Dependability as Talent

The December 6, 2010 issue of Sport Illustrated has a profile of Sott Pioli (A Dream In The Making).  Pioli is the General Manager of the Kansas City Chiefs and he is hoping to build the the Chiefs into something similar to what he helped build with the New England Patriots (he was their Vice President - Player Personnel). 

When talking about players and winning, Pioli uses words like reliability, dependability, accountability, and discipline.  He thinks in terms of sustainability and likes players with leadership qualities - - six of the seven draft picks from 2010 were everyday captains on their college teams.  Pioli explains to fans that "we don't want the best 53 players, we want the right 53 players."  He wants players that make other players better.  Core values are important - - "Are you going to stand for anything?"

The article has the following insight --

"You know what we are looking for?  I got this for [longtime major league G.M.} Pat Gillick.  We want players who are dependable.  I don't necessarily mean they give dependable performances.  Performance varies, and some of that is beyond the a player's control.  We want players who are dependable in the way they go about their lives.  Players who treat the parking-lot attendant right, players who talk to their teammates, players who will go about their business in practices, in their video work, in their strength and conditioning work.  Dependable.  Players you can depend on."