Yet another reason why Cris Carter is a moron

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by warriorzpath

Maybe I am, but given his national presence he has influence over a lot of people. I hate hype, but I think perception affects the performance of the team. That's why I think that grossmans declaration of winning NFC east was a good move because it got other people to think the opposite of cowherd's opinion. You cant deny that what grossman said had an affect (especially before the steelers game) because they put it on sportscenter and they were saying he was an idiot. It was a brilliant move that not only benefitted him but instilled some confidence in the team.

I really think you are ascribing WAAAY too much importance to the expression of opinions.

Even if I accept that an ESPN analyst's opinion has influence over a lot of people, I get off the train long before I think that such influence/perception has significant influence over "on-the-field-performance" on Sundays in the NFL.

You say that I cannot deny that Grossman's comments had an affect (sic). Excuse me, but I am now going to deny that statement completely. Grossman's comments and the Redskins' performance on the field against the Steelers in a meaningless exhibition game had next to nothing to do with one another. That is my unalterable opinion; you are free to maintain yours.

If your opinion is correct, then either QB for the Skins this year will be able to leverage all of the negativity that has been heaped on the team - - and on the QBs themselves - - to attain a record of at least 13-3. I, on the other hand, am not counting that as a realistic possibility.

And if negtive media reports on a team are fodder for extremely positive motivation, then the Bengals ought to be 8 -5 favorites to win the Super Bowl in Feb 2010. Somehow, I think that is not a likely outcome to the season...