[papabear]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Nobody here is advocating throwing a game or instructing players to perform at something less than maximum effort. But if the reserves can beat whoever
they play against, then great and the younger guys get some important real game experieince and the coaching staff gets an opportunity to evaluate them all at the same time.

I'm not saying that anyone is advocating throwing in the towel. Just making a point.

I'm all for playing the younger players more...as long as they have given the coaches some reason to think they deserve it by practicing well and/or playing well when given the opportunity. Not because I had a guy highly rated on my personal draft board.

Anyway, what was the benefit of winning the season finale last year against the Jags when they rested many of their starters ? And it sure as hell wasn't the impetus for a good start this year as we went 0-4 in Sept ! IMO no difference between 8-8 or 7-9 for the '07 season.

quick pet peeve: We were missing just as many starters as the Jags were, except ours wasn't because of choice. Neither team had anything to play for but pride.

What would have been the benefit of losing it? OK, a higher draft pick...which has just as high as a potential to be a bust as a later pick only with a higher cap cost. Without the benefit of hindsight there's no way that the team, or anyone else, can guarantee that we end up with a better or worse player.

One benefit of having some momentum going into the off season could be in retaining your own free agents. AJ made comments about how tired he was of losing. Does he re-sign if he doesn't like the direction of the team a couple of years ago? Dunta's made similar, even more outspoken comments, and is headed towards free agency. Owen Daniels is probably due a contract extension. It's all unfounded speculation, but I would rather guys like that to end the season with a good feeling about the team so that when they have to decide on whether to sign an extension or test free agency they are more likely to stick around.

And if one would rather be farther back in the Draft order, just trade that first rounder to move back and with the boot maybe you'll get another Steve
Slaton type value like we did with the trade in this year college Draft ?

I would love to, but it's easier said than done. Because of the uncertainty of the draft there are always a more teams looking to move back than the other way around. Most teams would rather lower the financial risk while at the same time increase their chances of hitting a home run on draft day by having more choices. That's why most fan sites are always clamoring for their team to trade down. Sure there are trades on draft day, but usually big ones are rare. Teams move up a few spots, or teams that have stockpiled extra picks are willing to take the gamble. The fact is it's very hard to find someone willing to give up much to move up.

Theoretically, the more options you have when your pick comes up the better so being at the top of the draft order is a good thing. We wouldn't have Mario right now if we didn't have the first pick a few years ago, but we really didn't know what we had then...and most "experts" thought we were crazy. Hindsight makes that decision look easy now. I was someone who wanted Mario over Reggie well before the draft, but no one knew how it would all turn out. Being farther back in the draft gives you a lower financial risk with just as good a chance of finding a special player IMO.

I do want to be last in the draft because we won the Superbowl though .