Question on "tanking"

[dbair1967]

We all know we're better off losing this weekend and I am sure if our team somehow wins to finish 5-11, there will be mass criticism of the franchise. We could drop as low as 8th in the draft if we win.

So the question is how do you ensure you "tank" a game? There are some players potentially playing for jobs here (or elsewhere) next year. They have motivation to go out and play well. There are definitely some players who would never remotely consider playing with no effort to ensure a loss, because they are competitive by nature and want to do well. Then there is the Redskins motivation, they have nothing to play for and might prefer to rest some key players and/or remove guys early since they have a playoff game next week.

I expect that the defense will play well enough to keep the game close. What happens if Kellen Moore is on the field with two mins to go and we are losing by 4 pts? Do you have him hand off 4 or 5 times in a row to ensure a loss? I've never seen anything like that happen since I started watching football back in the mid 70's.

 

[peplaw06]

I don't think anyone would actually tank a game on the field if it were close in the final quarter. What some of us think of as tanking can be spun as resting guys for the playoffs or to prevent further unjury in a meaningless game... but that usually comes in the form of the best players just not playing at all, not from something like pulling them at the end of the game.

But this team is so bad, I don't think you even need to try to tank. Sure some of the guys who will end up playing will be playing for future jobs, so they want to show well... but those guys who will play for Washington will have the same incentive. Without Dez on the field, there really is no chance we have dynamic plays. Maybe McFadden, but you know Washington will load up on him.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

So the question is how do you ensure you "tank" a game?

Just put this guy on the sideline.

 

[cmd34]

Just put this guy on the sideline.
View attachment 3223

Wrong!!! That is how you tank a franchise.

 

[Dustdevil]

Devil's Advocate....

Would the player you get at 4 be that much better than the cap money you save by picking at 8?

Just a thought.

 

[SixisBetter]

Simple.
Call Tampa two shell coverage on defense until you are down a couple scores.
Act like you realize your error,play reg defense.
Then have Moore/Showers/Charlie Waters huck the ball around like Dan Fouts with a fresh 8 ball.
Hilarity ensues.
Also top 5 draft pick.

 

[bbgun]

Players (esp backups) don't deliberately tank. They have jobs to play for. Only coaches can affect an outcome by deciding who plays and what plays to call.

 

[peplaw06]

Simple.
Call Tampa two shell coverage on defense until you are down a couple scores.
Act like you realize your error,play reg defense.
Then have Moore/Showers/Charlie Waters huck the ball around like Dan Fouts with a fresh 8 ball.
Hilarity ensues.
Also top 5 draft pick.

How about blitz 11 guys every play on defense and punt on first downs on offense.

 

[Midswat]

Top picks don't get paid ridiculous amounts anymore since they changed the rookie pay scale, so yes.

 

[yimyammer]

Wrong!!! That is how you tank a franchise.

If he is, he's just taking on the torch passed down from his master:

 

[cockstrong]

If we originally had the 6th pick in the draft when Claiborne was drafted we wouldn't have to give up the additional pick we did for the all pro player