Screw Florida - Rant

[Philliesfan980]

You know what...

Screw Florida.. All they do is screw up Philadelphia sports seasons. First it was Bucs beating the Eagles to go to the Super Bowl a few years back, next it was the Marlins dicking out the Phillies last September, and now its the "We normally don't give a shit about our team" Lightning decided to get its shit together and go to the Cup.

The Marlins, can't even draw until Playoff time, win 2 Championships in the past what? 6-7 years? The same Marlins who were just sold a few years back.

You guys already have warm weather all year long, just let us have something for once!!!

[Ksyrup]

We don't have a state income tax either...

[SFL Cat]

We don't have a state income tax either...

If its any consolation, we think about you folks up North as we lay out on the beach in January. :)

[Philliesfan980]

We don't have a state income tax either...


But don't you have a higher personal property tax?

Either way, it just really sucks. Philadelphia suffers with their sports. Sure, you hear about Chicago, and Boston all the freaking time, but Philadelphia really has terrible luck with their sports franchises.

[miami_fan]

It is the whole contraction mystic! Contract the Marlins? The Lightning? Lord knows folks would have love to contract the Bucs if the idea had been brought up. Hmmmm..... Maybe I should start a campaign to contract the Dolphins :D

[Philliesfan980]

oh.. and don't even get me started about the Early Bird Special.

[bbor]

Go Leafs!

[Bubba Wheels]

I was in a Sarasota Publix last year and the elderly guy giving out samples was pushing California oranges! So that tells you right there everything is just not hunkey-dorey in the Sunshine State!

[Philliesfan980]

Go Leafs!

Bah, you guys are worse off than us, I tip my hat to you.

[Ragone]

Hehe philly fans should have known they were going to lose.. they always choke in the big games :)

that reminds me of a extremeskins cartoon :)

hxxp://www.extremeskins.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=banghaha&file=passages

[Philliesfan980]

A perfect example of the front running done in Florida.

On a Saturday afternoon, the Marlins draw a whopping 25,174. Yes, they did just win the World Series people! Cash your freaking Social Security checks, shine off your white shoes, and get to the park!

[SFL Cat]

25,174 is a pretty nice figure for South Florida...Last season at this time, it probably wouldn't have been more than 13,000.

[Philliesfan980]

25,174 is a pretty nice figure for South Florida...Last season at this time, it probably wouldn't have been more than 13,000.


Thats pathetic.

[Critch]

I've never been to Florida and I don't care about hockey, so it's Screw Delaware for me. It's only about 100 yards wide and they manage to fit in about 12 toll booths into their stretch of I-95.

It's time to build a bridge over Delaware.

[bbor]

Bah, you guys are worse off than us, I tip my hat to you.


I knew that make ya feel better ;)

[Philliesfan980]

I've never been to Florida and I don't care about hockey, so it's Screw Delaware for me. It's only about 100 yards wide and they manage to fit in about 12 toll booths into their stretch of I-95.

It's time to build a bridge over Delaware.


I do agree with that... Coming home from Baltimore that one toll is about $4.00 I believe now. This isn't a bridge people! Its literally 50-60 miles of highway, which my tax dollars go to anyway!

[Philliesfan980]

I knew that make ya feel better ;)


It did, thank you!

Its just tough being a Philadelphia fan. For being a major market in the US and not having a championship in 20 years now in any major sport its crazy.

[SFL Cat]

25,174 is a pretty nice figure for South Florida...Last season at this time, it probably wouldn't have been more than 13,000.

Say what you want, but first and foremost, South Florida is ALL about the Miami Dolphins. If the other sports teams do well, they'll get support from the local community (i.e., the late season surge in attendance for the Marlins last year, the Heat in the NBA playoffs this year), but only the Dolphins can be guaranteed of unconditional support (and if Wannstedt doesn't get the team deep into the playoffs this season, even that could change). South Florida fans are fickle, and unlike Philly, there are lots of other distractions down here more attractive than supporting sucky teams.

Also, if the Marlins get their own baseball-only facility, that can only help at the gate.

[Maple Leafs]

You know, I like the Lightning. Good team, high-powered offensive system, etc.

But... I think that "The Tampa Bay Lightning's good luck charm is to have the national anthem sung by Hulk Hogan's daughter" has to just about shatter the Unintentional Comedy Scale forever.

[Chubby]

Say what you want, but first and foremost, South Florida is ALL about the Miami Dolphins. If the other sports teams do well, they'll get support from the local community (i.e., the late season surge in attendance for the Marlins last year, the Heat in the NBA playoffs this year), but only the Dolphins can be guaranteed of unconditional support (and if Wannstedt doesn't get the team deep into the playoffs this season, even that could change). South Florida fans are fickle, and unlike Philly, there are lots of other distractions down here more attractive than supporting sucky teams.

Also, if the Marlins get their own baseball-only facility, that can only help at the gate.

by unconditional support do you mean failing to sell out playoff games? florida fans only support college football unconditionally, every pro sport down there has to fight and claw for fans to show up.

[Philliesfan980]

by unconditional support do you mean failing to sell out playoff games? florida fans only support college football unconditionally, every pro sport down there has to fight and claw for fans to show up.


I remember they couldn't sell out those Marlins wildcard games against the Giants last year. I'm not sure if they sold out against the Cubs either.

[SFL Cat]

Florida and Florida State have no problem selling out week-after-week. Miami is another story. Unless the 'Canes are playing a big-time "name" opponent, it isn't unusual for them to have 15-20,000 open seats at the Orange Bowl.

[Chubby]

Florida and Florida State have no problem selling out week-after-week. Miami is another story. Unless the 'Canes are playing a big-time "name" opponent, it isn't unusual for them to have 15-20,000 open seats at the Orange Bowl.
yeah miami doesn't sell out, is it because of the location of the stadium? it's not like they don't have the support that's why I've alwasy wondered why they don't pack the stadium.

[SFL Cat]

I remember they couldn't sell out those Marlins wildcard games against the Giants last year. I'm not sure if they sold out against the Cubs either.

The Marlins are an interesting case study. Wayne Huizenga's fire-sale after the 96 World Series championship left a bad taste in the mouths of a lot of Florida baseball fans. Support for the team just dried up after that, especially with all the talk in MLB of moving the team to another city and/or contracting the team. I think the Fish recaptured the minds of a lot of baseball fans down here after their major turnaround last year, especially since they made strong efforts to keep the championship team together during the offseason. I think the major bone of contention remains the new baseball-only stadium. Although, the Marlins do have a TERRIBLE $$$ arrangement with Pro Player Stadium, most fans are turned off by the Marlins renewed vows to move if they don't get their new stadium. Not many people are happy with the proposed Orange Bowl site for a new stadium either. I tend to think that a majority of the Marlins fanbase is in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, not Miami-Dade. Also, I just don't think there is any way to build the proposed facility (a retractable-roof stadium) for the $350-$380 million that the Fish are saying. Millions of $$$ are going to have to be spent just to improve the infrastructure in the area.

[SFL Cat]

yeah miami doesn't sell out, is it because of the location of the stadium? it's not like they don't have the support that's why I've alwasy wondered why they don't pack the stadium.

Partially. The Orange Bowl is an old stadium that is really in need of some major renovations. It's not in the best of neighborhoods, and traffic aroudn the site can be a literal nightmare -- renovation to the area's infrastructure are an absolute must if they build the Marlins a stadium there. On top of all that, South Florida sports fans just tend to be fickle (unless it is the Dolphins).

[Philliesfan980]

Alright guys, I'm calm. Thanks for letting me vest about those no good #$(*!!@(#*!(@# in Florida.

[Chubby]

Partially. The Orange Bowl is an old stadium that is really in need of some major renovations. It's not in the best of neighborhoods, and traffic aroudn the site can be a literal nightmare -- renovation to the area's infrastructure are an absolute must if they build the Marlins a stadium there. On top of all that, South Florida sports fans just tend to be fickle (unless it is the Dolphins).

I really don't get why you say the Dolphins fans aren't fickle tho. Look at their playoff attendence (I can't find them on the official Dolphins site) but I'm pretty sure the last playoff game they were in they didn't get anywhere near selling out and I think previous playoff games were similar.

[SFL Cat]

I really don't get why you say the Dolphins fans aren't fickle tho. Look at their playoff attendence (I can't find them on the official Dolphins site) but I'm pretty sure the last playoff game they were in they didn't get anywhere near selling out and I think previous playoff games were similar.

I think they've sold out all the games. It happened late, but I think it did sell-out because the game wasn't blacked out.

[Chubby]

I think they've sold out all the games. It happened late, but I think it did sell-out because the game wasn't blacked out.

ahh, I coulda heard that they weren't going to sell out then the club bought the rest of the tickets or something.

[Noop]

yeah miami doesn't sell out, is it because of the location of the stadium? it's not like they don't have the support that's why I've alwasy wondered why they don't pack the stadium.
I am sure you have never been to the Orange Bowl... I wouldn't go there for anything other then the football game. It is so bad my dad rents a car to go to the game. Also for someone who said about Florida State and Florida selling I have to sat this.... both have huge student bodies in basically college towns so it is expected there is a sellout.

[Easy Mac]

They cost us an election.

[Noop]

They cost us an election.
Jeb Bush

[MrBug708]

I thought it was Skulletor (I just realized I cant spell that word)

[chinaski]

Jeb Bush
the scary thing is, Jeb is infinitely smarter than GW.

[Chubby]

I am sure you have never been to the Orange Bowl... I wouldn't go there for anything other then the football game. It is so bad my dad rents a car to go to the game. Also for someone who said about Florida State and Florida selling I have to sat this.... both have huge student bodies in basically college towns so it is expected there is a sellout.

Never been to the Orange Bowl, I've seen the Hall of Fame Bowl but I think that's played in Tampa. What is Miami's student body compared to FSU and Florida? I'm guessing smaller but I don't know by how much.

[druez]

that was BS, the refs called a crappy game.

[Philliesfan980]

that was BS, the refs called a crappy game.

