Pointless Stats

#3- 80% of the league could have fumbled that ball...it was a perfect defensive move.
I disagree - had Betts put both hands on the ball, it probably wouldn't have come out. This is very basic technique for a RB in that situation (tie game, 2 minute drill, already have the first down): you do everything you can to protect the ball. Betts didn't. If he had and it still came out, then, yes, it would have been a perfect defensive move and you couldn't blame Betts for it.

#4- If we won, we lose out on a higher draft pick. If we win, we only hurt ourselves from here. So losing actually helps us. Not that we're cheering for a loss....
I thought about posting something like this, but I just can't get that rational about the Skins. I want them to win every game, even if, somehow, it hurts us. It's a mentality I want to see in them, I guess. The only exception would be resting starters in a game that has no impact, but even that I'm not crazy about.

I disagree - had Betts put both hands on the ball, it probably wouldn't have come out. This is very basic technique for a RB in that situation (tie game, 2 minute drill, already have the first down): you do everything you can to protect the ball. Betts didn't. If he had and it still came out, then, yes, it would have been a perfect defensive move and you couldn't blame Betts for it.

I agree to an extent, but it's hard to always do the right thing...he was getting grabbed and was twisted, so his arm came out. It happens to the best of them...it just happened at an inopportune time.


I thought about posting something like this, but I just can't get that rational about the Skins. I want them to win every game, even if, somehow, it hurts us. It's a mentality I want to see in them, I guess. The only exception would be resting starters in a game that has no impact, but even that I'm not crazy about.

I will never ever cheer for a loss, I was pissed when he fumbled. That was just the hindsight fan in me.

#1- no one is perfect.
#2- Betts single handedly has won us games.
#3- 80% of the league could have fumbled that ball...it was a perfect defensive move.
And most importantly
#4- If we won, we lose out on a higher draft pick. If we win, we only hurt ourselves from here. So losing actually helps us. Not that we're cheering for a loss....oh wait, I'll try your approach:
Are we cheering for a loss? No.
Are the skins playing to lose? No.
Will the Skins get a higher draft pick when they lose? Yes.
Is anyone perfect? No.
Is answering every one of your questions annoying? YES.

Give Betts a break, it's his first full time RB gig. I don't see people going after Campbell's throat when he messes up either, because we all know there are growing pains involved. We all saw the fumble and all got pissed...but it's part of the process. You can't learn to win without learning to lose.


I really could give a damn whether or not you like way I went about writing that post. I was trying to cut people off before they continued to put words in my mouth. Now, in response to your post...trying to get a higher draft pick is a stupid reason to not care about losing football games. The Skins moved up in the draft? Awesome, now maybe they can get another gem like Carlos Rogers!

As for not being perfect, I never said I expected him to be. I do expect him to play smart football and put two hands on the ball with under 2 minutes in the fourth quarter and you're driving into your opponents territory. When I was playing pee wee football they used to tell running backs to put 2 hands on the ball. I don't expect perfection, I also don't expect a veteran player who gets a shot at starting to make rookie mistakes. I also didn't expect him to elevate himself to a level where he would fumble as frequently as anyone in the league. I don't expect perfection, I expect him to hang onto the ball a little more than he has been...

And also, name me a game he "single handedly" won.

I agree to an extent, but it's hard to always do the right thing...he was getting grabbed and was twisted, so his arm came out. It happens to the best of them...it just happened at an inopportune time.




I will never ever cheer for a loss, I was pissed when he fumbled. That was just the hindsight fan in me.

See, these points I agree with. The play was good by Chavous, however, it wasn't perfect. Having a guy wrapped up and then punching at the football is not usually the best way to force a fumble. If someone else came over and stripped him, I would be taking it a lot easier on him. However, the situation being what it was, that was just poor techincal football from Betts. I'm sure it was a mental lapse, but he puts it on the ground kind of a lot. He needs to get better at it.

As for not cheering for a loss, I'm glad to hear. If the fans adopt an attitude where it's okay for the Skins to lose, then what the hell do we have to cheer for? And why would we even bother watching for that matter?

Is this driving anyone else insane? The commentators bringing up these completely pointless stats, there is now a stat for everything. ex. (first qb to throw for a 25 yard gain in the last minute of the third quarter in four consecutive games since 1985).


So whats worse, pointless stats? or pointless commentary by Madden?

Sounds like a poll question to me... lol

See, these points I agree with. The play was good by Chavous, however, it wasn't perfect. Having a guy wrapped up and then punching at the football is not usually the best way to force a fumble. If someone else came over and stripped him, I would be taking it a lot easier on him. However, the situation being what it was, that was just poor techincal football from Betts. I'm sure it was a mental lapse, but he puts it on the ground kind of a lot. He needs to get better at it.

Yes he does! He's not the first good runner to have these issues.

As for not cheering for a loss, I'm glad to hear. If the fans adopt an attitude where it's okay for the Skins to lose, then what the hell do we have to cheer for? And why would we even bother watching for that matter?

I had a feeling that you were thinking i was accepting losing as an "i don't care" scenario. Not true at all. I hate it when my Skins lose. I'm just trying to cope. :D

I really could give a damn whether or not you like way I went about writing that post.

Obviously you do care since you commented on it. However, it was a joke man...go smoke a bowl or something...it's Christmas.
The rest of your post was too negative to comment on.

You are a Skins fan right? Or are you still bitter about the poor season we've endured?

Obviously you do care since you commented on it. However, it was a joke man...go smoke a bowl or something...it's Christmas.
The rest of your post was too negative to comment on.

You are a Skins fan right? Or are you still bitter about the poor season we've endured?

Lol...got me there man.

Yeah, I'm still a Skins fan, just keeps getting harder and harder though.

Also, I was under the impression that you were one of the people who just didn't care that they were losing because the season is over as far as playoffs are concerned. Glad to know that's not how you feel.

I don't expect perfection, I expect him to hang onto the ball a little more than he has been...


Something the entire defense might be able to learn, too. Seeing as how they've converted less turnovers that they should have had (dropped INT's, missed opportunities for fumbles/sacks, etc.) than Ladell has lost fumbles.

Something the entire defense might be able to learn, too. Seeing as how they've converted less turnovers that they should have had (dropped INT's, missed opportunities for fumbles/sacks, etc.) than Ladell has lost fumbles.

Yeah, at least Carlos finally held on to one last week. Hopefully, it will lead to him being more confident and hanging on to more and more...hopefully