Learning Under Vets? Coaching Up?

[Paintrain]

I think where learning under veterans comes into play it's not so much about them teaching rookies or younger players plays and techniques, it's more so teaching them what it takes to be successful in the league. Randle-El, Santonio Holmes, etc. talk a lot about how hard Hines Ward works and see that showed them what it takes to be a success.

Coming in as a rookie with an open mind and a willingness to learn is the biggest thing, but if you can model yourself-from a work ethic standpoint-after an established vet, that's where you can see the impact.

Another example is the Santana Moss/Malcolm Kelly situation. Kelly has said in many interviews how Moss has helped him deal with his lost rookie season because Moss essentially had the same thing. Moss missed most of his rookie season with a knee injury, press and fans wrote him off as a bust, he had to shake it off and emerge as a player to be reckoned with. Kelly now has a model to follow in his own locker room. Imagine if it was a T.O. or Chad Ochocinco? They wouldn't have that type of experience to share so Kelly may still have those questions and doubts that Moss helped him overcome.