Accountability. There once was a time when it actually meant something. Coaches held players accountable for their actions. Players called out fellow teammates when they crossed the line. But today's NFL is not the same as it was years ago.
Today's NFL has become more about stats, money, and endorsements and less about winning. Essentially, the sport has become "Me first, team second". There are still a few throwbacks and vestiges left of the "Old School" but they are few and not very outspoken. Well at least not until this past Sunday.
This past Sunday Mike Singletary reminded the NFL what it means to be held accountable for one's actions.
Singletary and O'Sullivan
This past Sunday seemed to go be very slowly for the 49ers and their fans. Trailing 13-3 the 49ers were deep in Seattle territory on what looked to be a promising drive. Then as the fates would have it, QB J.T. O'Sullivan threw a interception that was returned for a touchdown with thirty-one seconds left on the clock. The interception was O'Sullivan's second turnover of the game and seventeenth of the season.
That drive is a summary of the 49ers season as a whole. There have been flashes of brilliance that would indicate a reason for hope. Then just when people start to believe, the team makes a monumental mistake, as if to remind the world of why they haven't made the playoffs since 2003.
But then something happened. Something that has not happened for a long time. The Niners held their players accountable for their actions. With thirty-one seconds left in the first half, Singletary pulled O'Sullivan in favor of backup Shaun Hill. Hill, who won both of his starts last season, entered the game a standing ovation from the 49er faithful. The message from Singletary to the fans was clear: When someone isn't cutting it on the field, we will find someone who will.
Hill went on to have a solid second half throwing for 173 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, Hill did not commit a turnover in his one half of play. Hill's performance led to Singletary's decision to bench O'Sullivan for the next game and start Hill instead. This, however, was just the first message Singletary sent.
Singletary and Davis
Singletary sent his second message to tight-end Vernon Davis late in the third quarter. After the temperamental tight-end made a catch in the third quarter, he slapped a defender's face mask which resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. After the penalty, Singletary pulled Davis off the field, berated him on the sideline, and benched him. Davis sat on the sideline and didn't seem to believe that he did anything wrong. This further infuriated Singletary, so much so, that he sent Davis to the locker room before the start of the fourth quarter.
During the post game press conference, Singletary furthered his criticism of Davis. "I will not tolerate players that think it's about them when it's about the team," Singletary said. "We cannot make decisions that cost the team, and then come off the sideline and it's nonchalant. No. ... I'd rather play with 10 people and just get penalized all the way until we have to do something else rather than play with 11 when I know that right now that person is not sold on being a part of this team."
Singletary made it very clear that he will not put up with stupid mistakes and attitude problems. Singletary is holding his players accountable for their actions on the field, and when they hurt the team, they will sit.
Moving Forward
Monday, following the loss to Seattle, Singletary further addressed the problems in the 49ers locker room.
"Every team has them, but it's how you deal with them,' Singletary said. "It's how mature your team is, if you're able to deal with those guys. It's how your leaders on that team respond to them."
But after this comment Singletary then turned his attention back to Vernon Davis. "Vernon is not a problem guy,' Singletary said. "Vernon just forgets sometimes that the team is more important."
For Davis's sake, he had better remember that the team is important. He has underachieved in his three years in the NFL, but he still has all of the talent in the world. If he matures, he could be a great weapon for the 49ers offense. Singletary is ready, willing, and able to back his players as long as they play the game the right way.
But if Davis does not mature, Singletary is sure to keep him on the bench. There's a new sheriff in town, and he doesn't put up with any BS from anyone. His name is Mike Singletary and he is bringing back accountability.
