Where are all the football fans?

Tom C · Post by **Tom C** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:25 pm

Where are all the football fans?

I don’t go to all the Redskins games. I do go to a lot of football games. I go to most Maryland home games, plus several Ravens and Redskins home games each year. I’m a one hundred percent Redskins fan. My parents grew up in DC. I root for the Redskins.

It seems like Danny has gotten most of the people addicted to “off season” winning. When is the last time we lost the off-season? When was the last time we won the off season, meaningful in the real season?

In 2002 and 2003 the Ravens were putting a better product on the field. I don’t care about the win/loss record, when you went to a game; the players were laying it out, earning their money. Enjoying football is not just about your team winning, it’s about seeing the team give everything they have to win.

Last year (2004) was the first year in a long time where I felt that the Skins were putting a better product on the field. They fought tooth and nail in every single game. I’m willing to go to that kind of game since I know I’m getting my monies worth. Was I disappointed when they lost games? Certainly, I was, but I was able to walk away knowing I saw a good football game where my team gave a ton of effort. When the Skins played Philly at home last year that was an awesome game. They lost but the Eagle won’t take them lightly next time because they know that they were out played.

We all want those efforts to turn into wins. Well most do, maybe those people who are concerned that people they like are gone, the jerseys they paid for are useless, and they can no longer be worshiped are concerned. The winning skins teams had some really good players but no one to worship.

We’ll see what happens this year. I’m willing to pay good money to go to the games as long as I see maximum effort. That’s what life is about and that’s what football is about. That’s what winning is about.

hatsOFF2gibbs · Post by **hatsOFF2gibbs** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:38 pm

I don't think we have to worry about effort. These guys out there really work hard. They may be millionares but they do work for their salary on Sundays. That's what I love about the Skins, they're always hard working and never seem to give up.

We just need that one little extra step to convert those "L"s to "W"s. The way I see it, this year's defense will make that possible.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:40 pm

Football fans? pffftttt... :roll:

We dont have any of those here, wrong site. :lol:

redskingush · Post by **redskingush** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:50 pm

I live in Niagara Falls, Canada, Ive been to Fedex 4 times. If I could get there more often I would be. Ive seen the skins in Cleveland last year, and Detroit, also went to Buffalo in 2004.Unfortunatly only seen one win.

Gibbs' Hog · Post by **Gibbs' Hog** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:11 am

Why would you go to Ravens games if you are a Skins fan? :hmm:

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:12 am

Tom C -

Welcome to the site. I completely agree with you about 2004 compared to previous (recent) years. Depsite the losses, the team stuck together and laid it on the line until the bitter end. They stuck together through it all and I truly believe they will learn from that and carry it into '05.

Also, some fans have become accustomed to winning the offseason battles and that's why you see (IMO) a lot of discontent this offseason. We haven't signed every player on the planet or made the "sexy" or popluar move in the draft. People are overreacting to every piece of offseason news before we've even played a down of football. Personally, I'd rather have a team put forth the effort and lay down the law on the field, which, last years team did. I really believe this years team will take that to heart and get over the hump.

Stay away from those Raisins though :-)

OCSkins · Post by **OCSkins** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 2:38 pm

Usually by the 13th game under the old regimes the Skins were getting blown out and phoning it in, this season we were only blown out once by a Steelers team that was better in all areas. We hung with the Iggles starters and gave them the game of their lives without Shawn Springs. I think guys like David Patten are luch pail guys who can convert the L's into W's

DeathByLinebacker#56 · Thu Apr 28, 2005 3:38 pm

Ever since Spurrier left town and Gibbs re-entered the scene, our proud franchise has been undergoing a transformation! A change in attitude and personnelhas taken place. This year it will carry onto the field. :twisted:

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 6:23 pm

Tom C -- some interesting points. I do agree with you that the Skins put on a better performance (considering heart and love of the game) than we were seeing under Spurrier. I do think, however, that our single season under Schotty could compare to this past year in terms of the team sticking together and always playing hard. I even enjoyed our 8-8 year under Schotty and our 6-10 year under Gibbs way more than either Spurrier year, though the records were similar.

