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The question gave Tom Donahoe pause.
The Buffalo Bills president/general manager was talking about the upcoming National Football League draft when he was asked what trait bound the most successful picks.
After a moment, Donahoe allowed, “Over the years, probably the one thing that’s determined who plays longest and who’s played at a better level is toughness.
“I don’t know how you get away from it ... it’s even more important than athletic ability.”
He continued, “A guy has to have the right physical and mental toughness to survive in this league.
“There are a lot of talented guys who come in for a cup of coffee and they’re out the door. And then there are guys like (former Steelers’ center) Mike Webster who, if he’d have been invited to the combine (which didn’t exist when he came into the league) probably would have been a reject. But he played for 18 years and is in the Hall of Fame.”
The Buffalo Bills president/general manager was talking about the upcoming National Football League draft when he was asked what trait bound the most successful picks.
After a moment, Donahoe allowed, “Over the years, probably the one thing that’s determined who plays longest and who’s played at a better level is toughness.
“I don’t know how you get away from it ... it’s even more important than athletic ability.”
He continued, “A guy has to have the right physical and mental toughness to survive in this league.
“There are a lot of talented guys who come in for a cup of coffee and they’re out the door. And then there are guys like (former Steelers’ center) Mike Webster who, if he’d have been invited to the combine (which didn’t exist when he came into the league) probably would have been a reject. But he played for 18 years and is in the Hall of Fame.”
. I sure would like to see TD bat a little higher this year....
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