There’s nothing offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy won’t do to get the Washington Commanders to the playoffs. Screaming, yelling, cursing...it's what he does. If an underperforming team of recent years doesn’t like it, well, Bieniemy might have to shine his boots on some butts, too.
I’m all for it.
Okay, I created a firestorm last week wishing Bieniemy wouldn’t drop so many f-bombs in front of kids at practice. Too many people missed the point. Bieniemy’s profanity among grown men isn’t a problem. I just think it’s a bad example for kids. And for the many of you who say it’s okay, my simple response is are you okay when your kids tell you to f-off? No? We’ll talk again when you realize being the adult and role model is hard.
Anyway, I loved working for people like Bieniemy. (Newspaper world isn’t for thin skinned, either.) Tough editors made me better. The late Washington Times copy editor Dick Heller made Bieniemy seem like a choir boy when yelling at me. But, Dick motivated me into being much better. No hard feelings. I carried his casket with gratitude.
The late owner Jack Kent Cooke once posted a sign entering Washington’s locker room that you’re never as good as you think you are. Translation: work harder. That’s what Bieniemy is saying.
Coach Ron Rivera’s admission several players asked for Bieniemy to ease up in practice was surprising. Sorry, maybe when this team wins Super Bowls Bieniemy can ease up. No, wait, the Kansas City Chiefs kept going under Bieniemy because they knew that’s how winning is made. You didn’t hear the NFL’s best player – Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes – whining over Bieniemy’s constant pushing.
We all heard varying opinions from outside players over Bieniemy when hired. Some love him, some hate him. I felt those with strong parental figures wouldn’t mind Bieniemy’s tough love, while those who were always treated special would wince.
Rivera touched on that, saying young players aren’t always used to tough coaches. They’ve been coddled in colleges and it’s only getting worse with liberal transfer rules. Soft players will simple move on from Bieniemy-like coaches rather than grit through it.
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They’re missing two key points, though. First, Bieniemy will make them better. Second, he’s their biggest supporter by pushing them to gain success.
Your best teacher in school – not your favorite that let you goof off – is the one that pushed you harder. Military drill instructors are hard on recruits because it can save their lives.
Steel sharpens steel.
Rivera told players to talk to Bieniemy. The great thing is Bieniemy is willing to listen so players understand why he’s pushing them. They can’t ask for more than that.
Tough leaders aren’t always loved, but they’re respected.
“I don’t want to be liked,” said former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, a Pro Football Hall of Famer whose statue dons a stadium entrance. “I want to be respected. Because if you like me you can throw me away too quick. If you respect me, you may not even like what I was wearing, but you’ll say, ‘I respect that.’ ”
I’ve seen so many players slack off in practices over the years. They all played on losing teams. Maybe it’s worth trying Bieniemy’s style. That is, if players want to win.
Follow Rick Snider on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks
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