The Playbook Commentary:
When will they get that? A player's off-the-field actions can either help his brand or hurt his brand. It doesn't matter if you successfully scored everytime you had the ball on Sunday, if by Tuesday you are doing or saying something that is straight negative it wipes out the on-the-field success and takes center stage.
Attention players...one more time...YOU are your brand. That means the entire you....your professional as well as your personal. And, together it can advance or stall or even destroy your future.
This conversation needs to take place on-going and should be a part of the pre-season training camp process. The Playbook is ready to provide this service.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- When the topic of Plaxico Burress comes up these days, most people don't talk about what the New York Giants receiver has been doing on the field.
Off-the-field problems and mistakes not related to football are what people remember -- and there have been plenty this season.
It started with Burress' decision to skip a team meeting in September for a so-called family emergency -- and not inform the team. Then, he verbally abused an official two weeks ago before missing a treatment before the Pittsburgh game and being benched for a quarter.
It has cost him money, time and the patience of several teammates.
Despite it all, Burress insisted on Wednesday that he is not a distraction, even as the Giants (6-1) prepare for the biggest game of the season, a showdown with the defending NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys (5-3).
"Like I said, I am human," Burress said after practice. "I have made some mistakes. I haven't made the best of decisions, I am aware of that, and I am the first one to look myself in the mirror, be honest with myself and say that. But as far as me going out and playing hard, I am going to keep going out and competing. Like I said, I just keep going out and doing what is asked of me on the football field, and in whatever that role may be I hope I go out and fulfill it."
Fellow receiver Amani Toomer said it has been hard dealing with Burress this year.
He was suspended for a game against the Seattle Seahawks and fined $117,500 for missing the September meeting. He was fined $45,000 by the league for abusing an official after being called for offensive pass interference against the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago and then he had to watch the first quarter of the Giants' 21-14 win over the Steelers on Sunday.
"He's his own man," Toomer said. "He makes his own decisions and I have to respect that. He knows his decisions affect the team. It's hard to go up to a grown man [and talk] about doing his business the way everybody else wants him to."
When pressed about what might happen if Burress continues his errant ways, the Giants captain wondered.
"I'll be interested to see because I think that it's still a distraction," Toomer said. "It affects our team."
After getting off to a great start, Burress is no longer the No. 1 option in the offense. He had 10 catches for 133 yards in the season opener against Washington and followed that with five more catches for 81 yards and a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams.
In his last four games, he has had 13 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
"I am not getting frustrated," Burress said. "You have to kind of sit there and expect it, so to speak. You can't just expect teams to come out and let you just run up and down the football field. It has been a slow year for a few of us guys at the receiver position. If you look at it and say if we take those 40, 50, 60 yard plays out of the game, those are big plays that change football games, and if you take them out of the game, you have to work around it."
Burress said he has seen more double coverages this season than ever before.
However, doubling up on Burress has opened things up for other receivers.
Second-year pro Steve Smith leads the Giants with 29 catches for 299 yards, with Toomer third with 22 catches for 277 yards and a touchdown. Domenik Hixon, who started when Burress was suspended, has 13 catches for 220 yards and a touchdown and tight end Kevin Boss is slowly catching on with 10 catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Burress opened last season against Dallas with eight catches for 144 yards and a career-best three touchdowns. He added six more catches and another TD in the second meeting but was limited to one catch for 5 yards in the playoff game against the Cowboys.
Ironically, the Giants won the playoff game and lost the other two.
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said he does not plan to let Burress run free on Sunday.
"You have to double him, you have to double him," Phillips said. "He is just a good receiver. [Eli] Manning can get him the ball in all kinds of situations. You just have to double him as much as you can. We tried to do that. We will try to do that this game."
Burress welcomes the attention.
"If the team is going to line up and take me out of the game, then those are things that I have no control over," Burress said. "I control what I control and when the opportunities are presented to me to go out and make plays, then I do and because of that we are a 6-1 football team."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
ESPN - Plaxico Burress insists he's not a distraction to the New York Giants
10.31.2008
10.27.2008
A MWPRInsight Publicity: An Example of Athletes Doing Good
MWPR│CLIENT NEWS
Contact:
Monica Wood│MWPR
P: 704-430-6300 or 443-538-4184
F: 443-583-2652
E: clientnews@mwprinc.com
W: www.mwprinc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baltimore Ravens’ Ray Lewis and Washington Redskins’ Antwaan Randle El Hosts Allied Athlete Group, Inc. Launch Reception in Baltimore
(Baltimore) – Having begun their tour in Atlanta and making a stop in Chicago, Allied Athlete Group founders/partners (current and former NFL players) Ray Lewis, Duane Starks, Reggie Howard, Sam Madison and Michael Stone now bring their launch celebration to “Charm City”. This tour provides an opportunity for the Atlanta-based company to introduce and connect the brand to key influencers in each city. This introduction and celebration will take place in Baltimore on Monday, October 27th.
