tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8448603083409761259.post-79851206173128120792008-05-01T23:00:00.000-06:002008-05-01T23:00:00.000-06:002008-05-01T23:00:00.000-06:00anon, I don't think Q did a good job getting the team ready for the Wings. I think he had a laissez-faire attitude about the series.<BR/><BR/>The team has dealt with injuries before and didn't look this weak. The Red Wings are a hell of a team, but my goodness, not 8-2 better.<BR/><BR/>j.j., I can't speak for what goes on behind the scenes in terms of leadership. Joe has always been known as a quiet leader who leads by example rather than fiery Hollywood-style speeches. <BR/><BR/>Though I think there was enough veteran experience on this team with the likes of Sakic, Brunette, Laperriere, etc but I don't think anyone truly made the team accountable.<BR/><BR/>You can lead by example as much as possible but you can't be a one-person wrecking crew against the Wings. You have to have a healthy dose of fear to keep people on their toes. Players like Roy and Lemieux had that fire in the past for this team. I don't think anyone had that same mean streak on this squad. Adam Foote probably had a lot to say but he joined on at the tail end of the season and there is something to be said for being led by someone who was there from the beginning.<BR/><BR/>But I don't think it was strictly on the head of the player leadership. I have my doubts on how accountable the coaching staff made the team. I know they're professional athletes and shouldn't need motivation but if your coach carries the attitude of "The Wings are better than us" on his shoulders, the players pick up on that. I picked up on that and I wasn't even in the locker room. <BR/><BR/>Q has been described as a "player's coach" and I don't think a player's coach will ever have great success unless they're a truly exceptional coach. To get the player's coach motto, you obviously have to be a guy that player's never hate. You also tend not to get enough respect and accountability out of your players because you never get mad at them. I could go on and on about the dynamics of the social behaviours but I don't want to bore people too much with psycho-babble ;)<BR/><BR/>But maybe I'm just a bit bitter at the moment because in the end, the Red Wings were just a much better team.Shane Girouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09749726552751076600noreply@blogger.com