As a young boy growing up in St. George, Oakland Raiders tight end Doug Jolley never thought he would be throwing the football around with the likes of Tim Brown and Jerry Rice and get paid for it.

However, this seemingly far-fetched dream has become a reality for the former BYU football player.

Jolley was not awarded an academic scholarship from BYU until his junior year and didn't start for the Cougars until the fourth game of his senior year.

In a game against the University of California-Berkeley during the 2001 season, Jolley's breakthrough game allowed him to realize his abilities and potential. It was at this game that he saw the National Football League as a real possibility, not just a desire.

In the second round of last year's NFL Draft, Jolley went to the Oakland Raiders as the 55th pick.

For Jolley, this was the start of his journey to the Super Bowl.

The Oakland Raiders' tough loss on Sunday, Jan 26, in Super Bowl XXXVII left Jolley, the team's starting tight end, disappointed.

"After the AFC championship game, there wasn't much celebrating," Jolley said. "We wanted to win the Superbowl, not just get there. It has been a successful season but it's frustrating to have worked that hard and have experienced so much success and to not come out with a win in the biggest game that I'll ever play in."

It is a long road until next season - one including workouts, meetings, traveling and press; the list goes on. Jolley has spent this season learning what it takes to create a winning team.

"Playing in the NFL is more than an 8-5 job," Jolley said. "I've been so busy that I haven't been able to know if the money is worth it yet; sometimes I wonder."

The Raiders, along with the Baltimore Ravens, require the most dedicated effort and attitude from their players. The average week on the job is very intense.

Jolley said Monday is a light practice day. From 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., the player's day is filled with intense physical activity. Conditioning coaches are present, encouraging the athletes with a not-so-gentle demeanor. The players are required to lift weights and run at very intense levels, pushing them to physical limits.

After conditioning and running, they watch films from the previous day's game. Films are a break from physical activity, but here, the coaches scrutinize and compliment, but often criticize mistakes.

Tuesday is officially the league's day off, but rookies are invited to lift and run in the mornings, followed by additional films. Jolley said there is always room for improvement, so he comes out for this extra day of practice.

Wednesday and Thursday are long workdays. At 8 a.m., players meet for a four-hour team meeting. They then head to the practice field for an hour of walkthrough practice before lunch. Here, the players run through passing routes, blocking and plays they will encounter from the opposing team Sunday.

After lunch, players get into their pads for a long four-hour practice. At these practices, players are allowed full contact, and don't shy away from these privileges. More team meetings are required after practice. By the end of the day, exhaustion sets in.

Friday's workout load is cut in half, which is much needed from the previous two days of work. A short meeting in the morning, followed by a walkthrough practice, allows players time to better understand the specific plays of the team they will encounter at Sunday's game. After meetings, players get in a short weightlifting session before heading home for the day.

Saturday is the day to relax for Sunday's big game. Saturday morning from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m., there are meetings and a short walkthrough practice. Finally, the players are allowed free time, which is mostly spent resting. Later that night, the players congregate for dinner around 7 p.m. and then travel to the hotel, where they spend the night to prepare for the following day's game.

The weekly schedule for the players is hectic, but the schedule that the coaches are required to keep is far more demanding.

Brian Billick, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens and former BYU football player, has created a winning team, leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl XXXV victory.

"The biggest difference between a player and a coach's schedule is after the game on Sunday," Billick said. "They go home, but this is the coaches busiest time."

Monday and Tuesday are the coach's longest days. It is a major preparation time - evaluating films from the previous day and breaking down next week's opponent. Billick says these are the latest nights because he wants to make sure to have the most complete and prepared notes for the players when they come in on Wednesday for team meetings.

Wednesday and Thursday are late nights as well because the game plan must be prepared for the next game.

"The coach's week starts hectic and winds down," Billick said. "The player's week gets more busy later in the week as they begin to emotionally build up for the game on Sunday."

The night before the game, Billick requires his players to stay in a hotel to prepare for the game. During this time, Billick encourages his family, as well as the rest of the coaching staff's families, to spend the night at the hotel and maximize the little free time they have.

Game day is when the players must be ready to perform. After eating breakfast, the players head over to the stadium five hours early for pre-game warm ups, meetings, taping and other preparation.

However hectic the weekly schedule is for the players and coaches, the workouts, practice and meetings cannot veil the good times that come with the game of football. Game day and success make all the practice worth it.

"It is the biggest thrill to run out onto the field," Jolley said. "It is the biggest adrenaline rush."

"But, you need to be ready to play," Jolley said. "That's what we get paid to do. You don't need anything to motivate you. It is the biggest sport in the nation. If you don't get excited, you don't have a pulse."

Coach Billick is known for his leadership skills. He encourages and motivates his players to compete at the highest level, and instills in them competitive leadership skills.

"My goal is to provide clarity and focus for the players," Billick said. "I provide a focus to achieve our objectives. If I am doing too much or too little, I go back and check my objectives."

Billick said his favorite part of coaching is when his objectives are achieved.

"The most rewarding aspect of being a coach is when the light comes on," Billick said. "When you work with a player and all of the sudden they get it."

Jolley said one of the most rewarding aspects of being a part of the Raider team is getting respect from the veteran players.

"The players respect you when you work hard on and off the field," Jolley said. "You realize they respect you and if you try to continue to improve on and off the field, they respect you more, and this makes the team stronger."

Billick recognizes that when the respect is gone, the team can fall apart.

"The players rely on one another," Billick said. "The players need to hold up their end of the bargain; trust is huge. When players violate trust, you have to act dramatically or else you lose the team."

Both Jolley and Billick now have a few months of relative free time to unwind from the pressure of the long season. Jolley said he plans to enjoy that time.

"Now I'm looking forward to a little time off and to next season."



Copyright Brigham Young University 27 Jan 2003