"There's always next year." As a fan of terrible sports teams, I have grown accustomed to hearing this statement. It’s true, there’s always a chance for any given team to go to playoffs each year. For the most part, fans remain optimistic. But in some cases, “next year” will be said for quite some time. There were 108 “next years” in the case of the Chicago Cubs.

As both a Philadelphia Phillies and Jacksonville Jaguars fan, I have had my fair share of “next years.” October of 2008 was nice time, but since then I have been waiting. “Rebuilding” comes to mind. It might have been justified for a couple years, but it has been eight. Hopefully it won’t be 100 more!

The Phillies are at least a decent team. They have a few World Series wins over the years. I think I have more faith in them than the Jaguars. This football season, the Jaguars have been laughable. The off-season was optimistic. There were thoughts of a playoff team! But here I sit supporting a 2-9 (probably 2-10 after this is published) team. In Jacksonville, this wouldn’t be a terrible feeling. Unfortunately, I am in Patriot country, so circumstances are a little different. Trying to compare the Patriots and Jaguars is nearly impossible.

The best the Jaguars can do right is go 7-9 (or 6-10), which would require them to win every game for the rest of the season. I’m not psychic, but it doesn’t take one to recognize that this won’t happen. I sense a 2-14 or maybe 3-13 year. 4-12 if we’re extremely lucky.

I don’t mean to sound negative, but I just have the mindset of a Jaguars fan. I am not surprised by fumbles or interceptions. I have learned to almost expect them. It’s sad but true.

I won’t have much to say about the Phillies until April, but I have a lot to learn. I no longer watch the 2008 World Series Championship team. Nearly all of those members have been traded. I am optimistic for new players and faces.

Luckily for me, the teams in this area do not rival my fandoms. It’s difficult enough to support one of the laughingstocks of the NFL, much less see them pitted against the Patriots.

Hearing “There’s always next year” gets old after a while, but I plan to remain a fan through the tough times. Nobody likes bandwagon fans, anyway.