Sometimes Rooting Against Your Team Is Really Rooting For Them

[Hoofhearted]

(11-29-2020, 10:27 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I've been a Bengals fan for 35 years, and have never rooted for them to lose, not even in during the 90's. However, I will go on record as saying that right now, for the first time in my life, I am actively rooting for them to lose all their remaining games. However, the reason I'm rooting for that is because I'm a Bengals fan and because I think it will potentially be more beneficial in the long run...not because I enjoy seeing them lose. That sucks, even when things are bad...and they're pretty damn bad right now.

Losing out guarantees Sewell. This team desperately needs him. This line desperately needs him. Joe Burrow desperately needs him. Being able to land Sewell makes rebuilding the line and trying to ensure Burrow's safety a much easier task. 

Also, while there's a very slim chance that the front office will replace Zac after the season, losing out is probably the only realistic way that it's even possible of happening. I think Zac is simply over his head as a head coach, and keeping him around is just wasting time. 

If losing out results in Sewell and a more qualified head coach...then it's worth it, IMO. While losing always sucks, how does winning a game or 2 at this point help this team at all? It could very well cost them Sewell and all but guarantee that hardly anything changes.

You can say that I'm not a Bengals fan because I'm wanting them to lose out, but the truth is, the only reason I'm want that to happen is because I'm a Bengals fan and I think it provides the best chance to (hopefully) turn things around sooner than later.

I understand people who can't root for the Bengals to lose in any situation. I've was that way for 34 and 10 games, but I've been all aboard the 'lose out' train since last week. So, if anyone feels like I'm not a 'real fan' after 35 years of being a diehard, and hopefully many more years to come...feel free to tell me why I'm not being a 'real fan' in hoping for losses in these final games.

Losing out means players lose trust in the coaches, their teammates and the FO. It means they will not study film as much, work out as hard, put in as much effort because losing is easy. Winning is hard. Learning how to win is hard. I am of course not calling you a real fan, I know you are, but the premise behind losing out = helping us get better (by coach or draft pick) is not sound logic. Winning games helps get better. I am the biggest ZT hater on this board, but if he can get them to win a few games and they all buy in, build that culture, build that trust going into next year, that will be so much better for them going forward than losing out does. 

I also think this team needs a vastly better defense (specifically pass rush), guard play and CBs. Why I am firmly in the camp of trading down and acquiring as many pick as possible to address those areas. Our defense let Colt McCoy win the game for them. Colt McCoy. YIKES. We still need to protect burrow, but I think we can do that with much better guard play and running the ball better. Just don't think getting Sewell is the fastest way for us to get better. Addressing the defense (EDGE, CBs, and more CBs) and guards I believe will