It is no secret that professional athletes can make tremendous incomes; unfortunately most of them do not fully understand the leverage that is created during their career. This lack of knowledge creates opportunities for various "representatives" to take advantage of the athletes' leverage in a multitude of ways. This often results in the trusted representative making huge profits from the athletes and leaving them abruptly when their career comes to an end. AAG exists to help bridge this gap. Created for the sole purpose of presenting to both current and retired professional athletes key resources, networks and opportunities AAG’s intent is to assist athletes in retaining, extending and creating wealth for both them and their families.
To learn more about Allied Athlete Group, Inc. visit www.alliedathletegroup.com.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Monday, October 27, 2008
7:00PM – 10:30PM
Where: Reginald F. Lewis Museum
830 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Media RSVP or Interview Requests: MWPR, Inc., clientnews@mwprinc.com or 443-538-4184
About AAG
Founded in September, 2007 and comprised of a network of athlete owner/members, AAG solidifies and magnifies its athletes’ leverage through the alignment of the collective interests of its owner/members. Allied Athlete Group promotes the lifelong success of the athlete by providing its members with access to a portfolio of best in class business, personal, education, networking, and investment opportunities. Allied Athlete Group’s ever expanding member network is comprised of high profile athletes situated across the country from varying sports properties. Its athletes consistently rely on a top tier Preferred Partner network to help facilitate the evolution of their careers.
Contact:
Monica Wood│MWPR
P: 704-430-6300 or 443-538-4184
F: 443-583-2652
E: clientnews@mwprinc.com
W: www.mwprinc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baltimore Ravens’ Ray Lewis and Washington Redskins’ Antwaan Randle El Hosts Allied Athlete Group, Inc. Launch Reception in Baltimore
(Baltimore) – Having begun their tour in Atlanta and making a stop in Chicago, Allied Athlete Group founders/partners (current and former NFL players) Ray Lewis, Duane Starks, Reggie Howard, Sam Madison and Michael Stone now bring their launch celebration to “Charm City”. This tour provides an opportunity for the Atlanta-based company to introduce and connect the brand to key influencers in each city. This introduction and celebration will take place in Baltimore on Monday, October 27th.
It is no secret that professional athletes can make tremendous incomes; unfortunately most of them do not fully understand the leverage that is created during their career. This lack of knowledge creates opportunities for various "representatives" to take advantage of the athletes' leverage in a multitude of ways. This often results in the trusted representative making huge profits from the athletes and leaving them abruptly when their career comes to an end. AAG exists to help bridge this gap. Created for the sole purpose of presenting to both current and retired professional athletes key resources, networks and opportunities AAG’s intent is to assist athletes in retaining, extending and creating wealth for both them and their families.
To learn more about Allied Athlete Group, Inc. visit www.alliedathletegroup.com.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Monday, October 27, 2008
7:00PM – 10:30PM
Where: Reginald F. Lewis Museum
830 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Media RSVP or Interview Requests: MWPR, Inc., clientnews@mwprinc.com or 443-538-4184
About AAG
Founded in September, 2007 and comprised of a network of athlete owner/members, AAG solidifies and magnifies its athletes’ leverage through the alignment of the collective interests of its owner/members. Allied Athlete Group promotes the lifelong success of the athlete by providing its members with access to a portfolio of best in class business, personal, education, networking, and investment opportunities. Allied Athlete Group’s ever expanding member network is comprised of high profile athletes situated across the country from varying sports properties. Its athletes consistently rely on a top tier Preferred Partner network to help facilitate the evolution of their careers.
10.10.2008
The Playbook: ESPN - Travis Henry posts bail, could get out of jail on Thursday - NFL
The Playbook Commentary:
Henry continues to the trend of what seems to be the longest nightmare for the sports business. From Pacman's recent fight, to Michael Beasely's attitude, and I could go on, but I won't.
DENVER -- Former Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry could be released from jail Thursday after posting a $400,000 bond on federal drug charges.
Henry and another suspect were arrested Sept. 30 in Denver after federal drug agents said they met to buy cocaine from a man who was cooperating with authorities.
Henry and James Mack both face charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.
Henry offered a $360,000 house as collateral toward his bail on Wednesday and was allowed to post an unsecured bond for the remaining $40,000, said Jeff Dorschner, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Denver.
Henry is expected to be released after a phone line is installed in his house for electronic monitoring, which could be Thursday, Dorschner said.
