Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

I just wondered a few days ago, not relegated specifically to the warpath or skins fans but in general throughout the media and NFL why so much FedEx bashing.

I realize that there are some issues, i.e. location on the beltway, not located downtown or near a Metro, high ticket and parking prices, traffic, doesn't have all the bells and whistles of other downtown facilities.

Aside from this, it does have good aspects. Tailgating is great, club level that is second to none in NFL. The field is well kept. Huge capacity. The inside of the stadium isn't bad and when the SKINs are rolling it is a very intimidating homefield advantage, maybe not quite like RFK but we were a championship team then. I'm sure many owners around the league wouldn't mind owning FedEx and their team's too. It's definately a facility that has what is needed to keep the team here for a long long time.

If you look at some other facilities like Arrowhead, Gillette Stadium, The Coliseum in Nashville, all are somewhat like FedEx, they have plain exteriors, and are located somewhat outside of their downtown cities yet FedEx seems to get the most criticism.

My experiences at FedEx have been pretty good. You just have to get there early.

Just curious, any thoughts, experiences?

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

Because it's in vogue to bash The Daniel and his ability to turn a big profit annually, despite having run one of the five worst franchises in the NFL (in terms of W/L record) since the end of Gibbs I.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

The biggest problem is that it's not RFK, sacred ground in Redskin history.

People forget that:[LIST=1][*]RFK is not viable for modern NFL economics.[*]Jack Kent Cooke tried for years to work with the District to build a stadium in DC. If you watched the baseball stadium debacle, you get the idea.[*]Cooke built Redskins - later Jack Kent Cooke Stadium - later FedEx Field with his own money; so it's functional, not pretty.[*]The open effect lets cheers escape skyward. RFK's canopy redirected crowd noise back to the field. Atmosphere! Atmosphere![*]The corporate suites and plaza level moves fans in the upper deck [B]much[/B] farther away from the action. The upper deck at RFK was almost intimate.[*]Prince Georges County welcomed the Stadium when DC and Virginia said no.[*]Parking and traffic for a 90,000 seat stadium would be more congested in the District than in PG County.[*]RFK would vibrate with crowd noise. Sturdy FedEx does not.[*]Joe Gibbs, Jack Pardee and George Allen won at RFK. At FedEx, well . . . . :Flush:[/LIST]There's loose talk that District fathers would like to lure the Redskins back.

You can laugh at that one. I do.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=Master4Caster;259159]The biggest problem is that it's not RFK, sacred ground in Redskin history.
[/QUOTE]

You really didn't need to say anything else.
I told my wife I wanted my ashes spread across RFK stadium. Not fedex field!

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

I bash it because when I listened to the game this weekend, it sounded like an Eagles home game.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

too corporate from the commercials during game time to the "fans" that sell their seats every game. WE are a late arriving, non factor, fair weather, stuck up (ie- yelling at people to sit down...its a GAME people) bunch. the high price has driven the real fans out of the stadium...
for the price of season tickets, you could buy a HD big screen TV, a kegerator, and grill 20 lbs of meat and a keg of beer with your buddies...each game.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

That sort of sums up how I feel about the whole experience. While I truly feel the Redskins have the most dedicated fanbase in the entire NFL, those are not the people who have season tickets and show up to games.

Just as BrunellMVP? mentioned, these are the corporations, the snobs who have the funds and money to afford to have a leisurely evening watching an "NFL football match" and most couldn't give two shits who won or lost. FedEx isn't representative of the fanbase, which is unfortunate because at the bar I was in all the way down in Florida last weekend, it was 50% Skins fans, all in their jerseys.

While no one has ever asked me to sit down, it makes me want to fucking puke when I see even a small amount of opposing team's fans in Redskin's seats. If you're a "real" fan you go to each game, no matter what, because I'm DAMN sure that if the Giants are needing a win on the last day of the season, I bet their fans will gladly take tickets off our hands.

The people sitting in the corporate boxes of FedEx do not represent the fanbase. It's people like Warpath who has season tickets even though he lives nearly two hours away from the stadium. It's Gmanc who makes it a priority to make it down to at least one or two games a year all the way from New York. It's all those other people that are too many to mention who make it a VACATION to actually go see your favorite team play, playoffs or not.

