What I think will happen isn't the same thing as what I'll root to happen. What you described is what I feel will most likely happen. However, the scenario I listed is the one I'm rooting for. Will I be mad if we end up with Luck despite me rooting for us to win? Hell no. But personally, I'd prefer to see this team turn itself around and have players show some serious development during the final 11 games despite our HC/GM's counter efforts. lol.
This is exactly how I feel too, and I think there are some misconceptions about how folks like you and I feel. Am I going to be upset if we go 0-17? Yea, of course I will!! Who wants to be cellar dwellars? Am I going to be upset if we draft Andrew Luck? Of course not!! He's going to be a great NFL QB someday Am I going to be upset if we fire Sparaon and hire Cowher or Gruden? Of course not!! Anything is better than Sparano All my posts have been geared toward my perception of the overall team and I don't think that even the S4L's would argue against our problems being vast and extensive. My opposing opinion has been against those who seem to think the drafting of ONE college kid is going to somehow turn us around and make us contenders. There's 10 other players on the field with that QB and if they aren't doing what they're supposed to do, hes gonna have a bad day...and by the way our boys have been playing as a unit, there's nothing at the end of the season to guage who to keep and who to get rid of. Granted, alot of us have our own opinions as to who to keep and who to can, but if this TEAM doesn't start pulling together and showing some backbone and start winning some games, I don't care who you draft next year, they're gonna have a bad day!
It's really only rooting against this Dolphins team, as it is currently constructed. From top to bottom. Rooting for Luck is actually rooting for this franchise and its long-term well-being.
I couldn't root against my team. I can understand seeing the big picture, but in the moment, watching the game, I can't do it. I think it somewhat parallels what a player or coach feels. I know that when I played or coached, I couldn't just let the man in front of me kick my butt. It may happen, but the competitor in me couldn't just let it happen. Now, I'm as big of a Luck fan as anybody and generally try to be an optimist, so when we lose games I look at the bright side and our draft position is part of that. But in the moment, I root for my team to win.
I don't think any SFLer roots against the Dolphins in the moment, as the game is being played. But when the games ends and we've lost yet again, it's just a shrug of the shoulders instead of being pissed for a day and a half. For me personally, I cheer for the Dolphins to win the game, but after its over and L is posted, I see the big picture and am alright with it. If you aren't a SFLer, it's really hard to explain to you how I feel.
For me there is a huge difference between playing and watching. When I was playing, there is absolutely no way I could give up during a game or a season. But now I'm just a fan. I'm not part of the team. It's much easier to see the big picture and what the greater good is.
Rafa is right. Think of yourself in the sandlot, or at whatever level of football you ever played. It's like JT said. No one is going to throw a game. In a game, you're going to do your best to beat the man you're up against. That's a given, but it's not the problem. Whether you're going to be able to beat the guy across from you in a game has to do with what you do before the game. First, you have to have the ability. Second, you have to be and stay in football shape. Third, you have to have solid fundamentals. Fourth, you have to give 100 percent in practice. Fifth, you have to know what you're doing and why. And last, your coaches have to design plays that play to your strengths and put you in a position to win; that limit what you are asked to do to what you can do. Our problem is not with the players' desire to beat their men in the game. They all have that. Our problems are with first through last above. First is addressed by the front office, and the next five are a function of coaching.
The difference, I think, is that the SFLers are rooting for the team to lose before the game and after the game. I also doubt that there aren't any SFLers who don't root against the team during the game as well.
I think that many fans consider themselves part of the team. And they feel that way all the time, not just when they're winning or if they like the current coaches or players.
SFLers don't root for the team to lose. At least, Dolfan SFLers don't. I'm sure Seahawks SFLers are rooting for losses left and right.
Maybe. But I guess I'm a rationale enough fan to know I'm not part of the team. I can seperate being a fan and a player.
Oh I rooted for he team to lose before and during the game. I loved every second of the comeback. Were in open competition with Denver for luck... we needed that L badly. Glad we got it. 0-6 and right on schedule. Hope Indy pulls a miracle to night too.
Then you're very alone on this. Or, at the very least, I'm not with you. I now watch Dolphins games as I do every other NFL game; I enjoy the back and forth and don't particularly care who wins. But I admit the Phins made it interesting at the end there. Same. Come on, Garçon, don't fumble this time.
I agree with you. I want Luck really, really bad. But I still can't bring myself to actually cheer against the Dolphins. At this point, I almost have no emotion when watching the Phins play. And that might be the most depressing part of all of this.
Rationality has nothing to do with being a fanatic. In fact, if you're really being rational then you're probably not being fanatical.
I think you can be a fan and be rational. I'm a Dolphins fan, but rational enough to know that at this point getting Andrew Luck is better than winning 3 or 4 games.
Yeah, my gut tells me he's ours. My head tells me "not so fast, Bill Polian is a slime ball." But this team is so awful and keeps finding so many new ways to lose that I can't see how we aren't right back where we started after 2007; #1 overall pick, new regime to exercise that pick. What I'm not sure about is what we do with that 33rd overall pick. Coby Fleener, please.
If they can find a RG and a RT in FA or perhaps one of the guys already on the team then I'm all for that. Give the kid, good targets at WR, TE, a second veteran RB and we'll figure out the defense later.
Rooting for the dolphin.s to lose is a new experience for me. I've never done it before. Not even in 07. However going.g through 1-15 got me battle tested. I know I can survive a season like that. However, the treasure at the end of this rainbow is enough to push me from toleration of bad football to excitement for bad football. I want luck. Period. I want to compete for championships. I want to enjoy games again. I want to enjoy watching sportscenter over and over just to see the dolphin highlights. Honestly, I don't really consider myself rooting against Miami. I'm rooting for their future.
I'll tell what I would really like would be if Miami could line up with 2 TEs that can both really run block and catch down the field. Something like Fasano and Dwayne Allen. Allen's got decent speed, nothing great but he's a very good receiver and the combo on the outsides would just be so difficult to stop especially while running to the outside. Not only that but with Luck's accuracy Marshall in the intermediate range and a deep receiver it could get ugly for other teams.
Allen may not have great spped but he moves very well and fliud, athletic player with great body control and awareness, first round pick imo..
I like Fleener as well I don't like how he can't really block all that well though. Having two tight ends that can be receiving threats and very good blockers is absolutely a major pain for a defense especially with all of these lighter edge rushers that we're saying lately. The run game to the outside opens up by leaps and bounds.