Yahoo! Preseason POWER Rankings

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

All the more proof that those writers are idiots.

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

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by irish

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.

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...

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

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...

Nice post hess

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Nice post hess

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

[MTK]

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.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

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.

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.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by 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.

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"

__________________

[gibbsisgod]

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.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by hesscl34

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

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.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by gibbsisgod

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.

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

Up yours Irish! (chill - j/k)

[irish]

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.

[gibbsisgod]

Originally Posted by irish

I just dont let my loyality get in the way of my high standards for this organization.

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

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

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.

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

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

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.

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.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

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...

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!