http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolp...etition-in-atlanta-for-tony-gonzalez-tod.html Some football teams preach competition. But come on, seriously, is there really competition in Atlanta for Tony Gonzalez today? Is there competition in Pittsburgh for Hines Ward or Ben Roethlisberger? Do you seriously believe Ray Lewis is being pushed for his starting job in Baltimore even though he's going on 34 years old? Some teams want competition. The Dolphins live competition -- at least so far under Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano.
IMO competition benefits every single player on the team. We all have our favorite players, but I don't think they should be handed the job if they are out-performed by someone else. Good for Sparano and co. on keeping everyone on their toes. The competitive nature of the team showed itself week after week last year, 60 minutes every game.
If players don't worry about competition they become lazy and complacent and that sure doesn't serve the team well. Regardless of how good a player is, if he knows there is a chance that someone may take his job he is motivated to give more effort. He is motivated to try harder, longer and with better concentraition.