It’s now the offseason and players have more time to witness the daily deluge of up to the minute updates about the NFL. The NFL reality show garners public interest at every level especially activity involving players. The public is interested in activity on the field, off the field, pre-professional and post retirement. NFL players will be subject to public scrutiny throughout their lives until death and beyond.

All NFL Players have an added “force” to their lives, due, in part, to this public interest associated with the game of football and those who play it. As a player it is important to appreciate the significance of playing the game. The consequences of decisions, good or bad, are magnified at this level. Any player that doubts this assertion need only Google the current reporting on player injuries, player arrests, player trades, player lay-offs, player health and player death. Upon realizing that this enhanced force can be used for good or bad and all decisions are being scored, a player may want to implement a game plan for his life to help maximize his daily opportunities and create a lasting legacy.

Andy Stanley created a series of lessons based around one question… What is the wise thing to do? Stanley frames it as a three-part analysis. Players should ask: In light of my (a) past experience … (b) current circumstances and (c) future hopes and dreams… what is the wise thing to do? This exercise will illuminate the wise choice. Of course, knowing the wise thing is not the same as doing the wise thing. All would agree that living wisely is a good thing, however, many choose to take an alternate route. The added force in the players’ life will accelerate the results of those choices. Studies show that even a player’s time to meet his maker has been accelerated. This makes each day in a player’s life arguably even more valuable because he is going to have fewer of them as a result of the physical impact of the game.

Decisions involving exercise, diet, mental preparation, relationships, leisure activity and finances all weigh into a player’s success. View each decision in light of the wise thing to do given past experience, present circumstances and future hopes and dreams. These are the decisions which makes up ones legacy. Chose the wise thing to do and become “a Force to be reckoned with.”

For Seniors whose time had come and the others that chose to jump, it's time to make the best of your situation.  Let's take a moment to focus on the bright side of the lockout.  Typically, players are whisked away immediately following being drafted or signed undrafted.  They are immediately thrust into competing for one of the most competitive jobs in America.  Often times, players fail to appreciate the critical decisions being made daily based on their performance.  Sometimes, players are forever cut from football because of their lack of effort and perceived commitment, rather than skill.  Players seldom have a detailed plan in place for managing their friends, family, teammates and finances while securing and doing their job. 

Players caught in this lockout limbo should be seriously evaluating your skills against those with whom you will be competing and developing a plan for the short term and long term future.  Consider your physical skills as well as your mental game.  How quickly do you learn and retain plays?  How well do you understand the various strategies and where you fit within each system?  How do I improve and get better? Create a plan for entering camp: learning the personnel that takes care of the players and each of their respective roles; digesting the play book with hundreds of pages and appreciating the strategy behind each play; learning your teammates, their roles as well as developing rhythm as you become part of the team fabric; handling your friends and family and balancing the boundaries you have set for yourself to maximize your opportunity; handling your "new" friends & fans in a professional manner along with the inevitable requests for your time and money; budgeting your expenses and managing your income; setting your professional advisors in place and chosing a captain (i.e., agent) to coordinate with you so your life will run as smooth as possible.

Set pen to paper and write out the plan, list your professionals and make sure that they know each other and have each others contact information.  Have each of your professionals review your plans and assist with their development.  Seek out mentors to assist with your development.  Once you have your plan on paper you can begin to visualize the plan taking shape and efficiently manage the time you have; while the lockout continues as well as when it lifts and you are back in the whirlwind.  Use your time wisely and good luck!

Players cannot change the plays they made on film, the injuries they sustained or the work ethic to which they historically adhered, for better or worse. However, there is a lot that can and should be done.

Most are astute enough to realize that they need to work with a strength and movement specialist to maximize their performance in the various physical tests administered (i.e., 40 yd. dash, verticle, 3-Cone, shuttles, etc.). These “measurables” are an important beginning for evaluating an athlete’s ability to succeed at the next level. However, this is just one aspect. Players should spend just as much, if not more, time increasing their FBI: Football Intelligence and professionalism. Let’s first take a look at FBI.

There’s no shortage of pundits emphasizing the parity between the players in terms of size, speed, strength and abilities at this next level. This highlights the importance of the coaches’ game plan, mid-game adjustments and player execution. NFL players must have a deep understanding of the basics for each position and the mental warfare that rages on each play and overall game. The Packer defense iced their victory over the Bears in last week’s playoff game in collectively working an inexperienced quarterback into an interception. Players should not only seek out mentors who’ve been there but also find books, online articles and other reading materials.  They need to learn the nuance involved with their position as well as the other 21 positions on the field to become an effective participant in this NFL game of mental warfare.

The final piece of the puzzle involves a combination of work ethic and professionalism which defines competitiveness. It’s one thing to be competitive once the opening kickoff ensues, however, the true competitor works equally hard if not harder off the field. Players must study film of themselves to evaluate flaws in their own performance so they can work on technique to minimize “tells” and maximize their effectiveness. They must also study opponents to help sharpen game instincts. Every week of the NFL season and playoffs players make instinctual moves enabled by their understanding of the game evolving around them; the pregame preparation payoff.

