Do I support a new NFL team.

[MacroGuru]

Alright....

Here is the issue.

I have been a Lions fan since the early 80s where I wanted to be an individual and not root for my dads team. Millen is killing the team, murdering them, and some of the quotes of coaches on Millen is discouraging even more to the point, he doesn't have a clue.

I can't stand by and watch the implosion of my team anymore. Now here is where I am at. I live in Utah, no affiliation or relations or anything tying me down to a team. Around here, you get the bandwagon jumpers. SF, Dallas, Oakland, Eagles, and for regional, Broncos.

For me, I am a fan of the game itself, but I don't know what to do......So far, I have been thinking, do I continue my support of the Lions? Or do I move on to a new team, if I do move on...who.........

[rkmsuf]

Alright....

Here is the issue.

I have been a Lions fan since the early 80s where I wanted to be an individual and not root for my dads team. Millen is killing the team, murdering them, and some of the quotes of coaches on Millen is discouraging even more to the point, he doesn't have a clue.

I can't stand by and watch the implosion of my team anymore. Now here is where I am at. I live in Utah, no affiliation or relations or anything tying me down to a team. Around here, you get the bandwagon jumpers. SF, Dallas, Oakland, Eagles, and for regional, Broncos.

For me, I am a fan of the game itself, but I don't know what to do......So far, I have been thinking, do I continue my support of the Lions? Or do I move on to a new team, if I do move on...who.........

don't let me catch you celebrating in 2024 when it's the Lions winning the whole thing.

[Johnny93g]

i didnt know you cold just stop rooting for a team.....my Hoosiers have had 2 down years, and i know there nothing that would keep me from rooting for them...stick with the Lions, when they turn it around, even if it's just for 1 season, it will be sweeter

[MikeVick7]

Dude, I was a Falcons fan all the way through the 90's...

I think if you're over the age of...let's say 21...you should not be able to change your favorite teams. Period.

[MacroGuru]

don't let me catch you celebrating in 2024 when it's the Lions winning the whole thing.
Honestly, I doubt I will jump ship...just had to relay my frustrations...I am in Utah, I can't be up in Detroit wearing Orange to home games or participate in the marches....

My wife laughs at me, and rooting for my team...this year has been a blessing as I have been able to tear apart her 49ers

[FrogMan]

you should have title your thread "PING: Bengals fans"... I'm sure they could have helped you as they've had plenty of chances/reasons to switch team in the past ;)

FM

[albionmoonlight]

Alright....

Here is the issue.

I have been a Lions fan since the early 80s where I wanted to be an individual and not root for my dads team. Millen is killing the team, murdering them, and some of the quotes of coaches on Millen is discouraging even more to the point, he doesn't have a clue.

I can't stand by and watch the implosion of my team anymore. Now here is where I am at. I live in Utah, no affiliation or relations or anything tying me down to a team. Around here, you get the bandwagon jumpers. SF, Dallas, Oakland, Eagles, and for regional, Broncos.

For me, I am a fan of the game itself, but I don't know what to do......So far, I have been thinking, do I continue my support of the Lions? Or do I move on to a new team, if I do move on...who.........
No--I think that you have good ownership who wants to put a winner on the field. It just happens that Matt Millen apparently has pictures of that owner having sex with animals. It happens.

Plus, you really don't want to become a "bandwagon" fan. Take the bad, and that will make the good that much sweeter.

I would wait until the post-Millen era to see what is wrought.

That said, there is nothing stopping you from having a "second favorite" team. Hopefully, one of your two teams will make it into the playoffs--keeping you interested in football all season long.

[MacroGuru]

you should have title your thread "PING: Bengals fans"... I'm sure they could have helped you as they've had plenty of chances/reasons to switch team in the past ;)

FM
I thought most of them jumped shipped to support the Browns or Steelers....came back with the emergence....;)

[albionmoonlight]

Dude, I was a Falcons fan all the way through the 90's...

I think if you're over the age of...let's say 21...you should not be able to change your favorite teams. Period.
I agree, with one exception. If the team relocates from your city, you get to change favorite teams without penalty.

[st.cronin]

don't let me catch you celebrating in 2024 when it's the Lions winning the whole thing.


