Normally, I don't even listen to athlete interviews. There's nothing worth hearing. Just the same boring cliches: We've got to get it done, we're taking things one game at a time, blah blah blah.
But Aaron Rodgers went off the script last year.
Picture it (cue Sophia voice from "The Golden Girls"). September, 2014. Aaron Rodgers is trying to calm Packers fans down after a 1-2 start. He's talking on his weekly radio program, and addresses unhappy fans three weeks into the season:
"Five letters here, just for everybody out there in Packer land,” he said. “R-E-L-A-X. Relax. We’re going to be okay.”
Turns out, the Packers were more than okay. They would go 11-2 over the rest of the regular season, captured a bye and nearly went to the Super Bowl. Only a late-game collapse and overtime loss to the Seahawks prevented them from advancing past the NFC Championship Game.
Rodgers was right. Relax. Panicking isn't going to help the situation. Just calm down and let things play out.
It was true in 2014, and it's true now. If your fantasy team is struggling to stay at .500 and you feel the season slipping away, now is a good time to take the quarterback's advice. Don't panic. Relax.
It's easy to say, right? But what if your starters are on the shelf and your opponents are squeaking out victories when you should be dominating them? Are you supposed to relax then?
Yes, you are. What else are you going to do? Panic? Go into a depression because you're helpless to stop the slide? Please. You still have power. You control your team. You decide who to start. You can offer trades, take chances on the waiver wire and try to improve your situation.
The season isn't over yet. You still have a few weeks to start a winning streak, get things back on track and climb up the standings. Each week could bring an injury for someone else's team, and give you a chance to scoop up a productive player. Your bench players could come alive, your starters could perk up, and could get a little lucky with the schedule.
The point is, fantasy football is supposed to be fun. Aaron Rodgers is notorious for joking around in a high-pressure position. It doesn't seem to hurt his competitive fire, or ability to take things seriously when necessary. But his game should be fun for him. And your game should be fun for you.
Now, I realize that it sounds good because things worked out for Rodgers and the Packers last year. But he didn't know that when he made his statement. And he was right. The team was okay. Maybe yours will be, too.
Then again, maybe things won't be okay. Maybe you won't make the playoffs. Maybe the injuries were too much to overcome this year. Maybe there were too many close losses, too many lineup decisions that didn't work out too many missed opportunities.
If you want to be negative, do it later. Nothing positive will happen by panicking before week 10. But staying calm might prevent compounding mistakes and might allow a comeback to happen. At least give your team every possible chance to win, and give yourself an opportunity to have some fun.
Even if the Packers had gone 6-10 last year, Rodgers was still right. You don't overreact your way into success. Panic doesn't lead to a championship. And a negative outlook isn't a recipe for fun.
R-E-L-A-X. Your team is going to be okay. Good luck this week.
Are you fighting the urge to panic? How do you stay calm in dire circumstances? Share your thoughts below.
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