That's the Redskins fanbase, not these people who live minutes away and decide to stop going at the first sign of problems.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

There's nothing wrong with Fed Ex Field...the problems are on the field. if the Redskins of the 70's & 80's played like the 90's Redskins then everyone would have called RFK the dump that it was.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

ok my experience between the 2 goes something like this nothing and i mean nothing compares to RFK period.alot of history in that stadium and it was really hard to play the redskins there too.fed ex is to me a great hangout a really nice stadium great lookin jumbotrons and great hangout for the corporate executives that love football or so it seems.RFK is like a legacy that will remain with me til death ,it,s like a marriage sort to speak.
when you get beat by the skins you knew you got beat period now it aint the same......like the above poster it all started even before joe gibbs @RFK not fed ex kind of makes me go well hmmmmm ,it aint the same and it never will be..atmosphere is huge at RFK not so at fed ex. in short RFK couldn,t survive in todays nfl and i agree with master all the way...

joe gibbs era 1 was built and won us proud redskins over like true redskins..
he also represented to the redskins what redskin football is all about .

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

Fed Ex sucks because it is too big, with too many bad seats at too high of prices........plus parking is a rip off and the metro stop is miles away......and that doesnt take into account the traffick situation. What is good about fed ex from a fan's standpoint????? (Yes I enjoy the tailgating...but tailgating is good anywhere) And don't give me that "well more fans get tickets to games", yeah fans of the other team.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

FedEx isn't RFK, simple as that.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

Is FedEx really as "corporate" as other new stadiums around the league or in other sports? Yeah they show commericals on the jumbrotrons during timeouts and they are annoying, but I've seen that sort of thing elsewhere. Yeah they sold the naming rights to the stadium but that's become the norm. The seats themselves are pretty expensive but things like food and beer cost just as much as in other stadiums in the area, so that's to be expected.

It does usually seem like there are a ton of fans of the other team there but that's mainly because the team is doing so bad this season. If the team was better tickets for Skins fans would be in higher demand and you probably wouldn't see nearly as many opposing fans. Plus, I think you also have to look at the make up of a city like Washington; there are a ton of transplants that move here for the jobs opportunities and they often bring their football loyalties with them. Hines Field in Pittsburg, for example, probably has a higher ratio of Steelers fans at each game because the team is doing well and there probably aren't as many people who move there from other places.

As far as the actual stadium goes, I'd have to say that the club level has to be one of the best but it lacks that "into the game" type of atmosphere, so I personally don't really like sitting there. Also, the jumbotrons suck compared to the one's in baltimore, so that's sort of disappointing. When the crowd is really into the game the place is amazing, but it's hard to get all reved up for a team that's really struggling.

The worst aspect of FedEx has to be the Funky Four. God I hate them.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;259263]The worst aspect of FedEx has to be the Funky Four. God I hate them.[/quote]

I haven't seen pro sports sideline entertainment that embarrassing since the old Washington Bullets days in the Cap Centre. Appallingly, uncomfortably bad.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

FF got to go. Sick of that lame act.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

I don't live in the area, and the only Redskins games I have ever been to were road games, so I really don't know all the aspects of what everyone is talking about. However, I don't recall a game like Phily last week (a lot of cheers for the opposing team) happening last year. So hopefully these fans that are selling their seats are only doing it because we're losing. Then again, if I had season tickets I would be there, or at the least give them / sell them to a Redskins fan.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;259259]FedEx isn't RFK, simple as that.[/quote]

agree matty

nuff said.

RFK is what the redskins are all about..

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=gibbs4life;259301]agree matty

nuff said.

RFK is what the redskins are all about..[/QUOTE]

What is loved about RFK is the history there...all the great teams and great games that were played there. It has little to do with the building itself...I have a picture of RFK framed on my wall...what it means to me is all that was accomplished there...the building itself was a cookie cutter stadium and not that special at all. If the Redskins won more since moving into Fed Ex people would feel differently about it. Basically, we link RFK to our winning years and Fed Ex to our losing years.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[quote=celts32;259360]What is loved about RFK is the history there...all the great teams and great games that were played there. It has little to do with the building itself...I have a picture of RFK framed on my wall...what it means to me is all that was accomplished there...the building itself was a cookie cutter stadium and not that special at all. If the Redskins won more since moving into Fed Ex people would feel differently about it. Basically, we link RFK to our winning years and Fed Ex to our losing years.[/quote]

It was more than that too, it was the overall atmosphere. RFK was a rockin' place that was always packed to the gills, FedEx always looks half empty on TV. It's always disappointing to see so many seats empty in the gold section.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[I]Aside from this, it does have good aspects. Tailgating is great, club level that is second to none in NFL. The field is well kept. Huge capacity. The inside of the stadium isn't bad and when the SKINs are rolling it is a very intimidating homefield advantage, maybe not quite like RFK but we were a championship team then. I'm sure many owners around the league wouldn't mind owning FedEx and their team's too. It's definately a facility that has what is needed to keep the team here for a long long time.