Neither man has entered a plea.
Neither Henry's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, nor Mack's attorney, James Moore, returned calls.
Mack could be released next week after posting a $10,000 unsecured bond, Dorschner said.
Dorschner said Henry's bail was higher because he is accused of making threats and running when officers tried to arrest him. Judges also can decide how high to set bail to make sure a suspect shows up for court.
If convicted, both men could face 10 years to life in prison, five years of probation and a $4 million fine.
The cases have been transferred to Montana, where authorities say they found six pounds of marijuana and about 6.6 pounds of cocaine that Henry and Mack allegedly supplied.
Jessica Fehr, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney in Billings, Mont., said no court appearances had been scheduled.
Henry signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal with the Broncos last year, and led the league in rushing a month into the 2007 season that was marred by a left knee injury and a failed attempt by the NFL to suspend him over a drug test. He finished with 691 yards and four touchdowns.
Henry fell out of favor over what coach Mike Shanahan said was Henry's lack of commitment and was released on June 2.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Henry continues to the trend of what seems to be the longest nightmare for the sports business. From Pacman's recent fight, to Michael Beasely's attitude, and I could go on, but I won't.
DENVER -- Former Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry could be released from jail Thursday after posting a $400,000 bond on federal drug charges.Henry and another suspect were arrested Sept. 30 in Denver after federal drug agents said they met to buy cocaine from a man who was cooperating with authorities.
Henry and James Mack both face charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.
Henry offered a $360,000 house as collateral toward his bail on Wednesday and was allowed to post an unsecured bond for the remaining $40,000, said Jeff Dorschner, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Denver.
Henry is expected to be released after a phone line is installed in his house for electronic monitoring, which could be Thursday, Dorschner said.
Neither man has entered a plea.
Neither Henry's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, nor Mack's attorney, James Moore, returned calls.
Mack could be released next week after posting a $10,000 unsecured bond, Dorschner said.
Dorschner said Henry's bail was higher because he is accused of making threats and running when officers tried to arrest him. Judges also can decide how high to set bail to make sure a suspect shows up for court.
If convicted, both men could face 10 years to life in prison, five years of probation and a $4 million fine.
The cases have been transferred to Montana, where authorities say they found six pounds of marijuana and about 6.6 pounds of cocaine that Henry and Mack allegedly supplied.
Jessica Fehr, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney in Billings, Mont., said no court appearances had been scheduled.
Henry signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal with the Broncos last year, and led the league in rushing a month into the 2007 season that was marred by a left knee injury and a failed attempt by the NFL to suspend him over a drug test. He finished with 691 yards and four touchdowns.
Henry fell out of favor over what coach Mike Shanahan said was Henry's lack of commitment and was released on June 2.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
AMEN! MCain - You're No Reagan (clarity media group : : blog)
John McCain - You’re No Ronald Reagan
Bill McGowan on Oct 08, 2008
In the second of three Presidential debates last night, John McCain evoked the name of Ronald Reagan, describing him as his hero. After last night’s woeful performance from McCain, it would appear that hero worship is where the connection between the two men begins and ends.
Perhaps John McCain has “Town Hall Burnout” because The Gipper must have been rolling over in his grave. Whatever McCain handler recommended the feeble attempts at humor (talking about hair transplants he needs during an answer on health care) should be fired on sight. This is a Town Hall! The audience is instructed NOT to laugh, applaud or even react. Even the lowest-rent Borscht Belt stand-up comic knows you don’t tell a joke when the chances of getting a laugh are slim. If this is an example of his judgment, I’m not sure I want his “hand on the tiller.” If Ronnie were still here I’m sure he’d give McCain a “there you go again.”
As far as stage presence, McCain looked fidgety. When Obama was talking, McCain, at times, looked like a vulture lurking in the background. At one point he was even caught gesturing and mouthing something to someone in the audience. When McCain was speaking, his movement around the stage had no purpose, and when you’re 72 years old the last thing you want to do is look like your wandering aimlessly. These critiques are above and beyond the problems caused by his physical limitations of which he has no control, but still contribute to a less-than-robust image. In short, he seemed tired, old and cranky. By contrast, Obama struck a calm, cool and unfazed pose on his stool. None of that bogus note taking, no shaking his head while he’s being attacked… it was masterful. He looked completely unflappable and eager to stare down his detractor. And in these settings, unflappable equals Presidential.
Although McCain didn’t flash his legendary temper in its full fury last night, it was pretty clear that Obama has gotten inside his head and under his skin. I didn’t think McCain could appear any more disrespectful and dismissive towards Obama than in the first debate when he did not look at him once and rarely referred to him by name. But then came the now-famous “that one.” In a patronizing tone McCain also called Obama “my friend,” very similar to the way Nelson Rockefeller used to call everyone “fella,” as if to say, “I’m really too important and superior to you to bother using your name.”
