Intimidated

[757RavensFan]

Do you think at the NFL level that some NFL teams/players are mentally intimidated by superior teams? I just know that NFL players have a naturally very aggressive mindset and I find it hard to believe that some are intimidated or scared by superior teams or players.

[theFRANCHISE]

Yes, some players are, but not all. You mostly see this in young players and rookies because there's a lot of things they've never seen. Veterans don't get scared of other players or teams, they're more scared of injuries. Younger players play mostly with reckless abandon but then hesitate when they encounter someone who hits harder or does their job better.

That's why the psychological aspect of Ray Lewis' introduction can never be underestimated. Yes, it's a grown man doing a silly dance -- but it's also a grown man who has flames shooting out behind him, with a look in his eyes like he'll retire you with just one hit, screaming like a banshee and holding 70,000 people in the palm of his hand.

[PuRock]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1287061605' post='507095']
Do you think at the NFL level that some NFL teams/players are mentally intimidated by superior teams? I just know that NFL players have a naturally very aggressive mindset and I find it hard to believe that some are intimidated or scared by superior teams or players.
[/quote]

I wouldn't say a team. But on the player level, sure. Teams get inside players heads and make them start second guessing themselves. If they are ready for the NFL level than can brush these mishaps off and play them again. But in many cases a player could be a bit intimidated with playing a team that has gotten in his head in the past.

Of the top of my head. The most notable situation would be, Young O Line men can be intimidated by the pass rushing abilities of Jared Allen or Freeney/Mathis.

[JonM229]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1287065486' post='507126']
Of the top of my head. The most notable situation would be, Young O Line men can be intimidated by the pass rushing abilities of Jared Allen or Freeney/Mathis.
[/quote]
What about Eddie George folding like a baby whenever Ray Lewis came near him?

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='JonM229' timestamp='1287065696' post='507129']
What about Eddie George folding like a baby whenever Ray Lewis came near him?
[/quote]


That was exactly what I was thinking.

[K-Dog]

I would wet my pants if Suggs was running at me full speed.

[thewarden86]

They actually covered this subject on the NFL Network (Sirius today) and the answer was "no." We as fans may perceive that but the truth is they are professional athletes and they are there to win. When a guy gets owned by another player, they are not going to fear the next time they face the dude but rather watch film and find out how/why he got beaten and do everything he can to win the next time. Obviously there are those who are too lazy or unmotivated to follow that standard, but I assure you that those types don't last very long at all in the NFL.

Final answer? No.

[Bltravens]

I dont know if I'd say intimidated by a player, but the example of George is about as close as you can get, George more or less prob was just tired of Lewis constantly hitting him face up at a time when George was used to running through tackles and people. George wasn't intimidated, but George knew Lewis had his number and sometimes other players just have your number, you cant explain it or understand it but sometimes you just have a guys number.

[flaccopoe]

I wouldn't blame a player who had to face Ngata: he's a behemoth!!

[color="#800080"]"I don't like people crossing me. I just like to kind of destroy somebody." ~ Haloti Ngata [/color]

[Vademor]

I don't think so. In the NFL you have to be fearless, otherwise you wouldn't be there in the first place.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Vademor' timestamp='1287162768' post='508076']
I don't think so. In the NFL you have to be fearless, otherwise you wouldn't be there in the first place.
[/quote]

Yeah, you have to be able to roll with the punches in a sport like football. Otherwise you end up like this: