What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

I know we probably don't even want to talk about this... but let's throw it out on the table anyway.

What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?

Given everything that's happened this year with all the injuries and the Sean Taylor tragedy, will you be on the forgiving side of things or will you be furious and we're back to "Joe must go" threads all offseason?

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

I think it depends on how we lose. If we're dominating in the first half and then let the Cowboys come back and beat us, then I'm sure we'll see the "I told you so, Gibbs is done" threads. But if the Cowboys come out and get an early lead and we can't catch em', then I think most of us will understand that maybe these guys just ran out of gas and we'll be more on the forgiving side.

Win or not, what this team has done this year, after what its been thru, IMO is remarkable. Just like Wilbon said, look at what happened to the Falcons when they lost Vick.....they just gave up on the season (even their coach did), while the Skins rallied around each other and fought their guts out ;) till the end.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

I will be excited about next season, either way you cut it. Campbell will only get better. Our offensive line will come back healthy. I'll still have questions, like how will our secondary do without Rogers, who will play LB with Rocky out, what will our cap situation look like for 2009 and beyond after we make our 08 moves, etcetera. But I'll like our chances in 2008.

Caveat though: I'd only be excited if we keep GW and Saunders. Any upheaval in the coaching staff and I'll be sad.

I'm proud of the Redskins this year, no matter what. They've shown a ton of heart, and I don't think we're that far away from being a strong playoff contender. If we miss out, I'll look back at a few games, most specifically Buffalo, and I'll be upset at Gibbs. But I absolutely won't call for his head, because without him, I'm absolutely convinced there's no way we go 3-0 since Taylor's funeral.

If we make the playoffs after this horrible year, I'll give Gibbs an A- (he can earn extra credit and get up to A+ if we go deep). If we miss, I'll give him a B-. Either way, it's a passing grade and we should never get rid of him.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

Being the "glass half empty" kind of guy that I've been my whole life I've been fearing this actually happening all week, especially when I saw that we are 9 point favorites.

While I'd be very mad at all the opportunities that this team has let slip through their collective fingers I think I would still be very proud of them for putting themselves in this current position.
After Sean Taylor's death I seriously just wanted this season to be over. I thought that the loss would be too much for this team, or anyone, to handle and that while the guys would want to put forth their best efforts in his honor they'd still fall short because they'd be spent by this time. But seeing the way they've all pulled together and fought I've been very inspired. I think that regardless of what happens this Sunday we should all be proud to root for a team of such great character and passion.

As for Gibbs: I know I've been a critic of his the last few seasons and I certainly have been annoyed with many of the decisions he's made this year **cough2timeoutscough** I am amazed at the way he's been able to keep the guys on this team together and inspired. I don't know if it's his faith, his passion for football, or just the fact that he is an all around fantastic human being but I don't think anyone could have handled this difficult year any better. After the last few games I look forward to watching him lead this team next season no matter what happens this weekend.

That being said, I just hope he's got some more magic left for this season.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

Jinx! Jonah! Hoodoo! Schlemiel! If we lose, it's on your head!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

If we lose to Dallas and do not get in It will be a heartbreaker but The sting wont last too long. This team has proven a lot over the last few games. In a vacuum it would be the worst thing in a world to lose to the Cowboys on the last day of the year and not get in.

However looking back at the 07 Redskins with all of the injuiries and tragedy the team faced finishing 8-8 would still be a proud finish. We played every game close besides N.E...and we salvaged our season during one of the harshest periods in team history, losing to Buffalo at home the week of the S.T. murder. Either way I will feel good about what the team has done.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

It'd be a serious drain, I think we & the media are basically expecting the Skins to get in so much, that it would be a big upset if we lost. Expectations come w/success though, so this team needs to deal w/it.

If we lose, I'd still think there is so much to look forward to, but it would make me wonder if Joe can stomach another year. I hope he comes back regardless, but this week is probably testing him already.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

I would try to stomach the pain, go to the gym more often and get ready for next season.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

I knew this thread was coming. Good question though. I gotta tell you, I'll be really disappointed if we don't beat Dallas. I just want this team to do it for Sean. Do it for the city. Do it for coach Gibbs. Do it for the organization. D.C is such a magical place when the Redskins win.

I'll tell you I mostly excited and happy about having Joe Gibbs back again. I haven't been this happy about Joe Gibbs since the day he first arrived here. Deep down inside, I hoped he would just leave after this season, but not so now. I really think he has, well I don't want to say turned the corner or anything like that, but I think the pendulum is finally swinging his way again. And I like that.

I also think that as long as Gibbs is here, Taylor's legacy will always have its proper place in Redskins lore. Not that he needs to talk about Sean everytime he steps to the podium but he was, afterall, the man that drafted Taylor. I'll somehow always connect the two of them.

I think it was Lady Brave who put it best, it will be like a huge exhale if we win this damn game! This organization needs it for so many reasons this year. When you really think about it, this game is so much more than just beating Dallas and making it to the playoffs.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

First off, I would be very proud of how we ended the season and would look forwards to next year when we will be very hungry and healthy and a serious contender for the title.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

8-8 is a 3 game improvement over last year, which is certainly nothing to hang one's head about. You hope the Skins can fill the holes and make another 3 game improvement in '08. However, to have come this far and not go would leave quite a bit of heartache...

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

Pissed off but considering what the team has been through you can't stay mad for very long.

As far as next season I can't get to excited just yet.Too many fears of losing key players,coaching staffs, etc... for whatever reason.

I sure hope there will not be any new systems either. Stability,stability.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

I thought we offered Gibbs a 2 year extension, was that true? Status? Anyway I love Gibbs either way, we can only get better with him here.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

Tha Posse....Hagerstown MD. Been there many many times visiting my X inlaws. Too many one way streets for me. I've been lost more than once. Great town tho.

You may know my ex wife. Who's the biggest bitch you have ever met?

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[QUOTE=ArtMonkDrillz;398380]Being the "glass half empty" kind of guy that I've been my whole life I've been fearing this actually happening all week, especially when I saw that we are 9 point favorites. [/QUOTE]

9 point favorites makes me uneasy as well. I'm glad you brought some reality to this site so we all know it is possible to lose. If we lose, it will be in grand fashion i'm sure with turnovers, penalties and a general implosion. 3 weeks ago when we played the bears I swore not to watch any more Redskins games for the year if we lost (i was lying to myself). The same thing for the giants. Then the vikings. Now I probably won't have the option to not watch any more if we lose sunday.
All I'm saying is I considered the season over not too long ago and the team has shown me something, a little fight that has been lacking. They're backs were up against the wall and they had 2 options; fight or roll over. They chose to fight for their honor, their dignity, their pride. And I feel overtaken with the feelings that the team has given me. D.C. is now filled with honor, dignity, pride. Look around, flags, stickers, magnets adorn even the ugliest hooptie. Maybe these people are fair-weather fans, but the city is alive once again and damn I feel proud. Win and we're in...This is dallas week, lets rip their fucking heads off.

Sorry I'm getting a little emotional. My pulse is pumping and tears are welling up as i type like only the skins can do to me

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

I don't know. This is the biggest game I've seen in a while. Dallas at home, win and you're in. Dallas is the NFC East champs and the #1 NFC Seed... If they come out flat I'm going to be very disappointed. They better be UP for this game. As long as they leave it all on the field this weekend I'll be happy with the season, eventually. I predicted 8-8 or 9-7 this season (although I pictured it coming in a very different manner) and will be happy with either record all things considered.

Since I was a little boy growing up in Silsbee TX, I've lived for Dallas Week. We can't lose this game. I will be crushed. I'll get over it and look at things objectively after a week or so, but this is a HUGE game.


GO SKINS!!!!

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?

I'll still be proud of a team that overcame numerous serious injuries to key positions, made impeccable free agent moves in Fletcher, Smoot, and Rocky (over Briggs), overcame the death of its best player, and still won three more games than last season. Imagine what a year we would have had with a solid offensive line and a dominant running game in the second half (like we did last season).

Proud of our coaches, players, fans, and owner!

Now go out there and kick the Cowboy's a$$ anyway!!!!!