[/I]I don't care for it much. I am a season ticket holder who got tickets when Fedex opened, after 28 years on the list(went on my parents tickets for many years before that). It is too damn big. That is why so many fans of the opposing teams get in. There are just too many tickets available. The place has never been as loud as RFK was. Doubtful it ever will be. They whore you on parking and will let anyone park anywhere, so as to clog everything up. The music absolutely BLARES in the upper deck, yet they don't seem to ever get 'hail to the redskins' loud enough. And for God sake, can we get rid of the idiot 'Funky Four'. From the moment you step into the place you feel like the building is just there to separate you from your money at every turn. There is no home feeling to it at all.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=munny;259394] And for God sake, can we get rid of the idiot 'Funky Four'. [/QUOTE]

That's funny. I actually know those guys.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

I have a friend at work all the way here in Harrisburg who has season tickets and he told me that Philly fans were harassing him in the parking lot at FedEx after the game. They were chanting "Redskins Suck" and no one said anything to them so he told them to F off and almost got his @ss kicked. No one stepped in to back him up. Now that is sad.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

I remember going to RFK and couldn't believe how intense it was... I actually had a pretty rockin' time when SC traveled to FedEx to play Va. Tech three years ago... imo, it was pretty damn loud that day too.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

Are you serious with some of these??? I have been going for 34 years and have seats in the club level. 1st and foremost it is not second to none. Just go up 95 to Baltimore and you will get a taste of somthing really nice. I have been to at least 10 other stadiums and all are better then FEDEX. Pittsburgh(Food) Tampa (Girls), Carolina, Baltimore, Seatle, Sand Diego, Denver, New England, Tennesse, and Cleveland. Did you happen to see the field this week? It look like a sandlot. They had no grass in the center of the field, pretty much sand. Did you miss that? And we have a full stadium when we are winning but incase you haven't noticed, no winning. Then throw in the lack of decsent food, event staff who have their heads up their butts. Also did you realize it took them 8 years to light the American Flag at night. I know this 1st hand as I complained about it for 8 years till one day I said somthing to the right person and it was lit the next night game. FEDEX sucks and will never be like RFK but considering it is new it really is like RFK a concrete shell with no services inside

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/search?p=dallas%20rendering&photos=1&sp=1&ep=9]Search - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

As much as it pains me to say this, the plans for the new cowboys stadium look pretty nice. I really like the huge jumbotron/scoreboard that they're going to have suspended over the field but I wouldn't be suprised if a punt or two hit it each season. Really, the only downside that jumps out at me is that it is going to be filled with dallas fans.
Oh well, I'm sure our Skins will just love to pi$$ all over their nice new stadium the first time they play there.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=jsarno;259404]That's funny. I actually know those guys.[/QUOTE]

I don't want to offend your friends or anything but that act is just soooooooo annoying if you go to more than 1 game a year. It's the same thing every time, and lately they don't even seem like they want to be out there doing it. Plus, it now starts with a FedEx commercial that seems to last three times as long as the actual dance.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=ArtMonkDrillz;259673][url=http://sports.yahoo.com/search?p=dallas%20rendering&photos=1&sp=1&ep=9]Search - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

As much as it pains me to say this, the plans for the new cowboys stadium look pretty nice. I really like the huge jumbotron/scoreboard that they're going to have suspended over the field but I wouldn't be suprised if a punt or two hit it each season. Really, the only downside that jumps out at me is that it is going to be filled with dallas fans.
Oh well, I'm sure our Skins will just love to pi$$ all over their nice new stadium the first time they play there.[/QUOTE]

You notice the score they posted? Those bastards!

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

I wonder if they'll build the field with that nasty hump to it like they have now.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=TAFKAS;259678]You notice the score they posted? Those bastards![/QUOTE]

Those MF'ers.

Oh, and sorry I didn't warn people about that link. It contains a picture of "Scary" Jerry Jones, so it's probably NSFW

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

Which picture has the score? I feel like I'm playing where's waldo.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;259683]Which picture has the score? I feel like I'm playing where's waldo.[/QUOTE]

[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/photo?slug=dn10812130047.cowboys_stadium_dn108&prov=AP]This artist's rendering provided by the Dallas Cowboys shows the team store... - NFL - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;259683]Which picture has the score? I feel like I'm playing where's waldo.[/QUOTE]

You can see it better here

[url=http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/]Dallas Cowboys New Stadium[/url]

Click on Photo and Video Gallery and it's the 3rd stadium photo

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;259363]It was more than that too, it was the overall atmosphere. RFK was a rockin' place that was always packed to the gills, FedEx always looks half empty on TV. It's always disappointing to see so many seats empty in the gold section.[/QUOTE]

Thats just the thing though...the team stinks and has for the most part since Fed Ex was built. The empty seats are a rseult of no shows becasue the team usually stinks. Picture that stadium with the 1991 redskins playing in it! Then you would have 92,000 people rocking Fed Ex on it's ear. You can't judge what Fed Ex is capable of being until we see it with a great team playing it it.

I am not a new school Redskins fan either...I loved RFK...I saw every big Joe Gibbs win in there...I just think we are all tainted though by the wins and great games played there.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[quote=TAFKAS;259686]You can see it better here

[URL="http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/"]Dallas Cowboys New Stadium[/URL]

Click on Photo and Video Gallery and it's the 3rd stadium photo[/quote]

Fugly stadium, looks like a Zeppelin hanger.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[quote=celts32;259689]Thats just the thing though...the team stinks and has for the most part since Fed Ex was built. The empty seats are a rseult of no shows becasue the team usually stinks. Picture that stadium with the 1991 redskins playing in it! Then you would have 92,000 people rocking Fed Ex on it's ear. You can't judge what Fed Ex is capable of being until we see it with a great team playing it it.

I am not a new school Redskins fan either...I loved RFK...I saw every big Joe Gibbs win in there...I just think we are all tainted though by the wins and great games played there.[/quote]

I dunno man, even last year when we were winning FedEx was rocking, but still not the way RFK used to rock. And there were still plenty of empty seats, fans of other teams, etc.

It will just never be the same.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;259701]I dunno man, even last year when we were winning FedEx was rocking, but still not the way RFK used to rock. And there were still plenty of empty seats, fans of other teams, etc.

It will just never be the same.[/QUOTE]

Yes, we were winning at the end last year but were we great? At 5-6 half the people had already gave away their tickets or made other plans for those last couple home games. And everyone knew it wasn't a Super Bowl team. I mentioned 1991 becasue that team had Super Bowl written all over it from day 1...if Fed Ex had a team like that we could then judge the atmosphere.

The one negative that I will acknowledge with Fed Ex that may never be able to be fixed is that Club Level...those seats are too expensive to put real fans in so that level of the stadium will probably always be weak...

Overall I just think it's a little premature to give Fed Ex a final grade when it's never had a great team play in it.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;259673][URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/search?p=dallas%20rendering&photos=1&sp=1&ep=9"]Search - Yahoo! Sports[/URL]

As much as it pains me to say this, the plans for the new cowboys stadium look pretty nice. I really like the huge jumbotron/scoreboard that they're going to have suspended over the field but I wouldn't be suprised if a punt or two hit it each season. Really, the only downside that jumps out at me is that it is going to be filled with dallas fans.
Oh well, I'm sure our Skins will just love to pi$$ all over their nice new stadium the first time they play there.[/quote]

[IMG]http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20061213/capt.txdm10412130203.cowboys_stadium_txdm104.jpg[/IMG]

^

So they're actually paying money to duplicate a hole in the roof caused by bad architectual plans (realized roof would not hold weight load if completed) and the fact that they ran out of funding?

That's as asinine as bring in Terrell Owens to play for Parcells.

They should just trade Bledsoe for Allen Iverson while they're on a roll.

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

"C'mon...you're not getting rid of the bad shadows?"
[IMG]http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/c1/full.getty-71465456rm024_new_orleans_s_12_17_01_am.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

Well played
[IMG]http://www.dallasnews.com/img/photo/03-05/jones10.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

So we ran out of coaches, owners,FO personel and players to bash so now we move to the stadium. Whats next on the list? How about the Indian guy?

Re: Why the FedEx Field Bashing?
 

[QUOTE=firstdown;259776]So we ran out of coaches, owners,FO personel and players to bash so now we move to the stadium. Whats next on the list? How about the Indian guy?[/QUOTE]

Native American, please.