Zone blocking

The word "fan" is short for "fanatic." It refers to an ardent devotee, and there is at least the implication that this devotion isn't particularly rational. For me, there is also the idea of "keeping the faith" tied into fanaticism. No matter how dark things look, WE BELIEVE! We believe irrationaly. We believe fanatically. And it is this belief that carries us through to eventual success. Our unfailing belief buoys the spirits of the players as we cheer them on at games. For if they don't themselves believe, how shall they ever be victorious? So, for me, unrelenting optimism and fanaticism do indeed go hand-in-hand. Realistic fanaticism just seems rather oxymoronic, doesn't it?

That why the Redskins WILL have a great season this year and WILL go to the playoffs. I BELIEVE!

Foolishness? Perhaps. Fanticism? You better believe it! After all, I AM A FAN!

--Phin the Fan

The word "fan" is short for "fanatic." It refers to an ardent devotee, and there is at least the implication that this devotion isn't particularly rational. For me, there is also the idea of "keeping the faith" tied into fanaticism. No matter how dark things look, WE BELIEVE! We believe irrationaly. We believe fanatically. And it is this belief that carries us through to eventual success. Our unfailing belief buoys the spirits of the players as we cheer them on at games. For if they don't themselves believe, how shall they ever be victorious? So, for me, unrelenting optimism and fanaticism do indeed go hand-in-hand. Realistic fanaticism just seems rather oxymoronic, doesn't it?

That why the Redskins WILL have a great season this year and WILL go to the playoffs. I BELIEVE!

Foolishness? Perhaps. Fanticism? You better believe it! After all, I AM A FAN!

--Phin the Fan

Nice post Phinehas.

You act as if I go to a game and don't cheer my team on. I saw guys with 'skins Jerseys at the Pittsburgh game just sitting there. I was standing and yelling. I took a lot of shit from the fans around me (Pittsburgh ones of course) but you know what, they also gave me a lot of credit. We talked a lot.

I'm going to wish him a job well done, and if you just read my... well... manifesto.. you'd see that I think he can do it, but like with anyone, there's a chance that they can't. I'm not going to say "I told you so", but I will say congratulations and that he did a good job. Because it is certainly a feat worthy of praise. I _am_ behind Gibbs, just like with any coach. Just because I feel he has problems with his system doesn't mean I don't like him.

I understand. And I noted that your post (manifesto) did clear some things up. I just didn't want you to have the impression that I was saying you aren't a "Redskins" fan. Really that's all I wanted to accomplish in my first response to your post. We can agree to disagree on whether you could be considered a "Joe Gibbs" fan.

:laughing2 By the way, who would have thought a thread named "Zone blocking" would garner more than 75 posts? LOL

You act as if I go to a game and don't cheer my team on. I saw guys with 'skins Jerseys at the Pittsburgh game just sitting there. I was standing and yelling. I took a lot of shit from the fans around me (Pittsburgh ones of course) but you know what, they also gave me a lot of credit. We talked a lot.


While fanaticism does imply irrational behavior, including standing up and screaming your lungs out (can you imagine the stares you'd get for acting that way in the grocery store?), I think that the word more strongly connotates irrational belief. So, while cheering is good, I think it is arguable that true fanatics do indeed demonstrate a degree of unrelenting optimism. Realism and fanaticism just don't seem to fit well together. When we talk about fanatics, we are implying that, to some extent, reality has been left behind. Otherwise, we'd use a different word. A supporter may cheer at games, but a fanatic, in the true sense of the word, BELIEVES unrelentingly, and often does so irrationaly.

--Phin the Fan

Yup, you can't have FAN without fanticism.

:laughing2 By the way, who would have thought a thread named "Zone blocking" would garner more than 75 posts? LOL


It's all my fault. I created this monster.

Think we might have deviated from the subject a tad? LOL

It went from Zone blocking to Daseal saying to himself "it's me against the world" ala Tupac.