Ho hum, the New England Patriots won another Super Bowl. It was the 6th time that the Patriots hoisted the Lombardi Trophy – all coming in the last 17 years.
Ho hum, the game was less than thrilling for viewers. It was a genuine throwback to the 1960’s and ‘70’s. It is ironic that in a year that has been defined by explosive offense – to the point that a number of teams in filling head coaching vacancies over the past month looked for clones of Rams’ coach Sean McVay – young offensive gurus.
Wonder what they’re thinking now?
The old adage is “Defense wins championships.” That was certainly true on Sunday night. And if you love defense, then it was a marvelous game to watch. But for excitement value, not so much.
It is rare to see Tom Brady uncomfortable, but he was last night. Even rattled at times. It is a testament to the work of Rams’ defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
On the other sideline, Bill Belichick and his staff may have come up with the best defensive game plan of their coaching careers. It produced the best defensive performance in the history of the Super Bowl. We’ve seen the Steelers “Steel Curtain,” the Cowboys’ “Doomsday Defense,” Miami’s “No Name Defense,” Chicago’s “Monsters of the Midway,” the great Ravens defenses and Seattle’s “Legion of Boom.”
As great as these all were, none compared to what we saw on Sunday night in a Super Bowl victory. This was, after all, a Rams team that averaged 32 points per game during the regular season and playoffs. They were completely stymied on Sunday night.
I can only imagine what it was like in the Patriots’ staff and team meetings, with Belichick having heard all he could stand about the young offensive genius on the other sideline during the two weeks leading up to the game, and then determining he was going to show the young gun who is boss. And that he did.
The Patriots run is unprecedented in the Super Bowl era NFL. While there are many who are tired of seeing them at the top (including me), their success provides a teachable moment for us all.
The mantra that Belichick has repeated nearly every day to his staff and players is simple: Do your job.
That’s it.
Don’t do someone else’s job. Don’t even worry about what others are doing. Just do your job.
What sets the Patriots apart is just that. All players on all teams know their assignments, but how those assignments are executed determines the level of excellence reached.
The other three values that have formed the foundation for the Patriots dynasty are:
1) Be attentive
2) Pay attention to details
3) Put the team first
These keys to success apply to all teams, such as the family, the workplace, and the community.
This approach allows for the whole truly being greater than the sum of its parts. This is the essence of teamwork, collaboration, synergy and shared value.
Do your job. Put the team first. Be attentive. Pay attention to details.
How many marriages would be saved if spouses just did these 4 things?
How many companies would flourish if they just made these 4 things their roadmap?
Yes, it’s just football, as former Dallas Cowboys running back, Duane Thomas, once reminded us when he said, “If the Super Bowl is really the ultimate game, why do they play it again next year?”
Perhaps next year will provide us with another teachable moment.
And a more exciting game.