Fair question. I'll try and answer but don't know if I have the words.
"How does any of this change the talent level"? If you're speaking about the pure physical abilities, size, strength, quickness, speed, etc., ---not a thing, But...., highly tuned athletes mental and emotional states can be delicate, almost an unconscious working. A "relaxation" of the mind, leads to a "calmness" of the body, enabling it to be more clear & open to on field communication for example, one is more "aware" of the time and space he is in, things slow down, confidence grows, even the clouds above set against the deep blue clear New England Autumn sky, the fresh color of the green grass field... you notice,"feel", if you will, in a new way. You're in the "Right Place" at the right time-Now. And so you find yourself moving to a spot more effortlessly, your speed hasn't changed but your recognition of your defensive/offensive keys for instance has, and so you arrive a split second earlier, a cut instinctively comes a split second sooner and that may make all the difference.
A New Beginning..., we know, like the kids we used to be, we won't be "yelled at" so harshly if we make a mistake, we are now free. We belong here.