This most current shitstorm involving Tony Dungy is a good example of a couple of things.
I say “about Tony Dungy” because this has nothing do with young Mr. Sam. Tony never said he did not like the kid or his lifestyle. Tony said he had developed a system over the years for the draft. That system included trying to keep controversy away from his clubhouse. This makes total sense, in that controversy can spoil team “chemistry” and further distract players from the work at hand. PERFECT SENSE! This is what I have tried to say in my other entire thread about the Dungy situation. I continue to support Tony.
Now……. People jump on this and take it in the direction they want to go…….. which is the “Tony does not like gays” and “Tony is a hypocrite” direction.
Here is the other thing…… I consider myself a pretty good communicator. I am older now and a little too opinionated sometimes (often). My real feelings are always this…… Don’t piss on my leg and then tell me it’s raining!
I mentioned communication. I must be quite a bit better in person than I am typing here behind this keyboard. That fact….. and the fact that people can take off in their own chosen direction easier in a thread that they can in a personal conversation.
The fact that the kid is a 7[SUP]th[/SUP] round draft pick and his measurable skills are in question….. those two things are absolute. With those two things established, then comes the question……. “Are the obvious additional questions (off the subject of football) then worth it…….. in regard to the OBVIOUS risk of distraction? Tony used the word “controversy”. Not that the young man’s lifestyle is controversial…….. but the effect of the additional distraction on the clubhouse and can be discussed.
In closing….
Sorry I am not a better communicator with the written word…..
You can say the Rams won’t experience different distractions than ANY other clubhouse……. A blind and ignorant way to believe.
You can say it won’t affect the team negatively…….. maybe not…. But it absolutely takes time and concentration away from football.
Tony was right……. But, maybe I do share with Tony my feelings of wishing I was communicating a little more clearly.
I say “about Tony Dungy” because this has nothing do with young Mr. Sam. Tony never said he did not like the kid or his lifestyle. Tony said he had developed a system over the years for the draft. That system included trying to keep controversy away from his clubhouse. This makes total sense, in that controversy can spoil team “chemistry” and further distract players from the work at hand. PERFECT SENSE! This is what I have tried to say in my other entire thread about the Dungy situation. I continue to support Tony.
Now……. People jump on this and take it in the direction they want to go…….. which is the “Tony does not like gays” and “Tony is a hypocrite” direction.
Here is the other thing…… I consider myself a pretty good communicator. I am older now and a little too opinionated sometimes (often). My real feelings are always this…… Don’t piss on my leg and then tell me it’s raining!
I mentioned communication. I must be quite a bit better in person than I am typing here behind this keyboard. That fact….. and the fact that people can take off in their own chosen direction easier in a thread that they can in a personal conversation.
The fact that the kid is a 7[SUP]th[/SUP] round draft pick and his measurable skills are in question….. those two things are absolute. With those two things established, then comes the question……. “Are the obvious additional questions (off the subject of football) then worth it…….. in regard to the OBVIOUS risk of distraction? Tony used the word “controversy”. Not that the young man’s lifestyle is controversial…….. but the effect of the additional distraction on the clubhouse and can be discussed.
In closing….
Sorry I am not a better communicator with the written word…..
You can say the Rams won’t experience different distractions than ANY other clubhouse……. A blind and ignorant way to believe.
You can say it won’t affect the team negatively…….. maybe not…. But it absolutely takes time and concentration away from football.
Tony was right……. But, maybe I do share with Tony my feelings of wishing I was communicating a little more clearly.