techguy said:
Johnny Football may be Johnny Sideline…
If I were the head coach, Johnny Football
would be on the sideline for the next game as a result of the immature second-half "extra-curricular antics" he displayed during the 2013 season opener. And this from someone who would like to see the Aggies win a National Championship. And yet, I was embarrassed by Johnny’s on the field behavior this past weekend. Therefore, an example must be set that
no one is above the rest of the team – not even Johnny Football. I realize this is a tough decision for a head coach. Arguments can be raised that doing this could cost the team a W which, in this case, could jeopardize their hopes of a National Championship. But I am of the opinion that
the risk of not taking strong corrective action now and sending a message to the team is even greater. It may even motivate them to up their game a notch or two and play better as a team which would actually increase their chances of a National Championship.
I would have a private conversation with my quarterback and give him a reality check. I would let him know that he basically has a target on his back – fair or not – it’s the way it is and it comes with his newfound fame. He has a choice…he can either let it get to him (and his play will likely suffer) or he can channel his efforts and do the talking on the field in the form of helping his team put points on the board while being a steward for the university and the game. How he handles the increased spotlight and associated pressure will likely impact both the remainder of his college career as well as his NFL prospects (the "character" issue). I would also tell him that fame is fleeting. Every football player is one play away from never playing the game again. For some, that play may be on the next snap. For others, it may be over a decade away. Many a player has entered a game not knowing that it would be their last and many of them did not have a "Plan B" to deal with it. I would ask him, "Do you want to bet the rest of your life on when this last play arrives for you?" I would close the conversation by saying, "You will have plenty of time to think about these things while you are on the sideline during the next game."
The head coach runs the team...Period. It has to be this way if the team is to be successful.
I'm hoping that Johnny Manziel is a much more mature person when I head down to College Station later this season to see an A&M game (and go to "The Dixie Chicken"
).