If only I knew then what I know now…

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/06/2010 (5659 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I have been through five new regimes in the last 10 years and each has had its own way of doing things and ideas of what will resonate and connect with players.

I haven’t written of many of these practices in the past, because I didn’t think they were relevant or worth mentioning. But thus far this year, I have been impressed enough by the communication methods and empowerment of the players by the new staff that I want to share one example with you.

When the Saskatchewan Roughriders went on their impressive playoff run last year that came within a single play of winning a second championship in three years, I caught a glimpse of something at one of their practices just prior to the Grey Cup that piqued my interest.

Instead of just the coaches speaking and lecturing to their players, I saw grizzled old vet Gene Makowsky, offensive lineman for countless seasons, addressing his fellow players outside of a simple rah-rah speech. After asking some Rider types what that was all about, I was told that in Saskatchewan it was common practice for the coaches to recruit a number of veterans to occasionally address the troops and relay some of the wisdom they had accumulated over the years.

I was impressed by this strategy, as I thought players can often relate easily to other players and could benefit from hearing what the veterans have learned through their own experiences.

Well, it turns out that our head coach has brought his own version of this concept to Winnipeg and the question he has asked a number of us to put to the other guys in training camp is: "What would the veteran player tell himself if he could meet himself as a rookie coming into the league?" And also, "what would that same rookie tell the veteran version of himself?" So in other words, what have you learned as a veteran that you would pass onto yourself as a rookie, and what would the rookie tell the veteran, if anything.

The first thing that came to mind when I heard this question, outside of telling the rookie No. 97 to get a helmet that fits better to protect his nose, and maybe some relationship advice, was taking advantage of opportunities. I would tell that CFL rookie of 2001 to impress upon himself and others how fleeting and rare momentous opportunities are in the CFL. Going to the Grey Cup that first year in Winnipeg, I, and probably others, thought it would be easy to get back every year. As you know, it took six years before we were able to go again, and even when you arrive there as the best team, nothing can ever be taken for granted in a game of that magnitude.

I would also tell the rookie to get in better shape, start training with my strength coach, Jeff Fisher, sooner rather than later, and to understand that football can be defined as an input-output industry. What you put into football in the off-season and on a weekly basis during the season is the best determinant of what you will get out of it.

It is no coincidence that the better you prepare mentally during the week, and the more you suffer in terms of your strength and conditioning regimen, the better the game you will usually have. In my mind there is no stronger predictor of success for an individual or a team.

As for the rookie advising the crusty old veteran of 14 seasons? There is precious little I would want to hear from that naive youngster, but he would have a point if he reminded you to never lose that chip on your shoulder. The minute you don’t feel you have something to prove to yourself or the coaches, or become complacent, is when you should start thinking about what you are going to do when you leave the game.

Doug Brown, always a hard-hitting defensive lineman and frequently a hard-hitting columnist, appears Tuesdays in the Free Press.