Nostalgia Fix/Reality Lesson

[irish]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

And the reminiscing is not only because our glory days were so long ago, also because the stadium experience at fedex sucks in comparison. It might just suck period. I've only been once but it can't compare to RFK's feel. The team really needs to get that vibe back in its game day experience. Winning would be a start!

There's nothing wrong with FedEx that a consistent winning team wont cure.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

On one hand I agree completely, maybe if just thinking in current terms. Yet, I think the organization might be facing tougher economic times than it is has in decades. I think B. Allen coming on board is part of that, he's a moneyball guy who will control spending. Ticket sales are down, no way to deny that, they can only spin it in their marketing. The NFL is also at a crossroads that may bring further trouble to its economic health.

That said, I'm not saying the sky is falling, but at the same time I can foresee a trend of nfl stadiums getting smaller in the near future. The trend was to go huge, but those owners that have done so are now in tough positions to keep revenue coming in while managing their debt service. JJ is the most obvious, his future decisions will largely hinge on how his stadium is financed.

As c. cowherd pointed out; the stadium experience at nfl games is declining while the tv experience is improving. I think a lot of owners will think twice about building 90,000 seats. I think Seattle really did it well. So, if it were possible to renovate RFK & add seats, I could see it happening in the next decade. It may be completely idiotic from a construction standpoint, I don't know, but from a capacity/marketing standpoint, I could see it.

Best stadium in the NFL and a true home field advantage when the Seahawks are playing well.

[celts32]

Originally Posted by irish

There's nothing wrong with FedEx that a consistent winning team wont cure.

Amen to that! We love RFK because we won there and we bash FedEx becasue we have not won anything there yet.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by irish

There's nothing wrong with FedEx that a consistent winning team wont cure.

You're probably right in the short term simply because if our teams starts to win again that stadium would be full. I thought from watching on tv that the Minnesota game was one of the most encouraging from a noise standpoint. It actually sounded like the crowd made some noise when the vikes had the ball. Too often, the crowd doesn't seem much a factor, even in close games. RFK really had a home field advantage, Troy Aikman has often pointed that out.

[MTK]

Build a consistent winner and the crowds will be louder and more of a factor.

[hooskins]

Absolutely. Can't believe I find myself agreeing with irish.

[warpaint]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

^^ Went to several games at RFK as a kid - saw some great games and will always have fond memories of it. As I was a kid, I had no clue that it sucked. The first professional sports game of any sport I went to was a Skins' game at RFK. To me, at the time, it was the best f'ing stadium in the whole f'ing world!! Later, in my 20's when I went to games, I was one of those dumb drunk punks who didn't really care about amenities - I didn't care where I puked.

Now? I've gotten very demanding and want only the best at a stadium. You couldn't get me into RFK for love or money on a game day.

Doesn't change the great memories and the special place in my heart that RFK holds. Still remember pulling up some grass from the field after that first game (Dallas v. Skins). I don't remember who won, but I remember saving some grass, putting it in a plastic baggie, and hanging on my Skins' Wall by my bed.

Sure it's a hell hole, probably always was and I wouldn't want to go there now. Still the best f'ing stadium I ever went to!

(Next SC will say that, if they were playing today, the Beatles would just be a bunch of hacks who got lucky with some hits in the 60's)

Who or what are the Beatles.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

On one hand I agree completely, maybe if just thinking in current terms. Yet, I think the organization might be facing tougher economic times than it is has in decades. I think B. Allen coming on board is part of that, he's a moneyball guy who will control spending. Ticket sales are down, no way to deny that, they can only spin it in their marketing. The NFL is also at a crossroads that may bring further trouble to its economic health.

That said, I'm not saying the sky is falling, but at the same time I can foresee a trend of nfl stadiums getting smaller in the near future. The trend was to go huge, but those owners that have done so are now in tough positions to keep revenue coming in while managing their debt service. JJ is the most obvious, his future decisions will largely hinge on how his stadium is financed.

As c. cowherd pointed out; the stadium experience at nfl games is declining while the tv experience is improving. I think a lot of owners will think twice about building 90,000 seats. I think Seattle really did it well. So, if it were possible to renovate RFK & add seats, I could see it happening in the next decade. It may be completely idiotic from a construction standpoint, I don't know, but from a capacity/marketing standpoint, I could see it.

The push for new stadiums has already hurt the NFL with their debt. When the NFL had to ask the US govt for a $2 billion bailout of its own a couple summers back for operating expenses, you know it is getting bad. Jerry Jones better hope Garrett is the answer to get the Boys back to the playoffs, or a lot of fans will not be spending such a large sum for such crappy bal, and the bills come due for that new Coliseum he built. Same goes for Snyder, as a continously crappy product combined with a crappy economy spells doom in the long run. Snyder isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Build a consistent winner and the crowds will be louder and more of a factor.

Not necessarily Matty. I am 40 years old and with the exception of my time as a small child in Lanham, and grad school, I have been in MI my whole life. Seeing a U of M football game at the Big House in the 80's made you deaf. The early 90s was the same, but by the time Llyod Carr became coach the place became a bit tame, even when the were still a major power kicking Ohio State's ass. My point being is it also the demographics of the fans in the stadium or to some degree or just the disposition of the "herd". Overall fans nowadays are just more serene and not as into it it seems. It is more of a diversion or a reason to party. The pro sports franchises are going totally corporate and that means increases in pricing for everything. The blue collar types and lower middle class folks just can't afford the games anymore, and those are the types that actually follow the sport. What you have left are people there just for a diversion and a reason to party, so they might not really care that much and give a halfass cheer if any. Winning might cure that to some degree, but that depends on how serious the fan is. Either way it is going to be a fairly long time till Fedex will be rockin on Sunday afternoons. Our entire team building philisophy needs to be changed, as well as a large part of our roster.