You will be redirected to Dr. Murray's page automatically in 5 seconds. Please bookmark the correct page at http://www.JohnFMurray.com Words of advice for the Eagles

Words of advice for the Eagles
Originally published January 23, 2005
Baltimore Sun

 
The Philadelphia Eagles are attempting to end a three-game losing streak in the NFC championship game today against the Atlanta Falcons. They've said all the right things leading into it and presumably have covered all their bases.

But just in case, here is some advice from people who have either been in their shoes or are experts in what it takes to overcome a nemesis:

Harry Edwards, sports sociologist

"Believe in yourselves. The leaders and the playmakers of this team are going to be the ones to get it done. The people who are injured or not on the field, there should be no reference to them. In terms of, 'Geez, if we only had so-and-so,' if is the saddest word in the world.

"The issue is believing in yourself as a team, as people on the field, and the people stepping in - not stepping up - and making plays. People who are the leaders on that team, people who are the chemistry, who set the tone and the level of commitment in the locker room, those people have to step in and make plays."

Gil Brandt, former Dallas Cowboys executive

"I think the biggest thing you have to overcome once you have lost one, two and then three games, is I think it's imperative that you get off ahead. In two of the three losses, Philadelphia has been behind at halftime.

"Two, you have to find a way to cut down on turnovers. And the third thing is, find a way to eliminate big plays. I don't know how to coach not to turn the ball over, but as soon as you make one, your players all of a sudden say, 'Here we go again.' "

Charles Steinberg, executive VP, Boston Red Sox

"The story of our season was the story of belief. Everybody from the top to the bottom had to deliver, but only to do his part. You didn't need one person trying to hit a nine-run homer. It was each one believing in himself, keeping the faith and believing in his teammates.

"That's the story we want to tell succeeding generations of children when they say, 'I can't do it, it's too hard.' No, you can do it. Draw a walk, steal a base, make incremental progress. What you see is that incremental steps are contagious."

John F. Murray, sports psychologist:

"You can't worry about winning and losing. You can't worry about losing 10 in a row. You've got to go out and play one play at a time.

"It comes down to not getting caught up in reaction to the situation, but rather acting proactively long before the game, to determine what mind-set your team and each player needs to employ throughout the game."

Marv Levy, former Buffalo Bills coach

"I have some very pointed advice: Don't listen to any advice."

- Ken Murray