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

Staying positive either way. DALLAS SUCKS.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

I will just be humorously devastated. Its almost like every time we get our hopes up this team disappoints. Its only when everyone gives up that we actually do well. For example, whenever the media thinks we will be good in the preseason, we suck. The two years that no one gave us any hope, we have made a playoff push only after being all but dead. I won't be upset. The team has been facing impossible odds but such an abrupt and disappointing ending will be unbearable. On second thought, I'll just be devastated.


We can't be mad at the team though. The things this team has faced are horrible. They shouldn't even be in the position they are in. I think we all realized that winning doesn't matter, after sean died. Its just how quickly the season would be over is the hard part. Whatever, i think we all want something to make this season just a little bit more rememberable for good things.

However, I won't want to talk to anyone. Maybe I'll just be so mad that i'll pack my bags in 5 minutes and drive up to new york to my friend's place and go and watch the ball drop. That'd be stupid though. F... this, i don't want to think about losing.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

If we lose to Dallas im going to seriously be worried about thier chances of going all the way this year, i for some odd reason think we are the only team in the east that will stop them in the playoffs. wow, i just caught myself being positive about the skins chances...

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;398369]I know we probably don't even want to talk about this... but let's throw it out on the table anyway.

What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?

Given everything that's happened this year with all the injuries and the Sean Taylor tragedy, will you be on the forgiving side of things or will you be furious and we're back to "Joe must go" threads all offseason?[/QUOTE]

Your thread reminds me of some lines from the classic film [U]Kelly's Heroes [/U]staring Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland and Gavin McCloud to name a few. The following is some good advice Sutherland's character - Oddball - gives to McCloud's character - Moriarty. I think we all ought to take it.

Why don't you knock it off
with them negative waves?

Why don't you dig
how beautiful it is out here?

Why don't you say something righteous
and hopeful for a change?


GMAT

_____________________________________________________________
I might not know what I'm talking about, but what I do know is that I am talking about what?

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[quote=killromo;398404]9 point favorites makes me uneasy as well. I'm glad you brought some reality to this site so we all know it is possible to lose. If we lose, it will be in grand fashion i'm sure with turnovers, penalties and a general implosion. 3 weeks ago when we played the bears I swore not to watch any more Redskins games for the year if we lost (i was lying to myself). The same thing for the giants. Then the vikings. Now I probably won't have the option to not watch any more if we lose sunday.
All I'm saying is I considered the season over not too long ago and the team has shown me something, a little fight that has been lacking. They're backs were up against the wall and they had 2 options; fight or roll over. They chose to fight for their honor, their dignity, their pride. And I feel overtaken with the feelings that the team has given me. D.C. is now filled with honor, dignity, pride. Look around, flags, stickers, magnets adorn even the ugliest hooptie. Maybe these people are fair-weather fans, but the city is alive once again and damn I feel proud. Win and we're in...This is dallas week, lets rip their fucking heads off.

Sorry I'm getting a little emotional. My pulse is pumping and tears are welling up as i type like only the skins can do to me[/quote]

wow even made me tear up

Go Skins

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

I'm a big JG's fan. I've always thought he would turn this things around. I've also been critical of playcalling, personel, etc. After the Bills game I thought Joe should go at the end of the season. Maybe it was b/c i went to the game and was bitterly disappointed in the "play not to lose" strategy that we've seen too much over the last 4 years.

In the last 3 games w/ Collins it seems like our playcalling/execution has improved. We seem to have more of a "win" it strategy...for whatever reason.

If we lose Sunday, i think i still want JG to give it one more year. I'm really impressed w/ the way he's brought this team together at the right time. Hopefully AS and GW will still be w/ us.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

This team has had to deal with an adversity that no other team has. In doing so, they got better, both on and off the stat sheet. If we lose tomorrow, I would hope [U]that[/U] is the lesson we take from the season - not a failure to make the playoffs.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[quote=Gibbsmeatitle#1;398504]Your thread reminds me of some lines from the classic film [U]Kelly's Heroes [/U]staring Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland and Gavin McCloud to name a few. The following is some good advice Sutherland's character - Oddball - gives to McCloud's character - Moriarty. I think we all ought to take it.

Why don't you knock it off
with them negative waves?

Why don't you dig
how beautiful it is out here?

