Big contracts = big pressure

I was just reading today's WP article about Andre Carter and he mentioned the pressure that comes along with the big contact he signed. Archuleta has also said that he had trouble this year dealing with the pressure that comes with the big contract.

It's an interesting theory to consider that perhaps one of the factors that played into our downfall his year may have been very simple... pressure.

Not only with the contracts, but the pressure of the high expectations. Bringing in an offensive guru in Saunders, the all-star collection of coaches here, and right from day one in camp Mark Brunell stated that anything less than a Super Bowl was going to be a disappointment this season. I understand that all teams to a degree have this mentality in August, but I think for the Skins they definitely felt under the gun to produce a Super Bowl season this year. It was Gibbs' 3rd year, time to turn the corner, etc.

In summary, I think one of the main reasons for our downfall this year was the pressure, the pressure of winning, the pressure of living up to the big contracts, and the pressure of having an all-star cast of coaches.

Thoughts?

I was just reading today's WP article about Andre Carter and he mentioned the pressure that comes along with the big contact he signed. Archuleta has also said that he had trouble this year dealing with the pressure that comes with the big contract.

It's an interesting theory to consider that perhaps one of the factors that played into our downfall his year may have been very simple... pressure.

Not only with the contracts, but the pressure of the high expectations. Bringing in an offensive guru in Saunders, the all-star collection of coaches here, and right from day one in camp Mark Brunell stated that anything less than a Super Bowl was going to be a disappointment this season. I understand that all teams to a degree have this mentality in August, but I think for the Skins they definitely felt under the gun to produce a Super Bowl season this year. It was Gibbs' 3rd year, time to turn the corner, etc.

In summary, I think one of the main reasons for our downfall this year was the pressure, the pressure of winning, the pressure of living up to the big contracts, and the pressure of having an all-star cast of coaches.

Thoughts?

and the pressure of we fans & the Danny wanting to win so bad.
you might've summed up the Danny's whole organizational model - big$ & big pressure.
I think you're right & that after a year to settle things down & gell, we should be better off in 007. I don't think we have a contender just yet, maybe in 08 if we can get some youth & depth.

You know, Gibbs signed a five year deal. In the pressers early on, he stated that he wanted to return the francise to the greatness of it's glory years. Something that the fans could be proud of. He has 2+ years left to accomplish that goal. Apologies for the slight deviation. to much F'n and A'n going on this am

I was just reading today's WP article about Andre Carter and he mentioned the pressure that comes along with the big contact he signed. Archuleta has also said that he had trouble this year dealing with the pressure that comes with the big contract.

It's an interesting theory to consider that perhaps one of the factors that played into our downfall his year may have been very simple... pressure.

Not only with the contracts, but the pressure of the high expectations. Bringing in an offensive guru in Saunders, the all-star collection of coaches here, and right from day one in camp Mark Brunell stated that anything less than a Super Bowl was going to be a disappointment this season. I understand that all teams to a degree have this mentality in August, but I think for the Skins they definitely felt under the gun to produce a Super Bowl season this year. It was Gibbs' 3rd year, time to turn the corner, etc.

In summary, I think one of the main reasons for our downfall this year was the pressure, the pressure of winning, the pressure of living up to the big contracts, and the pressure of having an all-star cast of coaches.

Thoughts?

There is some truth to this, however these two players (Arch & A. Carter) came in from teams that really did not want them anymore. These two already came in with a rep of under acheiveing at times, eventhough they also had moments of greatness.
Arch had a rep of being weak in coverage and A.Carter as a tweener LB/DE no real home. This has pretty much continued with Redskins.

I've thought about this a lot. Not just in football, but professional sports in general.

This is a really interesting topic. First of all, I'm of the opinion that more money doesn't mean more production. How much more, physically, can one get out of his body and mind. Either it's there or it isn't

Which brings us to this, if the player has an 'off' year he is immediately considered a bust. So the mentality is, I have to live up to this contract or people will ride me.

That's a funny sig 12th. :)

Matty, I feel like pressure is something that all professional atheletes have to deal with. Some players respond well to the pressure and some do not. Unfortunately, and I know this parallel has probably been made before, the Redskins are a lot like the Yankees, who I despise, in that both teams love picking up big free agents. And very much like A-Rod for the Yankees, some of our off season acquisitions have not produced like we thought they would. However, the Yankees have also picked up free agents that have played well for them like Clemens and Sheffield. Maybe some of our latest additions need to ask other pro atheletes how they deal with pressure, I really think that pressure is something that a pro should expect to deal with. In addition, I think the pressure could be even more next year because they failed so badly this year. What if they worry too much about screwing up another season?
I guess the point I'm trying to make through all that babble is that playing poorly because of pressure is not an acceptable reason to play poorly to me. Pressure is something that should not hold them back, and if it is, they need to find some way to deal with it. Maybe Gibbs should bring in a sports psychologist because we cannot let another season pass us bye because our players can't handle something that most pro athletes deal with all the time.

No doubt pressure is an issue, but I agree that pro athletes need to be ready to deal with this.

Also, Gibbs always "brags on" the character of his players. Clearly, one important character trait is dealing with big money. Coles, Portis, Washington, Griffen--they did it. AA and Carter (who is clearly adapting) need to step up and do the things they are physically capable of doing (maybe AA isn't physically capable--another theory ;) ). Not that anyone is denying this obvious truism.

On the bright side, Carter shows that pressure can be handled. If you can't physically do things, then there's no solution.

I think its an excuse. Professional athletes are paid to produce, and many do. Santana Moss got a fat contract and delivered the goods. Being a pro means getting paid large sums of money to deliver on the field. It also means taking personal responsibility when you fail to deliver and correcting the situation.

I've heard there is a great deal of pressure on an athlete when they have to buy a 4 million dollar house and then have to spend another two million remodeling it. Once these guys get their MTV cribs in order we will be all good.