What "IT" is

by T the D on Nov 19, 2009 11:22 AM CST Comment 20 comments

Haters always discount what VY fans say is his greatest attribute: he's got IT. But what does that mean? It means he fills his teammates with confidence and crushes the spirit of his opponents. It doesn't show up (directly) in the stats, but it's in the huddle, on the sidelines, and in the player's heads as they go to sleep every night. Don't believe me?

There are a couple of good links today. Can't believe August missed the one from the Chronicle. And this one from hornfans brings back memories of watching the team evolve from one labeled as "soft" to the one that had enough fire and confidence to conquer every single demon Texas' football had developed over the last forty years.

The next three games will go a long way in determining what kind of football team the Titans turn into for the rest of the season and heading into next year. VY has a chance to do something special, let's hope he can bring IT.

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"IT" isn't real

You know why he fills his teammates with confidence? Because he’s good. It’s not a coincidence that every good QB has what people call “IT”. “IT” is called talent. There hasn’t ever been a talentless player who got by on “IT”. There also hasn’t been a great talented player who people said "well, he doesn’t have "IT"".

“IT” is called talent. “IT” doesn’t really exist. It’s a useless, old cliche invented by sports writers like Peter King and Dan Shaughnessy because they’re too lazy to try to really explain why a player is good and because they are trying to “weave a tapestry of history” with sports.

T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair

by T--Rac's Posse on Nov 19, 2009 1:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Disagree.

But, no real sense in arguing, since it’s impossible to quantify.

However, anyone who’s played organized sports knows there is a difference between just a talented athlete and a talented athlete with a strong desire to win. The best example I can think of right now is Cutler. The kid has all the talent in the world, but, from my perspective, it just looks like he’s going through the motions.

by SuperHorn on Nov 19, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And if Cutler goes out and wins a Super Bowl in 3 years, did he magically grow "IT"?

T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair

by T--Rac's Posse on Nov 19, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The point I am making is that "IT" is quantifiable if you don't call it "IT"

A-Rod in baseball is a good example. When he wasn’t a good teammate and acted like an idiot and played like crap in the playoffs, it was all mental. When he got down to business and locked out all distractions, he had an awesome playoff run and was arguably the MVP of the Yankees World Series team this year.

Did he magically grow it or purchase it from a Warlock? Or did he just start acting like a good teammate and focus on his play and not his status as a pop icon? I think what you guys are calling “IT” is this:

talent + focus + good teammate + good team around him = the magical “IT”

Anybody with talent can get “IT”. The only part they don’t control (remember, talent is already a prerequisite) is the good team around him.

Joe Montana himself said that if Dan Marino and him had reversed places in their careers, Dan Marino would have upwards of 6 or 7 Super Bowls, and Montana would have none. Yet the argument people use about Montana over Marino is that Montana had “IT”. No, Montana had talent (he was absurdly accurate), was a good teammate and undeniable focus. He also had an incredible team around him.

So “IT” is quantifiable. Just don’t call it “IT”.

T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair

by T--Rac's Posse on Nov 19, 2009 3:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He purchased it from a Warlock.

Obviously.

Official MCM Hater!

Retire #9!

by gramsey712 on Nov 19, 2009 4:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OK...

That warlock crap is creeping me out!! I can quantify what “it” is. “IT” is what lies in the 6 inches between your ears. “It” is pure attitude. T-Rac calls it “focus”…I call it DESIRE!! “IT” is what separates players who have talent, but play mediocre, from the ones who have talent and play ALL OUT!! And believe me, we will have “IT” on Monday night.

by titansfan4ever on Nov 20, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Re:

talent + focus + good teammate + good team around him = the magical "IT"

If that is “IT”, I still don’t see how you quantify it. I just think that some players elevate the play of others around them.

And, for the record, I hate that saying too.

by SuperHorn on Nov 19, 2009 7:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True, you're right. It's technically not quantifiable (I'm going with my definition of what people mistake for "IT").

However, I think it’s easy to see, especially nowadays with so much access. Cutler is a great example. I don’t know anybody who would say Cutler is handling himself well as a leader or that he is focused. Also, I don’t think anybody would say Cutler has a good team around him.

Vince is obviously handling the leadership side really well this year. But would be still be saying he has “IT” if Chris Johnson had gotten injured and the defense was still giving up 500 passing yards a game and we were 0-9 or 1-8? I don’t think so, even if Vince was playing with the exact same stats he has had. Which to me means it doesn’t exist.

T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair

by T--Rac's Posse on Nov 20, 2009 1:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also disagree

I would say that talent is a prerequisite for IT, but IT goes beyond that. Did you read the links that were the basis for my point? The things he has said and done with his teammates and opponents did necessitate his talent to back them up, buy they go way beyond talent alone.

by T the D on Nov 19, 2009 2:27 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

The "IT" evidence is just proof he is a good teammate

Once again, it’s not an “IT” thing. Also, plenty of bad QBs do that.

T-Rac's Posse - T-Rac is one boss raccoon.
My personal Tribute to Air McNair

by T--Rac's Posse on Nov 19, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

IT =

21-11 as a starter

Jay Cutler
21-25

JaMarcus Russell
7-18

Alex Smith
12-22

Peyton Manning’s first four seasons
30-32

This is just an example of recent top draft picks … and of course current peak NFL qb ..

Furthermore – look at the learning curve vince had in college.
TD/INT ratios
’03 6:7
’04 12:11
’05 26:10

VY is our franchise quarterback – GET USED TO IT .. We need to find a CORNERback

NICK HARPER IS THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE!

by Hentrich is my Homeboy on Nov 19, 2009 2:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Line.....

….Playmakers make plays. All you fantasy football geeks and armchair quarterbacks recognize game when you see it. If Trent Dilfer can win a Super Bowl ring, it’s hope for every quarterback in the league.

MrDeeboi33

by MrDeeboi33 on Nov 20, 2009 2:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"it"

I do think there is an “it” factor. At least by what I define as “it” – as in exuding confidence and a leadership that people want to follow. No, it’s not magic, and I think it’s something a person can gain. But, that’s just my pennies worth.

by J3G77 on Nov 19, 2009 6:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

"IT" exists in basketball but not in football or baseball

there are too many players on a team in those sports for a guy to be able to just will his team to victory. there are too many moving parts and too many other facets of the game for one guy cant effect. VY may be a great leader but he cant help make a tackle, ~~he cant block~~, and he cant help over the top when Griff gets burned.

I'M DISRESPECTFUL TO DIRT!! CAN YOU SEE THAT I AM SERIOUS?
GET OUT OF MY WAY, ALL OF YOU. THIS IS NO PLACE FOR LOAFERS. JOIN ME OR DIE. CAN YOU DO ANY LESS?

by TitanFan2K on Nov 20, 2009 3:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs