Observations from Saints debacle

[gregstephens]

At the risk of delving into semantics, I think Marvin is exactly right when he says it isn't his job to motivate players. He can encourage, he can reward, he can chew out, all of that, but motivation on the NFL level has to come from within. Pee-wee coaches and high school coaches and even college coaches can motivate, but their ability to do that diminishes the further along the line you go. By the time you get to the NFL, if you can't motivate yourself, then you shouldn't even be in the game any more (see Askew, Matthais). Seriously, an NFL player makes loads of cash, and success on the field brings you more fame and fortune. If you can't get charged up about that, no amount of speechifying by the coach is going to help.

What a coach on the NFL level has to do is inspire confidence. Remember all that talk about "buy-in" back in 2003 after Marvin came in? That's what that was all about -- getting players to believe that Marvin was large and in charge and would make a difference. And they did, at least through '05. Over the last couple of years, it looks like that belief has wavered, and it had definitely cracked by the end of last season. That's why the tough offseason stand with Chad and the flushing of various "turds" was so important -- and why the return of Chris Henry was so devastating. If the players have lost faith in Marvin (again) then we can pack the season in right now.

I agree completely on the motivating question. Unfortunately, this team isn't playing as though it is very inspired right now, either.

In fact, that's why I think the whole Chris Henry resurrection is detrimental to this team. Not because of his talents, because he is excellent, but because Brown just sent the rest of the team a message that he doesn't believe this team can win without the trouble maker he cut two months ago.

[HoTbOy]

I said there was NO WAY they would bring CHenry back, and I still can't believe it...I agree completely that with all the money these players make you should not have to motivate them to to go to work...I have often wondered if it is time to get a new O-Coordinator because the Bengals do the same s**t game in and game out...This O-line guru coach we have has been getting CPalmer killed the last 2 years...The lines are anchored buy EGhuicic the matador and JThorton who get no push like some said why is he still here we get all these other players on the D-line around him year after year but he still seems to stay here somehow we need to get younger at that spot...Maybe we look passionless because all the starters weren't playing, but if they traded CJohnson is that how you play all year??? I do like the fire that MWhite is trying to bring to the 2ndary, I hope he can motivate more players to play like him...

[Ickey44]

I heard a clip from Lewis last night saying that it wasn't his job to motivate the players. If they're not motivated all by themselves, we don't need them, he said.

I think he needs to reevaluate his stance there. Obviously his team is not motivated and it appears they won't be doing it themselves. He needs to step in and have a "come to Jesus" meeting with these fools. Especially the offensive line. They are confused and uninspired.

That Saints and Lions are two of the less-than-mediocre defenses in the league and they both OWNED our offensive line. I know they weren't great last year, but they were a lot better than this. And it's the same players. WTF?

Exactly!! WTF!?! I now truly believe Marvin Lewis's days in Cincinnati are numbered unless he can get the Bengals to the playoffs this year. He will go the way of Brian Billick. Another alleged "guru" gone wrong.

You guys take quotes in interviews WAY too seriously.

I'm sorry, was he joking? Should I not take him seriously?

Seriously, I know you want to have players that motivate themselves. But if you're the head coach and you notice that your team isn't properly motivated, you should step in and take charge of the situation. That's your job. You need to make sure you players are prepared and properly motivated. That's what being a leader is all about.

The connection isn't logical. Someone says they like self-motivated players and you automatically assume that they therefore never try to motivate players when they need it? That makes no sense. I guess if a teacher says that they enjoy having intelligent students in their class, then they must automatically hate the dumb ones and therefore do nothing to help them?

Coaches are always motivators, and we've seen Marvin do plenty of it. Even the self-motivated guys need it from time to time.

I'm always amazed at how much people read into interviews and nitpick every little thing that's said. Just look at the big picture: Self-motivated players are good. We like them. We want them. What's there to be upset about in that?

Except that's not what he said, he said he shouldn't have to motivate anyone. If he believes that, he's a fool, and a terrible leader.

Ideally, he shouldn't. But, we don't live in an ideal world, and he knows that.

We've all seen him cheer players on from the sidelines, pat them on the back, give inspirational-type locker room speeches, etc.

But, I guess we should all ignore what we've seen and, just criticize the man for a sound bite that we have decided is the complete Gospel According to Marvin when it comes to motivating his players.

Or maybe we should all look at the field and see 11 unmotivated players and say, "Gee, Marvin's not doing his job." How about that?

[Ickey44]

At the risk of delving into semantics, I think Marvin is exactly right when he says it isn't his job to motivate players. He can encourage, he can reward, he can chew out, all of that, but motivation on the NFL level has to come from within. Pee-wee coaches and high school coaches and even college coaches can motivate, but their ability to do that diminishes the further along the line you go. By the time you get to the NFL, if you can't motivate yourself, then you shouldn't even be in the game any more (see Askew, Matthais). Seriously, an NFL player makes loads of cash, and success on the field brings you more fame and fortune. If you can't get charged up about that, no amount of speechifying by the coach is going to help.

What a coach on the NFL level has to do is inspire confidence. Remember all that talk about "buy-in" back in 2003 after Marvin came in? That's what that was all about -- getting players to believe that Marvin was large and in charge and would make a difference. And they did, at least through '05. Over the last couple of years, it looks like that belief has wavered, and it had definitely cracked by the end of last season. That's why the tough offseason stand with Chad and the flushing of various "turds" was so important -- and why the return of Chris Henry was so devastating. If the players have lost faith in Marvin (again) then we can pack the season in right now.

I am by no means saying that Marvin SHOULD have to. He's right, player's should be motivating themselves. But it's not happening. Therefore, Marvin should either find a way to get them motivated, or get them off the field. THAT'S his job.