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There is no such thing as a trap game in the NFL

Cruzin : 9/28/2016 2:24 pm
The 2-0 Giants didn't lose last week because they underestimated the 0-2 Redskins and the 3-0 Vikings will not play any softer against a Jints team they handled easily last year.

It's a term mostly used by bookies to entice the money to even out on the underdog side and frequently used as banter for talking heads and fans on sports chat sites.

In the actual game, it doesn't exist.

Just sayin'.

You may now return to bashing Eli for your air conditioner breaking down and just now being informed that Freon is no longer legal so you have to redo all the inside components as well to meet required specifications.
...  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 9/28/2016 2:25 pm : link
Last weekend's game wasn't a "trap game" but they do exist.
RE: ...  
Mike in Long Beach : 9/28/2016 2:30 pm : link
In comment 13146907 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
Last weekend's game wasn't a "trap game" but they do exist.


Hahaha, could not have responded better myself.

Exactly right in every way.
RE: ...  
Cruzin : 9/28/2016 2:37 pm : link
In comment 13146907 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
Last weekend's game wasn't a "trap game" but they do exist.


Steve Marriuchi was talking about this last week, quoting Bill Walsh in his explanation. Let's say me, Bill Walsh and Mooch are wrong, do you any specific examples you'd like to share or you just disagree with the premise that preparation for one team by another isn't mentally be affected by another team's record?
Giants  
ryanmkeane : 9/28/2016 2:37 pm : link
aren't good enough to consider any game a trap game. Back in 2009 or 2010? Probably. Since then, not a one.
RE: RE: ...  
Cruzin : 9/28/2016 2:41 pm : link
In comment 13146916 Cruzin said:
Quote:
In comment 13146907 Eric from BBI said:


Quote:


Last weekend's game wasn't a "trap game" but they do exist.



Steve Marriuchi was talking about this last week, quoting Bill Walsh in his explanation. Let's say me, Bill Walsh and Mooch are wrong, do you have any specific examples you'd like to share or you just disagree with the premise that preparation for one team another isn't mentally be affected by another team's record?


[/] response corrected[/i]
I agree  
UConn4523 : 9/28/2016 2:44 pm : link
"trap game" is an overused concept that used to mean a really good team playing a really bad team that may be able to exploit a weakness and surprise. Basically a new cute way of saying "extreme underdog".

Fans tend to think teams see the Browns on their schedule followed by the Patriots, and that all preparation shifts to the Patriots in 2 weeks, instead of the Browns this week. That doesn't happen.
Saying "trap games" don't exist  
BlackLight : 9/28/2016 2:45 pm : link
is the same as saying that teams never underestimate other teams based on past performance.
We'll skip the italics correction  
Cruzin : 9/28/2016 2:45 pm : link

Eric, I ask because you say last week wasn't a trap game for the Giants. If you think that mental preparation is affected by who's up next, why in the world would you not subscribe to OBJ's preparation for Josh Norman not to be a factor?
RE: I agree  
Cruzin : 9/28/2016 2:48 pm : link
In comment 13146929 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
"trap game" is an overused concept that used to mean a really good team playing a really bad team that may be able to exploit a weakness and surprise. Basically a new cute way of saying "extreme underdog".

Fans tend to think teams see the Browns on their schedule followed by the Patriots, and that all preparation shifts to the Patriots in 2 weeks, instead of the Browns this week. That doesn't happen.


Fekker says: "Uh oh, UConn's a smart guy, I may have kissed Eric's ass too fast this time"
Somebody define what a trap game is  
Montreal Man : 9/28/2016 2:53 pm : link
It might help us all to define upcoming games for our amusement.
RE: RE: I agree  
Mike in Long Beach : 9/28/2016 2:55 pm : link
In comment 13146939 Cruzin said:
Quote:
In comment 13146929 UConn4523 said:


Quote:


"trap game" is an overused concept that used to mean a really good team playing a really bad team that may be able to exploit a weakness and surprise. Basically a new cute way of saying "extreme underdog".

Fans tend to think teams see the Browns on their schedule followed by the Patriots, and that all preparation shifts to the Patriots in 2 weeks, instead of the Browns this week. That doesn't happen.



