historypete
09-15-2008, 10:52 AM
One thing that separates this team from the one in 2003 is mental toughness. Donahoe's teams might have had big name players and more swagger, but when it came to tight games we'd always end up losing them. I can't remember over the years we heard so many times "we have to learn how to win these games" referring to those 1,2 3 and 4 point losses we sustained.
Well, this team has learned to win those games, or so it seems right now. That was a huge win yesterday. Down by 6 in the 4th and then score the final 10 points. Any other Bills team in recent history would have collapsed.
I actually think some of this mental toughness comes from Jauron. I've bashed this guy up and down at times, and it wasn't usually undeserved, but he has a quiet confidence I guess that the other players have picked up on. Unlike Williams or Mularkey who used to go crazy at times, this guy stays calm and cool or barely alive I guess. But the fact is he's never soaring in his on the field emotions. A lot of this teams mental makeup though, comes from the past history. A not so talented team with tons of injuries sticking in games they didn't belong to be in. That builds not only team chemsitry but confidence.
Regardless of where this mental toughness comes from, it is clearly on display now. They don't seem to be fazed, they don't seem to panic. It is just deal with that particluar series, good or bad, and then come back out for a new one. It looks like these guys have the ability to do something special this year, but they have to keep it going this weekend by beating an Oakland team that is pretty bad. I don't want this team thinking it is greater than what it might be, like that 2003 team did. The difference is Jauron will keep them focused.
Well, this team has learned to win those games, or so it seems right now. That was a huge win yesterday. Down by 6 in the 4th and then score the final 10 points. Any other Bills team in recent history would have collapsed.
I actually think some of this mental toughness comes from Jauron. I've bashed this guy up and down at times, and it wasn't usually undeserved, but he has a quiet confidence I guess that the other players have picked up on. Unlike Williams or Mularkey who used to go crazy at times, this guy stays calm and cool or barely alive I guess. But the fact is he's never soaring in his on the field emotions. A lot of this teams mental makeup though, comes from the past history. A not so talented team with tons of injuries sticking in games they didn't belong to be in. That builds not only team chemsitry but confidence.
Regardless of where this mental toughness comes from, it is clearly on display now. They don't seem to be fazed, they don't seem to panic. It is just deal with that particluar series, good or bad, and then come back out for a new one. It looks like these guys have the ability to do something special this year, but they have to keep it going this weekend by beating an Oakland team that is pretty bad. I don't want this team thinking it is greater than what it might be, like that 2003 team did. The difference is Jauron will keep them focused.