It’s that time of year again. No, not Christmas or Chanukah, I’m speaking of yearend reviews. This year will be different for me. I’m with a company that weathered layoffs and is currently expanding slowly across the country. If this company was a sports team, these would be labeled ‘the building years’ and I would be their latest team acquisition, heavily debated on ESPN. Liking these sports metaphors? Anyway, my first review is today. My boss told me this past Monday that though this is only my second week, we still need to meet, if for no other reason to make sure both parties are still comfortable with the arrangement.
When I played for my previous team, review time was nothing more than a formality, a chance to touch base with coaching and front office staff and hear the new higher salary numbers. However with a newly appointed commissioner hell-bent on proving their mettle, last year’s review was drubbing. Most of my teammates received similar reviews and it quickly became apparent the new commissioner seemed to be biased towards the owners and against the players. Eventually the owners realized the damage this commissioner was doing and found a replacement with one who tried very hard to balance players’ needs with owners’ desires. It’s like a wicked game of Jenga with folk’s careers.
After a scathing review spearheaded by the former commissioner, I enjoyed a more fair review of my strengths and weaknesses under the new commissioner. Then in a shake-up not even Fox Sports could anticipate on game day, I was moved to special teams. Like this morning when the NBA commissioner interfered with team trades; it was a massive, unheard of and sent shockwaves throughout the entire league and looked upon by players and critics as a power play. I was stunned by this eleventh hour decision. But I tried to handle the information like a Manning, stoic and professional.
The new special teams coach was great, really knew his stuff and cared about his team. Like the late, great Bo Schembechler, he inspired, guided and even cajoled when necessary. However even this coach seemed to grow wear with too many demands by the commissioner. The coach eventually moved onto an even better program elsewhere with a much bigger area. We bid him a find farewell. And a week later I was released from my team. To quote The Sandlot, “I blame myself”. Perhaps I had residual anger from the previous regime and it was affecting my game. Like Twitting trash talk from the sidelines or having an inflated sense of self (like every pro athlete is guilty of at least once).
I was then a free agent and have since found my new team and couldn’t be happier. I wasn’t welcomed as a savior like Stafford, or mocked like Tebow but greeted as Warner was in Cardinal Stadium; a seasoned pro joining an already great franchise with talent already in place.
So this year’s review will be refreshing, No bitter commissioner looking to make a name, no coach with secret desires to be the next commissioner. And I can enjoy my new position here, with the knowledge I’m neither a has-been (Barber), a washout (Plummer) or a never-was (Leinart).
Today’s lie: I’m a future Hall of Famer!
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