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Steve Young: An Example of a Paragon of GRIT

You cannot quit. You have the ability, so you need to go back and work this out.” - Steve Young’s Dad, (circa 1980s)
Drawing by Brian Nwokedi to explain the characteristics of a GRIT paragon
Steve Young: A Gridiron Paragon of Grit. From every touchdown to each hard-fought comeback, his relentless determination on the field defines the true essence of grit. A quarterback icon who faced challenges head-on, Young embodies the spirit of unwavering passion and perseverance.

Steve Young is the epitome of a GRIT Paragon. When he was a freshman at BYU, he was the 8th string quarterback and was barely even getting any practice time. Like most freshmen when things don’t go according to plan, Steve called his father (whose nickname was actually Grit). 

Steve’s dad basically said the following: “You can quit but you can’t come home because I’m not going to live with a quitter. You’ve known that since you were a kid. You’re not coming back here.”

With the words of his father ringing in his ears, Steve Young stepped up his game and put the work in. By all accounts, he threw over 10,000 spiral passes at a practice net the summer between his freshman and sophomore year. By his sophomore year, he had risen to QB2 and by his junior year he was BYU’s starting QB. In his final year with the Cougars, Steve Young won the Davey O’Brien award for the most outstanding college quarterback in the country.

Then … It happened all again when he got to the San Francisco 49ers. He spent 4 years on the bench as the backup to four-time Superbowl champion, Joe Montana. And because of his experience at BYU, Steve stayed, learned, and flourished under Montana’s apprenticeship. He eventually got his chance and the rest is history.

When Steve Young retired, he was the highest-rated quarterback in NFL history.

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Patrick Mahomes: The Heir Apparent to Alex Smith

Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes Formed a Strong Heir-Apparent CEO-COO Relationship During the 2017 Season with the Kansas City Chiefs
Drawing by Brian Nwokedi to explain the purpose of a strong COO and CEO relationship

During his tenure from 2013 to 2017, Alex Smith served as the starting quarterback for the Chiefs, leading the team to the playoffs on four occasions and securing their first playoff victory in over two decades. However, in 2017, the Chiefs made a strategic decision to trade up and select Patrick Mahomes as Smith’s long-term successor. Coach Andy Reid demonstrated transparency with Smith, providing the reassurance he needed to embrace the role of mentoring Mahomes. Just a year later, Smith was traded, paving the way for Mahomes to step in as the new starting quarterback. This scenario exemplifies the Heir-Apparent CEO-COO structure, which can be instrumental in ensuring successful succession planning.

In this context, the COO plays the role of the Heir Apparent. Similar to the quarterback transition, the COO is identified and groomed as the successor to the CEO. By implementing a well-executed Heir-Apparent CEO-COO structure, organizations can facilitate a seamless transition of leadership. The COO, under the mentorship and guidance of the CEO, gains valuable experience, insights, and knowledge necessary to assume the top role when the time comes. This strategic approach allows for continuity in leadership and ensures that the organization can thrive even during leadership changes.

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Ed Reed: The Trusted Partner to Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed Formed a Strong Co-Leader Partnership During Their 11-Year Run with the Baltimore Ravens
Drawing by Brian Nwokedi to explain the purpose of a strong COO and CEO relationship

During their Super Bowl XLVII-winning campaign in 2013, the Baltimore Ravens showcased their defensive prowess, despite being ranked 12th in total defense. What set them apart was the remarkable partnership between Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Their collaboration as Co-Leaders began in 2002 and spanned an impressive 11 years, solidifying their status as one of the most formidable linebacker/safety tandems in NFL history. Together, they anchored a consistently outstanding defense that stood among the league’s best.

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed epitomize the essence of a Trusted Partner relationship. Their deep bond and understanding on the field allowed them to anticipate each other’s moves, offering unwavering support and collaboration. With Lewis’s commanding presence and Reed’s exceptional playmaking skills, they formed an unbreakable foundation for the Ravens’ defense. Their synchronized efforts and remarkable synergy elevated their team to new heights.

This Trusted Partner dynamic in football can be likened to the role of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the business world. Just as Lewis and Reed established a reliable and cohesive unit, a COO serves as a Trusted Partner to the CEO, fostering a strong partnership at the top. This collaboration ensures a harmonious and effective leadership team, capable of driving the organization towards success. The impact of a Trusted Partner, both in football and business, cannot be understated, and Lewis and Reed’s legacy as an exceptional tandem serves as a testament to the power of such a partnership.

