Part of what makes me a huge fan of BA is that he is the "cool uncle" and a player's coach... but at the same time part of me can't help but think it could be a weakness.
I know this is a question that can really never be answered, but the idea has been rattling around in my head a bit; so take walk through my dime store psychology for a moment.
The coaches that come to mind when you think of the greatest coaches at all levels are typically not the most liked people, especially by players. Sure, down the road many players will respect that coach and reflect fondly on them, but at the time not so much.
With the "cool" coach you can get away with cutting some corners. With the hard ass you're forced to be motivated, whether it by the goal at hand or fear.
One of things I see that has plagued this team since at least last season is consistency. I would include 2014 also but some would blame injuries on that. We would play good one game, bad another. Good one half, bad another. It was the exception as opposed to the rule that we would have 4 full quarters of just solid, not even top notch, play. We came out flat on a lot of games too but then in the second half could look like a team that was playing to win a ring that day. Despite all this we found a way to win a lot of games and overcome self-inflicted wounds.
When I watch the games each week I don't see this type of Jekyll and Hyde personality to this extent on other teams I follow. Whether they play good or not there is more consistency. We have seen what the Cards are capable of when they are firing on all cylinders - it is lights out on both sides of the ball. So it is not for a lack of talent... there is something more going on it seems. It can't be the in-game scheming since that doesn't account for energy, bad fundamentals, decision making, etc. For me it seems like the only other factors beyond in-game scheming are preparedness/practice and mindset.
If we go by the media statements they are having good practices. I can only take it at face value because I'm not there.
What's left is the mindset, and it is important. Mindset is the difference from showing up at the office ready to give your all to achieve your goal and/or greatness and going through the motions to collect a check.
I think to some extent that some of the great "human" qualities BA possesses aren't effecting the mindset and effort on the team. The ability to feel safe if you're under performing could be one of them. It also could be what the other players think when people who are not improving the team are retained instead of upgraded. It's not to say no one was traded or cut, but if you think about it almost the whole team and staff from last year is there this year and none of the ones who are gone are the ones who should be gone. While we won a bunch of games we couldn't string together quality play game after game... we couldn't get it done then. I don't want to beat all the same dead horses on why certain players and staff are still around, but there seems to be key decisions being made with the heart and not the head. Sometimes it feels l like he's been using the Cardinals to run the "Brucey's Kids" charity for some players.
There are just a lot of head scratchers. One I have been reluctant to voice up until now because I am a huge TM fan was his contract. From a business decision it just didn't seem smart to do a huge long term contract coming off his second acl. The risk/reward ratio was skewed.
I guess my point is maybe the team would be better served if BA had just a bit more of that cold calculating, analytical, CEO type of approach moving forward; at least if his goal is really to win a SB as a HC. If we want to go to that next level it might be time to turn the screws as well as try to separate more wheat from the chaff in the organization.
I don't know... like I said, just a thought rattling around in my head.
I know this is a question that can really never be answered, but the idea has been rattling around in my head a bit; so take walk through my dime store psychology for a moment.
The coaches that come to mind when you think of the greatest coaches at all levels are typically not the most liked people, especially by players. Sure, down the road many players will respect that coach and reflect fondly on them, but at the time not so much.
With the "cool" coach you can get away with cutting some corners. With the hard ass you're forced to be motivated, whether it by the goal at hand or fear.
One of things I see that has plagued this team since at least last season is consistency. I would include 2014 also but some would blame injuries on that. We would play good one game, bad another. Good one half, bad another. It was the exception as opposed to the rule that we would have 4 full quarters of just solid, not even top notch, play. We came out flat on a lot of games too but then in the second half could look like a team that was playing to win a ring that day. Despite all this we found a way to win a lot of games and overcome self-inflicted wounds.
When I watch the games each week I don't see this type of Jekyll and Hyde personality to this extent on other teams I follow. Whether they play good or not there is more consistency. We have seen what the Cards are capable of when they are firing on all cylinders - it is lights out on both sides of the ball. So it is not for a lack of talent... there is something more going on it seems. It can't be the in-game scheming since that doesn't account for energy, bad fundamentals, decision making, etc. For me it seems like the only other factors beyond in-game scheming are preparedness/practice and mindset.
If we go by the media statements they are having good practices. I can only take it at face value because I'm not there.
What's left is the mindset, and it is important. Mindset is the difference from showing up at the office ready to give your all to achieve your goal and/or greatness and going through the motions to collect a check.
I think to some extent that some of the great "human" qualities BA possesses aren't effecting the mindset and effort on the team. The ability to feel safe if you're under performing could be one of them. It also could be what the other players think when people who are not improving the team are retained instead of upgraded. It's not to say no one was traded or cut, but if you think about it almost the whole team and staff from last year is there this year and none of the ones who are gone are the ones who should be gone. While we won a bunch of games we couldn't string together quality play game after game... we couldn't get it done then. I don't want to beat all the same dead horses on why certain players and staff are still around, but there seems to be key decisions being made with the heart and not the head. Sometimes it feels l like he's been using the Cardinals to run the "Brucey's Kids" charity for some players.
There are just a lot of head scratchers. One I have been reluctant to voice up until now because I am a huge TM fan was his contract. From a business decision it just didn't seem smart to do a huge long term contract coming off his second acl. The risk/reward ratio was skewed.
I guess my point is maybe the team would be better served if BA had just a bit more of that cold calculating, analytical, CEO type of approach moving forward; at least if his goal is really to win a SB as a HC. If we want to go to that next level it might be time to turn the screws as well as try to separate more wheat from the chaff in the organization.
I don't know... like I said, just a thought rattling around in my head.
Last edited:
