Quote:I'm going to jump back a little bit, and not talk about this specific issue Per se.  I think there is a difference between a well disciplined team, and a chain gang.  My concern is that formerly mentioned dress code, and the current issue does not make a player not jump offside.  Too many hard core rules start to blend together IMO.  Show up 5 min before the meeting time?  Good. Keep a pair of completely non-needed dress pants?  Not Good.  There is a perfect blend between 'player's coach' and 'dictator,' and either way using a strict rule on grown men, should be carefully evaluated.

 

This is something that many people don't understand, and is what makes Coughlin so good.

 

We are talking about what I call "kids" or young adults here.  It's teaching many life lessons that they should carry with them after they leave football.

 

Your first issue is the dress code.  These are "professional" football players.  Professionals dress and act appropriately.  While I agree with you that it doesn't teach them not to jump offside, but it is teaching them discipline, and teaches them to act as professionals.

 

The second thing that you point out is meeting times.  I personally was taught in the Navy to "never be later than 15 minutes early".  That's a life lessen that has served me well over the years.  It instills maturity, discipline and professionalism in these young players.

 

The approach with the rules isn't about "dictatorship" or "chain gang", it's about teaching.  Many of these young men have never been taught or exposed to something like this.  That approach is what actually creates MEN.

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