The more I do business. The more I live. The more convinced I am that other people cannot tell you how to run your business. Consultants that you go to, books that you read, tapes that you hear are done by people who have never run a business. They make money selling ideas. Making you think that they're the intellectual thoughtful ones and you and I as operators of business are dumb but the problem is you and I are running to to these people and paying outrageous sums of of money because we really think they have got the silver bullet -- they've got the magic They've gotten the genie out of the bottle that will give you the secret to have success.

The secret to have success is very simple. The first thing you have to have and I've asked that question of 50, 60, 70 people and nobody's gotten it right. The first thing you have got to have is a product that consumers want or that people will buy -- not a product that you think is great that they think is great. You've got to have that first.

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This blog (post) is about football and it's about defense. Last Sunday, I watched Tom Brady who some think is the greatest quarterback that ever lived. He's certainly been a great one. He played against the New York Jets. and Tom Brady's team did not score a touchdown. Tom Brady was reduced to an average player.

And why was that? It's because the head coach of the NY Jets, Rex Ryan son of Buddy Ryan (who had the great Bear defense of the 1985-1986 when they won the World's Championship), and they did it by pressuring the quarterback.

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In this interview on 680 The Fan, Fran discusses:

- Michael Jordan
- Johnny Unitas
- the passing of his father
- Brett Favre
- 2009 Minnesota Vikings
- Every Day is Game Day
- Y.A. Tittle
- Growing up in Washington, DC
- YMCA in Athens, Georgia
- Clinton Lumpkin

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For all of you who come to the blog, I have just published an autobiography. It's called <strong>Every Day is Game Day</strong>. It's not just about the wins and losses of football, the agony of defeat and the thrill of victory. It's about the people and the lesson I've learned in my entire life. It's about the notion that life is about relationships. The secret to happiness in life is relationships that come from caring about your people. It's on the football field caring about your teammates and in business caring about your customers and your partners. 
It's in all the bookstores. It's on <a href="http://amzn.com/1600782531">Amazon.com</a>. I hope you go find it, read it. I think there's something in it that will serve you well and be an inspiration to you. Thanks for coming to the blog.
[<em>Note: An autographed copy of Fran's latest book can be ordered for $16 + shipping at TarkentonSports.com.  <a href="https://www.tarkentonsports.com/Comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=27">Click here to go there now</a>.</em>]

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The eagle has landed for Michael Vick. He's just signed up with the <a href="http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/index.html">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, and I think that's great. This young man deserves another chance. He's a talented talented athlete. Like so many of us we have all made mistakes.
No professional athlete in the history of time has ever had to spend two years in prison to pay for their mistakes. He did. He served his time. He deserves the chance to come out. He doesn't need to burn in purgatory for the rest of his life. He's paid his debt to society. He made a mistake. He admitted the mistake and he served his time more so than than anyone else that's ever lived in the sports world. I think he will do great. I am pulling for him. I want him to knock the cover off the ball.
He's going to the right organization. He's going to a stable team the Philadelphia Eagles. Their ownership is stable. Their coach <a href="http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/eagles_files/html/coach_reid_1.html">Andy Reid</a> is stable. He's going with a quarterback that's already there. <a href="http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/player60.html">Donovan McNabb</a>, who's the epitome of stability. A quality quality person who I'm sure they talked to about bringing Michael Vick in and said bring it on.
Michael Vick is going to be a great asset to the Eagles because I would think they'd put a package of plays for him in that spread wildcat offense that Miami did last year. It's a very effective offense. Just think if you have <a href="http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/player89.html">Brian Westbrook</a> and Michael Vick in the same backfield. A package of 15 plays or so every game. It's going to make Donovan McNabb better. It's going to add to that football team and make them an offensive challenge for all the defensive coordinators.
Now I know that people are going to criticize the <a href="http://www.peta.org/">PETA</a> people and the animal rights people. I love animals. I've had German Shepherds all my life. Up until three weeks ago I had four dogs. I had three German Shepherds: one 13-year old, two 1-year olds and I have a little tea-cup long haired Chihuahua weighing 2.5 lbs. I love my dogs unconditionally. They talk about dogs love to their master being unconditional love.  It's right back to me. I lost my 13-year old Shepard, Turbo, about 4 weeks ago. It was devastating to me. I cried and grieved for a week. I still miss him. I have a passion and love for my animals.
I understand the mistakes that Michael Vick made but I also understand he deserves anther chance. He paid his debt to society. And Michael Vick, go for it buddy! Go and show the people your skills. Show the people the quality of person that you are. I really believe that this will be a transforming experience for you. And I hope that everybody, everybody pulls for you and supports you because you deserve it.

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