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To Defense, or To Offense … That is the question posing the Houston Texans on May 8, 2014

With the No.1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans have to ask themselves one “very-simple” question: To Defense or To Offense? Regardless of which expert you chose to listen to the fact remains that on May 8, 2014 the Houston Texans will select Jadeveon Clowney or a quarterback with the number one pick. The top three quarterbacks in this year’s draft class are Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, and Blake Bortles, and below I have compiled their college career stats:



 


Teddy Bridgewater is the most polished from the pocket of the three while Johnny Manziel is hands down the “most exciting” of the three. On the flip side, Blake Bortles is probably the most physically gifted of the three with the most pro-upside of the group. And when you consider the Texan’s quarterback play this past year, there is simply not doubt that the Texans clearly need an upgrade at this position (see Matt Schaub struggle face below):



This past season the Houston Texans’ passing game ranked an abysmal 22nd in completion % at 58.6%, 24th in yards per attempt at 6.02, 25th in touchdown passes with 19, and tied for 3rd in most interceptions this season with 22 (thank you Matt Schaub aka Mr. Pick Six). Additionally, the three Houston Texan QBs combined passer rating for the 2013 NFL season was 74.0 with a TD% rate of 3.0. The 16 combined passer ratings of their 16 opponents was 93.9 with a TD% rate of 6.0.


So without question, the Texans are in the market for a quarterback. But I am of the opinion that the top three QBs in this year’s draft class aren’t worthy of the No.1 pick. None of the three are “can’t miss” type QBs like Andrew Luck or RG3 (although some might say he was a miss based on this last year’s lack of productivity and character issues). And the rise of Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson prove that a future franchise QB can be found in the later rounds.


Given the uncertainty of the top three QB prospects and the gravity of missing with the No.1 overall pick (remember the Houston Texans once drafted David Carr No.1 and look how that turned out), it is my opinion that the Texans use the No.1 overall pick and draft Jadeveon Clowney.



Drafting Jadeveon Clowney and paring him with JJ. Watt would allow the Texans to create one of the most ferocious and relentless pass rushes in the league (similar to Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney for the Colts in the mid-2000s). He is the most physically gifted athlete in the 2014 draft and when he plays full tilt, he’s the most un-blockable player in this draft. And when you consider that the Texans play in the same division as Andrew Luck, building a stout front-seven makes more sense to me with the No.1 pick than risking it on Johnny Football, Mr. Bridgewater or Blake Bortles. 






Drafting Clowney doesn’t come without risk. During this past season he was often accused of “saving himself” and “taking plays off” as he struggled to give 100% effort on every play. His overall physical shaped was even questioned at the beginning of the season in the opener against North Carolina. And as the NFL continues to evolve into more “character-based” decision making, many NFL scouts have taken notice of these red flags when accessing Clowney’s draft stock. 





In 2006, the Texans were faced with a similar question with the No.1 overall pick and made the decision to draft Mario Williams over both Reggie Bush and Vince Young. I am asking owner Bob McNair and general manager Rick Smith to do the same thing …

Draft me a Clowney and find me a Russell Wilson in the later rounds!


P.S. Texans take a look at acquiring Kirk Cousins and drafting Jimmy Garoppolo from Eastern Illinois at QB. For those that don’t know who I am talking about Google him.

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Brian Nwokedi’s Sports Life Football Season in Review

The turn of the New Year brings the end of college football and the start of the NFL playoffs, and with that, I wanted to take a moment to give a season and mid-season review of all my Texans’ and my Longhorns’ performances thus far against my expectations:

Houston Texans: 
My comfort level with this season: 9/10

Last year:
10-6 and 1st in AFC South
Won AFC Wild Card game against Cincinnati Bengals
Lost Divisional game against Baltimore Ravens
Custom 2025 Sports Life expectation:
13-3 and 1st in AFC South
Get to the AFC Conference Championship
Current Season result:
12-4 and 1st in AFC South
Won AFC Wild Card game against Cincinnati Bengals

