Obsessing Over Preparation - Has Anyone Experienced the Gut-wrenching Sensations?

I am in the final hours of preparation for my Friday night showdown with Kev. Boddie's Washington Redskins.

I have been up since 4:00am running plays before heading off to work around 6:45am.

I have been very confident in my practice sessions and have really found some interesting ways to attack my burgundy and gold opponents.

Yet and still, 9 hours from kickoff and I nearly laid an egg. This feeling is not directed at my opponent but actually happens to me before each and every game.

Does anyone else experience pregame mania (as I call it)? If so, lay on the couch and dump your emotional baggage here.

--Mr. Bill

I am about to start bouncing off the walls and may need to be sedated.

The anticiapation is killing me.

[Coach K-LO]

Good one Bill.

Here is a story from my past that I will share.......

#1 - it was back in my first season inn the MEFA and I was scheduled to play the Redskins coached by Vance. I wanted to have a good showing since I was the home team and this was our first game that counted.

My Broncos were coming off a hugh loss to the Big Keith-Colts where their speed was a factor. This game was a big deal because it would match my style vs. league style at that time.

I spent several sleepless nights after practicing for hours during the week. I was looking for holes in my defense, holes in my offense and trying to come up with a kick-return blocking that could spring my returner to at least have a shot at a return. Back in those days, 4 sec hang time was the norm.

Well, as gameday drew near, I had a thought of making "Mile-Low Stadium" a place you don't want to venture in looking for a win. I pulled out all the stops - played the game on a 660 with the scoreboard clipped to my side of the field. I had a clock that looked exactly like the Horse at the end of the old broncos stadium (NFL) and I placed it at the end of the field to make it real cozy for the home team. Man, it was real cool. Looked great, too.

Well, I had knots in my belly when they arrived to play. I think it took him by surprize that the home field looked as it did. I think that the scoreboard would play a part of the game. He could not see my team because if it. Passing from that side of the field was tough if you did not use PS.

Well the game began and it was deadlocked at 7-7 going into the 2nd half. All the work on special teams paid off as O.Gary (#22) ripped off a 100yd kr for the game winning TD. The rest of the game was won by the defense which kept the Redskins from getting close.

Well hell. Clip out "broncos" and insert "Giants" and I'll take that news clipping for myself.

I do expect to win by the way. I have transitioned from the fear phase to the phase of self-assured cocky overconfidence of which I am normally accustomed and generally more satisfied with.

Tomorrow I am jetting down to Ocean City with a band of idiots so win or lose it will be a great weekend.

Nice to know that I am not alone in my pregame mania.

[Anthony D Burgess]

Befor I play a game , and no matter who I play I respect them as being a far better team and coach than myself .

I can only learn my team and work on situations that come in games .

I play within my abilities and my teams abilities .

I try to think 3-4 steps ahead .

Every game I play is a play off game in my mind . What I did last week means nothing this week .

I have a target on my back , so I must stay ahead by never being happy with a win because there is something I did wrong durring that game and I my correct it .

Never doubt your self , that is a key that will open door to a loss . And never think your better than who your playing , or smarter because when you do that , it is at that very point when they are better than you .

[MplsTom]

My stomach is usually off at tournaments...but that usually has more to do with:

- Rooming with Raiderman and getting within 3 feet of the biffy after an all you can eat Chinese buffet
- The funky smell of male perspiration at its finest when walking into the tournament room (me included)