Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

i think we should be around 15-18

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[quote=irish;332864]I think Leinart is a good young QB with great receivers to throw to. I also like that the cards have what seems to be an easy schedule. The coaching staff is an upgrade that is young & hungry.

They do have prolems rushing and the D needs some help. I think their season will be very similar to the skins.[/quote]

So you like the Cards and can see them having a similar season to the Skins, yet you don't seem to like the Skins? What gives?

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[quote=irish;332862]Thats right, they dont care if the teams wins or loses because they have low standards for the team. Just make sure the beer is cold and grill hot. Anyone with high standards for the team has either moved on to another team or is labeled as negative for calling a turd a turd.[/quote]

Ahhh... so the 80,000+ that sell out FedEx are there for the beer and food?!

Glad we cleared that up.

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[quote=irish;332864]I think Leinart is a good young QB with great receivers to throw to. I also like that the cards have what seems to be an easy schedule. The coaching staff is an upgrade that is young & hungry.

[B][I] They do have prolems rushing and the D needs some help. I think their season will be very similar to the skins.[/I][/B]

SF is going to be the team from that division.[/quote]

So wait, you think the Cards will be good this year as well as the Skins?

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[quote=irish;332862]Thats right, they dont care if the teams wins or loses because they have low standards for the team. Just make sure the beer is cold and grill hot. Anyone with high standards for the team has either moved on to another team or is labeled as negative for calling a turd a turd.[/quote]

Honestly, that really pisses me off. I'm with the team through good years and bad years and I pay the money like everyone else because I enjoy seeing my team play my favorite past-time. Before you start spouting shit like that off, you might want to consider that you probably offended most people on this board.

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;332867]Ahhh... so the 80,000+ that sell out FedEx are there for the beer and food?!

Glad we cleared that up.[/QUOTE]

All the tickets may be sold but if you think FedEx is full you need to look a little closer at your tv. I'd say 75% of the people at a game are there for beer, food and a day out, they couldnt give a hoot about the skins or if they win. How many post are written by guys at the game complaining about how many people are leaving too early, getting there too late, not paying attention, not yelling....? A lot. It sounds like those fan are not really into the game but I bet they had a hell of a tailgate spread that they wouldnt miss for anything.

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

What you're describing isn't exclusive to the Skins though.

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[QUOTE=Mattyk72;332866]So you like the Cards and can see them having a similar season to the Skins, yet you don't seem to like the Skins? What gives?[/QUOTE]

I think living in DC and following the skins gives me a deeper insight into the skins than I have into the cards so I see all the good and bad with the skins while i only see high level stuff on the cards.

I also view that cards as the worst pro sports team ever so to see the skins as perennial bottom dwellers down with those bums makes me sick. I hold the skins to a higher standard than the cards.

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

I certainly have a way of using the wrong word around here....

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[quote=irish;332879]I think living in DC and following the skins gives me a deeper insight into the skins than I have into the cards so I see all the good and bad with the skins while i only see high level stuff on the cards.[/quote]

Well there you go. The grass is always greener elsewhere.

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[quote=irish;332874]All the tickets may be sold but if you think FedEx is full you need to look a little closer at your tv. I'd say 75% of the people at a game are there for beer, food and a day out, they couldnt give a hoot about the skins or if they win. How many post are written by guys at the game complaining about how many people are leaving too early, getting there too late, not paying attention, not yelling....? A lot. It sounds like those fan are not really into the game but I bet they had a hell of a tailgate spread that they wouldnt miss for anything.[/quote]

The stands might not be full but the stadium definitely is.

Bottom line is they sell out, not all NFL teams can make that claim.

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;332888]The stands might not be full but the stadium definitely is.

Bottom line is they sell out, not all NFL teams can make that claim.[/QUOTE]

The parking lots are full I'll give you that.

I am trying to think of an NFL team besides the Cards that does not sell out and I cant.

