Over on Pats Pulpit (a New England Patriots blog I read most days), they also have links for other news that may interest Patriots fans. One today has to do with the reality that winning makes working out contracts far more difficult. Everyone wants their piece of the pie.
I saw this after the Red Sox won in 2004. It is not particular to Boston, but is a problem for most organizations after a successful run. The article notes how this problem is already in play down in NY. That the Patriots (and, gulp, Colts and , double gulp, Yankees) have remained successful for extended periods of time in this climate is amazing.
Pats Pulpit defines it: the disease of me = the defeat of us.
The player (though this can take place in ANY kind of organization, including churches) puts self above team. Here are some symptoms:
SIX DANGER SIGNALS OF THE DISEASE OF ME:
1. Chronic feelings of under appreciation – Focus on oneself.
2. Paranoia over being cheated out of one’s rightful share.
3. Leadership vacuum resulting from formation of cliques and rivalries.
4. Feelings of frustration even when the team performs successfully.
5. Personal effort mustered solely to outshine one’s teammate.
6. Resentment of the competence of another – Refuse to admit his contribution.

Photo by John Wilcox, Boston Herald file photo
The Patriots actually suffered from a minor case of the disease last season, if you read between the lines in recent interviews. The Celtics suffered a bout around mid-season. It becomes far clearer in contract negotiations. I wonder if this is the problem with the Logan Mankins negotiations. The team and player are very far apart. Is it that Logan has forgotten it is a team sport? I don’t know him, nor am I privy to the negotiations. But offensive linemen usually don’t make a boatload of dough compared to QBs, RBs & wide receivers. Fair? Maybe not, but that is the reality. It really isn’t fair that pro football players make far more than really important members of society like policemen, firemen etc.
The disease of me is the sometimes silent killer of successful organizations. Sometimes it is not so quiet.