Fekker says: "Uh oh, UConn's a smart guy, I may have kissed Eric's ass too fast this time"


Haha, I think Eric would agree I hardly kiss his ass. But you just made a dumb post and he summed up why very efficiently.
Trap games exist, just mostly not this early in the season  
Mike in Long Beach : 9/28/2016 2:56 pm : link
They mostly happen later in the year when a team that has nothing to play for (and no pressure) can discover their identity while playing loose, care free football. They can take down a team that is either tense or underestimated their opponent or both.

So there is certainly "such a thing," and Eric pointed this out, while also noting that the Washington game was not one.
RE: Somebody define what a trap game is  
Cruzin : 9/28/2016 2:57 pm : link
In comment 13146951 Montreal Man said:
Quote:
It might help us all to define upcoming games for our amusement.


I thought you were here for our amusement?
WHEW!  
Montreal Man : 9/28/2016 2:58 pm : link
I'm glad I didn't offer my definition.
The idea that is in overused term i irrelevant to the thread title.  
Mike in Long Beach : 9/28/2016 3:04 pm : link
I agree it's thrown around carelessly. But as blacklight put it, saying it "doesn't exist" is the same as saying a strong team can't lose to a bad team because they underestimated their opponent.

People as whole under value the amount of psychology that goes into playing sports. Baseball probably is the biggest mind fuck for athletes, but football is certainly no exception. Playing with confidence can overcome physical deficiencies. If you trust what you're doing and believe in it, then your brain fires the signals to your muscles just a microsecond earlier, but that can be plenty in sports. You more with more conviction and are better at your craft for it.
Later in the year?  
Cruzin : 9/28/2016 3:06 pm : link

I knew it had something to do with the color of the leaves that leads to snowfall amounts in January but...

Silver Senior, you coming back to see us soon?
When the undefeated Bronco's  
Doomster : 9/28/2016 3:06 pm : link
lost to the Kent Graham Giants, that wasn't a trap game?

Even the NBC network was salivating on a Bronco/Miami game, the following week....
Probably just semantics  
steve in ky : 9/28/2016 3:07 pm : link
and just as Coughlin liked to call the "Red Zone" the "Green Zone" other coaches may not like or use the term "trap game".

But if a team is in the hunt for a division title and has a game against a losing much weaker non-divisional or conference team sandwiched between two important games against divisional rivals with good records all vying for a divisional title it certainly can be considered a trap game regardless if you like the term or not.
RE: The idea that is in overused term i irrelevant to the thread title.  
Cruzin : 9/28/2016 3:09 pm : link
In comment 13146971 Mike in Long Beach said:
Quote:
I agree it's thrown around carelessly. But as blacklight put it, saying it "doesn't exist" is the same as saying a strong team can't lose to a bad team because they underestimated their opponent.

People as whole under value the amount of psychology that goes into playing sports. Baseball probably is the biggest mind fuck for athletes, but football is certainly no exception. Playing with confidence can overcome physical deficiencies. If you trust what you're doing and believe in it, then your brain fires the signals to your muscles just a microsecond earlier, but that can be plenty in sports. You more with more conviction and are better at your craft for it.


OK Mike, if you say so.

A wise manh once told me, know when to shut up, it's easier to get out of a shallower hole...
This thread  
bignygfan : 9/28/2016 3:37 pm : link
is definitely a trap!
RE: RE: The idea that is in overused term i irrelevant to the thread title.  
Mike in Long Beach : 9/28/2016 3:41 pm : link
In comment 13146984 Cruzin said:
Quote:
In comment 13146971 Mike in Long Beach said:


Quote:


I agree it's thrown around carelessly. But as blacklight put it, saying it "doesn't exist" is the same as saying a strong team can't lose to a bad team because they underestimated their opponent.

People as whole under value the amount of psychology that goes into playing sports. Baseball probably is the biggest mind fuck for athletes, but football is certainly no exception. Playing with confidence can overcome physical deficiencies. If you trust what you're doing and believe in it, then your brain fires the signals to your muscles just a microsecond earlier, but that can be plenty in sports. You more with more conviction and are better at your craft for it.



OK Mike, if you say so.

A wise manh once told me, know when to shut up, it's easier to get out of a shallower hole...


Cruzin.. being real here. Do you actually not believe/understand anything I posted that in that post? I don't know anyone who would even think to debate the impact of psychology on sports performance. Are you denying such an element exists? Forget trap games and just answer that if you could.
-  
Joey from GlenCove : 9/28/2016 3:43 pm : link
Just out of curiosity I googled coaches talking about trap games  
steve in ky : 9/28/2016 3:43 pm : link
and some do use the term which goes to my first point that it's probably just semantics in that some coaches embrace the term and others as pointed out by the OP don't. But the situation can exist regardless of how one chooses to describe it.