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[QUOTE=#56fanatic;332697]i guess if they had us in the top 10 they would be great writers?? when are you people going to realize if the Skins dont win on the field, this is where we are. We have had two, count them, two winning seasons in all most 10 years. We have like the 2nd or 3rd worst losing record in the NFL over that 10 year span. What makes any of you think we dont deserve to be in the bottom 3rd of the league? is it because our payroll is the highest in the NFL year after year?? that we supposedly have all this talent?? if we had all the talent, then we would be in the top 3rd.

lets put this together from someone (the writers) not wearing burgandy & gold shades. Campbell at QB - showed some flashed, but essentially a Rookie - Portis coming off injuries - Betts - was last year the real Betts, or is the real Betts the one that can't stay healty? WR corp - other than Moss, who do we have that can produce?? O-line - losing Dock, putting a career tackle in his spot, how is that going to work out. the defensive line - horrible last year, no changes is it still going to be horrible?? Adding an aging MLB and starting essentially a rookie on the outside - is that going to work out. probably starting a rookie at the safety position. is shawn springs going to stay healthy? There are a ton of questions about this team that puts us in the bottom 3rd of the league. Stop thinking because of all the money we spend that we are automatically good.

Also, can the head coach and offensive coordinator get along and agree on how the team is going to operate??

Will GW "out coach" him self again this year??

I think 25-28 is pretty solid ranking for a team that has this many questions.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I can see that the team's record last year and failure to produce over the course of the last decade would translate into a low ranking. We probably deserve it. But consider Cole's ranking of 29. This ranking puts the Redskins in the bottom four of the league. The NFL's bottom four from last year all won four games or less, meaning that Cole basically believes we are at best a 4-12 team. But look at his overall rankings--seven of the teams in his bottom half are on the Redskins' schedule, including four in his bottom ten (Bills, Bucs, Lions and Vikings). So in the half of our schedule that is against the league's worst teams, he sees us playing .500 at best, and losing to every single opponent in the other half of the schedule. Do you have to be a homer to believe the Redskins are not this bad?

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[quote=irish;332889]The parking lots are full I'll give you that.

I am trying to think of an NFL team besides the Cards that does not sell out and I cant.[/quote]

I know the Bills have problems selling out and the Raiders did last year too.

Here's an interesting article about fan loyalty

[url=http://www.bizjournals.com/edit_special/43.html]bizjournals: Cleveland is No. 1 in rankings of NFL fan loyalty[/url]

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[QUOTE=irish;332874]All the tickets may be sold but if you think FedEx is full you need to look a little closer at your tv. I'd say 75% of the people at a game are there for beer, food and a day out, they couldnt give a hoot about the skins or if they win. How many post are written by guys at the game complaining about how many people are leaving too early, getting there too late, not paying attention, not yelling....? A lot. It sounds like those fan are not really into the game but I bet they had a hell of a tailgate spread that they wouldnt miss for anything.[/QUOTE]

Irish, for once in your life, think before you type. Do you think it's at all likely that there are 60,000 people (75% of capacity) who have enough money to go to FedEx Field to drink $9 beers and eat $8 hot dogs and watch something they don't care at all about? FedEx is not a place for a day out, people watch football. They frequently cheer, loudly. They come home hoarse, and with ringing ears. They hoot, they holler, they exhort their neighbors to do the same. I know this, because I am one of them. I'm sorry the bleachers don't shake with the screaming - that's what happens when your stadium is up to code.

Do a few thousand fans leave early to beat traffic? Sure. I left a family member's wedding early to jockey for position at the reception - it doesn't mean I don't love them.

There are other possible reasons you don't hear the cheers, irish. Maybe, just maybe, the attendees are all as enlightened as you are, and would rather show their allegience by grumbling "I told ya so..."

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[QUOTE=BrudLee;332897]Irish, for once in your life, think before you type. Do you think it's at all likely that there are 60,000 people (75% of capacity) who have enough money to go to FedEx Field to drink $9 beers and eat $8 hot dogs and watch something they don't care at all about? FedEx is not a place for a day out, people watch football. They frequently cheer, loudly. They come home hoarse, and with ringing ears. They hoot, they holler, they exhort their neighbors to do the same. I know this, because I am one of them. I'm sorry the bleachers don't shake with the screaming - that's what happens when your stadium is up to code.

Do a few thousand fans leave early to beat traffic? Sure. I left a family member's wedding early to jockey for position at the reception - it doesn't mean I don't love them.

There are other possible reasons you don't hear the cheers, irish. Maybe, just maybe, the attendees are all as enlightened as you are, and would rather show their allegience by grumbling "I told ya so..."[/QUOTE]

I sure do think people in the DC area have that kind of money. I think they are interested in the game like people are interested in a movie, they pay attention and enjoy the show but they dont live & die with the team.

I Have been to games in clev, den, KC and pit and i can tell you from my experience I did not see anybody leaving early. I'm sure there were a few but it was not as noticeable as at FedEx.

I guess RFK was not up to code because those stands used to shake.

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[quote=irish;332862]Thats right, they dont care if the teams wins or loses because they have low standards for the team. Just make sure the beer is cold and grill hot. Anyone with high standards for the team has either moved on to another team or is labeled as negative for calling a turd a turd.[/quote]

What the hell can a fan really do but root and stick by their team? So why not make the beer cold and the burgers hot???

The Washington Redskins and Joe Gibbs are all that is great about professional football. EVERYONE knows that!

Redskins fans having low standards is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. We have won the super bowls and tasted glory more than most football organizations. The reason there is so much depression and pressure around the team when they lose. They have done all possible to try and win and sometimes you just don't win! There are 32 other teams and only one team can win in the end. Making the playoffs in the NFL is no small feat either, not like HOCKEY!!

Come on man, its way too early for you to have such a negative attitude towards the SKINS. Why don't you just sit back and watch........if we fail again I'm sure you will let everyone know how right you were and how bad we suck. Until then..............

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[QUOTE=JDALY27;332913]What the hell can a fan really do but root and stick by their team? So why not make the beer cold and the burgers hot???

The Washington Redskins and Joe Gibbs are all that is great about professional football. EVERYONE knows that!

Redskins fans having low standards is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. We have won the super bowls and tasted glory more than most football organizations. The reason there is so much depression and pressure around the team when they lose. They have done all possible to try and win and sometimes you just don't win! There are 32 other teams and only one team can win in the end. Making the playoffs in the NFL is no small feat either, not like HOCKEY!!

Come on man, its way too early for you to have such a negative attitude towards the SKINS. Why don't you just sit back and watch........if we fail again I'm sure you will let everyone know how right you were and how bad we suck. Until then..............[/QUOTE]

Matty would not agree as that super bowl stuff was over 10 years ago so who cares.

I agree with you that this organization is one of the greatest in NFL history and thats why I think the past has a lot to do with today and the future. Fans of that long time ago that Matty thinks is irrelevant had high standards and expected super bowl wins. Todays fans hope for being in playoff contention and tell me to look on the bright side as they have made 2 playoff appearances in 10 years. Steelers fans or Broncos fans would laugh at being jacked over 2 playoffs in 10 years. The standards are lower today my friend and it makes me very sad.

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

OUCH, ranked below the Texans by both writers.

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[quote=sandtrapjack;332927]OUCH, ranked below the Texans by both writers.[/quote]

All the more proof that those writers are idiots.

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[quote=hesscl34;332944]All the more proof that those writers are idiots.[/quote]


Yes hess, those and most of the others are in the same boat. Ship of FOOLS!

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[quote=irish;332925]Matty would not agree as that super bowl stuff was over 10 years ago so who cares.

I agree with you that this organization is one of the greatest in NFL history and thats why I think the past has a lot to do with today and the future. Fans of that long time ago that Matty thinks is irrelevant had high standards and expected super bowl wins. Todays fans hope for being in playoff contention and tell me to look on the bright side as they have made 2 playoff appearances in 10 years. Steelers fans or Broncos fans would laugh at being jacked over 2 playoffs in 10 years. The standards are lower today my friend and it makes me very sad.[/quote]

Let me clarify that when I said "high standards" what I meant is that some of us fans don't give any room for failure and are very hard on the SKINS. All teams have their ups and downs.. and most fans here understand that. I think to be great you have to experiance humility first and learn from it. Joe Gibbs is one coach that understands this and I think we will all see progress in the very near future. Last year was a blind blessing .. and I think our team will benefit greatly from hard times in the long run...

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[QUOTE=hesscl34;332948]Let me clarify that when I said "high standards" what I meant is that some of us fans don't give any room for failure and are very hard on the SKINS. All teams have their ups and downs.. and most fans here understand that. I think to be great you have to experiance humility first and learn from it. Joe Gibbs is one coach that understands this and I think we will all see progress in the very near future. Last year was a blind blessing .. and I think our team will benefit greatly from hard times in the long run...[/QUOTE]

Nice post hess

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[quote=SmootSmack;332952]Nice post hess[/quote]

Thanks Smoot.... Smmmmmmmmooooooooooooooooooootttttttttt! Can't wait to yell that again!

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I never said that tradition doesn't matter. That's ridiculous. The Redskins have a proud and rich tradition.

I'm simply saying what happened over the course of the last 10-15 years has no bearing on what is going to happen this season.

Standards aren't any lower now than they ever were. I don't think you could find a Skins fan alive that wasn't incredibly disappointed with last year and wishes nothing but a playoff run for this season. I wish you could back up with this claim with something meaningful rather than this 'because I say so' mentality.

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[QUOTE=Mattyk72;332956]I never said that tradition doesn't matter. That's ridiculous. The Redskins have a proud and rich tradition.

I'm simply saying what happened over the course of the last 10-15 years has no bearing on what is going to happen this season.

Standards aren't any lower now than they ever were. I don't think you could find a Skins fan alive that wasn't incredibly disappointed with last year and wishes nothing but a playoff run for this season. I wish you could back up with this claim with something meaningful rather than this 'because I say so' mentality.[/QUOTE]

I guess if you are looking for proof of lowered standards (from anything less than a super bowl win is acceptable) see post 24 of this thread. If that isnt a lowered standard I dont know what is. I honestly think I lot of fans think that way now because losing and mediocre play seems to have become endemic to this organization.

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[quote=irish;333064]I guess if you are looking for proof of lowered standards (from anything less than a super bowl win is acceptable) see post 24 of this thread. If that isnt a lowered standard I dont know what is. I honestly think I lot of fans think that way now because losing and mediocre play seems to have become endemic to this organization.[/quote]


I don't get that at all. Quite simply, it's the difference between someone who tends to cast things in a positive light, and someone who tends to cast things in a negative light. Just perspective........

#24
"We made it to the second round of the playoffs two years ago, which is more than A LOT of teams have done. We do have what it takes.. I just think it takes time. The fans around here have such high standards. I'm not saying that's wrong, but there will be times when things are going our way and times they are not. It happens to EVERY team. There are teams that have never seen the Super Bowl. Be lucky you aren't their fans. Being able to watch players like ST, Portis, ARL, and Moss I think is a privilege. I get excited just thinking about what they are going to do out there. We don't always win, but there is almost ALWAYS a good show from someone. It's not boring!!!! HAIL! J"

__________________

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So because the Skins haven't won it all in a long time or haven't been a "good team" for many years we should stop supporting them? Isn't that the definition of a fairweather fan? When they start winning again, is it alright to start supporting them again? If so, we would be labled as bandwagon jumpers instaed of true fans that stuck it out durring tough times.

Any person who switches teams because their first isn't winning anymore was never a true fan in the first place.

I will watch the Redskins play for the rest of my life and believe they will win every game because this is my team. That isn't lowering my standards, thats being a true fan and supporting my team through thick and thin.

I will never accept losing. It hurts to see the team you love lose so often, but it does make seasons like '05 that much better because you did stick it out. Its all about loyalty, not lowering your standards.

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[QUOTE=irish]I guess if you are looking for proof of lowered standards (from anything less than a super bowl win is acceptable) see post 24 of this thread. If that isnt a lowered standard I dont know what is. I honestly think I lot of fans think that way now because losing and mediocre play seems to have become endemic to this organization.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=hesscl34;332792][COLOR=black]We made it to the second round of the playoffs two years ago, which is more than A LOT of teams have done. We do have what it takes.. I just think it takes time. The fans around here have such high standards. I'm not saying that's wrong, but there will be times when things are going our way and times they are not. It happens to EVERY team. There are teams that have never seen the Super Bowl. Be lucky you aren't their fans. Being able to watch players like ST, Portis, ARL, and Moss I think is a privilege. I get excited just thinking about what they are going to do out there. We don't always win, but there is almost ALWAYS a good show from someone. It's not boring!!!! HAIL! [/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Wingdings][FONT=Wingdings]J[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Wow - You take a perfectly reasonable, well-thought out post, stating a realistic point of view, that encourages an optimistic way to approach the upcoming season and finds the high points in the past 10 years and sh-- all over it. Clearly, you're the kind of person who, if given a pony, would say "look at all this crap I have to clean up".

Hess' post is not saying "Hey, we're losers but it doesnt matter". Rather, it merely points out that even in the losing years there are highpoints. Further, we have made it deep into the playoffs recently and there is hope that we can succeed again.

You seem to argue that, b/c the team is not a consistent play-off contender and because people are not miserably unhappy due to this fact, everyone has low standards. I disagree. This team is my passion and I am truly miserable after every loss. At the same time, since it is my passion and I refuse remain unhappy and will (as Hess points out) find the bright spots (last year's home game against the Cowboys for example).

Because I intend to enjoy my passion, I will continually root, cheer and find some shred of hope in the things done by this team and which I have no control over. Further, I will argue vociferously and, hopefully, intelligently when people give me crap about the Skins. They may shake their heads and laugh BUT I will consistently reinforce the positives so that when they do, inevitably, succeed, I can say "I told you so".

You seem to relish your decision to refuse to find positives about the team. Does that mean you have higher standards than Hess? No. It simply means you enjoy being a grumbling curmudgeon and she does not.

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[QUOTE=gibbsisgod;333068]So because the Skins haven't won it all in a long time or haven't been a "good team" for many years we should stop supporting them? Isn't that the definition of a fairweather fan? When they start winning again, is it alright to start supporting them again? If so, we would be labled as bandwagon jumpers instaed of true fans that stuck it out durring tough times.

Any person who switches teams because their first isn't winning anymore was never a true fan in the first place.

[B]I will watch the Redskins play for the rest of my life and believe they will win every game because this is my team. That isn't lowering my standards, thats being a true fan and supporting my team through thick and thin.

I will never accept losing. It hurts to see the team you love lose so often, but it does make seasons like '05 that much better because you did stick it out. Its all about loyalty, not lowering your standards[/B].[/QUOTE]

Excellent post and I thought the bolded part was particularly well said.

Up yours Irish! (chill - j/k)

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All the things mentioned in post 24 are bright spots in those seasons and I dont recall where I said anyone should stop supporting the team. I have'nt. However when someone tells me I should be happy because the redskins went to the 2nd round of the playoff 2 years ago (he didnt mention it was only the 2nd time in like 15 years) and I should consider myself lucky I am not a fan of the Cards, Lions, etc. because they have sucked longer than the skins, I cant help but shake my head in sorrow.

The standard used to be playoff success every year and now it seems I should be thankful for a glimmer of sunshine twice in 15 years. Its about loyality and standards. Everyone on this board is loyal to the skins, I just dont let my loyality get in the way of my high standards for this organization.

In the end I guess we have to agree to disagree on this.

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[quote=irish;333075] I just dont let my loyality get in the way of my high standards for this organization.

[/quote]
And I wont let 15 years of failure get in the way of my love for the Redskins like you.

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[quote=Mattyk72;332846]I wouldn't mind being lumped with the Saints based on what they did last year. But I know you like the 15 year look so I guess that's out.[/quote]


You are missing the point - would you rather have a team like the Saints for example that make the playoffs once every 10-15 years - or a team that in that same 10-15 year span is competative and has winning seasons - may or maynot make the playoffs - but are expected to make the playoffs every year?

Personally - I'll take the team that is a consistant winner - expected to make playoffs every year than the team that blow everyone out of the water 1 year out of every 10

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[quote=Mattyk72;332859]Well, according to ESPN nearly 54% think the Skins are going to the playoffs this year.

I would think in most people's eyes anything less would be a failure. I don't see Skins fans having low standards at all. If we had low standards I fail to understand why people would continue to go to the games or buy the merch. Wouldn't we have given up after 15 years of misery?? The high ticket prices and obstructed view seating doesn't even keep people away.[/quote]


its amazing how when a survey or article goes against the skins it has no relavance, the person has no clue what they are talking about, but when its in the Skins favor all of the sudden it carries weight.

