Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Yeah, I know it's sacreligious to post links to PFT...

Still.....

[URL="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/02/redskins-popularity-wanes-as-losing-continues/"]Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT[/URL]

[I]The Associated Press reported that Monday’s practice may have had the lowest attendance ever in the 10 years the team has been training at its facility in Ashburn, Virginia. Tight end Chris Cooley[/I][I], who’s in his eighth training camp with the team, said the number of fans in camp isn’t even close to what it used to be.[/I]

No mention of the economy? Oh, come on!

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Bad economy + lockout + losing team does not = fans eager to support/spend money. Pretty simple.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Hopefully he'll sell the team. One can hope and dream.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=GMScud;818564]Bad economy + lockout + losing team does not = fans eager to support/spend money. Pretty simple.[/quote]


I used to go to spring games at OU but have stopped recently, just too hot and honestly not that exciting.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Plus 105-degree heat indexes...

Another opportunity to bash the team...yawn.

I bet it's a league-wide "problem" with smaller crowds at practices.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

I wasn't sure if it was the typical anti-Skins slant I see on PFT, but it did seem they left out a major component.

Not sure how many people still hate Dan.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

The lockout alone is a major reason for this. The training camp schedule wasn't out until just a few days ago; fans usually get to plan around the open practices for weeks.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Heat, expected loosing team, Shanahan not always showing the 11 on 11 on the closer field, gas prices to drive there/economy...yeah I don't expect many fans to be there. I don't plan on going there again under Shanahan's regime, unless we win the super bowl or get Andrew Luck

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=Schneed10;818573]The lockout alone is a major reason for this. The training camp schedule wasn't out until just a few days ago; fans usually get to plan around the open practices for weeks.[/quote]

Yup, a lot of people probably scrapped their TC plans with the lockout.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Training camp is only a part of it. You're seeing less interest in the regular season, too. Kind of like the whole remove 10,000 seats for "party decks," and then later on we find out it's really because they couldn't sell those seats.

I have only been to one regular season game in the past two years, haven't been to a training camp since Gibbs' final season, and I purchase a pretty limited amount of Redskins stuff.

Winning would help. A lot.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

For me the primary issue is the owner. Im not bringing it up to bash him but people just flat out dont like him. Girls that dont really know anything about football but like getting togather to chat and "watch" the game probably cant name more then 3 or 4 players on the team but they know who Danny Snyder is and that they dont like him. Thats not normal for most teams. People just dont like him. You add on consistant loosing and it makes for disinterest in the team. You pile on a lockout, bad economy and hot temps and you get a 1/5th attendence of whats normal.

From PFT
[quote]
Part of the issue may not be specific to the Redskins: The lockout may have turned off fans, or just made it harder for them to plan ahead for a trip to training camp. But some of it is specific to the Redskins, and particularly owner Dan Snyder. Longtime Redskins fan Justin Caballero told the Associated Press Snyder is the reason fans are turned off.

“I know some who have gotten rid of their tickets,” Caballero said. “The owner — that’s the biggest one I get, they don’t like the owner. And they don’t want to give him no more money.”
[/quote]

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=mlmpetert;818592]For me the primary issue is the owner. Im not bringing it up to bash him but people just flat out dont like him. Girls that dont really know anything about football but like getting togather to chat and "watch" the game probably cant name more then 3 or 4 players on the team but they know who Danny Snyder is and that they dont like him. Thats not normal for most teams. People just dont like him. You add on consistant loosing and it makes for disinterest in the team. You pile on a lockout, bad economy and hot temps and you get a 1/5th attendence of whats normal.

From PFT[/quote]

People would like Danny more if we were winning. Scud is right, winning would change things.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Honestly, the people that don't like Snyder need to get over it. I am not going to defend any of the stupid things he did in the past, but right now he is a non-issue for the team. He's not making any decisions nor is he interfering with the team, he's just signing the checks. Personally, event the whole law suit against that newspaper is a non-issue for me, and it really shouldn't be for anyone as it relates to the team (which it doesn't).

I'm not saying that people should like Snyder, but unless he start f*cking the team up by interfering with operations or hire sh*theads like Vinny again, Snyder doesn't affect whether I like the team or not. And it really shouldn't affect anyone, but some people get easily distracted by non-important things.

That being said, I think this whole popularity issue with training camp probably has more to do with the lockout, the economy, and the heat rather than Snyder. PFT probably posted that article since they really haven't had anything to report about the Redskins.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

I'm planning on going to TC sometime this week or next, and honestly, even though I'm excited and looking forward to it, I can see why people would wanna stay home. Nobody wants to sit in 100 degree heat to watch a team that's gone 10-22 over the last two seasons. And the fact that it's going to take me almost half a tank to drive all the way out there and back doesn't help either.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Just need to start winning and the whole situation will reverse itself.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

There's a level of bullshit in this fanbase that's unbelievable.

After years of having the "win now" mentality, and losing, the team is finally rebuilding, finally adding team first players instead of me first players, has dynamic young players, is making smart free agent signings and spending money wisely, has completely removed Dan Snyder from football operations...they're pretty much doing everything the fanbase has been demanding for years...

...And NOW is the time when people say they're tapping out and don't want to show up and support the team?

Christ...

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=NLC1054;818667]There's a level of bullshit in this fanbase that's unbelievable.

After years of having the "win now" mentality, and losing, the team is finally rebuilding, finally adding team first players instead of me first players, has dynamic young players, is making smart free agent signings and spending money wisely, has completely removed Dan Snyder from football operations...they're pretty much doing everything the fanbase has been demanding for years...

[B]...And NOW is the time when people say they're tapping out and don't want to show up and support the team?[/B]Christ...[/quote]

lol ... not only that, many are screaming about UFA's, etc., just read the Board. It's crazy.

Please sir, may I have another?

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=NLC1054;818667]There's a level of bullshit in this fanbase that's unbelievable.

After years of having the "win now" mentality, and losing, the team is finally rebuilding, finally adding team first players instead of me first players, has dynamic young players, is making smart free agent signings and spending money wisely, has completely removed Dan Snyder from football operations...they're pretty much doing everything the fanbase has been demanding for years...

...And NOW is the time when people say they're tapping out and don't want to show up and support the team?

Christ...[/quote]

I honestly think it's just bad timing with the lockout and all. Nobody even knew if a training camp was going to happen, so when the lockout suddenly ends and they announce training camp fan practices start in a week, I'm sure there were a lot of people that said they'll just not go this year. And it's bad timing with the recession, and the losing, and all the other factors involved.

But if you think the fan reaction to not supporting the team is bad now, wait until we start losing games this season. More and more of the average fan will be talking about how all the moves we made this offseason aren't contributing jack, and how we're doomed, and the season is a failure, and fire Shanny, etc.

We'd all like to think we're supportive of this rebuilding effort and that we'll be here when times get rough and this team loses games or whatever, but the reality is there are going to be people on this and other 'Skins boards that are going to lose it if things go bad this season.

Personally I don't think we'll be that bad, we're putting in a good cast on both sides of the ball, but we are rolling with an unknown at quarterback. I think we'll be in a lot of close games this year, but our record will end up either a couple games below .500 or maybe a game or two above it depending on how Beck performs.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=NLC1054;818667]There's a level of bullshit in this fanbase that's unbelievable.

After years of having the "win now" mentality, and losing, the team is finally rebuilding, finally adding team first players instead of me first players, has dynamic young players, is making smart free agent signings and spending money wisely, has completely removed Dan Snyder from football operations...they're pretty much doing everything the fanbase has been demanding for years...

...And NOW is the time when people say they're tapping out and don't want to show up and support the team?

Christ...[/quote]

But can you really blame a fan base for taking a wait and see approach at this point? We've been duped by Spurrier, Cerrato, Dan, Zorn, and a slew of ridiculous trades/signings over the past decade+.

I'll cheer like hell for the Redskins every Sunday for the rest of my life. But until they start winning again, that cheering will take place on my couch instead of a stadium seat. And you won't catch me at training camp or dropping lots of $$ on merchandise either.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

I'm sure it's lots of factors coming together this year and one of them I am sure is the whole 12 years of mediocrity (and worse).

Winning cures many things. Attendance is one of them.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=NLC1054;818667]There's a level of bullshit in this fanbase that's unbelievable.

After years of having the "win now" mentality, and losing, the team is finally rebuilding, finally adding team first players instead of me first players, has dynamic young players, is making smart free agent signings and spending money wisely, has completely removed Dan Snyder from football operations...they're pretty much doing everything the fanbase has been demanding for years...

...And NOW is the time when people say they're tapping out and don't want to show up and support the team?

Christ...[/quote]

If we had signed a few big names I bet attendance would be higher.

I agree, totally lame.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=NLC1054;818667]There's a level of bullshit in this fanbase that's unbelievable.

After years of having the "win now" mentality, and losing, the team is finally rebuilding, finally adding team first players instead of me first players, has dynamic young players, is making smart free agent signings and spending money wisely, has completely removed Dan Snyder from football operations...they're pretty much doing everything the fanbase has been demanding for years...

...And NOW is the time when people say they're tapping out and don't want to show up and support the team?