Why don't you say something righteous
and hopeful for a change?


GMAT

_____________________________________________________________
I might not know what I'm talking about, but what I do know is that I am talking about what?[/quote]

It's got nothing to do with being negative. I'm just wondering how we will deal with a loss.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[quote=BrudLee;398516]This team has had to deal with an adversity that no other team has. In doing so, they got better, both on and off the stat sheet. If we lose tomorrow, I would hope [U]that[/U] is the lesson we take from the season - not a failure to make the playoffs.[/quote]

Well said.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;398518]It's got nothing to do with being negative. I'm just wondering how we will deal with a loss.[/QUOTE]

And that's not negative? Not even a smidgen? If defeat is not an option, then there is no reason to talk about it.

GMAT

__________________________________________________ ______________________
I might not know what I'm talking about, but what I do know is that I am talking about what?

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[quote=Gibbsmeatitle#1;398523]And that's not negative? Not even a smidgen? If defeat is not an option, then there is no reason to talk about it.

GMAT

__________________________________________________ ______________________
I might not know what I'm talking about, but what I do know is that I am talking about what?[/quote]

It's called reality. Face it we're either going to win or lose this game. No sense in denying what could happen.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[quote=Gibbsmeatitle#1;398523]And that's not negative? Not even a smidgen? If defeat is not an option, then there is no reason to talk about it.

GMAT
[/quote]

Actually defeat is an option. We could either win or lose this game.

That phrase, "defeat is not an option", is just something people tell themselves to stay focused. And rightfully so, that's the attitude the players should take. But we're not the players, we're the fans. We can consider the reality that we could lose the game.

It's important to think about and puts the season in perspective.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;398524]It's called reality. Face it we're either going to win or lose this game. No sense in denying what could happen.[/QUOTE]

Reality is that the Skins have the power to control their own destiny. If they believe they are going to win and have made the prepartions to do so, they will win. Gibbs and crew will definitely have them ready. So... I'm not denying anything. Defeat simply isn't part of the equation to begin with so there is no sense in talking about it. BTW... are you denying that the teams could tie? :)

GMAT

__________________________________________________ ______________________
I might not know what I'm talking about, but what I do know is that I am talking about what?

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[QUOTE=BrudLee;398516]This team has had to deal with an adversity that no other team has. In doing so, they got better, both on and off the stat sheet. If we lose tomorrow, I would hope [U]that[/U] is the lesson we take from the season - not a failure to make the playoffs.[/QUOTE]

Agreed!

But, Having the cowboys knock us out of the playoffs would hurt more than not making it in general.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

LOL I'm being negative... I'm sure a lot of people here would get a kick outta that.

Gibbsmeatitle#1, this is a discussion board, this is what we do here. Nothing is off limit.

If you don't want to talk about the chances of dealing with a loss, fine. But I think it's a perfectly legit thing to discuss and there's no negativity behind my original post. Just reality.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

What is the point of this post? If we don't beat the Cowboys backups I will be very disappointed in the team.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

Thread i mean

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

Forget it.

:doh:

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

Nice thread. As a doubter, I'd say if we lost and don't make it to the playoffs, my expectations for the season would've been vindicated. While it would be disappointing to not make the playoffs in 3 of Gibbs 4 seasons back with us, the adversity that this team had to face with all the injuries to starters and the death of its best player is a reasonable excuse.

I can't doubt Gibbs' contribution, which I failed to see until the last quarter of this season - he's a master motivator and has done an unbelievable job getting these guys fired up to play given we were left for dead at 5-7. That said, I still think his game management is questionable and isn't a source of advantage for us. With his experience, it should be a huge advantage for us.

Has been a positive season relative to last year - the development of Campbell, solid back up (short term starter) in Collins, Landry, improved and deep Linebacking corps, Heyer, Kendall and the depth we have built at O&D lines, Cooley established as one of the league's best tight ends, etc.

The expectation for this team next season can't be anything short of the second round of the playoffs, perhaps even the NFC Championship game. No more excuses for Campbell turning the ball over and failing to make game winning plays, no more excuses for injuries on the O&D lines, and no more in-game mismanagement.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;398535]LOL I'm being negative... I'm sure a lot of people here would get a kick outta that.

