David Jr.

My linebacker coach at ASU stopped a film session one day and said, "Archie, you are the worst practice player I have ever seen that can play the way you do on Saturday." When I was at my best, I was not a good practice player by most standards. Not because of a lack of effort but because I had to think my way through practice, see and feel what I needed to feel, and many times my body was a step slow. I had to make mistakes. Those were the mental reps that let me turn it on game day. My rookie year our coaches told me Friday was one of the worst practices we had all season and were concerned going in. We spanked the Packers 45-17 that Sunday in the divisional round of the playoffs. I knew coaches who showed their players the cards of the exact plays they were about to get in practice. Those players graded out perfect every day. Were they prepared? I don't know. Not all practices are created equal. Intentional practice is what matters most. The goal is to peak on game day, not redline all week.