Clint Oldenburg: Losing Sucks (But the season goes on)

By: Clint Oldenburg | Posted: December 20, 2010

In case you didn’t know we are 5-9 and mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. So what happens when the season doesn't go as planned?   Well since I’m experiencing just that right now, let me tell you.

Losing sucks.  Anybody can tell you that. Think about how you feel as a fan after your team loses, multiply that feeling by 100 and that's how we feel.

But you have to fight through it.  Any coach will tell you that at the top of their scouting checklist is effort.  Ask Coach Shanahan.. He wants players that play hard all the time, regardless of score, record or anything else.  At this point, we can't control the past. But we can control our effort and attention to detail, and at this point that's how we will be evaluated at Redskin Park.  

Once the playoffs were out reach for us, the focus shifted to doing the right things for setting a positive foundation.  Can you be coached in this system?  Do you still concentrate on the little things?  Are you still in the film room looking for an edge in the next game?  Is your head placement correct on the outside zone?  We play the same and practice the same whether we are 14-0 or 5-9, but the powers that be now need to see who will fit into the future plan. And we know that.  If I want to be a part of the solution in Washington, I've got to show the coaches and my teammates that I can be counted on, no matter what.

In order for the organization to evaluate everybody, more guys will get opportunities that maybe wouldn't during a playoff run.  With all of our new faces, both coaches and players alike, that process applies to everybody in burgundy and gold.  I don't claim to know anything about our recent quarterback switch, but I do know it would be hard to evaluate the other quarterbacks on the roster if they never get any game action.  There was surprise among the team because Donovan McNabb is a respected teammate, a team captain and the whole organization supports him, but also because we were all reminded that there are no guarantees in the business of the NFL. Rex Grossman and John Beck are teammates too and will get the same support, confidence and effort as Donovan. 

For the younger guys, we are out there to prove we belong on the team this year and beyond.  If I were able to play in our last two games, against Jacksonville and the Giants, my main goal would be to show up and be a playmaker.  Finish every play and get that extra block.  Both in the games and in practice.  Show an enthusiasm for the game. As a young player, you've got to put on tape that you genuinely care about the game and winning and you're willing to do whatever it takes for the team.  You've got to make everybody see that they cannot afford to get rid of you because you are an integral part to success.  And even if it doesn't work out that way, you still have put out good game tape for other teams to watch.  The fastest way out of the league is to show on film that you quit because you're losing.  You'll never find a job again.

For the veterans, most of whom are leaders in the locker room, they want to get the season turned around so they can enjoy winning games.  Wins are hard to come by in this business and any win is a moment to celebrate.  Phillip Daniels and London Fletcher understand how important every moment in the NFL is a million times better than I do at this point in my career.  And let's not forget, they too want to be a part of the solution and make damn sure the next round of young talent to come into the league doesn't replace them.  But, as Herm Edwards says best, WE PLAY TO WIN THE GAME.

Those veteran leaders are also the reason the locker room dynamics don't change much.  It’s still our sanctuary, the one place we can go to be ourselves and not worry about anybody interpreting our actions and words.  Obviously, it is a more deflated place once the losses start to pile up but it’s also a place to come together as a team and see just how close we were to winning these games.  Nobody in the locker room talks about playing spoiler.  There's no infighting.  There's no vacation- planning.  It's still a place of blood, sweat and tears and a place where you see your leaders in action.  

The bottom line is nobody likes to lose.  But adversity makes everybody better.  Working towards the future must begin now.

HAIL

For more from Clint, including his thoughts on the potential lockout, check out his Player's Perspective blog.

Write a comment

• Required fields are marked with *.

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Comment: *

Help prevent spam - enter security code above: