Are you Mentally Tough Enough?

From the Sports Performance Bulletin:
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/are-you-mentally-tough-enough-42023

Good article explaining what mental toughness is and how it can be developed and improved.

Four factors that allow athletes to have mental toughness include:

1) Self belief -- an unshakable belief in your ability to achieve something.
2) Motivation -- an internal desire to succeed and to respond to setbacks with increased determination.
3) Focus -- an ability to concentrate only on the task at hand and completely ignores any distractions from others or from your own internal voices.
4) Composure -- regaining psychological control after any unexpected events or distractions.

A seven-step program to develop mental toughness would include:

1) Have the right attitude -- have confidence and stay positive, through thick and thin.
2) Develop your mind for success -- use visualization or mental imagery techniques.
3) Develop Good Habits -- develop systematic routines.
4) Develop poise and composure -- let go of mistakes and trust your stuff.
5) Control negative self-talk -- give yourself positive suggestions.
6) Know that failure can lead to future success -- stay focused on the process, not the results.
7) Be a Clutch Player -- be willing to step it up and do your best when it matters most.

RIP: Whitney Houston (1963 - 2012)

Whitney Houston (1963-2012) - Super Bowl XXV (1991) - The National Anthem of the United States

In Tampa. We were living right around the corner from the game basically. Giants versus Bills. Performed with the wonderful Florida Orchestra -- who we had the privilege to watch and listen to so many times, courtesy of my employer at the time, Raymond James (in a stadium that would later bear their name). With the shadow of the first Gulf War hanging over the nation, Whitney Houston takes the stage and just belts one right out the park. Nails the National Anthem like nobody I had ever heard before.

One of the most stirring and memorable renditions of all time. JUST BEAUTIFUL. I can hear it a thousand times and still get goose bumps.

RIP and God Bless Whitney Houston and her family and friends. Such a tragic, senseless loss.

Super Bowl XXV (Pregame) part 3



Another wonderful song, beautifully done.

Whitney Houston- "Battle Hymn Of The Republic"

Parcells Snubbed by HOF

Americas Game 1986 New Giants part (1).mp4

I could watch this documentary on the Giants 1986 season a million times and still get goose bumps. The Parcells-Simms relationship drama, the genesis of the Gatorade dump, the Parcells - Taylor marriage, the ups and downs of how a team is built under one of the biggest microscopes in sports.

At the time, I thought Parcells was the best coach I had ever seen (in some ways, I still do). He was the BCOPE (Best Coach on Planet Earth) to Barry Bonds' BPOPE (Best Player on Planet Earth).  Apparently, greater minds than mine disagree. For now.

Bill Parcells not elected to Hall of Fame
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/35973/bill-parcells-not-elected-to-hall-of-fame

INDIANAPOLIS -- It was the first year in which former New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and New York Jets coach Bill Parcells was eligible for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, so the fact that he did not make it is not devastating. There's reason to believe he will get in eventually, but on Saturday night, he was not among the final candidates. Neither was former Cowboys great Charles Haley. My personal opinion is that they both should be in, but Parcells is the more surprising omission, so let's take a look at it.

I get some of the reasons stated, if they are what kept Parcells out, but some of the "logic" makes no sense at all.

Parcells should be in and Phil Simms should be in. You watch how fast the debate begins around "Is Eli a HOF QB?" now that he has two rings and Coughlin will be debated as a coaching candidate as well.

Folks forget that Simms has two rings as well, and he led the Giants team and organization through the wilderness.  They helped blaze the trail and lit the path for those that followed.

 It was a much tougher road traversed by the Simms - Parcells combo than Manning - Coughlin. And in many ways -- they actually made things easier -- if "easier" is a term that can be lightly tossed into a discussion about winning Super Bowls.

Hopefully, you get my point. If Manning - Coughlin are deemed worthy, I'm not sure why Simms and Pacrcells are meeting with such resistance.


Parcells 11 Comandments



Parcells on Responsibility
http://youtu.be/9ztDGM7qYj4