Innovation means doing more with less

Exhibit A: The NFL's New England Patriots. No other sports franchise has created so much success out of scarcity. Yesterday, against the San Diego Chargers, who had the league's best record and nine all-star honorees (vs. one for the Pats--an injustice, but not one to discuss here), the Patriots beat them with creativity, persistence and some luck. But luck, nonetheless, which resulted from their own innovative preparation.

The play of the game was receiver Troy Brown stripping the football from San Diego's Marlon McCree, who had just intercepted a poorly-thrown Tom Brady pass with six minutes to go in the game. The Patriots recovered, and were able to score eleven points in the next four minutes, erasing an 8-point deficit and winning the game.

With the ball in McCree's hands, the game is over. When Brown stripped it away, he gave the Patriots an opportunity, which, like any innovative organization, they capitalized on.

Several seasons ago, with the Pats' defensive secondary having lost several key members to injury, coach Bill Belichick began to have Brown practice, then play, as a defensive back. (Playing both offense and defense is almost never done past high school. ) His two-way play helped the Patriots win their third Super Bowl.

And on Sunday, after Marlon McCree picked off the pass, Brown channeled that inner cornerback, reacted to the ball, and pulled it, and the game, away from the Chargers.

(Picture: the Patriots belt buckle from buckleshop.com)

innovation, sports, football, New England Patriots, resourcefulness, business