During the pre-seaon, the Capitals coach, Carrie Graf, has characterised her play as assertive and confident.

The confidence that used to characterize the Devils' play here has vanished.

Enthusiasm characterized the Devils' play in the first period.

Regaining her composure and the steely resolve that characterizes her play, Sorenstam did just that, playing bogey-free golf the rest of the way.

Sandstrom, who over the summer lost weight but evidently not the diligent work ethic that characterized his play last year, was positively dominant in the exhibition season.

After Saturday night's loss, Bowness characterized his team's play in the game as being at times "nervous, uptight, whatever it is."

With Don Nelson no longer around, Starks is beginning to regain the confidence that once characterized his aggressive play under Pat Riley.

Quiet resignation to the obvious had characterized their play against the Flames, and thus it dominated their muted conversation afterward.

But when asked to characterize Grbac's play, Sharpe said, "Weak."

"I still think I can play quarterback," Rhodes said, revealing the confidence that characterizes his defensive play.