Tom C · Post by **Tom C** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:03 pm

Gibbs' Hog wrote:Why would you go to Ravens games if you are a Skins fan?

I have friends who are Ravens season ticket holders. Would it make you feel better if I said I've never paid a penny to see a Ravens game? Who wouldn't want to go see a Ravens vs. Steelers game? Those are usually good games. I also have friends who are Redskins ticket holders. I even have one that has season tickets for both. Some of those guys who have Ravens tickets have them because they have been on the Redskins waiting list for many years and they saw an opportunity to go to real live NFL games. They’re football fans.

I don’t see any problem going to a Raven game or two. The only conflict would be when they play each other. I’ll know who to root for when that happens.

terps and skins · Post by **terps and skins** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:34 pm

sweet, youre from gaithersburg...same here......

Tom C · Post by **Tom C** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:41 pm

Redskins1974 wrote:Tom C -

Welcome to the site. snip...

Also, some fans have become accustomed to winning the offseason battles and that's why you see (IMO) a lot of discontent this offseason. We haven't signed every player on the planet or made the "sexy" or popluar move in the draft. People are overreacting
snip...

That’s one of the points I was trying to make. I can’t remember an off season that we won where it carried over into the real season. Unlike last year and the year before and the year before that, we didn’t win the off season. Maybe be will be better this year just because of the change of pace.

As long as this team is willing to lay it all out, I’ll be rooting for them. It’s bothersome that some players are missing “voluntary” workouts, but I remember Riggins sitting out an entire year. Tell me he wasn’t a core Redskin.

thaiphoon · Post by **thaiphoon** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:49 pm

It’s bothersome that some players are missing “voluntary” workouts, but I remember Riggins sitting out an entire year. Tell me he wasn’t a core Redskin

Riggins made up for that by working his tail off to get back in JG's good graces. He also made up for it by being in traction all week and coming to play on Sunday. He wasn't a new member of the team who either:

1.) Never played a down for us

or

2.) Had an incomplete rookie season that included off-field problems

I'm goign to be rooting for the 'skins no matter what though. Still pissed that we don't have 100% of our players working out as a team.

Tom C · Post by **Tom C** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:05 pm

FanfromAnnapolis wrote:snip...
I do think, however, that our single season under Schotty could compare to this past year in terms of the team sticking together and always playing hard.
snip...

I do think Marty did a great job of finally pulling the team together. The first 5 games were really ugly. He turned it around and I thought they were going to make it into the playoffs until Chicago whipped us at home. The season seemed to turn on a play by Lavar. We need to get Lavar back into the mode of being a team leader ON THE FIELD. If Marty had complete control he would’ve cut Bruce Smith and Darrel Green.

I was at the KC vs. Skins Monday night game. It was horrendous. KC scored two touchdowns in the final minute of the first half. Game over…

After the game the KC coach stood up for Marty saying he had a real problem on the team because of all the old guys not buying into the system.

Marty and our owner would've never got along. It wasn't in the cards.

Why is this editing window so bad. I have a real hard time figuring out where my cursor is. Can I change the background color and font?

Tom C · Post by **Tom C** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:30 pm

thaiphoon wrote:
It’s bothersome that some players are missing “voluntary” workouts, but I remember Riggins sitting out an entire year. Tell me he wasn’t a core Redskin

Riggins made up for that by working his tail off to get back in JG's good graces. He also made up for it by being in traction all week and coming to play on Sunday. He wasn't a new member of the team who either:

1.) Never played a down for us

or

2.) Had an incomplete rookie season that included off-field problems

I'm goign to be rooting for the 'skins no matter what though. Still pissed that we don't have 100% of our players working out as a team.

It's a business. These are normal off season happenings. Don't get to worked up about it.

Ok, get worked up about it and refuse to buy or wear their jerseys. If they miss mandatory workouts then I'll feel a tinge of worry. If they hold out during camp I'll start complaining.