Here is one example where Bruce Arians uses it:

"-- Arians played up “Niners Week” because that Cardinals hadn’t won in San Francisco since 2008 prior to last season. “Guys who have been here for a while know what this means,” Arians said. “I don’t know how the 49ers could be a trap game for us. We haven’t won there in eight years. It’s a division road game. Nothing else really needs to be said.”




Link - ( New Window )
Divisional Home game better never  
Frank from CA : 9/28/2016 3:47 pm : link
come close to being a trap game regardless of record or placement in the schedule. Wasted opportunity is what it was.
Of course trap games exist  
Giants2012 : 9/28/2016 3:55 pm : link
yet no way a division rival in week 3 is a trap.

If the a ravens weren't 3-0 I'd say they are a trap game. Otherwise, Detroit who is sandwiched between Dallas and Philly followed by the Skins is a trap or maybe Cleveland.
Trap games are a myth  
Torrag : 9/28/2016 4:04 pm : link
Show up on Sunday or whenever these days and play well or you'll get beat by almost every team in the league barring a few roster abortions in certain seasons.
RE: Trap games are a myth  
steve in ky : 9/28/2016 4:28 pm : link
In comment 13147108 Torrag said:
Quote:
Show up on Sunday or whenever these days and play well or you'll get beat by almost every team in the league barring a few roster abortions in certain seasons.


Sure but a trap game is one explanation of why in certain situation teams don't always do that (show up and play well)

Trap games don't mean a team can't or wont win those games if they play well.
'explanation of why in a certain situation'...  
Torrag : 9/28/2016 4:31 pm : link
...that's called making excuses why the opponent beat your sorry ass when you were 'the favorite'.
RE: Just out of curiosity I googled coaches talking about trap games  
Cruzin : 9/28/2016 4:36 pm : link
In comment 13147048 steve in ky said:
Quote:
and some do use the term which goes to my first point that it's probably just semantics in that some coaches embrace the term and others as pointed out by the OP don't. But the situation can exist regardless of how one chooses to describe it.

Here is one example where Bruce Arians uses it:

"-- Arians played up “Niners Week” because that Cardinals hadn’t won in San Francisco since 2008 prior to last season. “Guys who have been here for a while know what this means,” Arians said. “I don’t know how the 49ers could be a trap game for us. We haven’t won there in eight years. It’s a division road game. Nothing else really needs to be said.”


Link - ( New Window )


steve, assuming Arians was answering a media question ( which it pretty much looks like) he totally dismissed the idea that trap games exist. I don't think that really helps your side of the question.
LOL  
steve in ky : 9/28/2016 4:37 pm : link
Of course it's an excuse but it is still an explanation of why in certain situation team unexpectedly fail. Nobody believes a trap game makes the loss valid.

That is how/why the term came to be, coaches called it that in order to try and motivate his players to not fall into the trap of looking past an easy opponent and fail.

Calling it a trap game doesn't excuse the loss, if anything it magnifies how bad it was, in that they the better team lost to the lessor team they should have beaten.

RE: RE: Just out of curiosity I googled coaches talking about trap games  
steve in ky : 9/28/2016 4:39 pm : link
In comment 13147172 Cruzin said:
Quote:
In comment 13147048 steve in ky said:


Quote:


and some do use the term which goes to my first point that it's probably just semantics in that some coaches embrace the term and others as pointed out by the OP don't. But the situation can exist regardless of how one chooses to describe it.

Here is one example where Bruce Arians uses it:

"-- Arians played up “Niners Week” because that Cardinals hadn’t won in San Francisco since 2008 prior to last season. “Guys who have been here for a while know what this means,” Arians said. “I don’t know how the 49ers could be a trap game for us. We haven’t won there in eight years. It’s a division road game. Nothing else really needs to be said.”


Link - ( New Window )



steve, assuming Arians was answering a media question ( which it pretty much looks like) he totally dismissed the idea that trap games exist. I don't think that really helps your side of the question.


