With the first pre-season contest out of the way, the Bengals go back to work today in Georgetown….and WORK…is what they must do.
Don’t talk about it, be about it! Expectations for this season are as high as they’ve ever been in Cincinnati. That’s a good thing. However, the pressure that these lofty expectations are real and potentially hazordous to any team ill-equipped to handle them. Its not unusual for fans and media to voice their opinions regarding post-season standings, eventual division-champions, etc… but for coaches or players to do so is dangerous. There are to many unforeseeable variables, both good and bad, in an NFL season to accurately predict anything. Players and coaches know that. Plus, it’s understood that every player and every coach’s ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl. So why talk about it publicly in August? It serves no good purpose and it distracts from concentrating on what’s most important: WORK! I won’t mention names, but I’ve heard and read about several members of the team talking post-season play. I think that’s a mistake and makes it more difficult to deal with any setbacks that are sure to arise, at some point, during the season. August isn’t the time to make predictions. It’s a time to tirelessly work on the details (blocking, tackling, chemistry, etc.) that will allow you to reach your goals.
If I had an oppurtunity to address the Bengals today, my message would be:
1) Properly manage expectations
2) Put the team first
3) Ignore the noise
4) Don’t believe the hype!
All of these directives turn the focus toward work ethic, team, and diligence…which is the key to any group of folks trying to accomplish greatness!