Actually in 2024 the Lions will be just finishing up their second threepeat in seven years ... so yes, there is hope. ;)

[Honolulu_Blue]

Alright....

Here is the issue.

I have been a Lions fan since the early 80s where I wanted to be an individual and not root for my dads team. Millen is killing the team, murdering them, and some of the quotes of coaches on Millen is discouraging even more to the point, he doesn't have a clue.

I can't stand by and watch the implosion of my team anymore. Now here is where I am at. I live in Utah, no affiliation or relations or anything tying me down to a team. Around here, you get the bandwagon jumpers. SF, Dallas, Oakland, Eagles, and for regional, Broncos.

For me, I am a fan of the game itself, but I don't know what to do......So far, I have been thinking, do I continue my support of the Lions? Or do I move on to a new team, if I do move on...who.........
Stay strong, my brother! Stay strong! It is always darkest before the dawn! Remember what they say... Victory can be a luscious fruit if allowed to ripen! Think about it... Our fruit has been ripening almost 50 years now... That's gonna be one delicious mango!

Also, you're Official Personal Trainer of Honolulu_Blue(tm). If you abandon the Lions that may affect my personal training regime. I will get fat(ter) and could run the risk of heart disease. That would make Lady H_B and any future lil' H_Bs very sad. Do it for the children indoorsoccersim... For the children.

And you remember Barry Sanders, right? Those were good times... Tell me those were good times. Please? Pleeeease?

By the way... Good choice of teams. You really stuck it to your old man! :D

[MacroGuru]

Stay strong, my brother! Stay strong! It is always darkest before the dawn! Remember what they say... Victory can be a luscious fruit if allowed to ripen! Think about it... Our fruit has been ripening almost 50 years now... That's gonna be one delicious mango!

Also, you're Official Personal Trainer of Honolulu_Blue(tm). If you abandon the Lions that may affect my personal training regime. I will get fat(ter) and could run the risk of heart disease. That would make Lady H_B and any future lil' H_Bs very sad. Do it for the children indoorsoccersim... For the children.

And you remember Barry Sanders, right? Those were good times... Tell me those were good times. Please? Pleeeease?

By the way... Good choice of teams. You really stuck it to your old man! :DWell...the one thing that has kept me strong, is the Autographed Barry Sanders Rookie Card I have.....

Oh, and my old man roots for the fish.....

[FrogMan]

Actually in 2024 the Lions will be just finishing up their second threepeat in seven years ... so yes, there is hope. ;)
don't worry, this is a known bug and has been logged. It will be fixed in the upcoming FOF patch/update :p

FM

[FrogMan]

I agree, with one exception. If the team relocates from your city, you get to change favorite teams without penalty.
or when that happens, you simply stop following the sport altogether (aka me and the Nordiques) :(

FM

[Honolulu_Blue]

Also, look at me. I was a huge Red Wings fan back when they were horrible and hadn't won a thing, back in the Dead Things era. It was ugly. Ugly, ugly, ugly.

The Ilitch bought the team. They drafted Yzerman. They started putting the pieces together, started making some runs, became the winningest franchies in the 90s, and eventually went on to win 3 Stanley Cups in 6 years and are no considered one of the best franchises in the league. So nowadays I get to strut around in the hockey world like I'm the Pope Of Chilitown.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Well...the one thing that has kept me strong, is the Autographed Barry Sanders Rookie Card I have.....

Oh, and my old man roots for the fish.....
So what made you decide on the Lions then? Was it the snappy Honolulu Blue & Silver unis? Tell me it was.

[MacroGuru]

or when that happens, you simply stop following the sport altogether (aka me and the Nordiques) :(

FM
I will have this much to say, I might be getting into the AFL fanfare here, with the Utah Blaze here.

Combine that with RSL for soccer, Jazz for Basketball, and the Stingers and Owlz for Baseball....I might actually have some sporting fun this upcoming year

[Ksyrup]

you should have title your thread "PING: Bengals fans"... I'm sure they could have helped you as they've had plenty of chances/reasons to switch team in the past ;)

FM
When was the last Detroit Super Bowl appearance? They had the Ickey Shuffle, we had the Sims Knee.