Gibbsmeatitle#1, this is a discussion board, this is what we do here. Nothing is off limit.

If you don't want to talk about the chances of dealing with a loss, fine. But I think it's a perfectly legit thing to discuss and there's no negativity behind my original post. Just reality.[/QUOTE]

Don't get me wrong. I by no means meant to cut off discussion (other than my own). As a matter of fact, I think I stimulated some as evidenced by our tit-for-tat. My point is sort of Sun Tzuish (dead guy reference number one) in that if you know yourself, know your adversary and prepare accordingly, you will win. By making the necessary preparations, and assuming you can perform at a certain level to begin with, you are eliminating defeat from the equation. Of course you've got fog and friction (von Clausewitz - dead guy reference number two), and a thinking opponent to deal with, but those are things you can't control; so why worry? You are not denying that defeat is a possibilty, you are simply not wasting time thinking about something that is irrelevant and distracts from your performance. That was my point for this game. If others feel as you do, more power to you. I just approach things from a different angle.

Nuff said,

GMAT

______________________________________
Woof Woof! That was my other dog imitation.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;398369]I know we probably don't even want to talk about this... but let's throw it out on the table anyway.

What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?

Given everything that's happened this year with all the injuries and the Sean Taylor tragedy, will you be on the forgiving side of things or will you be furious and we're back to "Joe must go" threads all offseason?[/QUOTE]

dude what if i get hit by a bus tommorow crossing the street. we cant think this way matty.look it wont be a cake walk but we will win tommorow beat seattle in the wildcard.now if we can win in greenbay at below temp..thats a whole nother thread

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[quote=Gibbsmeatitle#1;398545]Don't get me wrong. I by no means meant to cut off discussion (other than my own). As a matter of fact, I think I stimulated some as evidenced by our tit-for-tat. My point is sort of Sun Tzuish (dead guy reference number one) in that if you know yourself, know your adversary and prepare accordingly, you will win. By making the necessary preparations, and assuming you can perform at a certain level to begin with, you are eliminating defeat from the equation. Of course you've got fog and friction (von Clausewitz - dead guy reference number two), and a thinking opponent to deal with, but those are things you can't control; so why worry? You are not denying that defeat is a possibilty, [B]you are simply not wasting time thinking about something that is irrelevant and distracts from your performance[/B]. That was my point for this game. If others feel as you do, more power to you. I just approach things from a different angle.

Nuff said,

GMAT
[/quote]

Re: the bolded part, again, that approach makes sense for the players and coaches. Clinton Portis, is that you? Or maybe you're Joe Bugel?

Sun Tzu was someone teaching people how to fight a war and win. He was speaking to the people doing the fighting. He wasn't speaking to the civilians who stand by and watch the wars.

Dude, you're a fan. Whether or not you consider the possibility of losing has NO BEARING on the team's level of focus. They will surely not consider defeat an option. But you can, and trust me, it won't affect how they play. Whatever you do, or whatever we discuss here on the Warpath, it won't distract from the team's performance.

Put down the books and come back to reality.

Re: What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;398595]Re: the bolded part, again, that approach makes sense for the players and coaches. Clinton Portis, is that you? Or maybe you're Joe Bugel?

Sun Tzu was someone teaching people how to fight a war and win. He was speaking to the people doing the fighting. He wasn't speaking to the civilians who stand by and watch the wars.

Dude, you're a fan. Whether or not you consider the possibility of losing has NO BEARING on the team's level of focus. They will surely not consider defeat an option. But you can, and trust me, it won't affect how they play. Whatever you do, or whatever we discuss here on the Warpath, it won't distract from the team's performance.

Put down the books and come back to reality.[/QUOTE]

A couple things for you my friend. Sun Tzu and whole bunch of other philosophers weren't just talking to the soldiers who fight wars. They were talking about philosophies of life. I'm just applying one aspect to this game. It sounds like you need to pick up some books and give them more than a cursory/superficial look. Up until this point this thread has been respectful, but please don't tell me how or what I should think.

GMAT

______________________________________________
Winning isn't an end. Winning is an attitude unto itself.