Play the next play.
As someone who has coached high school and college basketball, I would make the statement “Play the next play” to anyone who had made a mistake. The phrase was used a lot more when coaching my son’s youth baseball team.
Obviously, the point is not dwell on what just happened and move on to the next play because it might even be more important than the previous miscue. It not easy for adults, but try convincing an 8-year old.
Being a stockholder for the Green Bay Packers, Sunday’s (Oct. 10) 25-22 win over the Cincinnati Bengals was exciting and frustrating at the same time.
Mason Crosby‘s game-winning 49-yard field goal in overtime was a prime example of playing the next play.
“I’m focused on the next one,” Crosby said during a post-game press conference on packers.com.
Now in his 15th season with the Packers, the 37-year old Crosby missed three field goals in a row before the booting the winner in Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
“I just wanted so badly to come through there,” Crosby said. “It’s what I do. I had a couple go bad there and I was really happy to hit that last one.”
During a conversation in my house I remember telling my son that if we had just starting watching the game at this moment, we would be excited about the chance to win the game with Crosby kicking a field goal.
I suppose it’s a fan’s version of playing the next play. Unfortunately, we had been watching … yelling at the television, scaring the cat, etc. In the end, it was all good for the Packers.
However, the Bengals also had chances as Evan McPherson missed a pair of field goals in overtime. The rookie from the University of Florida already has two game-winners this season, so I’m sure he will get another opportunity.
Speaking of the Bengals. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are going to be a great combo for Cincinnati. They were certainly fun to watch … just not when playing my team.
*** Lambeau Leaps is a periodic column by Don Tincher, who is a proud stockholder of the Green Bay Packers. ***