(04-20-2021, 11:26 AM)flgatorsandjags Wrote: (04-20-2021, 10:46 AM)Cleatwood Wrote: Yea. Except this doesn't happen..... Culture isn't changed by winning a few meaningless games at the end of a season. Raiders won their last game of the season..... is their culture changed?
Also, why wouldn't you want to play backups for the last 2 games if you're out of playoff contention? It's almost like a pre-season game. See what some of these younger dudes have.
I also agree with Bullseye. If you are a young ascending team (Chargers), then maybe those late season wins mean something. However, they fired their coach and are starting over anyway so who cares?
This has nothing to do with a "loser mentality." Having better players gives your team a better chance to win and the best way to acquire these better players is with higher draft picks. Spurs tanked a season and ended up with Duncan.
Not just the few wins at the end of a season, every game. That's how to change the culture. All those top 5 and top 10 picks did us a lot of good didn't it? It's just a loser mentality, some people like to win at everything, some doesn't mind losing. If your GM needs pick 18 instead of pick 20 to pick the right guy you have the wrong GM. So the wins wins late in the season means something for the Chargers but not the other team? Lol, ok
How many of those top picks would still be here had Shad not brought TC in? They didn't leave because the team had a losing culture - they left because the team was operated by a despot who was violating league standards and did everything in his power to drive them out.
Let's put it this way. Next season, we are 3-10. We're sitting fourth in the darft order. TLaw has had moments, but rookie mistakes, a suspect line, and new defense all conspire to make victories rare. But, the light bulb goes off, the line starts to gel, and the D is getting off the field on third downs. TLaw is commanding the offense, and we finish 6-11, tenth in the darft order. Ain't nobody going to say we should put Beathard in so we could darft (insert prospect name here) at pick 5.
Now go back a year. We're 1-10. Second in the darft order. Poor QB play overshadows the promise of a young undrafted rookie RB. The defense forces the offense to win by shootout, a task they are incapable of accomplishing. Fans and team alike have seemed to have given up on the coach, GM, and maybe even the owner. The coach gives a few rah-rah speeches, and guys give their all, we finish 5-11, picking eighth in the draft.
Are fans going to cheer the lack of give-up in their squad, or are they going to lament that yet again, we have an enormous need at QB, and are likely to miss out on the top guys, same as it ever was?
It's not just about W-L. Your roster guides your perspective.
