Sublime

For years, Scott Pioli, director of personnel for the Patriots, kept a photo on his desk of Dave Stachelski, a player the team had drafted in the 5th round, but who never made it through training camp.

By spending fifty to eighty hours each week studying the opponent, he knew more about the opposing team than anyone else on the Colts, including the other coaches. And, he had one more advantage: He was always a week ahead of the rest of the coaching crew. If the Colts were going to play the Jets on the coming Sunday and Miami the following Sunday,

For years, Scott Pioli, director of personnel for the Patriots, kept a photo on his desk of Dave Stachelski, a player the team had drafted in the 5th round, but who never made it through training camp. It was a reminder: You’re not as good as you think. You don’t have it all figured out. Stay focused. Do better.

miscalculated all of his intangible attributes. They’d let this gem wait until the sixth round. Someone else could have drafted him. More than that, they didn’t even know they were right about Brady until injuries knocked out Drew Bledsoe, their prized starter, and forced them to realize his potential.

Bill Walsh loved military history, including the Civil War. He had read all of the books he could find about it,

He would ask me to get up and “teach” my offensive techniques to a defensive coach, who would play the part of a student—a player. Bill would critique us, teach us how to communicate better and better so that the players would be more fully informed. No other coach in the NFL was coaching his coaches like this. And it was serious business with him.