Oh well - so much for that. This past week, it's been quiet on the Steelers/Patriots front. And then along comes Anthony Smith, guaranteeing a Steelers win.
It was fine when Mike Tomlin made the 'Michigan versus Appalachian State' comment. Nothing wrong with a coach being confident in his team and players. In fact, this is the sort of subtle motiviational langauge off of which players can feed.
But when a young player whose name isn't called much on Sundays makes a prediction, teams can do any number of things. Laugh it off. Mock the prediction. Predict right back. Put it on the bulletin board. Wonder which one Bill Belichick will choose?
Remember when the warm and fuzzy Belichick used the fact that the Steelers had held a Super Bowl travel meeting the Monday before the 2001 AFC title game as a motivational tool? He said he refused to do that, indicating that all the emphasis was on the AFC title game. Troy Brown whined about not being respected. Lawyer Milloy testified that "I think the only way we are going to get any respect is to not just get to the Super Bowl, but to win it."
So the Steelers lost the game 24-17. I doubt the travel meeting had much to do with it. But I do wonder if any other Patriot title game opponent had the gall to have such a meeting? And I wonder if the Patriots had such a meeting in either of their next two title game weeks?
Anthony Brown, I like your enthusiasm and confidence. But next time you have a prediction, keep it to yourself. Honestly, this advice should be heeded by a lot of players. Leave that stuff to the Namaths of the world. Just get ready to play.
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I think you're right about this: It is obvious that there is a definite line between healthy, enthusiastic motivation and just being unfoundedly cocky - and I agree - I don't think that this prediction was something that should have been said out loud. Even if he turns out to be RIGHT (and most of us think he will be wrong on this) - this is not the final game of the season. The Stillers have to come back and play other teams with poorer records than those PATS - and they're probably not going to win them all. What ever happened to WE PLAY 'EM ONE GAME AT TIME, I AM GLAD TO BE PART OF THE TEAM, WHAT A GREAT BUNCH OF GUYS I PLAY WITH....P.R. can be so lacking when you let some of these players take on the media without a script. Or a brain.
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