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Do IT this week: Layering
Word quit implies team wasn't trying
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published on Thursday, Nov 13, 2008
Jamal Lewis probably doesn't care if a few of his teammates are unhappy with him.
If one or more of his teammates thought Lewis was talking personally to them when he said some players quit in the loss to the Denver Broncos, Lewis probably would shrug.
And he would tell them to take it to heart if they think it was them.
As Lewis said, ''This is a man's game.''
No, that's not a politically perfect phrase, but Lewis' point is that the Browns play a tough game in a tough league, and there is no room for individuals.
He wants teammates who will be
accountable on every single play. Who won't celebrate a game before it's over. Who won't find the camera and yell into it, ''That's what I do,'' after a disputed touchdown catch. Who don't go to the sideline and point at a tattoo of their college on their bicep, then go out and commit a penalty that kills a drive.
It's really simple
Lewis has a pretty simple approach.
He comes to work every day to get better and treats each play as the most important of the game.
It's called being a professional.
He wants the same from his teammates.
Is that a lot to ask?
When the Browns signed Lewis, I had the same image of him as everyone. He was a guy who spent time in federal prison, whose per-carry average had dropped.
Was it worth it, I wondered?
Was it ever.
Being around Lewis and seeing his approach proved the decision was wise. A year ago when everyone thought the sky was falling after that embarrassing opening-game loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lewis was on the phone with folks saying, ''I'm not worried at all.''
Lewis showed younger players how he took care of himself with his diet. He hosted Thursday night get-togethers with the backs to go over game plans and talk about the opponent.
Then he ran for 1,300 yards.
In the offseason, he endured a workout program that would make most men blush. His sand-pit routine sounded near medieval.
He arrived in amazing shape and gave his all in every training camp practice. He has never once ducked an interview.
This is called being a ''stand-up guy.''
This season, Lewis' yards have come with more difficulty. The offensive line is not playing the way it did last season, but when this happens with a back who has been around, folks start to whisper that maybe he has lost a step.
Lewis seems to have lost nothing, especially his edge. He bristled at the Browns blowing double-digit leads in consecutive games at home, and he let his teammates have it, saying some needed to find some heart.
The 47 or 48 or 50 or 52 guys Lewis was not referring to all heard what Lewis said and smiled.
Because they know. They know that individuals can kill a team.
Quietly, each of those players who is giving his all applauded. Seriously, does anyone think Steve Heiden or Willie McGinest or Eric Steinbach cared what Lewis said?
And if someone took Lewis' words to heart and thought he was the subject, that's no doubt fine with Lewis.
All he would ask is that they live up to their end of the bargain.
One regret
The one word he used that he shouldn't have used was ''quit.''
Coach Romeo Crennel said Lewis and Joshua Cribbs regretted using that word, that quit is a direct reflection on the head coach and that he does not think his team quit.
Quit implies guys were not trying, were loafing. Everyone tried.
But trying becomes relative.
When one player is worried more about himself than the team and something does not go right, then his effort lacks. If he's worried that he missed a pass or a block or that he's more concerned with pointing to his bicep than thinking about the next series or the next play, that's a problem.
Or if he's ranting and raving up and down the sideline in front of his bench because he fumbled, it's a distraction.
That's the kind of thing Lewis was talking about.
That's the kind of thing that keeps a team from winning, and the guys who were not the subject of Lewis' statements understand.
As Crennel said: ''Any agenda that you have comes second to the team.''
How the Browns handle this situation from here on will be interesting. From the outside, it sure seems like a team splintering. Crennel assured the media Wednesday that is not the case.
Crennel said the most significant part of Lewis' statements came when he said some guys need to leave their egos at the door.
There's no arguing that point.
Maturity and approach matter, often times more than pure talent.
To be more politically correct, Lewis is a grown-up playing a grown-up's game.
He should take a bow for saying what he said.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/mcmanamon/.
Jamal Lewis probably doesn't care if a few of his teammates are unhappy with him.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 06:40 AM, 11/13/2008
Hell, it's obvious that some of these people quit. I guess RC hasn't noticed that either.
Posted 07:25 AM, 11/13/2008
It just turns me off every time I see a football player "celebrate" a play as if they are some sort of icon that people should worship. It totally destroys their image as a professional who is trying to be at the top of his game. I wish the league would totally outlaw every such ritual. It is unnecessary and reminds me of three year olds who fell compelled to say Look at me and see what a good boy I am!
You see less of this, it seems, on good teams whose coaches inspire the players to concentrate on winning a game rather than self aggrandizement.
Romeo, I don't give a hoot whether you are insulted or not!
Posted 08:34 AM, 11/13/2008
Yes, Romeo, it IS a reflection on the coach when players quit or coast.
So do the right thing and quit. Today.
Stow, OH
Posted 01:08 PM, 11/13/2008
The african-american players in the NFL have taken this "celebration thing " to a whole new level.Now they do air guitars and cell phone calls etc. all the time .The facts are the NFL should have dropped the hammer down on this type of behavior from the start.Lewis treats it like it should be treated, as a business,you celebrate AFTER you win ,not give the other team motivation to score .Woody Hayes said it best when he witnessed one of his players do a dance in the end zone after scoring ," son ,the next time you get in that end zone ,act like you been there before ".
Posted 02:47 PM, 11/13/2008
Winslow is one player that needs to go. We don't need all the showmanship he tries to display. It makes him look like an idiot when he points to his bicep and then loses the game becasue he is not focused. Same with Edwards, they are two guys more worried about getting on TV than they are about playing disciplined football. Kudos to Lewis and Cribbs, we need more players like them. Weed out the rest, including the coach
Posted 03:16 PM, 11/13/2008
Perhaps if the Browns kick their cry baby players to the curb, they will start winning their games.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:32 PM, 11/13/2008
Tim:
What you refer to is a genetic predisposition. African Americans have a 47th gene that causes them to celebrate. It comes from years celebrating not being in that awfully hot Africa place. Slavery was WAY better!
Fortunately, white people are genetically predisposed to social and intellectual perfection in all pursuits with never a show of arrogance, short-sightedness, weakness, or just plain stupidity.
When the NFL is all white again we can proudly hang a "Mission Accomplished" banner at each stadium... unless that would seem arrogant, short-sighted, and stupid.
WADSWORTH, OH
Posted 05:47 AM, 11/14/2008
Lewis and Cribbs stand above and beyond Romeos lack of disciplinary intelligence-fill the holes with MEN and let the little boys sit on the bench-savage should do the same-get a real MAN to lead this team !
Akron, OH
Posted 01:33 PM, 11/14/2008
Ok, did you guys REALLY just make this a racial thing? Please.
