Week 17 of last season...

[t96]

Always play to win. Always, no matter the circumstances. That’s my opinion and I don’t think anyone could convince me otherwise that it’s ever better to lose. That’s a terrible mentality that carries over to when the games really do matter.

[Mr. Scot]

9 minutes ago, rayzor said:

only reason we won that game is because the saints didn't try or care.

we should play to win every game and we probably would a lot more if that was the most important thing to rivera and he did whatever was necessary to win. 

Well, that and the fact that Bridgewater did a worse job after a season's worth of practice in a QB friendly offensive system than a guy who was signed to our team not terribly long before the day of the game.

As to Rivera, it goes back to the same semantic question we had with Richardson. I'm sure he believes in his heart that he's doing everything possible to win. Unfortunately, his ability in that department is somewhat lacking.

[micnificent28]

45 minutes ago, Shocker said:

I am glad we beat those bassturds on their field...and maybe had a small part in derailing their magical run the to Super Bowl.  Plus, it’s over now so no need crying about it.

Dude we didn't beat anyone..  your basically glad we got a participation award in the loser bowl because no one tired to win they didnt even play there starters. They let us win and laughed at us because they won again because they just secured a greater hold on the conference giving us a worse player to possibly beat them with.

[micnificent28]

49 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I know a lot of the discussion right now centers around who will be available versus who could have been available if we had the higher pick.

Who are some of the guys you're hoping for but aren't counting on?

Who are some of the realistic possibilities?

Centers don't normally go in the first round...I can't remember the last one that did. Even Khalil didnt get his named called until the second.

[MurkN]

At the very least we got to see some of what Kyle Allen is capable of as a backup.

[LinvilleGorge]

2 minutes ago, micnificent28 said:

Centers don't normally go in the first round...I can't remember the last one that did. Even Khalil didnt get his named called until the second.

You really aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you?

[micnificent28]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

You really aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you?

you care to elaborate or are you just name calling which should get you a point anyway. You just say stuff and have no factual basis for anything that you say. plz take several seats.

[Mr. Scot]

7 minutes ago, t96 said:

Always play to win. Always, no matter the circumstances. That’s my opinion and I don’t think anyone could convince me otherwise that it’s ever better to lose. That’s a terrible mentality that carries over to when the games really do matter.

And here's where we get into honor vs pragmatism.

Having played and coached kids to play, I absolutely agree you never play to lose. I've seen teams give up, but I always want to see the Panthers fight until the bitter end. For whatever else you can say about those guys who played that game, they didn't give up.

It is, however, impossible to deny that we did indeed drop to a worse draft position (in every round, as LG pointed out) for the sake of winning what can accurately be called a meaningless game. And many of the players whovaliantly and honorably gave their all for that game won't be part of the team going forward.

In the real world, both these things are true. It's just a matter of what's important to you.

[t96]

2 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

And here's where we get into honor vs pragmatism.

Having played and coached kids to play, I absolutely agree you never play to lose. I've seen teams give up, but I always want to see the Panthers fight until the bitter end. For whatever else you can say about those guys who played that game, they didn't give up.

It is, however, impossible to deny that we did indeed drop to a worse draft position (in every round, as LG pointed out) for the sake of winning what can accurately be called a meaningless game. And many of the players whovaliantly and honorably gave their all for that game won't be part of the team going forward.

In the real world, both these things are true. It's just a matter of what's important to you.

The value of building a winning culture and mindset is significantly more important than a few spots in the draft, which is a crapshoot anyways. It’s one thing as a fan to see silver linings or even the GM but the coaches and players shouldn’t ever even have the draft positioning run through their mind. It should be play to win and pick wherever you pick.

[LinvilleGorge]

5 minutes ago, micnificent28 said:

you care to elaborate or are you just name calling which should get you a point anyway. You just say stuff and have no factual basis for anything that you say. plz take several seats.

Go back and read that post you quoted. I'm not going to to point it out for you.

It's a fact that you completely misunderstood it.

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, t96 said:

The value of building a winning culture and mindset is significantly more important than a few spots in the draft, which is a crapshoot anyways. It’s one thing as a fan to see silver linings or even the GM but the coaches and players shouldn’t ever even have the draft positioning run through their mind. It should be play to win and pick wherever you pick.

I'm on board with that.

I do also acknowledge though that not everybody is.

[LinvilleGorge]

1 minute ago, t96 said:

The value of building a winning culture and mindset is significantly more important than a few spots in the draft, which is a crapshoot anyways. It’s one thing as a fan to see silver linings or even the GM but the coaches and players shouldn’t ever even have the draft positioning run through their mind. It should be play to win and pick wherever you pick.

I'd very happily trade whatever brief feel-good boost we got from wining that glorified preseason game to jump 7 spots in every round. Better players help build a winning culture. Better players are more easily acquired with better draft position.

[micnificent28]

4 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Go back and read that post you quoted. I'm not going to to point it out for you.

It's a fact that you completely misunderstood it.

Got ya..misread his statement.

[The Natural]

The draft is a crapshoot.... Always play to win.