Friday, September 5, 2008

Managing expectations

The Boston Herald had a story yesterday about a sign in the locker room of the New England Patriots that reads: “Manage expectations.”

As the 2008 NFL season kicks off, Patriot players and coaches are focusing on the here-and-now rather than the what-could-have-been.

Said QB Tom Brady:

“We start by taking leadership from our head coach and the example that he sets. I don’t think he is too concerned with what anybody did last year, including us. He is concerned with what we did today and what we do tomorrow. That is where it all starts. I don’t think what any team has done in the history of the NFL will have any effect on what we do this year. We are going to do the best we can do. We are going to try and do the best we can do every day in practice. Hopefully that leads to a lot of wins.”

According to KC Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards, in the days before the season begins, expectations are high. The key is managing those expectations.

"It’s how you deal with setbacks, things that happen to you, whether it be the loss of players or a tough loss - how you react. The good teams with the tough-minded guys react in positive ways. As a football team have to focus on what your expectations are. Those are the ones inside your locker room."