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[quote=hesscl34;332948]Let me clarify that when I said "high standards" what I meant is that some of us fans don't give any room for failure and are very hard on the SKINS. All teams have their ups and downs.. and most fans here understand that. I think to be great you have to experiance humility first and learn from it. Joe Gibbs is one coach that understands this and I think we will all see progress in the very near future. Last year was a blind blessing .. and I think our team will benefit greatly from hard times in the long run...[/quote]


aren't we all just a bit tired of saying this year in and year out. Every since 1999 its been, boy wait until next year. Next year its ours. I think I am just a bit tired of saying that. I want to be able to say we consistantly make the playoffs, make a superbowl run, and can pretty much count on playing in jan. Right now, not so much!

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[quote=#56fanatic;333078]its amazing how when a survey or article goes against the skins it has no relavance, the person has no clue what they are talking about, but when its in the Skins favor all of the sudden it carries weight.[/quote]

[COLOR=black]Don't be so quick to make such a broad generalization. Personally I don't dismiss all negative commentary regarding the team and praise everything that's positive. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]If criticism is warranted that's fine with me, and I'm not beyond criticizing the team when I feel it's justified. I think what most people don't appreciate around here is ignorant or uneducated commentary on the team, which we seem to see more often than not from those in the national media. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]I think the most educated and informed commentary regarding the team comes from those closest to it, local media, the fans, etc.[/COLOR]

Re: Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings
 

[quote=#56fanatic;333077]You are missing the point - would you rather have a team like the Saints for example that make the playoffs once every 10-15 years - or a team that in that same 10-15 year span is competative and has winning seasons - may or maynot make the playoffs - but are expected to make the playoffs every year?

Personally - I'll take the team that is a consistant winner - expected to make playoffs every year than the team that blow everyone out of the water 1 year out of every 10[/quote]

Actually you're missing my point. What's happened in the last 10-15 years doesn't have any effect on this season. That's my simple point, I don't see why we have to keep referring to the past when talking about what could happen this year. I doubt Saints fans are still crying about what happened in the distant past when talking about this upcoming season.

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[QUOTE=Mattyk72;333083][COLOR=black]Don't be so quick to make such a broad generalization. Personally I don't dismiss all negative commentary regarding the team and praise everything that's positive. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]If criticism is warranted that's fine with me, and I'm not beyond criticizing the team when I feel it's justified. I think what most people don't appreciate around here is ignorant or uneducated commentary on the team, which we seem to see more often than not from those in the national media. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]I think the most educated and informed commentary regarding the team comes from those closest to it, local media, the fans, etc.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

I am wondering how fans can be some of the most educated and informed about a team when they can only get their information from the media? Fans are knowledgeable about what they read and see but they really have no inside access (as all media do) to what the players and coaches are doing. Even the media only knows what they are being told by the teams and that may not always be what is really going on.

Fans have lots of good commentary but its all conjecture based on what they read or see on tv.

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[quote=#56fanatic;333080]aren't we all just a bit tired of saying this year in and year out. Every since 1999 its been, boy wait until next year. Next year its ours. I think I am just a bit tired of saying that. I want to be able to say we consistantly make the playoffs, make a superbowl run, and can pretty much count on playing in jan. Right now, not so much![/quote]

Then be a Colts fan.

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[quote=irish;333090]I am wondering how fans can be some of the most educated and informed about a team when they can only get their information from the media? Fans are knowledgeable about what they read and see but they really have no inside access (as all media do) to what the players and coaches are doing. Even the media only knows what they are being told by the teams and that may not always be what is really going on.

Fans have lots of good commentary but its all conjecture based on what they read or see on tv.[/quote]

It's because we take in every nugget about the team possible... where as people who write about all 32 teams just don't have the time to digest every little fact about every team.

You said it yourself earlier in this thread that you pay more attention to the Skins vs. a team like the Cardinals, so your view on the Skins is going to be more critical since you are better informed about the Skins vs. other teams.

Regarding inside access, we probably have more inside access than you realize.