If McCain thinks he’s coming across any less mean and crotchety by smiling during his zingers and barbs he’s mistaken. If you’re going on the attack, go on the attack without trying to simultaneously seem like a great guy. Smiling while you’re trying to take somebody apart just makes the viewer think you’re bitter, sarcastic and insincere. When he does that he visually he reminds me of Lionel Barrymore’s character Mr. Potter in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” when he’s pretending to be nice to Jimmy Stewart just to trick him into forking over the ol’ savings and loan. Perhaps that’s why of all the viewer polls taken last night, McCain took the biggest bath on “likability.”
But perhaps the most vexing problem facing McCain (and the most difficult to overcome) is his painful lack of comfort looking at the camera. From the moment he was introduced last night, McCain looked to be in a desperate hurry to break eye contact with the audience and the cameras - that’s why he started scribbling some notes the minute he got to his stool. What on Earth could you need to write down before the debate even begins? It goes back to what our mothers always told us when our credibility was being questioned, “Look me in the eye and say that.” John McCain doesn’t feel comfortable looking the American people in the eye. Given our desperate need to trust and believe in a leader who can get us out of this multi-pronged mess we’re in, that could prove to be a fatal flaw.
clarity media group : : blog
Bill McGowan on Oct 08, 2008
In the second of three Presidential debates last night, John McCain evoked the name of Ronald Reagan, describing him as his hero. After last night’s woeful performance from McCain, it would appear that hero worship is where the connection between the two men begins and ends.
Perhaps John McCain has “Town Hall Burnout” because The Gipper must have been rolling over in his grave. Whatever McCain handler recommended the feeble attempts at humor (talking about hair transplants he needs during an answer on health care) should be fired on sight. This is a Town Hall! The audience is instructed NOT to laugh, applaud or even react. Even the lowest-rent Borscht Belt stand-up comic knows you don’t tell a joke when the chances of getting a laugh are slim. If this is an example of his judgment, I’m not sure I want his “hand on the tiller.” If Ronnie were still here I’m sure he’d give McCain a “there you go again.”
As far as stage presence, McCain looked fidgety. When Obama was talking, McCain, at times, looked like a vulture lurking in the background. At one point he was even caught gesturing and mouthing something to someone in the audience. When McCain was speaking, his movement around the stage had no purpose, and when you’re 72 years old the last thing you want to do is look like your wandering aimlessly. These critiques are above and beyond the problems caused by his physical limitations of which he has no control, but still contribute to a less-than-robust image. In short, he seemed tired, old and cranky. By contrast, Obama struck a calm, cool and unfazed pose on his stool. None of that bogus note taking, no shaking his head while he’s being attacked… it was masterful. He looked completely unflappable and eager to stare down his detractor. And in these settings, unflappable equals Presidential.
Although McCain didn’t flash his legendary temper in its full fury last night, it was pretty clear that Obama has gotten inside his head and under his skin. I didn’t think McCain could appear any more disrespectful and dismissive towards Obama than in the first debate when he did not look at him once and rarely referred to him by name. But then came the now-famous “that one.” In a patronizing tone McCain also called Obama “my friend,” very similar to the way Nelson Rockefeller used to call everyone “fella,” as if to say, “I’m really too important and superior to you to bother using your name.”
If McCain thinks he’s coming across any less mean and crotchety by smiling during his zingers and barbs he’s mistaken. If you’re going on the attack, go on the attack without trying to simultaneously seem like a great guy. Smiling while you’re trying to take somebody apart just makes the viewer think you’re bitter, sarcastic and insincere. When he does that he visually he reminds me of Lionel Barrymore’s character Mr. Potter in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” when he’s pretending to be nice to Jimmy Stewart just to trick him into forking over the ol’ savings and loan. Perhaps that’s why of all the viewer polls taken last night, McCain took the biggest bath on “likability.”
But perhaps the most vexing problem facing McCain (and the most difficult to overcome) is his painful lack of comfort looking at the camera. From the moment he was introduced last night, McCain looked to be in a desperate hurry to break eye contact with the audience and the cameras - that’s why he started scribbling some notes the minute he got to his stool. What on Earth could you need to write down before the debate even begins? It goes back to what our mothers always told us when our credibility was being questioned, “Look me in the eye and say that.” John McCain doesn’t feel comfortable looking the American people in the eye. Given our desperate need to trust and believe in a leader who can get us out of this multi-pronged mess we’re in, that could prove to be a fatal flaw.
clarity media group : : blog
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)