Coaches look for players that are cognizant of the entire scheme with the foundational skills and attitude to develop into effective NFL players. They must look, act and talk like NFL players. They must exhibit leadership skills and the personality to assimilate with the team.  When you get through working on your bench press and broad jump, spend some time exercising your mind on the game itself. Seek out mentors to help you. Visualize yourself entering rookie camp: digesting a 400 page play book; meeting a litany of coaches, personnel and other players; getting familiar with the various personalities and a new set of rules and expectations. Your preparation and focus will allow you to absorb and channel these external influences to produce a valuable tool in the coaches quiver; become a quality weapon. Good luck to all of you preparing for the 2011 NFL Combine and Pro Day!

Hopefully, team owners have reached a consensus as reports indicate that the NFL and union exchanged detailed position proposals which have been followed by serious discussions.  Most details have been kept confidential and the parties have simply stated the obvious; economics continue to play a major role.  Other issues divulged include the 18-game season, the rookie salary system and free-agency rules.  Despite the Commissioner's upbeat representations about the deal getting done, this ball is still a long way from the goal line.  Accordingly, veterans need to continue to stockpile their paychecks in preparation for a lockout and underclassmen are advised to stay put as long as they can before turning pro as a premature exit in the wake of a lock-out or strike could prove devastating to one's career.  Stay tuned, more to follow....

A recent article in ESPN The Magazine entitled Watchmen by David Fleming does a good job highlighting the different position perspectives in reviewing game film.  DEFENSE:  Defensive linemen pick up on individual lineman techniques and tendancies to gain an edge in one-on-one battles.  Linebackers (especially the Mike) watch for keys that will give them the advantage in pursuit.  Defensive Backs look for tells from the QB and receivers to help uncover where the route and ball are going.  They look for play calling patterns, physical traits and other clues to enhance performance.  OFFENSE:  Quarterbacks watch more film than others because they make the most decisions in any game.  QBs are constantly evaluating the myriad clues- the depth of the strong safety, the split of the middle linebacker- to ensure the right play is called.  QBs must stay current on the ever-changing blitz packages, coverages and overal schemes in order to effictively exploit weaknesses.  Running backs get a feel for the natural ebs and flows in the line of scrimmage to sharpen instincts to find the crease as well as make the cuts to open field.  Tight Ends and other receivers watch for better reads on coverages.   They study DB techniques in man coverage and the zone pockets.  Receivers must be able to make reads and adjust routes to get open and aid the QB in getting them the ball.  Offensive linemen study the habits, formations and favorite stunts of a front seven so they can work together with their fellow mushrooms to cut off pass rushes and blitzes and open the lanes.

Each player should strive not only to learn their individual position but also that of their teammates and counterparts.  The more a player knows about every element of the game, the more effective they become.  There are many examples of receivers dominating LBs and DBs with the experience gained from playing D.  Same goes for Defensive players that have converted from an offensive position.  Players must continue to learn and grow or face premature retirement.

Everyone has heard the saying what comes around goes around.  This is a reality in life.  As such, never hesitate to pass your knowledge on to others in need of your assistance.  Learn from those that teach and teach those that want to learn.

Many people blame sports agents for the latest round of scandals that have rocked college football in the past few months. The stance taken is that agents flashing wads of cash in front of young players is why North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Auburn have come under the NCAA microscope.
But the problem isn’t the agents. It’s the NCAA.
I have represented NFL players for eight years and have never seen a college player receive money from an agent, but I have heard stories. And the stories never start with the agent. It is the player who asks for money to pay bills, to buy clothes or to get food that is not from the athletic department cafeteria.
Why do the players ask for the money? For the most part it is need. They are on a full scholarship to play football, but have no outside income because of NCAA rules. Does greed come into the equation? Yes. Many players have never been around money, and soon they get distracted chasing dollar signs from agents when they should be building trust.
A Sports Illustrated cover story two weeks ago included an agent’s confession of paying $2,500 to a player who said his mom needed money to pay her bills. A few hours after making the transaction another player called with the same request. The agent learned then to parcel out money to players like laying bread crumbs in the water.
The reality is that is how the business works.
The other factor is families. A player’s brother-in-law asked me for money once. The player likely didn’t know about the request, but that highlights the second problem the NCAA faces. Legally an agent can’t talk to a player until after his junior season when he is trying to decide if he wants to forgo his senior year and play in the NFL.
But many agents talk to (and pay) family members, who then give the player paid-for counsel to go with a certain agent. Instead of learning honestly about an agent, the player is forced into a situation that may not be best. That is an impediment to agents and athletes who are playing by the rules.
In a better world, the NCAA needs to increase scholarships and create more opportunities for above board talks between agents. If a talented sophomore can talk to several agents without jeopardizing the agents status with the NCAA or his eligibility, he is more likely to find one who has the player’s best interests at heart.
The NCAA doesn’t need to add more people to monitor players. They need to cut the reason why players are seeking money from agents.

David Wyatt is an NFL agent with Wyatt Sports, LLC and attorney with the firm of Pfeiffer Gleaton Wyatt Hewitt, PA in Greenville, SC.