Brad Lidge: Understanding Performance and Perfection

“The biggest thing for me is to not get caught up in stats in terms of perfection and non-perfection. You start with the goal that you want to throw well in every game and maintain that. The reality is, I have to be able to help our team win and have a good year as a closer.

"I’m not trying to top 2008. We won the World Series. In terms of what a closer is supposed to do, I can’t do better in save percentage. But I can actually go out and blow a couple of saves and still pitch better than I did last year.”

--Brad Lidge, Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher, who recorded 48 saves in 48 chances, including the clinching game of the World Series.

Excerpts from the New York Times, February 26, 2009.

For the full article, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/sports/baseball/26lidge.html?th&emc=th

Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts: Peak Performance Case Study

"I've always treasured the time I've had with him because I respected him so much as a person. He worked so hard at his craft, he was always so prepared and he did every little thing he could to win. And he did it with quiet dignity, superb professionalism and with a sense of contribution to the team, that really is second to none."

--Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts' team president., discussing his relationship with Marvin Harrison.

To date, Marvin Harrison has caught 1,102 passes (#2 in NFL history) for 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns, all for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL. He is the Colts' leading single-season and career receiving leader in catches, yardage and touchdowns , surpassing former Colt and Hall-of-Famer Raymond Berry. He teamed with Peyton Manning to form the most potent passing combination in National Football League history. Harrison was the Colts' first-round draft pick in 1996, out of Syracuse. The Colts won the Super Bowl in 2007.

Marvin Harrison was released today at his request by the Indianapolis Colts after a contract could not be agreed upon.




Excerpts from ESPN.com, February 25, 2009.

Rewind to Beijing 2008--Mike Krzyzewski: Leading USA Basketball to Olympic Gold Through Planning and Preparation

"The amount of time we had to put into this was substantial. For more than three years, we were in constant touch, constant planning, meeting, dealing with players, training camps, travel, the world championships, the Olympic qualifying and then the whole Olympic experience. And Mike was amazing, in terms of preparation, everything you ever heard about him.

Jerry Colangelo, Managing Director, USA Basketball, who chose Coach Krzyzewski to be the head coach and restore the United States to its place as the world's premier basketball power.

Excerpts from the New York Times, February 19, 2009.

Mike Tomlin: Glimpses of a Championship Head Coach

"It's like chess to me. I like to control my emotions because I want to see things with clarity. I think that's what my team needs me to do in those instances. I think that's what my team needs me to do in those instances. Not that I don't enjoy it, I do, but I'm always trying to stay a step ahead.

"You wear many hats in this business, and I embrace that as much as I do the X's and O's. I probably get more enjoyment out of watching people grow than I do preparing winning football games. It's a beautiful thing. I believe that's what we're all called to do."

--Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach, discussing his sideline demeanor and various leadership and mentoring roles on the team.

Excerpts from the New York Times, February 3, 2009.

Watch the game-winning drive on YouTube below.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Model for an NFL Franchise

"They've run a model franchise. I think everyone in Pittsburgh recognizes how proud they are of the Steelers. We in the NFL recognize how fortunate we've been to have Dan Rooney's leadership and now Art's leadership."

--Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, discussing the Rooney family and their ownership.

"They do a great job of letting their personnel do their jobs. They take care of things on their end and let the people they've hired for their positions do their job. That's what's special."

--Brett Keisel, Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive end.

The Steelers have now won 6 Super Bowls (an NFL record) and have been a model of stability in the NFL. They have only had 3 coaches since 1969. Chuck Noll won 4 Super Bowls. Bill Cowher had eight teams that won 10 or more games from 1992 to 2006, including records of 13-3, 15-1, 11-5 and 10-5-1, three American Conference championship games, and one Super Bowl in his last five seasons.

Mike Tomlin is the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl.

Excerpts from the New York Times, January 25, 2009.

Steelers's Super Bowl Win: Overcoming Adversity

“We’re a team that doesn’t blink in the face of adversity. It’s never going to be pretty, or perfect, if you will, but they have a great deal of belief in one another.”

--Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach, discussing the Steelers' comeback in the final minutes of the Super Bowl.

Tomlin, became the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl. The Steelers have won more Super Bowls than an other NFL franchise, six.

Kurt Warner: Designs on a Legacy

"I want people to respect me as a guy who works his butt off, that tries to be great every time he does anything, and he wants the players around him to be great and he'll do whatever he can to bring them to the point of greatness. That's definitely what I want my legacy to be."

--Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals' quarterback, talking about his three Super Bowl appearances with two franchises.

Warner has two NFL Most Valuable Player awards and is trying to win a second Super Bowl ring.

Excerpts from the New York Times, February 1, 2009.