CL W on LinkedIn: Deshaun Watson’s Preseason Plan: Browns Strategize for 2023 NFL Season (2024)

Those of you who follow my Leading with Character blog know I enjoy sports analogies. I credit sports (specifically swimming, basketball, and track) in helping me gain the confidence and leadership skills needed to overcome the many challenges I faced during my 40 years in the US Coast Guard.A few weeks ago, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers met in Las Vegas, NV to play Superbowl LVIII. The Superbowl is supposed to be exciting, and there was much ado about the prospects of the Chiefs given the incredible skill of their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. My husband, Bob, and I watched with eager anticipation, hoping for an exciting game. During the first half, seeing the Chiefs down 10-0, the game was so boring I almost gave up watching. But, as a Kellogg Business School graduate, the half-time ads appealed to my marketing instincts, so I kept watching. Thank goodness! What is Greatness?The last few minutes of the game, in overtime, were well worth the wait. Although I was rooting for the 49ers, I watched in reluctant admiration as Mahomes magically completed pass after pass after pass to move the ball down the field in the final moments of the game. Behind 22-19, he hit an open receiver to clinch the win with a thrilling touchdown.Watching the game and then reading sports columns in the following days, I thought about what it is that makes Mahomes great. Is it his incredible skill, his uncanny ability to fake out the defense, or is it just that he has a good team? Truth be told, the team wasn’t reliably good and consistent this season. Some of the best players were traded away over the past couple of years, with the Chiefs earning the dubious distinction of leading the league in dropped passes. No, there’s something else about Mahomes that makes him great—clarity under pressure. Please click the link below to learn about the "Four A's for Preparation" and discover how you can become a better leader by conditioning yourselfto demonstrate clarity under pressure.To Learn more about leadership, you can purchase your copy ofBreaking Ice & Breaking Glassby clicking the link for my website, www.sandrastosz.com Proceeds are being donated to the Coast Guard Academy Loy Institute for Leadership (IFL).#leadership #leadingwithcharacter #clarityispower https://lnkd.in/eyw5M4nJ

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"I have to somehow find a way to connect with them."So says Matthew Stafford, #nfl quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams. Football fan or not, you might feel a connection to Matthew's leadership plight as described in this recent ESPN article.The article recounts a recent podcast appearance by his wife Kelly Stafford, herself a podcast host, nurse, and someone I admire (she's bravely discussed postpartum depression, body image issues, and the challenges of parenthood, but hers is a tale for another time). In this story, which is making somewhat of a buzz in sports circles, Kelly describes what many people who study organizational behavior, leadership, and team effectiveness find as no surprise: namely, her husband, the star quarterback, is struggling to connect and build rapport with the team's younger players.To me, this story is noteworthy, not because his leadership challenge is unusual, but precisely because it is so ordinary. We often assume that sports--and sports stars--offers a vastly different context for teaming and organizational culture. But whether we're looking at a small sales team, a university department, mid-sized manufacturer, or professional sports team where each employee earns a minimum salary in the $ millions, we're still looking at organizational culture and human dynamics. As we learn from a superbowl winning quarterback, sometimes as leaders we can start by showing that we care. Simply learning each other's names and asking about our teammate's lives, is never enough, but it is necessary. And that's just a start.#leadership #culture #teambuilding https://lnkd.in/eGwcEBZc

