The Commanders are on a bye this week, so there will be four games left when they resume activities next week – and while yes, they are technically still alive for the playoffs, that could all be gone by next Sunday evening.
Realistically, it already is, and most would love to see the Commanders just lose out and get a Top 5 pick, as they're theoretically 'playing for nothing' – but as he has all week, BMitch is railing against that idea, because to him, no game is meaningless.
"We've gotten into a mindset this day and age where we care more about how many fantasy points we got than the team we cheer for winning," BMitch said. "I don't like watching football just to look at some fantasy points; I want to see the team I'm pulling for play better, and if they don't, I'm gonna say stuff to make them pissed at me – and if that's gonna make them be more accountable, I'm with that."
Doc Walker, who is older than Brian, joked "but you're a dinosaur," but BMitch had a point.
"A lot of adults try to act like the kids today are bad - you are worse than the kids today because you all now are following their damn lead, where you are cheering for individuals on Dallas because they're on your fantasy team," Brian said. "I want Dallas to lose every time they do anything. I don't care if they playing marbles, hopscotch, whatever…lose!"
Doc agrees, and acknowledges they are in the minority, although 'there is value in fighting a losing battle.'
"That's why the geniuses in sports figured out how to manage and maintain losing franchises with dignity: wagering," Doc said. "Ted Leonsis is a genius, he put it in his building so people come there to make money on his team losing and he went in both ways. Mediocrity now wears a different outfit."
Brian will be watching other teams this weekend hoping the Commanders can get to their level, watching what they're doing to see if the Commanders can find ways to make themselves better – but he still can't unsee people coming out of a stadium smiling after their team got waxed.
And that's where Doc brought the fantasy culture back to light.
"How can you think that it's weird when the guys lose and then they get half-naked on the field, taking their clothes off, signing and giving it to the guy that just abused them?" Doc said. "Ain't no way in the hell if I'm a coach! You can FedEx them, whatever you want to get it next week, get your behind in that locker room so I can wear you out verbally for an embarrassment."
Sadly, BMitch doesn't think coaches today have that mindset, but Doc brought out Indianapolis and Jacksonville of examples where a new culture can turn a team around quickly.
"I sit here every day discussing where we're trying to be, and how we get there for a prolonged period of time," Brian said. "Today, you have to have a mindset of three-to-five years, and then you adjust again. So many people get comfortable once they get something, but somebody's gonna catch on to that in two years – and the older coaches that are still doing it know they know a lot, but listen to the younger people around me. You just gotta be innovative enough and understanding enough to listen to the people that can bring new ideas to you. And as long as you have a team that plays with intensity, it'll work – when you lose intensity, I don't give a damn what stats or analytics say, you're gonna get your ass kicked."
