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Soup of the Day Blog 11
by Mark Campbell, NewOrleansSaints.com
Monday, August 04, 2008 - 4:00 PM
We all needed to see our loved ones on Saturday.
Personally, I looked forward to see my wife and son all week. By segmenting camp into weeks or by game, it always gives me something to look forward to. To further explain, I ultimately focus not only on each day, but every repetition. It’s important to keep the big picture in mind as well as the daily goals. This is what keeps me sane. Coach Payton talks about this early in camp. “There’s no light at the end of the tunnel,” he’ll often say.
He’s implying to keep grinding away by pushing yourself. There’s no doubt that’s our focus. You have to be positive that there is a definite goal and that we’ll reach it taking it one play a time. That’s why we had to keep in mind that we had a scrimmage before our family day at Millsap College.
When I tell you it was extremely hot at the scrimmage, I mean it was so hot you should have checked on the elderly. I was properly warmed by walking from the bus to Jackson State Stadium, due to the heat. Combine that with twelve or more consecutive game-like repetitions each drive. There is no question it was the real deal. We played each team (1st, 2nd, 3rd team) in the twelve-play drives. If the offense was still moving the ball, the drive would continue until it stalled. I thought it was an evenly matched offense versus defense. The offense scored a few times and the defense held strong a few times.
Any game-like simulation is great for us. We can practice as much as we like, but we can’t simulate the game atmosphere. I know I felt a bit awkward competing on Saturday. It’s been a year since I had serious repetitions, due to my back injury. Like any job, preparation is the most important key. The nervous energy we go through and whether or not we control it, makes the difference in games. Everybody gets nervous before games. It’s the ones that know how to harness it and that can play “when the lights are on” that are special.
I’ve seen plenty of talented players that had all the tools that couldn’t transfer their talents when it mattered. Are you a “gamer”? I really don’t like the idea of “gamer”. I think it gives the intention that practice doesn’t matter. However, if you can play well in practice but don’t get it done in the game, you’re not going to last long in the league.
Our first real test is our game on Thursday. Although it’s a preseason game, it’s important to a lot of players trying to earn a job. I’ll get more into this tomorrow because I’ve got to start preparing for the Arizona Cardinals.
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