Christ...[/quote]

so we wave our magic wand and pretend everything is ok? it's not, this team is rebuilding and not good, it will be fun for most of us on the board to watch the games this year to see the development of all the young players, but do you really think this is the way most fans view the team? most people are fed up and want to see actually change and improvement before they go all in yet again.

that said do i think it has anything to do with the turnout at tc? not really, the main reason why people are not there have alreay been stated for the most part, lockout, heat, not enough time to make plans and so on. but i think there are two other issues that haven't been stated yet.

one being the fact that they aren't in full pads yet, who the hell wants to drive all the way out there to watch guys to cardio and learn formations? if i go out there i wanna see playters in pads hitting each other, seeing who has it and who doesn't

two the FA haven't shown up yet, who the hell would wanna watch the redskins without sexy rexy?

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=GMScud;818678]But can you really blame a fan base for taking a wait and see approach at this point? We've been duped by Spurrier, Cerrato, Dan, Zorn, and a slew of ridiculous trades/signings over the past decade+.

I'll cheer like hell for the Redskins every Sunday for the rest of my life. But until they start winning again, that cheering will take place on my couch instead of a stadium seat. And you won't catch me at training camp or dropping lots of $$ on merchandise either.[/quote]

it's nice to know i'm not always alone, although i did re-up my season tix, but i used to have 11 now down to 4

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=mlmdub130;818722]so we wave our magic wand and pretend everything is ok? it's not, this team is rebuilding and not good, it will be fun for most of us on the board to watch the games this year to see the development of all the young players, but do you really think this is the way most fans view the team? most people are fed up and want to see actually change and improvement before they go all in yet again.

that said do i think it has anything to do with the turnout at tc? not really, the main reason why people are not there have alreay been stated for the most part, lockout, heat, not enough time to make plans and so on. but i think there are two other issues that haven't been stated yet.

one being the fact that they aren't in full pads yet, who the hell wants to drive all the way out there to watch guys to cardio and learn formations? if i go out there i wanna see playters in pads hitting each other, seeing who has it and who doesn't

two the FA haven't shown up yet, [B]who the hell would wanna watch the redskins without sexy rexy[/B]?[/quote]

That's what I'm sayin. Sexy Rexy is the man! I bet when he comes in it will be deep balls everywhere! Hittin' receivers in stride like it's going out of style! Gunslingin that hasn't been seen since the pre-senile Brett Favre!

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=mlmdub130;818722]so we wave our magic wand and pretend everything is ok? it's not, this team is rebuilding and not good, it will be fun for most of us on the board to watch the games this year to see the development of all the young players, but do you really think this is the way most fans view the team? [B]most people are fed up and want to see actually change and improvement before they go all in yet again.[/B]

that said do i think it has anything to do with the turnout at tc? not really, the main reason why people are not there have alreay been stated for the most part, lockout, heat, not enough time to make plans and so on. but i think there are two other issues that haven't been stated yet.

one being the fact that they aren't in full pads yet, who the hell wants to drive all the way out there to watch guys to cardio and learn formations? if i go out there i wanna see playters in pads hitting each other, seeing who has it and who doesn't

two the FA haven't shown up yet, who the hell would wanna watch the redskins without sexy rexy?[/quote]

Exactly. People have invested a lot over the years, whats so wrong with wanting a little return first before we start shelling out bucks to line Danny's pockets?

And good points on the learning formation and doing cardio in no pads. Plus the FA that have shown up are still sitting on the sidelines until tomorrow. Nothing to see so why waste your time going....

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

they were so good from gibbs 1st go around,we all got spoiled.
i'll always pull for them regardless,but if snyder starts running the team like he did when he 1st bought them and hires a moron like vinny,the skins will end up like the lions did all those years.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Redskins fans are some of the most intelligent in the NFL, this board is perfect example. We all know how to hit Synder, in the pocket book. I for one no longer support the Redskins with my $$$. I still watch every game and check this board like crack and generally defend the Redskins any chance I get. But I wouldnt be going to training camp and spending $$$. Not buying tshirts and jerseys. The Redskins get to the playoffs then Ill depart with some $$$.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Also just as a reminder to everyone. Snyder forever changed his ways and became the best owner of all time a whole year and half ago. Way back when he was a horrible owner is somehow still fresh to most Redskin fans. Apperently some a-hole fans expect Mr. Snyder to prove that he has indeed changed for more then just one season? In the mean time lets make up for those idiots and write checks to him.....

Going to training camp is a waste of time right now. Its hot outside, you have to be more spontaneous then your girlfriend wishes you were or have time off work to just get up and go, and as MLMdub pointed out theres nothign really to see. All that plus getting dupped into buying a overpriced hotdog/shirt/drink from a guy that most people really dont like makes it not worth it to most people. All Im saying is i get why people arnt going, its for a lot of reasons and i defintely agree that Snyder is one of them.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

how about everybody's kids here?are your kids redskins fans? my wife,daughter,son and son in law all are.did you guys try to raise your kids as redskins fans?

