Redskins’ popularity wanes - PFT

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Well the Lions attendance is up, from the anecdotal evidence I have. But yes it's down at many other camps.

Most of the true factors have already been listed here-economy, heat, lockout, it's not that exciting. Though you may recall that I did say that recent research we did showed that the Redskins' popularity is at its lowest point in a decade. But that was done after the 2009 season.

But I'll tell you what. I don't think it's a bad thing at all that there aren't so many fans there. This to me reflects the proper direction we're moving in. Before we had the headline grabbing players.

Oh my God. The Redskins signed Deion I gotta go see him Burgundy and Gold! We just traded for Donovan McNabb! I need to see him as soon as training camp starts! Haynesworth can't pass his conditioning test! This I gotta see!

Even the less hardcore fans were interested in these big names. But now? Not so excited about seeing Kory Lichtensteiger? Anthony Bryant bores you? So what, these are guys who are going to help us win...hopefully

And now I'll debunk much of what I just said and say that when some of our FAs actually can practice we'll probably see a bit of a lift.

I think it might be a good thing in that folks are going to be more practical in their expectations with the team. Too many folks over the course of my time involved with Warpath or the old WP Skins message board went with the hype of every new coach or QB we acquired over the past decade and said playoffs here we come, etc, even though in reality most people knew we would be lucky to hit .500. I know I have a bad rep in here being a pessimist, but I rather be a pessimist that is proven wrong on occasion and receives a nice surprise than a poor bloke that has visions of playoffs dancing in his head, when the team has more holes in it than swiss cheese. I am excited about this season, even if we only go 7-9 or 8-8. The newbies will be learning, but making things exciting. But I still don't think I would risk getting fried over watching a practice.