Brian Mitchell Show

[The Zimmermans]

Do you think the high prices correlate directly with the lack of atmosphere?? I know some games have great atmosphere, but toward the end of the season when the team is struggling the atmosphere isnt very impressive. And never is impressive on the club level. Why are people content with sitting inside and watching the tvs?

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by The Zimmermans

Do you think the high prices correlate directly with the lack of atmosphere?? I know some games have great atmosphere, but toward the end of the season when the team is struggling the atmosphere isnt very impressive. And never is impressive on the club level. Why are people content with sitting inside and watching the tvs?

I think that FedEx doesn't generate a great homefield advantage for a few reasons: (1) the Club Level tickets are expensive and a lot of those fans are the "Chardonnay" crowd; (2) we haven't fielded a great team since the RFK days; (3) FedEx is very antiseptic and doesn't create that blue-collar "we'll tear your head off" atmosphere; and (4) for some reason it seems like Washingtonians sell a lot of their tickets to outsiders (e.g. Dallas fans) and don't hold onto them like Philly or Green Bay fans do.

[The Zimmermans]

Do you think that the tickets get sold to other fans because it is too much of a commitment to go to every game because of ticket prices, traffic etc...

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by The Zimmermans

Do you think that the tickets get sold to other fans because it is too much of a commitment to go to every game because of ticket prices, traffic etc...

In some cases, but not for most "sellout" ticketholders. If this organization fields a good playoff team in back-to-back years, I think fans will stop selling their tickets in such large numbers. The fan base is definately here, it just needs to be energized.

That being said, the fans have a job to do (create homefield advantage) and they are simply not doing it. We are losing some close game (e.g. against Vikes and Titans) at home and the fans need to do their part to try to bring us Ws.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

That being said, the fans have a job to do (create homefield advantage) and they are simply not doing it. We are losing some close game (e.g. against Vikes and Titans) at home and the fans need to do their part to try to bring us Ws.

maybe once the team decides to show some heart the fans will feel more like jumping in.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by That Guy

maybe once the team decides to show some heart the fans will feel more like jumping in.

I agree that when our team plays better, the fans will be louder. But just because that is the way things are, that doesn't mean that's the way things should be.

I know I have no right to say X person is less of a fan than I am, but I cannot stomach fairweather fans who cheer only when we are stomping someone's ass. Many fairweather Redskins fans make me sick - they show no heart whatsoever. If our team had the heart of our fans, we'd be the Oakland Raiders.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I agree that when our team plays better, the fans will be louder. But just because that is the way things are, that doesn't mean that's the way things should be.

I know I have no right to say X person is less of a fan than I am, but I cannot stomach fairweather fans who cheer only when we are stomping someone's ass. Many fairweather Redskins fans make me sick - they show no heart whatsoever. If our team had the heart of our fans, we'd be the Oakland Raiders.

and LDS does everything to encourage that kind of fan behavior by having all those lounges and such open DURING the game. he rather sell than have people look at what's on the field. The high prices also help bring in an older crowd and the politician/lawyer/etc crowd which is less likely to cheer anyways.

[saskin]

The guy is out to make money....

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by BrunellMVP?

That is another huge beef- the redskins fans seem to sell their tickets to opponents ALL the time! Are they corp seats? i am constantly sickened by the volume of opposing jerseys in the stadium, week in, week out.

I agree that is a problem when they are playing good. Otherwise, I don't blame someone for selling their overpriced seats when Snyder puts dogsh!t on the field. If the prices were reasonable, I would say that no one should sell them to other teams fans but with this team, go right ahead.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I agree that when our team plays better, the fans will be louder. But just because that is the way things are, that doesn't mean that's the way things should be.

I know I have no right to say X person is less of a fan than I am, but I cannot stomach fairweather fans who cheer only when we are stomping someone's ass. Many fairweather Redskins fans make me sick - they show no heart whatsoever. If our team had the heart of our fans, we'd be the Oakland Raiders.

Whoa, I don't know about that. Snyder has created a situation where non-fans are going to be a large percentage of the crowd because of prices and corporate sponsorships.

Many die-hards can't afford to be season ticketholders.

[CRT3]

I have been going for 33 years. The atmosphere has changed from RFK to FEDEX, no one would argue that. It could be we are not winning or the fact there are more coporate seats. We had a winner at RFK while I was there for 23 years and no need not to cheer. That is untill the Norv Turner experiment started. So who the hell know why but all I can say is it starts off loud then the tone is set but the great/poor play. It really is that simple.

[railcon56]

I will be in the crowd ...And if Brunell throws a 4 yard pass on 3rd and 10..I will Boooo and Boooo very loudly....and I dont care what anyone thinks....And i can guarantee you alot more...will also be.... I won't be booing the team but Brunell and Gibbs for allowing this to happen..... Fair Weather? I am working till 2 am and then a 2 hr drive which i have to leave at 6 am and then tailgating..thats called dedication!!!! In the Upper Deck!!!!

[Jason72]

Originally Posted by CRT3

I have been going for 33 years. The atmosphere has changed from RFK to FEDEX, no one would argue that. It could be we are not winning or the fact there are more coporate seats. We had a winner at RFK while I was there for 23 years and no need not to cheer. That is untill the Norv Turner experiment started. So who the hell know why but all I can say is it starts off loud then the tone is set but the great/poor play. It really is that simple.

There is no comparison of Fed Ex to RFK. Almost double the people and only rarely gets as loud as RFK used to consistently. Times have changed...........
Fans show up halfway through the first quarter and leave with 10 minutes to go in the fourth. They talk on their cell phones, buy stuff, and seem to almost be oblivious to the fact they are at a football game sometimes. The fans we're just hungrier during the Gibbs 1 era. The team, the owner and the fans all share in the blame for the mystique being gone. I don't know what can ever bring it back.
Maybe a Super Bowl win in the future could restore the swagger?

[SmootSmack]

The business of football, well all sports has evolved so much; what with luxury boxes, corporate suites et al. And especially here in Washington. I remember Ted Leonsis telling me once (yeah that's right I name dropped) that sports in DC is a different animal because here more than anywhere politcians, lobbyists, business leaders use the tickets as leverage to get what they want/need from perspective clients. And team owners also know that they have to appease the bigwigs. So the common fan is sort of put on the back burner. It's just the way sports has grown so much as a business. For the true "fan" experience go to a minor league baseball game, arena football....or check out the NASCAR Busch Series only on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN on ABC beginning in 2007.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

The business of football, well all sports has evolved so much; what with luxury boxes, corporate suites et al. And especially here in Washington. I remember Ted Leonsis telling me once (yeah that's right I name dropped) that sports in DC is a different animal because here more than anywhere politcians, lobbyists, business leaders use the tickets as leverage to get what they want/need from perspective clients. And team owners also know that they have to appease the bigwigs. So the common fan is sort of put on the back burner. It's just the way sports has grown so much as a business. For the true "fan" experience go to a minor league baseball game, arena football....or check out the NASCAR Busch Series only on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN on ABC beginning in 2007.

I sure am glad that The Warpath has avoided the crass commercialization to which so many other aspects of our culture have fallen victim.

I remain,