I agree wholeheartedly, but it seems that it was crappy for both teams.

The bottom line is this: Tell me hockey gods out there on the board, why do the refs put the whistles away during game 7's? There was more clutching, hooking, holding, blah blah blah. How the hell are you supposted to score goals when anytime you get near the net you get mauled?

What makes game 7 more important (as far as a single game goes) than any other game during the playoff's?

[Noop]

Never been to the Orange Bowl, I've seen the Hall of Fame Bowl but I think that's played in Tampa. What is Miami's student body compared to FSU and Florida? I'm guessing smaller but I don't know by how much.
Miami I would say is filled with Northerns who really arent into football but rather spend their days on South Beach. I think Miami has 10,000-15,000 student body where as Florida State and Florida is alot higher because they are public school.

druez - What are you talking about?

[druez]

Miami I would say is filled with Northerns who really arent into football but rather spend their days on South Beach. I think Miami has 10,000-15,000 student body where as Florida State and Florida is alot higher because they are public school.

druez - What are you talking about?

I have no problem with letting things go, but I can't count the number of times a flyers stick was held over and over again. I mean it was blatent. Or they would just tackle them.

Then when Amonte is pulled town they give him a penalty for diving also come on. I think Bettman is taking a page from his former league and working on scripting the NHL Playoffs like the NBA is done. You would think they want Philly in the finals and on first glance they would. But, whats the best way to get fans in a market involved a potentialy huge market like Florida, get em to the finals.

"disclaimer" i'm a bitter philly fan.

[Ksyrup]

I don't like the way playoff hockey is ref'd, period. TB has a terrific advantage against Philly on the power play, which is an integral part of regular season success (both on offense and defense). Then, come playoff time, that advantage is rendered meaningless because nothing's called. The way TB was scoring at will on PPs, had these been regular season-like games, TB would have won going away.

It's like an NFL team having a clear advantage in its kicking and return games, but in the playoffs, the NFL decides that all teams should get the ball on the 20 for every possession, and there's no field goals allowed. If there's one thing that turns me off about hockey, that's it.

[SteelerFan448]

Don't blame Florida because of Philly's choke jobs. :D j/k

[moore4807]

Just putting my $.02 worth....

yeah I'm bitter - but TB should of won the series anyway on talent - coupled with Philly's blueline injuries.... AND Timander (Islander farm team reject) and MARKOV wouldnt shoot from the blue line!!!!! WHAT the hell was that all about????

BUT

but HOW in the hell is it a "diving" penalty on Amonte when BOTH of Sydor's hands are wrapped around Amonte's mid-section as he's falling???? AND Sydor gets called for obstruction-holding???? if its a penalty - OK its a penalty - THEN CALL IT!!!! Its a damned shame if the whistle delay makes the player take a DIVE to get the penalty called, but when its so blatantly obvious that the player is denied a scoring chance because of the 1st penalty.... maybe a few penalty shots called from the review booth upstairs would balance the game... there wouldnt be so much clutching and grabbing if it was going to cost you a penalty shot....

[Philliesfan980]

Just putting my $.02 worth....

yeah I'm bitter - but TB should of won the series anyway on talent - coupled with Philly's blueline injuries.... AND Timander (Islander farm team reject) and MARKOV wouldnt shoot from the blue line!!!!! WHAT the hell was that all about????

BUT

but HOW in the hell is it a "diving" penalty on Amonte when BOTH of Sydor's hands are wrapped around Amonte's mid-section as he's falling???? AND Sydor gets called for obstruction-holding???? if its a penalty - OK its a penalty - THEN CALL IT!!!! Its a damned shame if the whistle delay makes the player take a DIVE to get the penalty called, but when its so blatantly obvious that the player is denied a scoring chance because of the 1st penalty.... maybe a few penalty shots called from the review booth upstairs would balance the game... there wouldnt be so much clutching and grabbing if it was going to cost you a penalty shot....


The bottom line is that game sucked. Alot of people said it was "intense" but to me it was alot of stick grabbing and hooking, on both sides.

TB was the better team this year, but give me a game by the book in game 7 please. Does not calling any penalities confirm that the NHL refs know they don't really know what their doing?

[Karim]

Does not calling any penalities confirm that the NHL refs know they don't really know what their doing?
I think it confirms that the league office doesn't know what to do. They issue so many eddicts throughout the season and playoffs the officials don't know what to call, if it will cost them a fine, who will chew them out afterwards, etc., etc.

[moore4807]

I think your right that the league office is to blame for most of the officiating problems, I actually think the stripes do a pretty good job considering....
but it IS a gripe that what was a penalty in the regular season isn't even looked at in the post-season - this is what the players gripe about and the guilty parties usually are the loudest complainers :D (yeah I'm saying the Flyers are guilty here) and the number of two line passes - half of them dont get called correctly ( used to be a skate drag or majority of the players body MUST be behind the line ) anybody remember that Gretsky guy? another rule created because he was THAT damn good) now everybody just lets the tip of thier skate draw on the line and they dont slow down at all - but if the refs dont call it its a good play nowadays.... :eek: