The biggest difference is in the leadership. It was better for us. We had more coaches and mentors to help us. A lot of the younger players today suffer from a lack of direction.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
We were going to have to experiment, and we needed to develop our younger players. And a lot of the changes were because of injuries. But that's where I give a lot of credit to the group in terms of being able to maintain things.
The players wanted more money, higher salary caps and they didn't have that family relationship we felt with the players. Mentally, the players were more businesslike.
We're still a great team. In your mind you can understand that but, emotionally, we needed to express the same belief. We came out full of fire and scored two early goals, two really beautiful goals, and that changed everything.
We've made a lot of strides over the years in making the game better for players to be able to stay healthy and showcase talent.
Comparisons are really no good in sport, especially if it is a comparison between different eras and generations, for there are so many variables that come into play, starting from the quality of the opposition to playing conditions.
We were the first generation to have to deal with the modern stardom of football. Some handled it better than others.
The reasons why a player is better on one club than on another are many. I certainly am not an expert and can't explain.
I definitely believe our coaches are now leading more and learning more. They are hungry in terms of getting the athletes to improve. I believe it's now more mental than anything else, and I'd like to assist in that area.
I would compare that to when I first started with the Montreal Canadiens; it was a big family then, where the guys really stuck together and worked like a unit. But when I came back in '88, it was not like that anymore.
I have never believed in comparisons, whether they are about different eras, players or coaches.