Joe talks with Lawrence Tynes, former kicker for the New York Giants.
“We never know when it’s going to be our time… you just have to do it when your time comes.”
Joe Byerly, S2, E17: Lawrence Tynes- Performing Under Pressure – From the Green Notebook
I’m a lifelong Giants fan, so I really enjoyed this one. The 2007 Giants season was magical. I don’t think there will ever be a season with more intrigue. From the goal line stand in game three against Washington (which Lawrence references), to the end of the season game against the Patriots (where the Giants played their starters out of pride), the frozen game in Green Bay where Lawrence seals the victory with a 47 yarder in OT, to the incredible throw and catch in the last moments of the SuperBowl to defeat the undefeated Patriots.
After that season, I never felt like I needed to watch another football game again.
Lots of good stuff in this episode. I especially like the discussions about “being ready” as referenced in the quote above. I’ve written about this before – you don’t always get to decide when your time will come – but if you are a leader, you have to be ready. Place kickers feel that same pressure.
I am also intrigued by the leadership of Tom Coughlin – who I have a deep admiration for. When he came to New York initially, he took a lot of flak in the media because of his strict rules. His first few seasons weren’t great, and people questioned his approach. Some players bucked against his tough, old-fashioned style.
Slowly, though, the team turned.
I loved Lawrence talking about that game in Green Bay. He missed two earlier field goals – which he admits he should have made. As a fan, I remember thinking “don’t go for the field goal” when they hit that spot in overtime. Lawrence seemed to be “off.” And have no doubt, if he would have missed that field goal, every pundit would be questioning why Tom Coughlin let that happen when it was “clear” that Lawrence wasn’t feeling it that day.
But, despite the two earlier misses, Tom trusted Lawrence. And we all know the result.
Leaders find themselves in this position all the time – going to bat for someone who others may have written off. It takes real guts to do that.
What a great story.
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Carrying the Gun 