This year I have been pretty quiet about my Houston Texans, primarily because I was uncertain if this year’s team was going to live up to my lofty expectations. After last season’s history making campaign, the Texans came into 2012 no longer a dark horse team in the AFC. Vegas had them as 12/1 odds to win the Super Bowl at the beginning of the season and many “experts” picked them to win the AFC.
The city of Houston was buying into the hype and I too was drinking the Texans’ Kool-Aid. From my perspective it was quite simple:
The Texans went to the 2ndround of the playoffs last year on the back of a great defense and a rookie quarterback in T.J. Yates. The defense, which finished the year ranked #2 behind the Pittsburgh Steelers[1], was only going to get better in year 2 of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme. The Texans were also getting their starting QB back. If they stayed healthy, there was no reason for them to not contend for a Super Bowl.
So like many other Houstonians, I fully expected the Texans to have a great year. And after last night’s 19-13 Wild Card victory over the Cincinnati Bengals the Texans haven’t disappointed.
Sure prior to yesterday’s victory the Texans had lost 3 of the last 4 games and were trending the wrong direction going into the playoffs. During this putrid stretch, there was the 42-12 shellacking on Monday Night at the hands of Tom Brady, the 23-6 stink bomb of a game against the Vikings and the lost opportunity of clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
At the same time, the Texans have lived to see another day and that’s more than I can say for the Dallas Cowboys (okay that was a cheap shot and I only slightly apologize to my Dallas friends). Defensively they have found a way to keep it together even after losing ILB Brian Cushing. Offensively, they have re-established their run identify. Although next weekend will be a tall order facing Tom Brady at home, it’s been fun watching these boys ball… Not bad for a team that was established in 2002.  
  
Texas Longhorns
My comfort level with this season: 4/10
Last year:
8-5 overall; 4-5 in conference; 6th in the Big 12
55-17 loss to Oklahoma
27-25 victory over Texas A&M
Won Holiday Bowl against California Golden Bears
Custom 2025 Sports Life expectation:
10-3 overall; 3rd in Big 12
Beat OU
Current Season result:
9-4 overall; 5-4 in conference; 3rd in Big 12
63-21 loss to Oklahoma; loss to TCU
Won Alamo Bowl against Oregon State Beavers

Expectations… Expectations … Oh Expectations…
When you are the University of Texas Longhorns and you pull in top 5 recruiting classes year over year over year, the expectation from the fan base (and me included) is the BCS or bust. We can have a detailed conversation about whether or not this is fair, but this is the reality of big time college football especially when you pay your head coach $5.2 million annually, your nine-assistant coaches $3.6 million annually, and you’re the most valuable college football team in the land[2].
After last season’s 8-5 finish, I have to admit that I wasn’t as delusional as some of my Texas Longhorn brethren who believed in their heart of hearts that the Longhorns were one year away from competing for the Big 12 and of course the National Championship. And after this season’s performance, I can honestly say that the Longhorns are not going in the right direction and here is why:
The fact remains that in football defense wins championships. I don’t care how many points you put on the board… If you cannot stop the other team from scoring, you will get beat.
After 13 games this year, the Texas Longhorn defense gave up a total of 404 yards per game and ranked 66thout of 120. As a point of reference, Alabama and Notre Dame give up 246 and 287 yards per game respectively and are ranked 1st and 6th in total defense[3]. It is no surprise why these two teams are playing for the National Championship tomorrow night.
Even looking at last year, Alabama and LSU were ranked #1 and #2 respectively in total defense giving up 184 and 262 per game. Shocker … Those two teams slugged it out at the end of the year for the National Championship.
In year two of Manny Diaz’s defensive scheme, the Longhorns have regressed. In 2011 Texas finished the year ranked #11 in total defense at 306 per game[4]. In 2010, Will Muschamp’s last year, Texas finished the year ranked #6 in total defense at 300 yards per game.
If defense wins championships, the Longhorns are not playing championship style defense and their 66thranking shows this. So although they have performed decently from a win-loss perspective this year, I have to say that the Longhorns are far from getting this ship turned in the right direction.
For the last couple of seasons, the Longhorns have clearly underperformed (that’s the nice way of saying it). For those of you that follow this blog, you all know where I stand on Mack Brown and his future tenure with the ‘Horns (see below). Call me spoiled, but for a team that is supposed to be in the business of winning championships this isn’t good enough.