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Here's a draft LinkedIn post based on the article summary:---🏈 Insights from the 49ers' Training Camp: A Closer Look at Offensive ProgressAs we gear up for another exciting NFL season, I've been keeping a close eye on the San Francisco 49ers' training camp. Recent reports suggest some interesting developments that could have significant implications for the team's performance this year.Key Takeaways:1. The 49ers' offense is showing promising signs early in camp.2. Safety George Odum has been a standout performer, potentially bolstering the team's defensive capabilities.While specific details are limited, these early indicators align with broader trends we're seeing across the league:📊 Offensive Evolution:Teams are increasingly focusing on dynamic, versatile offenses. The 49ers' apparent offensive success in camp could signal a shift in their strategic approach, possibly adapting to the league's evolving defensive schemes.🛡️ Defensive Depth:With Odum's standout performance, we're reminded of the growing importance of strong safety play in modern NFL defenses. As offenses become more pass-heavy, safeties who can excel in both run support and coverage are invaluable.🔄 Roster Flexibility:Early camp performances often lead to roster adjustments. It'll be interesting to see how the 49ers' coaching staff leverages these early insights to fine-tune their roster and game plans.Industry Implications:1. Teams may need to reassess their scouting and development strategies to identify and nurture versatile defensive backs.2. Offensive coordinators across the league will be watching closely to see if the 49ers unveil any innovative schemes that could influence league-wide trends.3. The emphasis on strong camp performances underscores the importance of year-round player development programs.As we move closer to the regular season, I'm keen to see how these early camp observations translate to on-field performance. The 49ers' progress could offer valuable insights for teams, coaches, and players alike.What are your thoughts on these developments? How do you think they might impact the 49ers' prospects this season?#NFL #FootballStrategy #SportsManagement #49ers #ProfessionalDevelopment---Call to Action: Let's discuss! Share your insights on how early camp performances can shape a team's season. Are there other teams or players you're watching closely this preseason?

As media writers criticize Cleveland Browns quarterback #JoeFlacco today for their blowout loss to the Houston Texans, those of us outside the sports industry can learn from this #leadership case study.Why does this football story matter to the rest of us? ThisBaltimore Ravens' 2012 Super Bowl MVP had been unemployed for nearly a year after several disappointing seasons. Midseason desperation led to innovation when Browns star quarterback Deshaun Watson became unable to perform due to a shoulder injury. Amidst a staffing crisis, they searched beyond their organization for mature talent. They needed leadership.38-year-old Flacco - who remained focused and ready - was called in for an "onsite interview." He then led the Browns to four straight wins and a play off birth. Their run ended swiftly last night.Before we shrug and move on, consider what actually happened here. An aging, unemployed leader was pulled off his couch to lead a team in peril through a rapid turnaround effort with several key wins.What made him effective?1. Maturity: Joe had the ability to draw from past challenges - including failures - to calm and reassure the team amidst uncertain circ*mstances. This wasn't his first experience with adversity.2. Wisdom: Over his 15 years in the National Football League (NFL), Joe had grown beyond relying on his individual athletic talent to instead act strategically. He knew how to leverage the abilities of others to ensure overall team success.3. Gratitude: Joe said it in a recent ESPN interview, "When you sit out half a year, you don't take opportunities to play for granted...you want to prove that you belong with the guys that are on the team and you want to have a positive impact."4. Humility: Browns wide receiver #AmariCooper said of Joe, "The guys have embraced him because they realize the skillset, number one, but he's also not an A-hole. He's a good dude at the same time."5. Work Ethic: Earning an initial opportunity is difficult. Coming back from disappointment and regaining the confidence of peers and team members requires an even higher level of work ethic and commitment. Joe stayed at it even when he didn't know if he would get another call.Even mature leaders are going to make mistakes. Flacco threw game-defining interceptions on back-to-back possessions against the Texans. Nevertheless, his net impact was positive. His leadership better positioned this team for the future. Even if he walks away now, he can be assured he made a difference.Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System will begin a search for a permanent financial leader this spring and we may just look for the "Joe Flacco of CFOs" to fill that crucial role. His perseverance and impact are exemplary.Thanks, USDA, National Rural Health Association, and Stroudwater Associates for helping us with a comprehensive analysis to prepare us for that search.

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Since there is actually something called the National Day Calendar, I am proposing the first day of of the NFL draft become "National Attributes Day." Over the past 15 years, 46 quarterbacks have been selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Analysis conducted by CBS Sports indicates that only 21% (10/46) graded out as a "solid result" or a "Homerun." This means that 79% never performed to the level commensurate with the expectation or resources allocated to their draft position. And most shockingly, 50% (23) were grades as busts. The NFL is a multi-billion dollar organization with the means and access to conduct thorough and exhaustive assessments of the players they draft. And yet, the failure rates remain high.Why?If you are familiar with the work of Rich Diviney, Talent War Group, George Randle, Brian Decker, and others, one primary reason is because the NFL continues to over index on skills and under index on attributes. As a general rule, the evaluation process is failing not because the scouts and GM's do not understand the player; it is because they do not fully understand the person. If you are serious about improving your talent assessment capabilities, I strongly recommend you check out the work of the individuals mentioned above. You will not regret it.

