KevinthePRF Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Random MSN article I found. I searched, sorry if it's already been posted: http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1114&SiteId=cbmsnhp41114&sc_extcmp=JS_1114_home1>1=10372&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=cbad2936a67a40e59fa16466fb94547d-244229889-VE-4 Whole article: Six Team-Building Lessons From the NFL By Jeff Schmitt You almost need a MBA to follow the NFL anymore. The league is seemingly driven by complex bargaining agreements and salary structures. Even more, the league appears riddled with conflict between players, coaches and management. In reality, the NFL is a microcosm of the business world. It reflects the internal pressures plaguing many organizations. Employees are no different than professional athletes. They are franchises who are interested in maximizing their earnings, quality of life and recognition. With its fixed labor costs and cartel configuration, the NFL is an impractical business model. The league, however, embodies several team-building principles applicable to the real world. They include: Lesson No. 1: Establish Your Philosophy A NFL team -- like any management team -- is temporary. To be consistently successful, organizations must identify their core principles, create a plan of attack and stick with it. For example, a franchise may choose a quick strike offense predicated on speed and timing. This requires a strong-armed quarterback, long route receivers and linemen capable of maximum pass protection. More than skills, the scheme's success requires a core group who exemplify and enforce the corporate code. The New England Patriots are perennial contenders for this reason. They stick to their blueprint and recruit players who fit their profile and scheme. They always have players ready to step in when injuries, defections and drops in performance occur. Lesson No. 2: Replenish Talent The average NFL career lasts fewer than four years -- and teams replace up to a third of their rosters annually. Such numbers would horrify most executives. But turnover acts as creative destruction in the NFL. Among players, it fosters an urgency and competitive spirit that mitigates complacency. It also forces decision-makers to invest heavily in pinpointing and grooming potential replacements. NFL teams build their rosters by drafting college players and signing free agents. In this model, scouts play the same role as recruiters. They evaluate variables like skill sets, smarts and character. They project how well certain prospects will fit their team's culture and scheme. They gauge whether past performance will translate into continued success. Like any recruiter, scouts understand wrong choices can compromise team performance and dilute corporate values. Lesson No. 3: Market Your Assets What differentiates one organization from any other? This is the question teams must answer when competing for talent during free agency. Every organization has strengths that attract players. Florida teams benefit from a warm climate and no state income tax. New York can offer larger endorsement deals and media attention. A small market like Green Bay lacks these amenities, but the Packers can compensate with a rich tradition and a passionate fan base. Bottom line: Organizations must recognize their appeals and leverage them to the right people. Similarly, they must also implement strategies that mollify their weaknesses. For example, losing teams may need to overspend to attract higher caliber talent. Lesson No. 4: Manage Your Money NFL franchises operate under a budget. For player compensation, teams cap annual spending at $105 million dollars for a 53 player roster. As a result, they must wisely allocate their dollars. Like any business, teams must retain financial flexibility. Their leadership must look ahead to upcoming seasons and keep dollars free to shore up weak areas. These financial decisions often shape a team's make-up. For example, a championship team often rewards performers with long-term contracts. Such actions keep a team competitive, yet potentially restrict them from adding depth and talent in the future. In short, NFL teams recognize it is financially difficult to hold a team together. They accept the reality that their talent will eventually be poached by competitors. That's why they are always looking for a less costly edge -- strategy, scouting, camaraderie, atmosphere -- to sidestep these restrictions. Lesson No. 5: Coach Your Team It is one thing to identify talent; it is another to mold it. Coaches are no different than your best managers. They are responsible for developing players and forging a sense of shared mission that separates the best teams. Like all managers, coaches must massage egos, build consensus and motivate players to disregard pain, exhaustion and self-interest for the greater good. Whether it is game planning or addressing adversity, coaches require the complete trust of their players. Without it, teams eventually splinter. Coaches set the organizational tone. They understand that football, like business, is not a game of statistics. It is a game of discipline, guts and tendencies. That's why they focus on repetition and habits, knowing one blown assignment or half-hearted effort can lose a game. Lesson No. 6: Be Patient It is a common opinion in NFL circles that everyone works on one year contracts. Between fans and the media, the limelight is harsh. In an era of immediate gratification, everyone is disposable and long-term decision-making is a luxury. However, it is the teams that are patient -- that don't panic and stay the established course -- that end up winning. Look no further than the Indianapolis Colts. In 1998, the Colts brought aboard an accomplished evaluator (Bill Polian) and franchise quarterback (Peyton Manning). Nine years -- and six playoff defeats later -- the Colts hoisted the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl XLI. Jeff Schmitt is a Marketing Manager from Dubuque, Iowa. His favorite team is the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last Updated: Monday, September 24, 2007 - 3:50 PM Number 1 and 6 jump out at me in terms of the Redskins. And in turn seems to be the the two factors absent in a lot of posts I read from Redskin fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSHRedskins3ATLBraves3 Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I didn't read it because MSNBC's football coverage is pathetic. They said that we would trade Clinton Portis for a draft pick and then draft Adrian Peterson this year. :doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#98QBKiller Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Damn good read Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedskinsSuperBowl21 Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 i agree, good read Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinthePRF Posted September 30, 2007 Author Share Posted September 30, 2007 I didn't read it because MSNBC's football coverage is pathetic.They said that we would trade Clinton Portis for a draft pick and then draft Adrian Peterson this year. :doh: This was not written by one of their football coverage guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parker Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 nice, good read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxskinsville Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 Terrific article. Thanks for adding it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtySkin21 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 rediculous.... everyone wants to act like they know how to do everything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Touchdown Redskins Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 I didn't read it because MSNBC's football coverage is pathetic.They said that we would trade Clinton Portis for a draft pick and then draft Adrian Peterson this year. :doh: That actually wouldn't have been the worst scenario ever btw. Adrian Peterson is a perfect Gibbs back, and with the pick we would get for Portis we likely would have gotten a DE or perhaps even Landry anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtySkin21 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 That actually wouldn't have been the worst scenario ever btw. Adrian Peterson is a perfect Gibbs back, and with the pick we would get for Portis we likely would have gotten a DE or perhaps even Landry anyway. NO way. There is no way anyone would have given us a 1st rounder that early in the draft to get peterson and landry. sorry i had to bust your bubble but thats basically impossible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Touchdown Redskins Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 NO way. There is no way anyone would have given us a 1st rounder that early in the draft to get peterson and landry.sorry i had to bust your bubble but thats basically impossible I don't think it's impossible, considering Portis's age and proven ability. I'm not saying we would have traded Portis straight up, but it's definitely not impossible, especially trading him to a team like Minnesota that was going to draft Peterson anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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