Firefights

Urgency. Play with urgency. 

From Mike Reiss:

Vrabel showed the team boxing trainer Teddy Atlas' "We are firemen" corner speech to amplify the identity he hopes to create. There were also clips of Vrabel calling out Brown and defensive tackle Milton Williams, showing that he holds some of the team's best players accountable in front of everyone.

The Atlas speech hit home with defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III.

"It's about staying laser focused to put out the fire," he said. "It's going into this week with a mindset that we need everybody -- you can't put out the fire with just one person." 

Team sports isn't illusory. It's shared vision, mission, and execution to do what is necessary. There is never a shortage of metaphor. 

The back row relies on the front to get "hands on" balls. The attackers need coverage. The setter needs actionable passes to do her job. 

"You can't put out the fire with just one person." 

Here's the real deal with competitive sports:

Toughness isn't proving how much punishment you can endure.
Toughness is maintaining the discipline to do what gives you the best chance to win.