Cardinals Collapse, Part 1: The Culture of Losing Strikes Again
I think last night's loss by the Cardinals is worthy enough of three installments. This is the first.
I have to thank the rainout in St. Louis, because if that game hadn't been cancelled I'd have never made it home in time to watch the second half of the Cardinals/Bears game last night. What a game. It's the first time I've gotten to really observe the Culture of Losing in effect after discussing it earlier in the year.
Charles Barkley knew it. Tony Kornheiser knew it. Everyone at home knew it. The Cardinals, even up 23-3, were going to lose the game. Even the Cardinals fans knew it, and the team knew it as well. That's why the Cardinals began to sit on the lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter, despite the fact that Edgerrin James hasn't looked like a serviceable running back all season. The Cardinals, last night, perpetuated that defeatist attitude that has accompanied them throughout their entire history. The Bears knew they could win the game. That's why they won, despite being so outplayed for most of the game.
