Huge game for the future of the franchise?

[ctrcat]

With the new GM and new coach (let's be real) needing all of the help they can get, I literally get ill thinking about winning any of these remaining games. Especially when reading an article like this, http://nflsfuture.com/2012/11/16/is-luke-joeckel-capable-of-being-the-top-pick-in-aprils-draft/, Logically, at this point at least, with the Chiefs and perhaps Jaguars not having OL as their biggest need, it's reasonable to think that the loser of this game might lean very strongly towards taking this guy that some actually think is better than Joe Thomas and Matt Kalil.

Of all the remaining "must lose" games, I consider this the most important-one meaningless win or protecting our QB for 10-15 years?

For anyone that disagrees, would you trade one of our 7 wins in 2007 (Denver also had 7 but won the tiebreaker), that would have given us Ryan Clady over Jeff Otah? (highly probable we would have drafted Clady and gotten a RB (we took Stewart) later, with no need to trade for Otah) (Not to mention the 1st round pick in 2009 we gave up (could have been Hakeem Nicks), 2nd in 2008 (could have been Desean Jackson, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, Jamaal Charles, etc.) and 4th in 2008 (could have been Jacob Tamme or Carl Nicks). Sure, it was under Hurney, but the new GM/coach MIGHT actually know what they're doing, and winning that ONE extra meaningless game DID change everything!!! And it wasn't for good!!!!

Doesn't matter how/what/when/where/to what extent, just LOSE!!!!!

[Bwood]

Horrible post.

I'm Joeckels biggest fan an this post made me want to smash my face against the screen...

You don't fugging lose out on purpose. I understand that you've never played organized sports before but you just don't do that. Winning cures everything.

The first picks will be QB's, we don't need to lose out to get the first pick to draft Joeckel. That is just stupid.

I'm getting so tired of having to correct all the stupid posts on here...

[La Pantera]

More loser talk...nothing to see here.

[PhillyB]

players dont give a flying poo about draft picks. best thing for them is the confidence gained by winning football games. their development will ultimately mean more than one or two spots in the draft.

[ctrcat]

I did play organized sports (at the college level in fact). Of course the players and coaches aren't going to try to lose, they're playing for their livelihoods, but as FANS, it is INSANE to want extra wins. And, if you read again, what I am saying is that because this game in particular is against the Eagles and they are DESPERATE for OL help, the loser may have the inside track to a guy that might be the top prospect overall regardless of position. Lose, and we give ourselves a two game "cushion" over them for draft position.

In 5, 10, 15, or 50 years, do you think Minnesota fans (after 51 years of close calls and no Superbowl win) will be celebrating their meaningless win over the Redskins in 2011, or bashing their heads against THEIR screens for losing out on the bevy of picks that the Redskins traded to get RG3 (could have been even more had the Redskins won the game)?

[ctrcat]

players dont give a flying poo about draft picks. best thing for them is the confidence gained by winning football games. their development will ultimately mean more than one or two spots in the draft.

Getting a coach that's worth a crap will mean FAR more than meaningless wins in a lost season with a lame duck coach. One or two spots in the draft is HUGE!!!!! Not just in the first round, but EVERY round!!!!! (Janoris Jenkins vs. Amini Silatolu).

[Bwood]

I did play organized sports (at the college level in fact). Of course the players and coaches aren't going to try to lose, they're playing for their livelihoods, but as FANS, it is INSANE to want extra wins. And, if you read again, what I am saying is that because this game in particular is against the Eagles and they are DESPERATE for OL help, the loser may have the inside track to a guy that might be the top prospect overall regardless of position. Lose, and we give ourselves a two game "cushion" over them for draft position.

In 5, 10, 15, or 50 years, do you think Minnesota fans (after 51 years of close calls and no Superbowl win) will be celebrating their meaningless win over the Redskins in 2011, or bashing their heads against THEIR screens for losing out on the bevy of picks that the Redskins traded to get RG3 (could have been even more had the Redskins won the game)?

No. There is no way you ever played a sport in your life if you think that losing out is the right decision.

/thread

[chef17]

I did play organized sports (at the college level in fact). Of course the players and coaches aren't going to try to lose, they're playing for their livelihoods, but as FANS, it is INSANE to want extra wins. And, if you read again, what I am saying is that because this game in particular is against the Eagles and they are DESPERATE for OL help, the loser may have the inside track to a guy that might be the top prospect overall regardless of position. Lose, and we give ourselves a two game "cushion" over them for draft position.

In 5, 10, 15, or 50 years, do you think Minnesota fans (after 51 years of close calls and no Superbowl win) will be celebrating their meaningless win over the Redskins in 2011, or bashing their heads against THEIR screens for losing out on the bevy of picks that the Redskins traded to get RG3 (could have been even more had the Redskins won the game)?

The whole point of being a fan is to cheer for the team to win. It literally makes no sense to cheer for the team to lose and call yourself a fan.

[PhillyB]

Getting a coach that's worth a crap will mean FAR more than meaningless wins in a lost season with a lame duck coach. One or two spots in the draft is HUGE!!!!! Not just in the first round, but EVERY round!!!!! (Janoris Jenkins vs. Amini Silatolu).

what in fresh hell does that have to do with getting a new coach?

luckily it's a moot discussion anyway because we are legitimately terrible this year and we'll almost certainly land a top-five draft pick for the new GM to play with, but the bottom line is it's detrimental to a player's development to show them it's ok to lay down and just lose, no matter what the situation. that sort of mentality breeds a losing culture, the exact mentality we're attempting to root out of players long infected with it.

i will be hoping we pull out wins in every single one of our remaining games.

[Iceberg Slim]

random thoughts should often be kept to yourself

[AceBoogie]

I actually see your point and basketball fans know this happens very often in the nba tanking to gain draft position is actually a very smart and strategic move. That being said this is the national football league, a contact sport.

You can't afford to lay down in the NFL people are looking to knock your head off so every game you have to go out there play. There isn't any laying down in this sport plain and simple.

[ctrcat]

what in fresh hell does that have to do with getting a new coach?

luckily it's a moot discussion anyway because we are legitimately terrible this year and we'll almost certainly land a top-five draft pick for the new GM to play with, but the bottom line is it's detrimental to a player's development to show them it's ok to lay down and just lose, no matter what the situation. that sort of mentality breeds a losing culture, the exact mentality we're attempting to root out of players long infected with it.

i will be hoping we pull out wins in every single one of our remaining games.

The fresh hell (whatever that means) reality is that we have blown 14 leads in a year and a half, we already HAVE a losing culture, we ARE getting a new coach, and the remaining results (win, lose, or draw) mean NOTHING once a new sheriff is in town. Many of these "'player's' development" will not even be here next year!!! Our roster will look completely different, and there will be an entirely different culture, playbook, pregame speech, set of team rules, practice schedule, etc., etc., etc.

Ryan Clady, Ray Rice, and Carl Nicks for Jeff Otah, that is fresh hell reality for winning meaningless games when your team and season are toast.

[ctrcat]

Never going to root for a Panthers loss, though at this point the losses do not sting as bad and can at least look forward to a top pick but I want the Panthers to win out if they can, I just want Cam and the team to find them selves so they can go into next season with something.

Like Tampa last year?

[rayzor]

ridiculous.

i know that there are those people who claim to be fans who want the team to lose, but they should never come out of the closet unless you are fine with people pointing and laughing and shaking their heads.