Most coaches would agree that, more often than not, the most talented team is not always the most successful team – on the scoreboard, or in the standings.

Until the Patriots’ loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLI, news stories focused on the pervasive “team over self” attitude that had been deeply ingrained into the “organizational culture” of this, as with every other recent New England Patriot team in recent history. Even Terrell Owens got the “team religion” this year, at least for a short time during that memorable “that’s my quarterback” tearful soundbite.

And then there’s the Giants – counted out, criticized, laughed at and ridiculed – managing to put together one of the greatest team and organizational turnarounds in sports history.

Yes, this might just be one of those rare times when the NFL and many of its most visible and vocal teams and players offer younger players positive “modeling” opportunities – the kind that can help coaches with their teambuilding efforts.

With teams engaged in off-season weight and conditioning programs and soon Spring drills, there is no better time to focus on team building.

To that end, consider these three excerpts from The Optimist Creed, a short series of positive statements repeated around the world by members of local chapters of Optimist International

“Promise Yourself …

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

…”