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Who are you? To be your best your identity as an organization, as a team, needs to be clear and consistent from the top down. It takes time to develop an identity, but there’s great value in understanding who you are and what’s expected of you. After years of searching the Denver Broncos now know who they are. It took Shawn Peyton half a season to see what his new team and players were best at. The Denver Broncos are tough! They are going to hit you in the mouth and beat you up.The Denver Broncos are a physical team. They protect the ball on offense, and they take it away on defense. They force their opponents to make mistakes, and they take advantage when they do. Denver’s defense is led by their secondary with physical play and a “that’s my ball” attitude.Denver’s offense is also physical with multiple tight ends and a run first approach. The Broncos latest victory over the Browns was earned with great play from the offensive line and power running from the backs. Russell Wilson didn’t have one of his best passing games, but he was very effective in putting the team in the right play at the line of scrimmage. Wilson’s ability to read the Browns defense and audible at the line put his teammates in position to succeed. This was by far the most effective they’ve been at the line of scrimmage. Russell, the game plan, the coaching staff, and the rest of the offense were all on the same page. They only called one time out with the play clock running down. When you’re all on the same page it looks coordinated and big plays happen. Offensive line is the most difficult group to coordinate. Their game against a very strong Browns defense was a surprise to me, and a great sign for the Broncos the rest of the year.I didn’t even mention special teams and that’s good. Great kicking, punting, return, and coverage teams should be a given, but the Broncos special teams have been less than special for years.The Broncos know who they are, and the rest of the NFL is finding out. Go Broncos!bit.ly/3K1hoSz#Leadership #Teamwork #Success #KeynoteSpeaker #MotivationalSpeaker #DenverBroncos

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WELCOME TO THE NEXT GENERATIONThe 2023 NFL season is here. To set the stage, Yahoo's Charles McDonalddives intothe most macroscopic position in American sports, where a new guard has truly arrived.Everything in the NFLstarts with the QB talent a team is fortunate (or not) to have. With the Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryangeneration of QBsmostly out of the league, it's time for a new generation of heroes to take over the game.The gravitational pull of the QB is not a new phenomenon, but these new stars are taking the term "hero" in the metaphysical sense — their athleticism is changing the landscape ofhow teams are approaching the gameas a whole.The team that sits atop of the NFL understands the power of a transformative athlete under center.Patrick Mahomesis the player bridging the gap between the normal and the supernormal to create asupernova of offensive efficiency.The landscape:The new crop of talent is flashy, man. It's like setting off fireworks every Sunday for 10 hours and another three hours on Monday and Thursday. There have been athletic players at the position over the years, but the overabundance of athletic QBs now feels different.AFC:Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson are some of the returning starters who check off the dual threat box to varying degrees. Then there's C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson, who were just added via the draft.NFC:Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, Bryce Young, Daniel Jones, Kyler Murray, Geno Smith and Desmond Ridder are all unique athletes. The new era and style ishereand should be a primary viewing point for fans throughout the season.How we got here:Football started with throwing the ball being viewed as a borderline heretical behavior before it became an accepted part of the game, and ultimately evolved into the backbone of every great offense today.Now that the effectiveness of throwing has largely been figured out by coaches across the spectrum, the athletes who are executing these plays have a higher prominence than ever.Even the idea of someone like Josh Allen panning out and becoming the legitimate, bonafide superstar QB that he is now is a tremendous case study of taking the top 1 percentile athlete and kind of seeing what happens.The future is now:The new generation of QBs is an ode to every kid who made a cracked out Create-A-Player on any version ofMaddenjust to see the different ways in which they could break the game.How this new brand of superheroes is ultimately remembered will play out over the coming seasons.For now, it's time to bask in the evolution that has taken place at the game's most important and visible position.

