Colts Vs. Jaguars: The Jaguars will not and should not "tank" in week 17

by Adam Stites on Dec 26, 2011 2:30 PM EST in Jacksonville Jaguars Game Preview

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 24: Colin Cloherty #83 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 24, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Suddenly there is some interest being taken in the Jaguars-Colts finale that will be played on Sunday, but not for the reasons that either team had in mind. After terrible seasons for both teams, the result of the game means little more than a higher draft pick for the loser and a lesser one for the winner. The reality that fans need to grasp, though, is that the teams don't care about that.

Neither the players on the Jaguars nor the players on the Colts care which team drafts Andrew Luck or if their team has the 3rd, 6th or 32nd pick in the draft. The livelihood of the players playing in Sunday's game is purely dependent upon their own performance and the performance of the team they are on in the present.

So you better believe when a player like tight end Colin Cloherty lines up at tight end against a guy like linebacker A.J. Edds for the Colts that both players will be giving it their all to make the plays necessary to keep their fragile NFL jobs. Even players like Maurice Jones-Drew and Reggie Wayne will be doing all in their power to ensure they perform to the best of their ability and their team does well because of their impact on the field.

The question whether or not Jaguars fans should be rooting for their team to win or lose is a much more complicated question. Arguing that the fans should hope the team loses has plenty of legitimate reasons with solid logic. Arguing that a fan should root for their team no matter what has little logic and sounds more like a stubborn kid that refuses to hear reason. Yet that's what makes more sense.

As a writer at BCC I am in the position of being as close to media as possible without having to detach myself from the word "fan." I absolutely root for the team to win every week just like I have since I was five years old and they played their first game. Under no scenario will I root for the team playing the Jaguars to win. That's just what being a Jaguars fan is.

In the long-term is it better that the Jaguars lose and secure the 3rd or 4th pick instead of the 6th or 7th pick with a meaningless win? Probably, yes. But I'll still be disappointed that the Jaguars were unable to beat their 2-13 divisional rivals. That's just what it means to be a fan.

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Comments

Win. That's what matters.

If all you want is high draft picks, just go 0-16 every year. The you can always get the best player.

Section 442, RIP
"You think you know, but you don't know."

by unhipcat on Dec 26, 2011 3:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Just win, baby.

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Dec 26, 2011 4:24 PM EST reply actions

Question - Successful 1st Round Draft Choices

Has anyone researched the success rate of 1st round draft choices over the past 10 years achieving success with the teams drafting them? If so, where do the Jaguars stand in terms of success or lack thereof? It seems to me that the Jaguars have had inordinate bad luck.

by three finger on Dec 26, 2011 5:54 PM EST reply actions

Rec'd

Root for your team until the end!

by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Dec 26, 2011 6:14 PM EST reply actions

Everyone knows players jobs are on the line

But the bigger picture is that if the 49ers beat the Rams it’s in the best interests of the franchise to lose.

No Luck for the Colts. 3rd rather than 7th pick for us for every round. With Barkley and Landry returning surefire premium players are at a minimum.

3rd will get us Claiborne or Kalil. The 3rd pick in the 2nd round is a great place to get a starter who has surprisingly fallen through round one. Seventh not so much.

What could of happened; did.

by Mullayo on Dec 26, 2011 6:57 PM EST reply actions

Best case scenario..we lose in a shootout with Blaine having a good game..

Lets lose like 35-31 or something, ending the season with good offense, but getting a better pick..

by FgallosJAGS on Dec 26, 2011 7:59 PM EST reply actions

I guess it could be Gabberts first good game of the season.

by Ironmanxrs2 on Dec 26, 2011 8:37 PM EST up reply actions

Best case scenario

We win 150 – 0

Blaine throws for 10 TDs and 700 yards.

Peyton Manning cries.

by jstnblke41 on Dec 27, 2011 3:42 AM EST up reply actions

Best case scenario

We lose 150 – 149

Blaine throws for 10 TDs and 700 yards.

Peyton Manning dances for joy and breaks his neck never to play again..

What could of happened; did.

by Mullayo on Dec 27, 2011 4:12 AM EST up reply actions

Overboard

It’s a joke I know, but not a good one when you attach it to an injury, especially one like that.

by Ewdtrey on Dec 27, 2011 4:36 AM EST up reply actions

Peyton Would be fine

They can use a giraffe neck to do a transplant

Take stock in your lives, but leave your livestock alone

by MadKow on Dec 27, 2011 7:34 AM EST reply actions

disagree completely.

it hurts me to say this, but i want the colts to win. not for our draft position, but the colts will get andrew luck or a ton of picks from someone like washington. how is it fair that they get the qb of a generation, have one down year, and it happens to be when the best qb prospect since the last awesome guy they got is coming up? the jags will pick wherever. i just cant stand to see those a-holes over there get another once in a generation guy.

by m.w.bassett on Dec 28, 2011 1:17 PM EST reply actions