Re: Defering in the NFL

>Heh.  I'm imagining the scene:

>Jim: "Blue Captain, ya know Coach Johnson said if you won the toss, you
should defend that end of the field to start the game, so make your choice." >

Actually, I do this at the sideline *before* we go out to the center of the
field.

>Jock: "Uh, I think we'll..."
>
>Jim: "Did I mention that Coach Johnson said he'd checked the weather
>forecast, and that the wind, which is currently blowing strongly from that
>direction, isn't expected to last more than the time for the 1st quarter?"
>
>Jock: "Thanks, but..."
>
>Jim: "Did I mention that Coach Johnson said you were the best person he could
think of to carry out his well-considered plans, and that he's so glad your
teammates selected you for that honor?"

>Jock: "Uh..."

>Jim: "Before you decide, maybe you should consider that even at this late
date, coaches have authority to cut players.">

>Etc.  Are these varsity games?  I'm exaggerating above of course, but I don't
know if it really serves these kids for you to act in that capacity. Do you
have other considerations? >

Yes, these are HS varsity games.  As I posted earlier, coaches aren't apt to
take kindly to our "making" them kick off to start both halves (accidentally,
that is).

And make no mistake -- they WILL blame us, no matter who actually screwed up. 
We won't (in that coach's eyes) be able to do anything right for the rest of
the night.

So, I take measures to prevent this from happening.  It's not really coaching
on my part.  I just make sure that the coach, the speaking captain and I are
all on the same page.

If someone doesn't like it -- sue me.

Jim Rosenfeld

God Bless the 
    U. S. A.