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Here's a draft LinkedIn post based on the article summary:---📣 Breaking NFL News: Steelers Back in the Game for Brandon Aiyuk 🏈As an NFL talent acquisition specialist, I've been closely monitoring the ongoing saga surrounding San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Recent developments have caught my attention, and I believe they could have significant implications for the league's talent landscape.Key Points:• The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-entered trade talks with the 49ers for Aiyuk• Previous discussions with the Browns and Patriots stalled• Aiyuk has expressed interest in joining the Steelers• 49ers are seeking substantial compensation, including a starting-caliber player and draft picksIndustry Implications:1. Player Empowerment: Aiyuk's preference for the Steelers highlights the growing trend of players influencing their destinations, even in trade scenarios.2. High-Stakes Negotiations: The 49ers' asking price reflects the premium placed on proven offensive talent in today's NFL.3. Salary Cap Challenges: Aiyuk's high contract demands underscore the ongoing struggle teams face in balancing talent acquisition with cap management.4. Draft Capital Valuation: The potential inclusion of draft picks in the trade package demonstrates the continued importance of future assets in NFL roster building.This situation perfectly encapsulates the complex dance between player desires, team needs, and financial considerations in modern NFL transactions. It's a prime example of how front offices must navigate multiple factors to secure top talent.What are your thoughts on this potential trade? How do you think it might impact the AFC North race if it goes through?#NFLTrades #SportsManagement #TalentAcquisition #FootballBusiness---Call to Action: Let's discuss! Share your insights on how this trade could reshape the competitive landscape in the NFL. Are there other teams you think should be in the mix for Aiyuk?

Morning Round-Up for Monday, February 26th. Check this out, is it within our behavior schedule to go to a play & sit through the performance & if we get excited as a group of audience members rush the stage trampling the actors after their performance? Or what about in most genre's of music at an outdoor concert is it cool to just rush the stage with everyone else after the concerts over...if you do & someone gets hurt you go to jail right. So why is it a thing all of sudden after an indoor basketball game in college to stampede the floor after an upset or big win running over the players & coaches on your way to exalting each other over the great win. Yes, there have been too many examples of this happening in world football (soccer in the U.S.) matches in the past & the majority of fans aren't on board with that behavior. At the time on Saturday Duke was ranked in the top 10 by the Associated Press & Wake Forest who's on the 'bubble' for the men's NCAA Basketball tourny 'March Madness' took the Blue Devils out in an important ACC conference win. Now, this behavior may have happened 1st in our culture waaaaay back in January of 1977 when the Oakland Raiders finally beat the 2-time defending Super Bowl champion (hobbled by injury) Pittsburgh Steelers who were going for their '3-peat' that season & the 13-1 Raiders beat them handily in the Oakland Alameda County Stadium on their way to beating the Vikings in Super Bowl XI. For the 1st time in NFL history the fans emptied out onto the field & you saw Steelers players & coaches actually taking out fans who were trying to knock them down...it got ugly & it's not talked about much because it doesn't happen that much here in the states just in college football & basketball. It may be time to have a conversation about how to curve the enthusiasm so to speak of the fans & lessen the celebration or something before someone gets really hurt. In Spring Training news, the Chicago Cubs front office is still probably celebrating re-signing (he has an out after year 1 & 2) superstar Cody Bellinger to a 3-year $80 million contract, the Yankees with Juan Soto looks like the old Yankees who will bludgeon you for 6 or 7 runs a night now & are scary again. What kind of team will the Brewers have after losing their G.M., Manager, ace pitcher, center fielder & all-star reliever? The Mariners made changes to become more athletic & to score more runs but is that enough to compete against the Rangers & Astros? Spring Training baby! Rick Pitino looked like he was about to break out into a song & dance number looking clean in his all white suit yesterday coaching his St. Johns team yesterday who are going to be a factor at least in the upcoming 'Big East' tournament in Madison Square Garden. NFL agency is looming & 'draftniks' are in their heyday...spring is near with the Stanley Cup Playoffs a month in a half away & the NBA Playoffs less than 2 months, don't forget about NCAA Selection Sunday for Men's & Women's hoops.

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