He didn't say or imply they didn't exist. He was saying because of who they were facing he didn't think it could become one.
Parcells once used this trick  
steve in ky : 9/28/2016 4:46 pm : link
Quote:
He also indulged in his now famous motivational ploy of placing mousetraps in his players’ lockers as a warning about not taking any team — especially one with a losing record — lightly. When Parcells was the Cowboys’ coach in 2005, he had several mousetraps hanging in the locker room when his team reported for work a few days after a dramatic 21-20 road win in Philadelphia. The Cowboys were set to host the 4-5 Lions, and Parcells was concerned that his players might be too complacent.


Why do you think he used mousetraps?


Link - ( New Window )
RE: RE: RE: The idea that is in overused term i irrelevant to the thread title.  
Cruzin : 9/28/2016 4:46 pm : link
In comment 13147043 Mike in Long Beach said:
Quote:
In comment 13146984 Cruzin said:


Quote:


In comment 13146971 Mike in Long Beach said:


Quote:


I agree it's thrown around carelessly. But as blacklight put it, saying it "doesn't exist" is the same as saying a strong team can't lose to a bad team because they underestimated their opponent.

People as whole under value the amount of psychology that goes into playing sports. Baseball probably is the biggest mind fuck for athletes, but football is certainly no exception. Playing with confidence can overcome physical deficiencies. If you trust what you're doing and believe in it, then your brain fires the signals to your muscles just a microsecond earlier, but that can be plenty in sports. You more with more conviction and are better at your craft for it.



OK Mike, if you say so.

A wise manh once told me, know when to shut up, it's easier to get out of a shallower hole...



Cruzin.. being real here. Do you actually not believe/understand anything I posted that in that post? I don't know anyone who would even think to debate the impact of psychology on sports performance. Are you denying such an element exists? Forget trap games and just answer that if you could.


Mike, I like you, you're passionate and don't take any shit from people and I'd rather not have a back n forth with you anymore than I have already. Hopefully you'll see that is not based on the merits of your argument.

Here, let me put it in terms so you might better understand the demeanor in which I'm addressing you.

after 10 long years they let me out of the home ( excitable they all said, excitable boy) and I dug up her grave and built a cage with her bones ( excitable boy they all said, excitable boy... )
Based on what I've seen of both teams,  
Go Terps : 9/28/2016 4:50 pm : link
the Giants might get stomped.

They don't strike me as a team equipped to deal with injuries. I especially don't trust Spags when he is working with less than his first team.
RE: Later in the year?  
Montreal Man : 9/28/2016 6:46 pm : link
In comment 13146974 Cruzin said:
Quote:

I knew it had something to do with the color of the leaves that leads to snowfall amounts in January but...

Silver Senior, you coming back to see us soon?


Cruisin Invite me and I'll be there. Unless you're in Northern Washington. My E-mail is in my profile. That said ...

Who are you!?
Another Trap Game Example  
bigfish703 : 9/28/2016 9:05 pm : link
A long time ago (1947) an undefeated Army team (36 straight wins) came into New York City to play poor little Ivy League Columbia. A laugher, right? Final score: Columbia 21, Army 20. Now, that was trap game.

Of course they exist.
2008 the Giants were blown out by the Browns  
Giants2012 : 9/28/2016 9:32 pm : link
Nah, not a trap game
1990 season  
NINEster : 9/29/2016 12:00 am : link
Giants and 49ers start 10-0, then both lose a game before playing each other.
RE: 2008 the Giants were blown out by the Browns  
bradshaw44 : 9/29/2016 12:08 am : link
In comment 13147438 Giants2012 said:
Quote:
Nah, not a trap game


That damn UFO defense.
RE: RE: Later in the year?  
Cruzin : 9/29/2016 12:20 am : link
In comment 13147278 Montreal Man said:
Quote:
In comment 13146974 Cruzin said:


Quote:



I knew it had something to do with the color of the leaves that leads to snowfall amounts in January but...

Silver Senior, you coming back to see us soon?



Cruisin Invite me and I'll be there. Unless you're in Northern Washington. My E-mail is in my profile. That said ...

Who are you!?


The proud father of a son who's the proud owner of a model '71 Red Mustang whose wheels turns by themselves and doors fully function that some old guy gave him years ago that he stills plays with and waxes occasionally. He loves that car!

I'll email you tomorrow.
Ahhhhhhh, THAT Cruzin'  
Montreal Man : 9/29/2016 8:19 am : link
...
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