This one will be short and sweet, perhaps because what I said two weeks ago as Sunday's Word ("If") and the wrap-up of what I said yesterday still very much apply this week.
"If" talked about this team no longer about being about potential, and that from here on in the word ought to be "now".
In the wrapup yesterday, I mentioned coach Coen's quote "The next two weeks will define who we are as a football team." And after that game, I did attempt to "define" what Lehigh is right now.
I could talk about how every week is a playoff game for Lehigh, which essentially is true. But I think there's something more important, incredibly, that also needs to be said about this senior class.
Namely, how do you want to be "defined"?
Win or lose this weekend, how do you want to be "defined" as a team, as a unit, or as a player?
Do you want to be "defined" as a hard-hitter who battled with everything they had? Do you want to be "defined" as a guy who left everything on the field? Do you want your unit to be "defined" as one that will relish a challenge? That will do his level best to grade out perfect? That will not let up a key rushing yard? That will execute the offensive gameplan? That will make the pass rushers pay every time out? That will smack the other guy in the mouth every play? That had "toughness"? That "never gave up"? That was a "playmaker"?
This doesn't apply only to players. The coaching staff, like it or not, is getting "defined" in newspapers, internet message boards, and water coolers wherever there are Lehigh fans. This may not make people feel very good, but it's true. It may not be fair, but it's true.
No matter what happens next weekend against Holy Cross, a Lehigh win or a Lehigh loss, everyone suiting up in the Brown and White is going to be "defined". And the questions people are asking are going to be answered whether folks are ready to answer the questions or not.
You're not necessarily "defined" only by winning. You're "defined" by how you prepare, how hard you work during the game, and how you plan to be remembered years from now. That you competed. That you were tough. That you never gave up.
Next Saturday, this team will be "defined". And I'm hoping - a little desperately, it feels - that this team is going to be "defined" in a way that can carry us to a shot at a Patriot League title this year.
"If" talked about this team no longer about being about potential, and that from here on in the word ought to be "now".
In the wrapup yesterday, I mentioned coach Coen's quote "The next two weeks will define who we are as a football team." And after that game, I did attempt to "define" what Lehigh is right now.
I could talk about how every week is a playoff game for Lehigh, which essentially is true. But I think there's something more important, incredibly, that also needs to be said about this senior class.
Namely, how do you want to be "defined"?
Win or lose this weekend, how do you want to be "defined" as a team, as a unit, or as a player?
Do you want to be "defined" as a hard-hitter who battled with everything they had? Do you want to be "defined" as a guy who left everything on the field? Do you want your unit to be "defined" as one that will relish a challenge? That will do his level best to grade out perfect? That will not let up a key rushing yard? That will execute the offensive gameplan? That will make the pass rushers pay every time out? That will smack the other guy in the mouth every play? That had "toughness"? That "never gave up"? That was a "playmaker"?
This doesn't apply only to players. The coaching staff, like it or not, is getting "defined" in newspapers, internet message boards, and water coolers wherever there are Lehigh fans. This may not make people feel very good, but it's true. It may not be fair, but it's true.
No matter what happens next weekend against Holy Cross, a Lehigh win or a Lehigh loss, everyone suiting up in the Brown and White is going to be "defined". And the questions people are asking are going to be answered whether folks are ready to answer the questions or not.
You're not necessarily "defined" only by winning. You're "defined" by how you prepare, how hard you work during the game, and how you plan to be remembered years from now. That you competed. That you were tough. That you never gave up.
Next Saturday, this team will be "defined". And I'm hoping - a little desperately, it feels - that this team is going to be "defined" in a way that can carry us to a shot at a Patriot League title this year.
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