes. I remember being afraid if the Brigade Commander or Division Commander was supposed to be "coming through" - you didn't WANT him in your shop.

Cas, I was knee deep in floor scouring powders and was tattered and soiled from head to foot getting ready on Friday night for a SAMI. There was room disarray in preparations. At about nine p.m., our door exploded open and a Major walked in. Both of us came to stiff positioning, with chins tucked and eyes fixed forward. The officer then went about our room, which was being put into position for the next morning's inspection, and tore out all of my drawers and threw them on my bunk. He then threw half of my clothes in the closet onto the bed as well. He then got in my face and started to tear into my appearance, day old shave, and soiled clothing. He turned towards my roommate, who was Ada, Oklahoma, and he started to howl. The Major then turn towards myself, and asked me if I knew he was. I replied that no, I didn't. To which he replied, look down at my name tag. He had the very same last name as myself. He was assigned to the Academy, and had both my first and last names. He then invited me and my roommate to his quarters to dine and meet with his family.

My point, being that there is a personal side, but principals of appropriateness were the relevant issues at context. Accountability was involved even if taken to personal levels. Lol...:starspin