Gibbs' Hog · Post by **Gibbs' Hog** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 1:25 pm

Tom C wrote:I have friends who are Ravens season ticket holders. Would it make you feel better if I said I've never paid a penny to see a Ravens game?

No. I would rather be paid to go.

Who wouldn't want to go see a Ravens vs. Steelers game?

Me. I don't care about watching those teams play. I am an Orioles fan - I wouldn't go see a Dodgers-Mets game...

Some of those guys who have Ravens tickets have them because they have been on the Redskins waiting list for many years and they saw an opportunity to go to real live NFL games. They’re football fans.

Okay, that's fine. They're football fans - not the quintescential "die-hard" Redskins fans.

I don’t see any problem going to a Raven game or two. The only conflict would be when they play each other. I’ll know who to root for when that happens.

If you can see the Skins in B-more, that's fine. Otherwise, I'd rather be watching the Skins away games (I'm asssuming those are the times you go to Ravens games) on TV.

Basically, my theory is such: I have no problem with watching "football", as opposed to watching "your team". What I can't do, however, is root for any team other than the skins. If I have no one to root for, the game just insn't the same. Free tickets are great, but again, I would rather be watching the skins.

runbillo · Post by **runbillo** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 2:57 pm

Greetings from NYC: My wife and I live in NYC. We have season tickets in the 28TH row around the 35 yard line in section 429 on the visitors sideline. All around where we sit you will find real Redskin Football fans. The only time you will not find Redskin fans is when the visiting teams fans some how get tickets! For the life of me I do not know how non Redskin fans can get tickets to our stadium.

Tom C · Post by **Tom C** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 6:32 pm

Gibbs' Hog wrote:
Tom C wrote:I have friends who are Ravens season ticket holders. Would it make you feel better if I said I've never paid a penny to see a Ravens game?

No. I would rather be paid to go.

Who wouldn't want to go see a Ravens vs. Steelers game?

Me. I don't care about watching those teams play. I am an Orioles fan - I wouldn't go see a Dodgers-Mets game...

Some of those guys who have Ravens tickets have them because they have been on the Redskins waiting list for many years and they saw an opportunity to go to real live NFL games. They’re football fans.

Okay, that's fine. They're football fans - not the quintescential "die-hard" Redskins fans.

I don’t see any problem going to a Raven game or two. The only conflict would be when they play each other. I’ll know who to root for when that happens.

If you can see the Skins in B-more, that's fine. Otherwise, I'd rather be watching the Skins away games (I'm asssuming those are the times you go to Ravens games) on TV.

Basically, my theory is such: I have no problem with watching "football", as opposed to watching "your team". What I can't do, however, is root for any team other than the skins. If I have no one to root for, the game just insn't the same. Free tickets are great, but again, I would rather be watching the skins.

Usually if I agree to go to a Ravens game it's because the Redskins are the late game (away) or a Monday night game.

Two years ago, we went to a Maryland game on Saturday, Ravens on Sunday and Redskins on Monday night. That was brutal.

Last year there was a Raven home game at 1:00 pm on Sunday and a Redskin home game at 8:00 pm. I passed on both, choosing to watch the Skins on TV. I really don’t like going to those Sunday night games, too much trauma the next day at work.

I should’ve never mentioned the Ravens. It’s taken me off topic so I’ll try never to mention them again on this site. The point I was trying to make is that people here are gripping about players we could’ve had or players we should still have. There are many people worrying about individuals they want to see. What I want to see is a good team.

I never rooted for Darryl (.sp) Green or Art Monk, I rooted for the team. I like both of those guys but I never cared as much about their individual performance, as I cared about team performance. I want a team that plays hard and wins.

I don’t want Bruce Smith on my team and I don’t want Dion on my team. I can’t think of a single current player whose jersey I would wear to a game. I’d wear Tre’ Johnson’s jersey or Sam Huff’s jersey or Riggo or Art Monk or route 66 or Ken Houston or Green. These guys proved themselves.

Last year I saw real effort by the team. I was disappointed by some of the results but I don’t ever remember being disappointed by the effort.

That’s a good sign.