The effectiveness of players only meetings

[d-day]

A great read in this morning's Sun-Sentinel...

DAVIE - Seattle safety Brian Russell slowly creeps down when the Seahawks plan to blitz.

Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington picked up on this tendency during his film study and pointed it out to his receivers during the three players-only offensive meetings he holds each week.

On one particular play in a Nov. 9 win over Seattle, Pennington didn't need to say a word to receiver Ted Ginn Jr. All he did was look in Ginn's direction with one finger in the air and shoot Ginn one of those teacher-like glares students get when they're expected to know the answer to a question.

As a result, Ginn changed his route from a streak to a slant, and the 8-yard pass he caught converted a critical third down on a touchdown drive that sealed the victory.

Without the players-only meetings Pennington calls for the offensive linemen, who meet on Thursdays, and the receivers, who meet for an hour twice during the week, maybe that play doesn't get made.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdolphins20xsbnov20,0,2444787.story

 

[d-day]

love this part...

Pennington picks up so much during film study — from defensive lineman tendencies to how linebackers tip blitzes — that left guard Justin Smiley has asked him for pointers on how to study film.

"He's a genius, man. He's such a student of the game, and it has helped everyone," Smiley said.

"I've learned from some great offensive linemen and coaches, but nobody has taught me how to study film like that."

 

[Dolpfan_72]

I really am glad we can all admire how Pennington works now that he is our field general and not the oppositions. The day he was signed we instantly became a better team because he is isn't giving the team a fish like Farve, he is teaching our men how to fish.

I like to think Tuna and Co. knew this from Parcells experience with Pennington in the past and knew he would be the perfect tutor for our man i waiting Chad Henne. I can only hope he is soaking this all up like a sponge. If he is, I can only imagine what we have waiting for us down the road.

 

[d-day]

I really am glad we can all admire how Pennington works now that he is our field general and not the oppositions. The day he was signed we instantly became a better team because he is isn't giving the team a fish like Farve, he is teaching our men how to fish.

I like to think Tuna and Co. knew this from Parcells experience with Pennington in the past and knew he would be the perfect tutor for our man i waiting Chad Henne. I can only hope he is soaking this all up like a sponge. If he is, I can only imagine what we have waiting for us down the road.

If Henne can learn to be the general Chad is, plus then add in his arm strength, we might just have solved the QB situation that's been alluding our team for almost a decade now.

 

[Avalanche of Wins]

If Henne can learn to be the general Chad is, plus then add in his arm strength, we might just have solved the QB situation that's been alluding our team for almost a decade now.

this is a great article, at some point when henne does take over for penny, it should be a smooth transition. the guy couldn't ask for much more, pennington has laid out the blueprint right on front of him. i think what i am trying to say is that all of these things become routine withing the structure of the team so all henne will have to do is slide in and press cruise control.

 

[Shamboubou]

If Henne can learn to be the general Chad is, plus then add in his arm strength, we might just have solved the QB situation that's been alluding our team for almost a decade now.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Also the day that Chad decides that he is done playing football, there should be a Quarterbacks coach position sitting right here in Miami open for him to come because this guy is a real asset when it comes to game planning.

 

[arcane1229]

Penny's 32, Henne will probably be taking the Aaron Rodgers path, waitinga few years, so absolutely, the transition better be smooth, however as we can all see it still hasnt been that smooth for Rodgers, but he is coming along.

 

[Avalanche of Wins]

Penny's 32, Henne will probably be taking the Aaron Rodgers path, waitinga few years, so absolutely, the transition better be smooth, however as we can all see it still hasnt been that smooth for Rodgers, but he is coming along.

i meant more along the lines of leadership and team guidance than i did performance on the field, i should have clarified. rather than come in as a new starter and have to establish his own routine, he can just man the ship chad built and the rest of the team won't miss a beat.

 

[Geforce]

This might be one reason why Pennington and Ginn took so long to get on the same page earlier in the season

"Sometimes it's hard to be on the same page when he's got his coach telling him what he has to do, and I've got my coach telling me one thing," Ginn said. "When we sit down and analyze it, put it to an equal standing, we come up with what we want to do."

and why Pennington is looking for the wide receivers more than the tight ends lately.

Ginn said the players-only meetings are stress relievers because they prevent breakdowns on Sundays. That has enabled the Dolphins' offense to average 353 yards, making it the NFL's eighth-most productive unit. He estimates Dolphins' receivers benefit from those meetings about five plays a game.

 

[phinfan33]

Took the words right out of my mouth. Also the day that Chad decides that he is done playing football, there should be a Quarterbacks coach position sitting right here in Miami open for him to come because this guy is a real asset when it comes to game planning.

i sure hope we offer Pennington the QBs coaching job when his playing days are done...and if it is offered to him,i hope he takes it...

 

[FINdestructible]

I really hated this guy when he was a Jet. Now, i can't stop loving him!!!

 

[Geforce]

i sure hope we offer Pennington the QBs coaching job when his playing days are done...and if it is offered to him,i hope he takes it...

That might not be for another eight to ten years and I think if Pennington decides to coach it will initially be at the high school level.

 

[petefins]

Penny's 32, Henne will probably be taking the Aaron Rodgers path, waitinga few years, so absolutely, the transition better be smooth, however as we can all see it still hasnt been that smooth for Rodgers, but he is coming along.

When do you think he will retire? It would be great if he retired a Dolphin.

 

[Mr772]

At 32 Pennington could have many years left as our QB but it all depends on how healthy he can stay. Henne is the farthest thing from my mind right now.

We could have a better QB through the draft in another 2 years. Or another ace vet like Pennington or Brees could pop up between now and then as well.

 

[Lorenzo Rules]

well I ll be darn its the return of Dday . great post dday i heard former tightend coach Pat Jones talk about that this very day and said you have to be careful as to which player is running these players only meetings.

I take it that if these following players were holding a team meeting the coaching staff would have to drill a hole in the wall notably a painting of the mono lisa and watch through the evil eye of her's to make sure the inmates dont shipwreck the flondering vessle.
here are some players not to let run a players only meeting.
#1 Chad Johnson
#2 Lamar Thomas
#3 Pacman Jones
#4 Travis Henry or is it chris Henry ?
#5 T.O.
#6 Kellen Winslow jr.
if these guys are running a players only meeting I would assume that pandimonium would erupt.