Getty ImagesIf you’re not watching Pro Football Talk on NBC Sports Network at 5:00 p.m. every Monday through Friday, you’re in a continuously-shrinking group. In our second month, folks are watching the show — and a surprising number are enjoying it, despite my involvement in it.
One enjoyable segment in which I wasn’t involved came Friday, when cohost Erik Kuselias interviewed Ravens receiver Torrey Smith. Among other things, Smith has a very pragmatic view of how a team achieves success in the NFL.
“I think if you don’t get to the Super Bowl and win it, you know, it’s not successful,” Smith said. “That’s just my personal opinion. That’s just my personal opinion, I don’t know if everybody thinks about it that way. In my opinion, there is 1 winner every year and 31 losers. You know, so if you don’t get there and win it all then that season was a waste. I’m sure there are a lot of guys in the league that feel the same way.”
He’s right. Unlike college football, where plenty of teams finish their season with a bowl win and the lingering sense of satisfaction that comes with it, the NFL has only one ultimate winner every year.
For that reason, some owners define success not by trophies but by treasure — as in how much cash they can earn and keep. Many players, too, realize that even without the Super Bowl reward the profession of professional football is very rewarding.
For true competitors, though, there’s only one way to ultimately feel good about how the season ends. And only one of 32 teams gets to truly feel good about it.
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I’m glad to hear it. Every player in the NFL should feel this way. After all thats what they get paid for.
That should be goal of every player. Often, their desire to be paid more, is the main goal.
I don’t blame them either way.
To to sum up: Torrey Smith’s goal is to win the Super Bowl.
How exactly does this make him different than the other 1,695 players in the league?
How was Torrey Smith a second round pick? Monster.
This is the attitude of a winner! Every Team, Coach, and Player should be saying this every week starting at OTAs.
He is correct, they have a super bowl every year.
And Torey. why would any of your peers not want to win it every year also. They aren’t on the field for their health or to get beat up for the fun of it. Duh!