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

I'm fed up and not going to TC.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=GMScud;818678]But can you really blame a fan base for taking a wait and see approach at this point? We've been duped by Spurrier, Cerrato, Dan, Zorn, and a slew of ridiculous trades/signings over the past decade+.

I'll cheer like hell for the Redskins every Sunday for the rest of my life. But until they start winning again, that cheering will take place on my couch instead of a stadium seat. And you won't catch me at training camp or dropping lots of $$ on merchandise either.[/quote]

I couldnt agree more. Lets face it, its tough to get excited about another 6-10 to 8-8 season with no playoffs. Frankly I'm surprised fans showed as much interest for as long as they did.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

TC attendance and demand for tix have a lot more to do with the lockout and economy than Dan Snyder. Another PFT BS article trashing the Skins, it's fun and gets web-hits.....F PFT.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=NLC1054;818667]There's a level of bullshit in this fanbase that's unbelievable.

After years of having the "win now" mentality, and losing, the team is finally rebuilding, finally adding team first players instead of me first players, has dynamic young players, is making smart free agent signings and spending money wisely, has completely removed Dan Snyder from football operations...they're pretty much doing everything the fanbase has been demanding for years...

.[I]..And NOW is the time when people say they're tapping out and don't want to show up and support the team?[/I]

Christ...[/quote]

C'mon. With any professional sports team, attendance at games, let alone a team's preseason practices, far more often than not reflects the current state of the team's strength, even where an organization is clearly going in the proverbial "right direction." To say that the Redskins' camp attendance is evidence of a "BS" fan base gives credence to a story that really doesn't deserve any to begin with. As others have said, there are any number of reasons having nothing to do with the team itself that are likely contributing to the poor numbers.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

This is the non-story to top all non-stories. The team has gone 8-8, 5-11, 6-10 in the last three seasons. Combined with the worst economic disaster in our lifetime, record heat across all 50 states, and the longest work stoppage in the NFL's history, I would be amazed if our turnout hit record numbers as they usually do.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=rbanerjee23;818833]This is the non-story to top all non-stories. The team has gone 8-8, [B]4-12[/B], 6-10 in the last three seasons. Combined with the worst economic disaster in our lifetime, record heat across all 50 states, and the longest work stoppage in the NFL's history, I would be amazed if our turnout hit record numbers as they usually do.[/quote]

Had to change that. For some reason 5-11 doesn't feel nearly as bad as 4-12. I associate 4-12 with top 5 draft picks, and cemented status as one of the worst 3-4 teams in the NFL. Which we were that year.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=mooby;818838]Had to change that. For some reason 5-11 doesn't feel nearly as bad as 4-12. I associate 4-12 with top 5 draft picks, and cemented status as one of the worst 3-4 teams in the NFL. [B]Which we were that year[/B].[/quote]

Yup. Remember the old swinging gate play... that we tried two plays in a row?? I mean come on, who wouldn't want to shell out big bucks to see that kind of entertainment in person??

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

[quote=GMScud;818844]Yup. Remember the old swinging gate play... that we tried two plays in a row?? I mean come on, who wouldn't want to shell out big bucks to see that kind of entertainment in person??[/quote]

Absolutely horrible. I mean why would you try it again after you've called a timeout? The only thing that play has is the element of the surprise. And we lost that when the timeout was called. I'm trying to cut down on my facepalm usage, but come on.:doh:

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

Is there a cost to go see the Redskins at camp? Parking, entrance fee, etc?

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

^ Not "really". Its free with or with out the free print out invitation....

[URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/post/redskins-offer-free-invitations-to-free-training-camp/2011/08/02/gIQAmrkEqI_blog.html#pagebreak"]Redskins offer free invitations to free training camp - DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post[/URL]

Posted at 04:45 PM ET, 08/02/2011
[B]Redskins offer free invitations to free training camp[/B]
By Dan Steinberg

Like many of you, I received an e-mail from the Redskins today, with the subject line of “Get Your FREE Training Camp Invite.” The image of the e-mail is the one you see above.

So I dutifully clicked through, and was taken to this CSNWashington.com page, which told me I was invited to Redskins Training Camp.

“Get your FREE Training Camp Invitation!” that page said. “Fill out the form below, print out the invitation and bring it with you to training camp.”

And then more: “Don’t forget: Print out the invitation and bring it with you to Training Camp!”

There were several “required fields” on this form, including first and last names, daytime phone number, mailing address and e-mail address, plus a chance to win some prizes by joining the season ticket wait list. “It's FREE to Join the Waitlist!” I was reminded.

Now, the use of “required fields” is actually a pretty strange thing, since it turns out that you don’t need this invitation at all. I asked a team official, who said fans can just show up if they want to attend practices, and some of my online users said that’s very much the case.

Re: Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT
 

I always assumed the invitation thing was mainly to gauge how many would show up, and secondarily a source of data gathering, although it's probably equal of both.