The Seahawks are 2-8, if my memory serves me correctly and ever since they were 2-4 I've heard rumblings about how Seahawks fans should root for the Seahawks to lose the rest of their games and obtain a high draft pick. I consider this notion in the same realm as Holmgren should resign and Hasslebeck should be cut, but since its grown exceedingly popular. I have decided to address it.
The theory of tanking is to obtain a high draft choice and set yourself up for the future. It seems innocent enough. Until you look at the byproducts of such a methodology.
1. It fosters a losing attitude on the team. There is a reason the Cardinals, until this year, have struggled so often, or the Bengals, or Lions lose year after year. Sometimes its talent, but a lot of it is attitude. If a front office chooses to quit on the season, it doesn't foster a winning attitude.
2. Contrary to popular belief, it is not whats best for the team. As a fan, hoping your team loses the rest of their games to obtain a higher draft pick is insanely naive. Continual losses mean that there are more holes to fill than you originally thought. The players aren't developing and one high draft pick will not even come close to solving the teams problems. In fact, in this case, the team is better off trading away their higher draft picks for a multitude of good picks in order to build for the future. On the flip side, if a team that is out of playoff contention finishes the season strong, it proves that the team is headed in the right direction, players at positions whose ability was in question show tangible improvement, team morale is strengthened, the team has something to build on. Examples of this
1997 Atlanta Falcons: Finished 7-9 after starting 1-7. Super Bowl Birth the next season.
2002 Seattle Seahawks started 1-5: Finished 7-9, won last three games. 10-6 and the playoffs the next season.
2002 Carolina Panthers, won 4 of last 5, finished 7-9. Went to the Super Bowl the following season.
I could go on all day.
Keywords: Seahawks
