Team (reverse) psychology?

[London Loves Luke]

The thread about which players Rivera has talked up in the past got me thinking about his overall philosophy when motivating the team. There's no denying that Rivera can raise the team later in the season, it's been his trademark since he got here and I'm absolutely fine with it. Honestly couldn't care how we play from August to October as long as we peak and play our best football to make and compete in the playoffs.

But there were times last season where he was talking high and putting his faith in our fringe players (Bell, Chandler, even Bersin) while challenging the core such as Cam, Luke, CJ and Benjamin to be better - even though we thought they were playing well.

As a coach, Rivera is not the type to go down on one knee and draw out Xs and Os, he leaves that to the coordinators, but to me he seems as though he knows how to motivate his guys and make them play for him. He challenge the core guys to be better, make a name for themselves and carry the team forward, as he knows this is best for their future and the team. With the fringe players he's more complimentary, boosting their confidence and showing them they have his trust, even if their position in the team is less stable.

I think the way he motivates the team is really complex, and I rate him for it. It's not something that will be understood by most fans and will cause people to question him but it does seem to make up for his lack of Xs and Os coaching style. I truly feel if he improves his handle on the situational football smarts (how to scheme to overcome certain challenges in real time, the stuff Bellichek excels in) he could be a great coach in the near future.

Links:

http://www.reflector.com/sports/professional/rivera-asks-stars-step-2670679

http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/8081/rivera-on-bell-as-lt-fait-accompli?src=mobile

[Khaki Lackey]

The guys play hodd fa Rahn

[UpstatePanther]

Honestly couldn't care how we play from August to October as long as we peak and play our best football to make and compete in the playoffs.

 

this is the only thing you said that i disagree with, though i certainly understand your point. 

 

i agree that we ought to be playing our best football in November and December, but we have to be playing well enough to win in September and October to even allow Nov/Dec to matter. August doesnt matter because the records get reset. i would rather lose all four preseason games and have the coaching staff make great personnel/philosophy changes with the lessons learned, than win all four and have our coaches thinking that no improvements can be made. As long as the team is playing good enough football to win games by Week 1, i could care less how many games we win in August. 

 

the team needs to start strong, and finish great. this also depends on the strength and order of schedule. if most of our tough games will come in September and October, then we need to be playing our best football then (like last year, when we were, unfortunately, playing our worst football).

 

perhaps it boils down to what Rivera preaches all season every season... the most important game is the next one. i really do believe in that mantra. the goal every season is 19-0. but to get there, you have to be 1-0 every week.  

[Cary Kollins]

Rivera is playing sudoku while we are playing angry birds

[Moorgan]

I think his military father certainly had a lot to do with RR's coaching style. He also will have picked up things (good and bad) from others he has worked with...just like any good leader. Having been in the Army for the last 20 years and leading soldiers for the last almost 18, I'd say the approach is very familiar to me.

 

Confidence is a must. Your stars have to know they are appreciated and your fringe guys MUST contribute and their confidence in themselves can be greatly affected by your ability to communicate effectively with them. They have to understand their role and how their contributions affect the overall team. They cannot be overwhelmed with pressure if they are to get the most of their lesser talents. The more comfortable they feel and the more they feel you are not angry at them for not being a star, the more their confidence will build and they can contribute according to their level (and maybe even at times above their ability).

 

However, the stars need to understand that they are just that. That same level of expectation does not apply to them. They have to be better...at all times. They need to drive themselves to be there for everyone even when it means the play of the lesser players is hampering the team. It is a team first and foremost. No matter how great the star is he can't do it on his own. The star players need to embrace the lesser players and help get the most out of them too...through positive reinforcement and at times peer pressure. But it's a delicate balance and the lesser players cannot feel condescended by the stars.

 

All in all, it's always a teaching position being a leader. You teach each guy constantly how to be a better individual and how to be a better part of the team. I was not a fan of RR being hired but I also didn't know he had this ability to lead. And when it comes down to it, I want my head coach to be a leader more than anything else. I want the coordinators to have more expertise and I want my position coaches to be gosh darned geniuses. It can't always work out that way but I think that's the ideal. Leadership is a trait that is developed in all walks of life but I think the Army is a bit ahead of the civilian sector because we got shot at. And it looks as though some of that purpose, direction and motivation has made RR part of who he is.

 

I've not completely changed my mind on RR but I like him much more than I did when they first hired him and I see positive progression. So no complaints.

[London Loves Luke]

However, the stars need to understand that they are just that. That same level of expectation does not apply to them. They have to be better...at all times. They need to drive themselves to be there for everyone even when it means the play of the lesser players is hampering the team. It is a team first and foremost. No matter how great the star is he can't do it on his own. The star players need to embrace the lesser players and help get the most out of them too...through positive reinforcement and at times peer pressure. But it's a delicate balance and the lesser players cannot feel condescended by the stars.

 

You're making a habit of just saying what I say, but better. It makes me feel sad.  

[Moorgan]

You're making a habit of just saying what I say, but better. It makes me feel sad.  

I've demonstrated that I'm more than capable of not putting together these arcane symbols to create words, sentences and thoughts. At least not coherent ones.