I want to look more at the communication during this episode. I will start with the exchange during the rookie scrimmage between linebacker coach Mike Vrabel and rookie Lynden Trail.
It is obvious during this whole episode that the tension level has increased from last week – and will probably continue to rise each week.
Notice the comments Vrabel makes – “How many more times are you gonna let that guy run in on you on four.” “Somebody has to make a play.” Then to Trail – “Trail let’s see if you can play.” “Trail hit a pass rush move.” Then in anger to Trail “Get the …. out.” “Do you know what a Ram is?” “Then run a Ram – all you do is evaluate – run a Ram left – don’t evaluate.”
Notice during this exchange Vrabel does not tell him what to do – other than run a Ram left. There is no coaching during this exchange – just yelling. This type of exchange is common in all levels of sports. Notice that Trail is clearly confused. Trail says “Two back to back stops and he takes me out?” He clearly had no idea what he did wrong – or what he was suppose to do. This falls on the coach as much as the player.
In the early 1980’s while I was coaching at Cal, Major League baseball players were on strike. When the strike was settled I was able to watch the Oakland A’s practice at Cal. Billy Martin was the manager of the A’s at the time. Billy Martin was known for his volatile temper. I was impressed when Billy Martin would stop and walk over and calmly show a player where and how and where he was suppose to stand to field a relay throw, where he should look and how he should turn to make his throw. He then had the player do it a couple of times while encouraging or showing him the minor adjustments to make to execute the move properly. Vrabel does none of this – he just yells.
Bill O’Brien’s role playing with rookies about media interviews is a good example of practicing good communication. He clearly tells the players what he wants them to say – then asks them a question. He knows they understand by their response.
The next part I want to look at is when O’Brien is talking with his coaches before a scrimmage. O’Brien says: “I want to know what these guys know – if they don’t know what to do then we cut them.” A different approach would be “I want to see what these guys have learned – I want to see the results of what you have taught them.”
If a whole class fails a test, doesn’t some responsibility fall on the teacher? I know of companies that if they hire someone and it does not seem to be working out, they approach the manager – not the employee – and ask why things are not working out. The manager was part of the hiring process. How does O”Brien evaluate the coaches? If the players are not learning what to do, how much of that falls on the coaches?
Imagine the impact of the Vrabel – Trail conversation – if during this exchange, O’Brien walked over and said to Vrabel, in front of Trail, “Mike, Trail here has been with you for a while now, how come he doesn’t know how to run a Ram?” “How come Trail is not performing like we both think he can?”
O’Brien does a great job with rookie wide receiver, Jaelen Strong. Wide receiver coach, Stan Hixon told Strong, “You missed a lot of OTA’s and I’m not sure what you can do – the clock is ticking.” He should tell Strong what he needs to improve – and this is not “catch the ball.” Why was he not catching the ball? How can he clearly identify and correct those mistakes? In private O’Brien says that Strong could be heading down a bad road. But to Strong – he approaches him after a good practice and says, “Do you think that was your best day? It was – keep it going.” These are teachable moments. He could have threatened Strong with being cut or verbally put him down in some other ways – instead he chose to encourage Strong. Also, 11 year veteran, Nate Washington does a great job of encouraging Strong on the sidelines. Wide receiver coach, Stan Hixon should be making the same comments Washington makes. The end result is Strong has a great game against the 49’ers.
A couple other thoughts – if the rookie haircuts are to be done – they should not be shown on the show. This is a behavior that does not need to be encouraged.
Also, I would love to see much more of center Ben Jones – that guy cracks me up.