Post by TheShadow on Dec 3, 2003 21:11:19 GMT -5
customwire.ap.org
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- A sports psychologist believes he can help mend the Oakland Raiders' fragile psyche and is ready to step in.
Dr. Richard Crowley, of Burbank, Calif., is offering his services, and even wants to meet with controversial owner Al Davis to see about incorporating his "Mental Mechanics" program into the 3-9 Raiders' regimen to improve their performance.
The Raiders say thanks, but no thanks.
"Tell him don't even worry about it. It's a hopeless cause right now," Pro Bowl right tackle Lincoln Kennedy said Wednesday. "We've got to work through our own stuff. We don't need outside help. It's too late for that."
Crowley took notice of Oakland's problems after coach Bill Callahan erupted Sunday night following his team's ugly 22-8 loss to the Denver Broncos.
"We've got to be the dumbest team in America in terms of playing the game," Callahan shouted to reporters after the home loss.
"I'm highly critical because of the way we give games away - we give 'em away! Period. It's embarrassing, and I represent that. And I apologize for that. If that's the best we can do, it's a sad product."
Crowley believes Callahan's words could have lasting effects, even if the players now say their coach was criticizing their play and not them personally.
"This team needs help. Serious help," Crowley said. "They could be in this dark hole forever. They need some damage control: One, over the issues underlying their losses that their current staff doesn't know how to resolve, and two, whatever negative attitude the players had about themselves and their playing abilities with so many losses is now compounded by being called 'stupid' and 'dumb' - words a number of them may have been called growing up by a parent or teacher."
Callahan laughed in disbelief when told about Crowley's ideas.
"No! You're not serious about asking that question," he said.
The Raiders held a team meeting Monday, and the players seem to be supporting Callahan and the coach's message that he was criticizing their mistake-prone play and not their intelligence.
Rookie tight end Teyo Johnson has received calls from friends around the country interested in what's going on with the team.
"All this isn't personal," Johnson said. "It's crazy. This is such a good team. Things haven't gone our way. Film doesn't lie. ... I went into Best Buy yesterday. Can I buy 'Pirates of the Caribbean' without talking about coach Callahan?"
Still, Crowley insists Callahan's words did damage.
"What Callahan said in an impulsive moment of frustration to his players with those two words is what I call a psychic virus that has infected the entire team," Crowley said. "I know how to get rid of the psychic virus."
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- A sports psychologist believes he can help mend the Oakland Raiders' fragile psyche and is ready to step in.
Dr. Richard Crowley, of Burbank, Calif., is offering his services, and even wants to meet with controversial owner Al Davis to see about incorporating his "Mental Mechanics" program into the 3-9 Raiders' regimen to improve their performance.
The Raiders say thanks, but no thanks.
"Tell him don't even worry about it. It's a hopeless cause right now," Pro Bowl right tackle Lincoln Kennedy said Wednesday. "We've got to work through our own stuff. We don't need outside help. It's too late for that."
Crowley took notice of Oakland's problems after coach Bill Callahan erupted Sunday night following his team's ugly 22-8 loss to the Denver Broncos.
"We've got to be the dumbest team in America in terms of playing the game," Callahan shouted to reporters after the home loss.
"I'm highly critical because of the way we give games away - we give 'em away! Period. It's embarrassing, and I represent that. And I apologize for that. If that's the best we can do, it's a sad product."
Crowley believes Callahan's words could have lasting effects, even if the players now say their coach was criticizing their play and not them personally.
"This team needs help. Serious help," Crowley said. "They could be in this dark hole forever. They need some damage control: One, over the issues underlying their losses that their current staff doesn't know how to resolve, and two, whatever negative attitude the players had about themselves and their playing abilities with so many losses is now compounded by being called 'stupid' and 'dumb' - words a number of them may have been called growing up by a parent or teacher."
Callahan laughed in disbelief when told about Crowley's ideas.
"No! You're not serious about asking that question," he said.
The Raiders held a team meeting Monday, and the players seem to be supporting Callahan and the coach's message that he was criticizing their mistake-prone play and not their intelligence.
Rookie tight end Teyo Johnson has received calls from friends around the country interested in what's going on with the team.
"All this isn't personal," Johnson said. "It's crazy. This is such a good team. Things haven't gone our way. Film doesn't lie. ... I went into Best Buy yesterday. Can I buy 'Pirates of the Caribbean' without talking about coach Callahan?"
Still, Crowley insists Callahan's words did damage.
"What Callahan said in an impulsive moment of frustration to his players with those two words is what I call a psychic virus that has infected the entire team," Crowley said. "I know how to get rid of the psychic virus."