What do the Atlanta Braves and Indianapolis Colts have in common? A lot more than you might think. After so many tries and disappointments their lack of attaining the ultimate goal in their respective sports, can no longer be viewed as bad luck, random chance happening or whatever other excuse is offered.

These teams are just not good enough to get over the top. There is some endemic flaw in each team. It has become abundantly clear that both teams have not been configured correctly to be successful in the playoffs.

The expectations for the Colts were so high. It was just weeks ago that they were being compared to the greatest teams of all time.

More than likely you will hear the players say all the right things to the press and media about their respective teammates, coaches and how they performed.

Do not be fooled, psychologically and emotionally they are devastated. Inside many are angry and frustrated, and it is almost a natural instinct to blame others. Perhaps a player will "slip" and make some unfortunate remark. His story will be front page news for weeks.

Self introspection is so difficult. Clinically people are very self protective and sensitive. Many see and view certain character traits and feelings that we all have to varying degrees (like making a mistake, or being afraid, feeling not good enough, or being defective) as fatal character flaws that need to be expunged, so they deny them and blame others. But they are really just protecting themselves.

Perhaps a better way to psychological recuperation and a more enhancing approach would be for each player-person to look at their own individual performances, and allow for some self-instropection, forgiveness and compassion. If given a chance this direction might allow for true personal and professional growth.

Astronomers tell us that stars are born at the rate of a nanosecond. Newly anointed sports stars are birthed at the same rate; the only difference between the two is that the terrestrial stars sometimes take millions of years to form, while sports stars take only seconds.
One case in point (although there are hundreds to choose from) is Eli Manning, the pubescent quarterback of the New York Giants.

Star Manning has played 17 games to date in his budding NFL career with mixed individual results. Yet the amount of air time and media coverage he has gotten is nothing short of extraordinary, and he is treated like royalty. To Manning’s credit, he clearly has not embraced his ascendancy, but that has not stopped us from embracing him.

Only a population starved for immediacy and unappreciative of deserved accomplishment could compare Manning to his older brother Payton. Or is it that there is only so much we can say or write about established stars before boredom begins and a "been there done that syndrome sets in." There would be nothing left to read, write or watch.

It is interesting to see the comparative ascendancy of movie stars as well, who suddenly burst upon the silver screen in one film, only to become the new love of the writers of the many magazines and televisions programs. No previous film work, no distinguished resume, but a star is born.

And so it is with pubescent sport stars -- borne to the front of sports pages in that nanosecond.

It has been reported and documented that we are a populace with a short attention span. Clinical observation has suggested that we need the next big story or star to deflect us from our own uncomfortable internal state and the media obliges us. Our escapist needs are fulfilled, and we scream, cheer, hoot, holler and debate.

I have always felt that sports provides for us a wide range of our psychological needs. However, most recently it has been disturbing to see how many more of us know the names of sports stars than our political leaders in Washington. A most recent television commercial even touts and encourages this fact.

Whatever happened to experience and, "Let’s wait and see?"

I guess we have to wait and see.

Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens has just been suspended which should not come as any surprise. Owens who has to put it mildly had a troubled existence in Philly, appears to be confronting a number of issues.

Players like Owens are actually very insecure. Their need to speak out, as well as their on field antics ( and Owens has a long history in this arena as well) are often fueled by their deep seeded need for recognition. Keep in mind Owens complained that his 100th touchdown catch was not properly celebrated.

Moreover, Owens has played with an Eagle team that has featured a lot of talent. Perhaps his need to separate himself from this group and be seen as the elite player, has also caused him to speak out in a less than enhancing manner.

Donovan McNabb is a pretty fair quarterback to say the least, and has earned his stripes in the game. The fact that Owens would make McNabb a target speaks to his fragility.

People like Owens have great difficulty dealing with any slight or criticism, which makes walking away from an altercation with the likes of a Hugh Douglas almost impossible.

All in the service of making him feel better about himself.

What a shame. Owens' body of work and articulate persona have gotten him a ton of accolades and attention. Apparently this was not enough.

On Kobe and Phil

A while back I was interviewed about my thoughts on the potential reunion of Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant. This is why I thought Phil and Kobe will "co-exist"--as Jackson is clearly now in charge. I still believe this to be the case.

"Kobe Bryant is damaged goods," said Dr. Richard Lustberg, a New York-based sports psychologist. "In many ways, he'll never be viewed the same. (Losing) has led to his power being diminished within the organization. He is no longer a pristine figure. Kobe doesn't have the respect of that team. They tolerate him, but he's not well loved in the locker room. When Phil left, he did so with a very bad taste in his mouth. But now he no longer has to worry about the downside or risk of dealing with Darth Kobe."

Sports and Politics-No Easy Choice

I believe the gulf between our politicians (which includes the belt-way talking heads we incessantly see on our television sets), and the citizenry of this country has widened to the point of almost disconnect. We are moved around and talked about as if we were chess pieces on a board—much like the famous episode of The Prisoner.

The result is an impotent public who are disturbed to say the least and disillusioned at best. I also believe that whether because of cause or of effect, we have gotten exactly what we disserved. Because an apathetic, disinterested, uninformed populace allowed itself to be treated in just this way.

It is no wonder that an impotent, objectified public turn to sport as an emotional opiate. Whether it exists in reality or not, people feel more connected to their sports heroes and ordinary players than they do to their local assemblyman.

This connection is fueled by attendance at games, fan behavior at games, as well as calls to talk show hosts-where you can eventually get through to the hosts. It is on plethora of sports shows that one can wine, opine, and eventually manage that world.

It is far more intellectually and emotionally satisfying to have the power of solving those problems in the world of sport, when the ability to do so in world problems are overwhelming and have left us powerless.

So if you want to feel like you have a say—get involved with sport. If not, just read the front pages of our newspapers, or call your elected official and feel like a non-entity.

My opinions are just formed from great frustration. Do I personally suggest calling the FAN instead of your Congressman or Senator--not at all. In fact, my point is that is our problem and not our solution. The idea is to get up from the mat and keep punching away no matter how hard it hurts.

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The Fear Of Winning Rather Than Losing

While players often talk about the fear of losing as motivation--I frequently find that it is the fear of winning that often prevents people from attaining their goals. The changes that people experience when they are successful are just as disconcerting as when they are not successful.

For example, after winning the World Series the lives of the White Sox's players and management for that matter, have been indelibly and drastically changed. Winning brings many different opportunities and a different level of scrutiny then the players were previously used to. Their fans' expectations have also changed, as has the perceived emotional-personal dynamic between the players and their fans.

It has been my experience that many people are not ready for this--change. However it is one of the important and necessary precursors to advancement and winning.

The World Series and The Umpiring Controversies

I have not seen the Astros publicaly complain about the calls to the extent that they are blaming their loses on them. Perhaps they are muttering to themselves about them--who knows. It is to their credit that they have acted in this manner to date. The umpires have stated they are human-now that is refreshing!

This cannot be said for the media, who has made this a major story. I guess it sells.

That said, it is now the seventh inning of the third game, and the White Sox have scored more runs and allowed less of them.

It has been my experience that any one incidence can be explained away, and people use it to exonerate themselves. I see this all the time in my practice, and it serves to deflect from what the real issue(s) really are. In this case the real issue to date is that the White Sox are beating the Astros--Period.