On the TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS September 7, 2015 #557 Up next…..”The Cut Man”
After further review…Most of us have not had the distinction of dealing with “The Cut Man,” sometimes called “The Turk”. He is often compared to “The Grim-Reaper”, which folklore describes as either of two characters: 1) the personification of death, generally seen as a tall, often sketal, specter wearing a black-hooded robe and wielding a sinister scythe when visiting a commoner; or 2) a simple guide who takes you beyond where you are now. Let’s focus on that second entity, the guide.
During pre-season practices National Football T*E*A*Ms carry nearly 100 players, trying them out to see which ones best fit their plans for that season. As the pre-season develops some players are found to be expendable and released from their contracts. Come the first week of September, some 80 players need to be trimmed to meet the 53-player limit required by league rules. Enter The Cut Man usually an assistant coach or one who assists the general manager. When he knocks on your door, his message is simple: “Coach wants to see you — and bring your playbook.” Ouch!
Releasing those final 27, surely-qualified NFL players is the toughest job for an NFL head coach (more on that later). But let’s turn our attention to those 27. Tough to hear? You bet! Yet, some 800 players get that knock on the door each September. Those players have dedicated their lives to playing in the NFL. They’ve planned, worked-out, practiced, attended training camps, given their all, and now—football is done, and they are…cut!
How does a head coach handle this exercise? Former head coach and current ESPN analyst Herm Edwards said that “without a doubt it was my most difficult part of the job.” Having been a 10-year player and head coach for eight years, he knows that pain. Herm said he always met personally and privately with every player he had to cut. He employed the philosophy “The possibilities always lie ahead of you – not behind you!”
With every player and in every situation, Herm said he took his time and understanding to help that player plan for his future, sometimes referring him to others who can “guide” him (see meaning #2 in the first paragraph) toward a meaningful future.
Will you look ahead for possibilities that will guide you in another direction, when faced with the “Grim-Reaper”?
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