What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base?

KB24 · 03-24-2008, 11:39 AM

Growing up, one of the things I remember sports announcers saying about the Redskins is that they had a very knowledgeable fan base. But, lately, I've seen that same fan base do some things that make me scratch my head.

If you go to other Web sites, you'll notice fans suggesting that the Redskins give up high draft picks to acquire big stars/head cases who may not fit with the system or the locker room. The worst part is that this has been the strategy since Dan Snyder bought the team and it's netted a 70-79 record with one playoff win. Additionally, teams like the Steelers, Patriots, Colts and Giants mainly used the draft while treating free agency as a supplement to their roster-building. This strategy has netted Super Bowl wins for the aforementioned teams.

I've also noticed fans asking silly questions on message boards -- questions that, in my opinion, a "knowledgeable" fan base would never ask. They've included, "Can we as a sixth-seeded team host a playoff game?" "Why was that play called a touchback?" "Why are they running the ball here (when there's less than two minutes left in the game, the opposition has no timeouts and you're trying to run the clock out)?"

Then, the games themselves have turned into a breeding ground for violent, foul-mouthed fans who feel like they need to drink themselves to oblivion to have a good time. You also have people who are conducting business in the stands and don't care about the game. People who leave or return to their seats when a play is in progress. People who want to start the wave in the fourth quarter of a close game when the Redskins offense is on the field. People who are more concerned about getting on the jumbotron than what's happening on the football field. People who are jumping up and down screaming when the Skins have the ball on a crucial fourth-down play. And those who keep wondering why that little clock in the corner keeps counting backwards from 40.

(Okay, I made that last one up, but you get the idea!)

Thoughts?

Schneed10 · 03-24-2008, 11:49 AM

I do get frustrated when fans ask silly questions or propose ridiculous, maddenesque trade ideas. But then I look at the fans around me here in Philadelphia, and I'm reminded to be appreciative that at least we're not like them!

I think overall we're a pretty smart fan base. Inevitably you're going to have some n00bs that need to be dealt with. But we're better off than a lot of cities, methinks.

skinsguy · 03-24-2008, 11:58 AM

KB24, I've been wondering the same thing for awhile now myself. I think a lot of it has been bred through a decade and some change of losing. When the team was winning consistently in the 80's, fans didn't have to question every little move because they trusted the team and it's coaches that the moves were well thought out.

I'm hoping the new Jim Zorn era will curb some of this. As far as the drunks in the stands, there's only so much you can do in those regards. I've always questioned why people insist on drinking at sporting events.

Mwoody85 · 03-24-2008, 12:00 PM

Between the price (tix, food, etc.), the alcoholic fans, and the fans that sell their tix to fans of other teams, I'm starting to prefer watching at home. It seems like the % of cowboy fans at FedEx goes up ever year.

The other time the "limited" knowledge of the fan base shows is during post game radio call-in programs. Sometimes it’s painful to listen.

freddyg12 · 03-24-2008, 12:06 PM

When the Skins left RFK, the danny ushered in a new era. RFK was home to old standing season ticket owners & people that really knew & cared. Not that those same people aren't at fedex. When you jump from 52,000 to 90,000 it's inevitable you'll suffer a loss of quality.

Consider fedex a 'pop music' or 'fast food' version of Redskins football. Maybe that's harsh, but fedex really symbolizes the danny's biz imprint on the skins even though he didn't build it. It's been about style over substance & that's how he's operated in free agency... unitl NOW!!

The comments you make about fans wanting the skins to make the splashy moves, indicates that a lot of people must buy into the danny's past moves, or they simply don't know much recent skins history. It's good to see that the owner & front office seem to have really turned over a new leaf & will be running things quite differently now. We'll see how many fans catch on & support it.

I know people on the warpath are behind the new approach, the fair weather fans will be too once we start winning consistently & JC becomes a star.

Soup's Uncle · 03-24-2008, 12:06 PM

I think in general, Redskins fans are very knowledgable. I often will be out somehwere with a jersey on, and I'll break into conversation with total strangers about the Redskins.

My whole family is Redskins fans, and I was discussing the draft in depth with some of my uncles yesterday. They knew a hell of a lot more than I did about different prospects and such.

I think like any sports franchise, you get people who are idiots, but I feel like we're alot better than Eagles or Cowboys fans. Cowboys fans excuse for being fans of them is that their "America's Team" or some BS like that. Eagles fans are the most obnoxious people in the world. I know b/c I'm friends with a bunch of them.

ArtMonkDrillz · 03-24-2008, 12:17 PM

In general the internet allows more people to have a voice than ever before. The majority of fans in the 80's could have been a bunch of slack jawed yolkles but you hardly ever got to hear them because they could only talk with other idiots in the room or call into to the radio after the game. Now we have a chance to read every little asinine thought that enters someone's mind as soon as they think it up.
I think the fan base for every team seems to have been dumbed down because of this.
Plus, if want to hear a bunch of idiots trying to talk about football you should come up here to Baltimore and take a listen to the majority of ravens fans.

Soup's Uncle · 03-24-2008, 12:20 PM

Yeah, Ravens fans suck too. I'm friends with some of them as well.

SmootSmack · 03-24-2008, 12:24 PM

I have been an extremely vocal critic of the fanbase. There are indeed several great, passionate, knowledgeable fans (as noted on this very fansite). Unfortunately, there are plenty of ignorant fans (also noted on this very fansite). I don't think though that it's necessarily worse than it was 20 years ago. It's just that back then the mass of morons had no platform with which to express their views. But now, thanks to podcasts, chat rooms, blogs, etc. they can no longer be shut up and their idiotic voices must be heard. Of course, the same holds true for the intelligent fans that had no place to speak before.

Edit: I won't go any further since I just saw AMD's post which echoes what I'm saying (or I guess, I'm echoing what he's saying)

ArtMonkDrillz · 03-24-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soup's Uncle

Yeah, Ravens fans suck too. I'm friends with some of them as well.

Their fans are basically the only reason I hate the team. Hell, I sort of liked them up until just after they won the super bowl and all their fans started thinking they were the greatest team in the history of the sport and that their SB win was the only one that mattered.

MTK · 03-24-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

In general the internet allows more people to have a voice than ever before. The majority of fans in the 80's could have been a bunch of slack jawed yolkles but you hardly ever got to hear them because they could only talk with other idiots in the room or call into to the radio after the game. Now we have a chance to read every little asinine thought that enters someone's mind as soon as they think it up.
I think the fan base for every team seems to have been dumbed down because of this.
Plus, if want to hear a bunch of idiots trying to talk about football you should come up here to Baltimore and take a listen to the majority of ravens fans.

I was just about to post something similar. In this day of 24/7 instant media coverage, the internet, and sports talk radio... the fans' voice is more prevelant than ever. And that's not always a good thing as we all know.

Daseal · 03-24-2008, 12:29 PM

Im 100% with you when it comes to games. I don't really enjoy going to the games anymore. No one seems to give a shit about the game, and if you do people bitch at you. I typically don't drink at games but I get into the game. I love when I haven't had a single beer and I'm accused of being 'drunk' because I cheer our defense on, I stand up for the defense, I scream, and often I'll sit down when the offense is going since I don't need my entire body to make noise.

Fans are going to be unrealistic, but let's not act like teams don't go after big free agents. What did New England do last season? Two 2nds for Wes Welker, a tiny pick for Randy Moss, Big money on A. Thomas, etc. They went out, spend money, and went 16-0. Yeah, they didn't win the super bowl but no other team has ever gone 16-0 or even 18-1.

However, be careful about dogging people willing to give up picks for someone you may not like. Some think Chad Johnson is crazy, but I feel that's somewhat ignorant. He has fun, but he works damn hard. Even those badmouthing him in Cincy have said he's one of, if not the hardest worker on the team.

With the amount of money first round picks are getting, you're just as good off trading it for a proven commodity rather than someone who could be a terrible bust. For instance, not saying it will happen, but hypothetically -- what if J. Russell flops? The Raiders are completely handcuffed with a contract.

ArtMonkDrillz · 03-24-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

B] Of course, the same holds true for the intelligent fans that had no place to speak before. [/B]

You're 100% right about this. Fans are probably more informed now than they ever were in the past because of the amount of information that it available to them at the click of a button. We can now use the internet to track the salary cap, a player's injury status, legal status, situational stats, draft prospects, depth charts, etc.
I guess it's just a matter of taking advantage of the resources to become more knowledgeable.

freddyg12 · 03-24-2008, 01:03 PM

I agree w/all here about the impact of the internet & other sports shows on tv & radio. Fans are a huge market. Ridiculous fans are here to stay, I can accept that, but there may be more to it w/the skins than w/most teams.

I think that Snyder has used this era to his financial advantage for the most part, while having relatively little success on the team winning games. I certainly don't mean to bash him, I think he's tried hard to build a winner & he's made some great decisions & moves, like getting Gibbs back here.

But I think that in his tenure he has fed the media monster w/out ever even talking to the press. He built a billion dollar franchise by creating luxury boxes, raising prices & signing big name players that essentially amounted to free advertising for his product.

All indications are now, that he's changed & the organization will roll differently. I look forward to it & applaud him. However, I do think he's guilty of feeding the dumbed down or fair weathered fans w/the biz moves he's made that were based on style more than substance.

#56fanatic · 03-24-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KB24

Growing up, one of the things I remember sports announcers saying about the Redskins is that they had a very knowledgeable fan base. But, lately, I've seen that same fan base do some things that make me scratch my head.

If you go to other Web sites, you'll notice fans suggesting that the Redskins give up high draft picks to acquire big stars/head cases who may not fit with the system or the locker room. The worst part is that this has been the strategy since Dan Snyder bought the team and it's netted a 70-79 record with one playoff win. Additionally, teams like the Steelers, Patriots, Colts and Giants mainly used the draft while treating free agency as a supplement to their roster-building. This strategy has netted Super Bowl wins for the aforementioned teams.

I've also noticed fans asking silly questions on message boards -- questions that, in my opinion, a "knowledgeable" fan base would never ask. They've included, "Can we as a sixth-seeded team host a playoff game?" "Why was that play called a touchback?" "Why are they running the ball here (when there's less than two minutes left in the game, the opposition has no timeouts and you're trying to run the clock out)?"

Then, the games themselves have turned into a breeding ground for violent, foul-mouthed fans who feel like they need to drink themselves to oblivion to have a good time. You also have people who are conducting business in the stands and don't care about the game. People who leave or return to their seats when a play is in progress. People who want to start the wave in the fourth quarter of a close game when the Redskins offense is on the field. People who are more concerned about getting on the jumbotron than what's happening on the football field. People who are jumping up and down screaming when the Skins have the ball on a crucial fourth-down play. And those who keep wondering why that little clock in the corner keeps counting backwards from 40.

(Okay, I made that last one up, but you get the idea!)

Thoughts?

Not digging at you but here is my take : Regardless of ones knowledge of "football" once can be a fan just like anyone else. My wife (god bless her soul) knows nothing about football, generally doesn't care to, but when the skins are on, she cheers like crazy - she loves the Skins but because she isn't as knowledgable as most doesn't make her stupid, or any less of a fan than the next person.

As far as the Fed X experience - the more I learn to worry about what I can control the less stressed the situations are. I am a fan that likes to have beers at the game and go nuts - that is the way I choose to watch the games. Now, I dont drink myself stupid to where I piss myself, passout (in that order) but I do get pretty crazy. I'll admit, that in the heat of the moment my language may get a little bad, but its a football game and I get emotional. I have a son who is 4. I intend on taking him to a game in the next year or two. I understand that there are going to be fans that curse and act like fools, but my son understands that this is not language we use at home or at school. If I didn't want him to hear it, then I choose not to take him to games.
Regarding the fans that dont seem interested, or conducting business - hey its their money. They can do with it what ever they seem fit. if they want to take clients to the game to seal the deal, so be it. I can't control that, nor can anyone. As far as fans selling their tickets to other teams fans, only thing I can say is if the skins are winning on a regular basis, then fans will tend to NOT sell their tickets and come to the stadium. I live in Charlotte NC and the Panthers are a prime example of this. If they are winning the stadium is full of Panther fans, but let them loose a few games early, and its like the stadium is over run with oposing team fans.

My advise, dont stress over things you can't control.

03-24-2008, 11:39 AM	#1
KB24 Special Teams Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 142	What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? Growing up, one of the things I remember sports announcers saying about the Redskins is that they had a very knowledgeable fan base. But, lately, I've seen that same fan base do some things that make me scratch my head. If you go to other Web sites, you'll notice fans suggesting that the Redskins give up high draft picks to acquire big stars/head cases who may not fit with the system or the locker room. The worst part is that this has been the strategy since Dan Snyder bought the team and it's netted a 70-79 record with one playoff win. Additionally, teams like the Steelers, Patriots, Colts and Giants mainly used the draft while treating free agency as a supplement to their roster-building. This strategy has netted Super Bowl wins for the aforementioned teams. I've also noticed fans asking silly questions on message boards -- questions that, in my opinion, a "knowledgeable" fan base would never ask. They've included, "Can we as a sixth-seeded team host a playoff game?" "Why was that play called a touchback?" "Why are they running the ball here (when there's less than two minutes left in the game, the opposition has no timeouts and you're trying to run the clock out)?" Then, the games themselves have turned into a breeding ground for violent, foul-mouthed fans who feel like they need to drink themselves to oblivion to have a good time. You also have people who are conducting business in the stands and don't care about the game. People who leave or return to their seats when a play is in progress. People who want to start the wave in the fourth quarter of a close game when the Redskins offense is on the field. People who are more concerned about getting on the jumbotron than what's happening on the football field. People who are jumping up and down screaming when the Skins have the ball on a crucial fourth-down play. And those who keep wondering why that little clock in the corner keeps counting backwards from 40. (Okay, I made that last one up, but you get the idea!) Thoughts? __________________ "The only real magic. The magic of knowledge." "Sounds like your assets are getting kicked!"

03-24-2008, 11:49 AM	#2
Schneed10 A Dude Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Newtown Square, PA Age: 45 Posts: 12,431	Re: What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? I do get frustrated when fans ask silly questions or propose ridiculous, maddenesque trade ideas. But then I look at the fans around me here in Philadelphia, and I'm reminded to be appreciative that at least we're not like them! I think overall we're a pretty smart fan base. Inevitably you're going to have some n00bs that need to be dealt with. But we're better off than a lot of cities, methinks. __________________ God made certain people to play football. He was one of them.

03-24-2008, 11:58 AM	#3
skinsguy Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Posts: 6,766	Re: What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? KB24, I've been wondering the same thing for awhile now myself. I think a lot of it has been bred through a decade and some change of losing. When the team was winning consistently in the 80's, fans didn't have to question every little move because they trusted the team and it's coaches that the moves were well thought out. I'm hoping the new Jim Zorn era will curb some of this. As far as the drunks in the stands, there's only so much you can do in those regards. I've always questioned why people insist on drinking at sporting events. __________________ "Fire Up That Diesel!"

03-24-2008, 12:00 PM	#4
Mwoody85 Camp Scrub Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 27	Re: What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? Between the price (tix, food, etc.), the alcoholic fans, and the fans that sell their tix to fans of other teams, I'm starting to prefer watching at home. It seems like the % of cowboy fans at FedEx goes up ever year. The other time the "limited" knowledge of the fan base shows is during post game radio call-in programs. Sometimes it’s painful to listen.

03-24-2008, 12:06 PM	#6
Soup's Uncle Special Teams Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 354	Re: What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? I think in general, Redskins fans are very knowledgable. I often will be out somehwere with a jersey on, and I'll break into conversation with total strangers about the Redskins. My whole family is Redskins fans, and I was discussing the draft in depth with some of my uncles yesterday. They knew a hell of a lot more than I did about different prospects and such. I think like any sports franchise, you get people who are idiots, but I feel like we're alot better than Eagles or Cowboys fans. Cowboys fans excuse for being fans of them is that their "America's Team" or some BS like that. Eagles fans are the most obnoxious people in the world. I know b/c I'm friends with a bunch of them.

03-24-2008, 12:06 PM	#5
freddyg12 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,540	Re: What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? When the Skins left RFK, the danny ushered in a new era. RFK was home to old standing season ticket owners & people that really knew & cared. Not that those same people aren't at fedex. When you jump from 52,000 to 90,000 it's inevitable you'll suffer a loss of quality. Consider fedex a 'pop music' or 'fast food' version of Redskins football. Maybe that's harsh, but fedex really symbolizes the danny's biz imprint on the skins even though he didn't build it. It's been about style over substance & that's how he's operated in free agency... unitl NOW!! The comments you make about fans wanting the skins to make the splashy moves, indicates that a lot of people must buy into the danny's past moves, or they simply don't know much recent skins history. It's good to see that the owner & front office seem to have really turned over a new leaf & will be running things quite differently now. We'll see how many fans catch on & support it. I know people on the warpath are behind the new approach, the fair weather fans will be too once we start winning consistently & JC becomes a star.

03-24-2008, 12:17 PM	#7
ArtMonkDrillz Franchise Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ellicott City, MD Age: 42 Posts: 8,029	Re: What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? In general the internet allows more people to have a voice than ever before. The majority of fans in the 80's could have been a bunch of slack jawed yolkles but you hardly ever got to hear them because they could only talk with other idiots in the room or call into to the radio after the game. Now we have a chance to read every little asinine thought that enters someone's mind as soon as they think it up. I think the fan base for every team seems to have been dumbed down because of this. Plus, if want to hear a bunch of idiots trying to talk about football you should come up here to Baltimore and take a listen to the majority of ravens fans. __________________ "Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." The Dude

03-24-2008, 12:20 PM	#8
Soup's Uncle Special Teams Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 354	Re: What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? Yeah, Ravens fans suck too. I'm friends with some of them as well.

03-24-2008, 12:24 PM	#9
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? I have been an extremely vocal critic of the fanbase. There are indeed several great, passionate, knowledgeable fans (as noted on this very fansite). Unfortunately, there are plenty of ignorant fans (also noted on this very fansite). I don't think though that it's necessarily worse than it was 20 years ago. It's just that back then the mass of morons had no platform with which to express their views. But now, thanks to podcasts, chat rooms, blogs, etc. they can no longer be shut up and their idiotic voices must be heard. Of course, the same holds true for the intelligent fans that had no place to speak before. Edit: I won't go any further since I just saw AMD's post which echoes what I'm saying (or I guess, I'm echoing what he's saying) __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

03-24-2008, 12:29 PM	#12
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 41 Posts: 8,341	Re: What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? Im 100% with you when it comes to games. I don't really enjoy going to the games anymore. No one seems to give a shit about the game, and if you do people bitch at you. I typically don't drink at games but I get into the game. I love when I haven't had a single beer and I'm accused of being 'drunk' because I cheer our defense on, I stand up for the defense, I scream, and often I'll sit down when the offense is going since I don't need my entire body to make noise. Fans are going to be unrealistic, but let's not act like teams don't go after big free agents. What did New England do last season? Two 2nds for Wes Welker, a tiny pick for Randy Moss, Big money on A. Thomas, etc. They went out, spend money, and went 16-0. Yeah, they didn't win the super bowl but no other team has ever gone 16-0 or even 18-1. However, be careful about dogging people willing to give up picks for someone you may not like. Some think Chad Johnson is crazy, but I feel that's somewhat ignorant. He has fun, but he works damn hard. Even those badmouthing him in Cincy have said he's one of, if not the hardest worker on the team. With the amount of money first round picks are getting, you're just as good off trading it for a proven commodity rather than someone who could be a terrible bust. For instance, not saying it will happen, but hypothetically -- what if J. Russell flops? The Raiders are completely handcuffed with a contract. __________________ Best. Player. Available.

03-24-2008, 01:03 PM	#14
freddyg12 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,540	Re: What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base? I agree w/all here about the impact of the internet & other sports shows on tv & radio. Fans are a huge market. Ridiculous fans are here to stay, I can accept that, but there may be more to it w/the skins than w/most teams. I think that Snyder has used this era to his financial advantage for the most part, while having relatively little success on the team winning games. I certainly don't mean to bash him, I think he's tried hard to build a winner & he's made some great decisions & moves, like getting Gibbs back here. But I think that in his tenure he has fed the media monster w/out ever even talking to the press. He built a billion dollar franchise by creating luxury boxes, raising prices & signing big name players that essentially amounted to free advertising for his product. All indications are now, that he's changed & the organization will roll differently. I look forward to it & applaud him. However, I do think he's guilty of feeding the dumbed down or fair weathered fans w/the biz moves he's made that were based on style more than substance.

What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base?

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