I've read a lot lately in the paper about how the Tiger-Cats have a losing culture. This actually makes a lot of sense to me, it seems like we are unwilling to do what it takes to win at times. Late in the 4th often we will get down in an otherwise competitive game, and then not get back up again. There is no rhyme or reason for it though, at least to me. You can't blame relatively poor 4th quarter performance on Maas. Why can we keep up, but not step it up when it counts to win the game? Or, when we are against the ropes? I think the "losing culture" idea explains this, once we get down, the attitude amongst the team seems to be, "here we go again, time to lay down", and they do.
And then I was thinking, this seems to be happening to the fans too. So often when at a game now, once we get down in an otherwise competitive game, the fans step out of it. Now I understand that first and foremost it is the player's responsiblity to GIVE the crowd SOMETHING, ANYTHING, to cheer about. And often lately they haven't been doing that. But at the same time, can we really moan about the player's laying down if we are doing the same thing? A few close losses against the best two teams in the league and we all start crying that the season's over (myself included). Thats a loser attitude.
I think we should get behind the team, I think this Friday we the fans should help them expunge the "culture of losing" by getting behind them 100%. We've tried moping around, "woah is us", we need a new QB (and maybe that is true), we need a new coach, we need a new defence, we need a new that, etc.. They've brought in new QBs, multiple times now. They've brought in new skilled players and retained old ones (Corey Holmes). They've brought in new coaches, GMs, everything, the best ones they could possibly find. What more do we want, seriously?
I know that complaining is easier because it involves placing the blame elsewhere, while still allowing the emotional release. But I think we've gone down that road far enough, as fans, with no results. Lets push this team up instead of pulling them down. I'm sick of losing as anyone, trust me, but I'm also sick and tired of being sick and tired every year, so I think its time to change that and get behind the team. I think this Friday, we need to support them like never before, making noise like its Labour Day and the Grey Cup wrapped into one, doing whatever it takes.