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While 10.000 atta-boys are redeemable for a pat on the back, one mistake wipes the slate clean. — Larry Weisman

Mathias Kiwanuka has had a bad week.  Two weeks ago the rookie defensive end for the New York Giants thought the play was over so he didn't tackle the Titan's quarterback Vince Young.  The play wasn't over and Vince Young knows what to do with a second chance, running for a first down on the way to a winning touchdown.  

To add insult to injury when he came back from the game he found out his car was stolen from the player's lot at the Meadowlands.

Then this week in the biggest game of the year for the Giants he made an interception, returned it 12 yards then fumbled the ball without getting hit.

Talk about a guy who needs some positive reinforcement…  It's not like he didn't do anything positive.  He had seven tackles, a sack (the Giants only sack), an interception and a forced fumble — no, not his own.  Remove the fumble — or if a teammate falls on it — and the announcers are talking about him as the defensive player of the game.  Instead, because of one mistake — yes a crucial one — and the announcers were reduced to apologizing for him.

I was watching the game and heard the announcers say more than once, "He's really not playing a bad game".  No, he didn't play a bad game, he played a really good game with one play that was both really good and really bad.

I don't know what was said in the locker room.  I haven't read anything that indicates his coach, Tom Coughlin, was either positive or negative toward him.

But I have seen his actions on the sidelines.  Coughlin is the typical tough guy NFL coach.  Do something good, you're doing your job.  Make a mistake and watch out.  That attitude isn't limited the players on his roster or coaches on his staff.  Just ask the reporters at his press conference this week.

The Giants have spent the last month sniping at one another and questioning their teammates' abilities.  I haven't heard the head coach saying these things, but the coach is responsible for the culture.

Look at your team.  Would your culture recognize the contributions Mathias Kiwanuka made or do mistakes obscure the contributions?