#1 Pick vs. Momentum

So, yes, it's yet another horseshit thread--I'll just start out with that.

Good many around these parts are creaming their shorts for Andrew Luck. There's the potential that one of the other terrible teams that are in contention for the top pick (Cincy, Buffalo) will look to invest in a "franchise" QB. I don't know what the shit has happened to Carson Palmer, but he's damaged at this point. From what I can tell, the Bills love Fitz, but they're not excited about his apparent lack of arm strength when it comes down to cold-weather games.

I suppose I would just go back to the 2002, 2004, 2007 model of not worrying so much about jockeying for draft position, and begin worrying about taking the core of what you have now and winning games.

Maybe it's because we sniffed a win for the first time in a while last week, but damn, I don't care what the record is, it feels good to win.

Spending a 2nd on a QB (Clausen) is not small potatoes, no matter how many people dislike his delivery, his demeanor or his gay photos from college.

All I can say is I hate to see my team lose games, and I feel the only way this team--even if there's a new staff--can begin 2011 fast is by closing out 2010 with as much effort and as many wins as possible.

We have some pretty good opportunities to fuck some teams over with regards to their playoff position. It would be pretty cool to stick a nice fat cock in Pete's ass this weekend and knock them back in that race. We still have an opportunity to play Atlanta twice, and believe it or not, we match up well with them.

If we lose to Arizona, then I might cry. Yes, they're that bad.

The only time I recall us not parlaying a strong December into a playoff year would be 2009 to 2010. Hell, even in 1998, lot of folks were shitting their pants about Dom winning a couple games to close out the season. We ended up 4-12, and Grandpa George took some of that mojo and almost put us in the playoffs.

Here's to fucking over some nervous teams.

 

there aren't any teams nervous about playing us. i admire your steadfastness this season.

 

No, I'm not implying that teams are scared to play us. I'm implying that many of these teams (Atlanta, Seattle and Pittsburgh) will be playing on eggshells to either get into the playoffs, or lock up home field.

It would be my preference to win those games and be a fucking nuisance, rather than roll out the brown bag on my head like some low-rent douche and tank it.

 

Hey, I remember actually rolling up 85 to see 6 of Carolina's 8 losses in 2001. No matter how much I keep telling myself this season is the worst, I can't help but remember the hell that was 2001.

It's cornball shit to many, but I think as a fan, if you plug through seasons like this with a positive attitude, it makes the turnaround extremely rewarding. I remember going to the Baltimore game in 2002, week one. It was a ugly-ass game, but we won. It was like the fucking Super Bowl in that stadium.

That was 9 months removed from 35,000 watching the Patriots shit on our 50-yard line.

 

it would be my preference that our record was reversed, but that isn't going to change the reality of what we are this year. while seeing them roll up 14 or 15 losses doesn't make me elated, i am comfortable with those expectations, given our inabilities, and what tomorrow might bring.

 

There's a divide between what I want and what I realistically expect will happen. I don't feel we will sweep Atlanta, or beat the Steelers on the road.

I do think we will beat Seattle, simply because they're as dysfunctional as we are, at this point.

 

if that last game is against the falcons jv...then maybe.

the trip cross-country to qwest field might be the edge on the seattle game. they aren't any good, and if we had them at our place, not that there is any sort of home field advantage there this season, and instead they had to make the trip...

 

I can tell you that the ATL game in a couple weeks will not be of the JV-variety. Week 17? Yea, they may have it locked by then.

Speaking of fear--Seattle doesn't scare me whatsoever. Sorry. They don't, and if this team plays to the level that they are capable of, there's no reason to expect anything other than a tight game, hopefully a win.

 

We've always capitalized on that. Except this year.

I dunno. Call it fatalist, but I'd rather see more guys go the way of David Gettis and become players in the last five than tank so we get 5% better player with that one pick. Always want my team to win.

 

Moral wins don't concern me. Like Mags pointed out, seeing players that we know will be a part of the long-term plan (Gettis, LaFell, PICKLEMAN, Hardy) growing is what this is all about.

Ask anybody that knows two shits about personnel, and they'll tell you that plays such as the Clausen to LaFell connection late on Sunday not only build individual confidence for each player, but will help to contribute to overall continuity.

I'm not endorsing Clausen for 2011 until I see this all play out. If he start fumbling snaps and hand-off exchanges, mismanaging the clock and throwing a blizzard of picks, then yes, let's do a full FBI background check on Andrew Luck and get to know his entire life story.

Guess it's simple: season ain't over yet.