[scooper]

I thought most of them jumped shipped to support the Browns or Steelers....came back with the emergence....;)
You thought wrong. If anything, the last 15 years only made the Browns (who are now the Ravens) and the Steelers that much more hated. I'm not fond of the expansion team in Cleveland, but I don't want to root for them anymore than I want to root for the Steelers or Baltimore Browns.

Stick with your team. As a Bengals fan, this year has been beyond sweet. Under the current firestorm, Millen can't last forever.

[Honolulu_Blue]

When was the last Detroit Super Bowl appearance? They had the Ickey Shuffle, we had the Sims Knee.
Exactly. The Bengals have been to TWO freaking Super Bowls. They get no sympathy from me. Ever. They had Klingler. We had Ware. They had Akili Smith, we have Harrington.

I have said it once and I will say it again, the only other NFL franchise that I consider on par with the Lions (the same historic level of suckitude) are the Arizona Cardinals. The Browns are close, but not quite at that level. They have too many playoff wins.

[B & B]

Did anyone watching the game notice that when Harrington started out 4 for 4 they flashed up his passer rating alonside the yardage? WTF?

[MacroGuru]

So what made you decide on the Lions then? Was it the snappy Honolulu Blue & Silver unis? Tell me it was.
It was a game in 83, one of their better season, and I saw a game, loved the blue and silver...and watch a crazy return, and them take the game...I think it was against the Bears..

Caught a few more games and just loved the team....

[Icy]

The same happends to me about the Marlins in baseball, i won't feel ok rooting for them in a different city (in European sports we are not used to teams changing city). Also i hate what is being done with them, sending all their good players away.

I'm going to suddenly choose a team to follow, i just let it to be natural and will watch more games from other teams, one day you will enjoy watching one team more than the others, and that will become your team. (i'm following a lot the Rookies right now after having an awesome dynasty with them in OOTP).

[BuffaloHuskey]

Takeo Spikes made a good decision to leave the Bengals and join the Bills.

The Bills gave him a better chance to win the Super Bowl (ummmm not so much)!!!!!!

[Radii]

I agree, with one exception. If the team relocates from your city, you get to change favorite teams without penalty.

I assume your area getting an expansion franchise offers the same exception? Go Panthers :) I was a Cowboys fan up until that point.

[wishbone]

From Chapter 3 Section vii
A. Anyone switching away from the Cowboys or Raiders is not penalized unless the switch is to the team that won the most recent Super Bowl...

[Maple Leafs]

You've had a terrible team that's being run into the ground by incompetent management for, what, four or five years?

Luxury!

Stick with your team. Don't be a bandwagon jumper. When the day comes that you finally win the big one it will be all the more sweeter because of the bad times.

Remember: "Faith is the act of believing in something you can not see. The reward for faith is someday seeing that in which you've always believed." -- Harry Neale*

(*quoting someone else, I think. I don't know, I wasn't paying attention)

[Honolulu_Blue]

You've had a terrible team that's being run into the ground by incompetent management for, what, four or five years?

Luxury!

Stick with your team. Don't be a bandwagon jumper. When the day comes that you finally win the big one it will be all the more sweeter because of the bad times.

Remember: "Faith is the act of believing in something you can not see. The reward for faith is someday seeing that in which you've always believed." -- Harry Neale*

(*quoting someone else, I think. I don't know, I wasn't paying attention)
Five years? You're off by about, oh, 45 years there.

One playoff win in almost 50 years (48 to be exact). One.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Dola.

For with it's worth, that is the second Harry Neale quote in this thread. I think this could be a record.

The first, I paraphrased: "Victory can be a luscious fruit if allowed to ripen!"

Harry actually said "Vengeance can be a luscious fruit if allowed to ripen!"

The original obviously makes more sense.

[Darkiller]

I think it's easy, you live in Utah so you got to support the 49ERS.
they have Utah QB Alex Smith as the future of the franchise and their legend Steve Young, recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, comes from the state of Utah.

do the math, you HAVE to support the Niners ;-)

[MacroGuru]

I think it's easy, you live in Utah so you got to support the 49ERS.
they have Utah QB Alex Smith as the future of the franchise and their legend Steve Young, recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, comes from the state of Utah.

do the math, you HAVE to support the Niners ;-)With a Ute at the helm, I loathe them right now....it makes it even worse for me, that he is there, I couldn't even fathom supporting them.....

Oh, and they are the Mrs. favorite team.

[sterlingice]

or when that happens, you simply stop following the sport altogether (aka me and the Nordiques) :(

FMI have this problem with the NFL now. When the Oilers left, I was without a team. Sure the Texans are there now and I have a little Texans gear from my parents but I never lived in Houston while the Texans were there :(

SI

[Honolulu_Blue]

I have this problem with the NFL now. When the Oilers left, I was without a team. Sure the Texans are there now and I have a little Texans gear from my parents but I never lived in Houston while the Texans were there :(

SI
Hey, SI, maybe your luck will take a turn for the better and the Blackhawks will leave Chicago! :D

[Honolulu_Blue]

Dola.

In all seriousness, though, that does suck. I would have no idea what to do if one of the Detroit teams picked up and moved. No idea.

Well, I guess if it was MLB or NBA, I would just stop following the sports all together. Even now, I watch very occassionaly and just sort of keep tabs on the Tigers and Pistons. If it were the Wings or Lions... Hrmm....

[st.cronin]

I have this problem with the NFL now. When the Oilers left, I was without a team. Sure the Texans are there now and I have a little Texans gear from my parents but I never lived in Houston while the Texans were there :(

SI

It's kind of hypocritical of you to hate on the Oilers for leaving Houston when you did the same thing.

[Maple Leafs]

Five years? You're off by about, oh, 45 years there.

One playoff win in almost 50 years (48 to be exact). One.
Really?

Wow.

Yeah, I'd switch teams.

[Raiders Army]

Become a part of the Raider Nation. You won't regret it.

[sterlingice]

It's kind of hypocritical of you to hate on the Oilers for leaving Houston when you did the same thing....? Seriously?

SI

[st.cronin]

...? Seriously?

SI

twas a joke, was supposed to make you laugh

[korme]

I thought most of them jumped shipped to support the Browns or Steelers....came back with the emergence....;)
I'd rather be raped by Hell Atlantic than root for the fucking Browns or Steelers, eveeeeeeeeeeer

[cmp]

I've always been a Lions fan and always will be.

[st.cronin]

I'd rather be raped by Hell Atlantic than root for the fucking Browns or Steelers, eveeeeeeeeeeer

Given that choice I would root for the Browns.

[sterlingice]

twas a joke, was supposed to make you laughWhy not bring up the Bills game while you're at it, you mean and heartless bastard! *sobs* ;)

SI

[st.cronin]

Why not bring up the Bills game while you're at it, you mean and heartless bastard! *sobs* ;)

SI


psst ... frank reich ... hehehehe

[Raiders Army]

psst ... frank reich ... hehehehe
quit while you're ahead today. Quiksand and SI aren't getting your jokes. :)

[st.cronin]

quit while you're ahead today. Quiksand and SI aren't getting your jokes. :)

Well, I'm not a very funny guy, so that's not surprising.

[sterlingice]

Don't worry if I miss a joke. I'm pretty notorious for that whooshing sound of a missed joke flying over my head ;)

SI

[Galaril]

I have thought about this in the past since I was a Houston Oilers fan from 1978 when I was 10 years old and have followed the team every year yes even the 2-14 and 3-13 decade from 1985-1993 with some real winners for coach like Les Steckel ow! When the team moved to Tennessee and Houston got the Texans I was a little sad but I stuck with them. I was rewarded with the 2000 Titans who had the Music City Miracle against Buffalo and got all the way to the "Big Dance" for the first in Super bowl 30. And even though Kevin Dyson was tacled half ayard short from the endzone and the Titans lost to the Rams it was rewarding watching them come from behind and make it close. I got to experince the Red sox finally win of and more importantly watch my Father celebrate after 70 years of watching the Sox lose and it was the gretaest. I guess I will keep rooting and hope my kids can enjoy watching their dad dance around the living room after a Super Bowl victory in 2048:) keep the faith brother and persevere

[Daimyo]

I don't know why people stop rooting for their teams when they leave the city... I'd root for the Colts no matter where they went. Afterall, I left Indiana for better opportunities elsewhere... why should they not have the same rights?

[RendeR]

Just to chime in as a long time Bengals fan:

I fell in love with the Bengals when they brought out the striped helmets and uniforms. I've been addicted to them since the days of Kenny Anderson , Pete Johnson, and Ken Riley.

This means I've been a fan for over 25 years, wow, it really has been that long. Sorta shocking to see it typed out there like that. 25 years, of which the first 6-8 were really good, and then we fell into the pit of hell.

I hope you stick with your team, I know its hard to do. The heckling of the other teams fans, the constant wishful thiking only to feel so depressed afterwards that an entire pizza can't make you feel better....I know. I've been there.

But oh the joy when your time comes around again. God man, I can't even begin to tell you how utterly amazing it feels to know your team is a super bowl contender for the first time in 2 decades....

Stick with them, you'll truly understand what being a fan means most...Sheer joy.

[Abe Sargent]

Eleven years ago I decided to become a Jaguars fan and I've never been disappointed by the choice. Here are some reasons why I like rooting for the Jags -

1). If you include the Wisconsin market with the Green Bay market, then Jacksonville has the smallest media market in the country. I like supporting a small team.

2). Byron Leftwich will never be a Peyton Manning, but he has a certain je ne sais qua that i absolutely love.

3). Jacksonville has few fans outside of the Jacksonville area, even in the state. Orlando TV stations are upset because they have to show Jacksonville games instead of Dolphins games. You'll be one of the few and proud.

4). They are a hard nosed team. The most famous and popular Jaguar in their history is an Offensive Tackle. Jack Del Rio has added a gritty, blue collar element to the team.

5). James Harris, the Jags President of Football Operations is one of the highest level blacks in the sport and so far his drafts have been excellent.

6). The team is on the rise, with many players ascending (CB Mathis, QB Leftwich, etc)

7). I like the black and teal color combination.


-Anxiety

[Desnudo]

I would have trouble rooting for a team not from the Boston area. Like when the Patriots almost moved to Hartford, that would have ended my enjoyment of the NFL. I really have no emotional stake in the Seahawks, for example, despite having lived in Seattle for 5 years now. But Bostonians are known for being self-centered homers so I suppose it's in my blood.

[Axxon]

Dude, I was a Falcons fan all the way through the 90's...

I think if you're over the age of...let's say 21...you should not be able to change your favorite teams. Period.

I've been a Buccaneer fan since 1974 ( when Tampa was awarded a team ) and let me tell you one thing. 2002 was the best moment in my sports viewing life and it's impossible to convey the feeling after suffering so long.

Matt Millen is bad but this is NOTHING compared to enduring Hugh Culvernose. Inept people can occasionally find success but when you deliberately sabotage your team to maximize profits you wont.

All in all though, I wouldn't trade the experience of being a Bucs fan even during the worst years for anything in the world. That's what being a fan is.

That and seriously believing that last season's 2-14 team was going to make a serious playoff run every season for decades. I've done that too. :D

[sterlingice]

I don't know why people stop rooting for their teams when they leave the city... I'd root for the Colts no matter where they went. Afterall, I left Indiana for better opportunities elsewhere... why should they not have the same rights?Ask Browns fans how they feel about Art Modell or Oilers fans about Bud Adams. The hatred for the owner moving the team away from you means you just can't cheer for them once they move.

SI

[korme]

That and seriously believing that last season's 2-14 team was going to make a serious playoff run every season for decades. I've done that too. :D
No kidding. Every year I would look at the Bengals schedule at the midway mark and try to conjur up some feeling that we had a legit shot at making a run and being a contender... oh boy, glad that's over. http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/images/smilies/cool.gif

[KeyserSoze]

Stick with your team...

[korme]

I don't know why people stop rooting for their teams when they leave the city... I'd root for the Colts no matter where they went. Afterall, I left Indiana for better opportunities elsewhere... why should they not have the same rights?
The only time it makes sense to me is like when Cleveland moved to Baltimore, but then got a new expansion team baring the same former city and nickname and keeping their old history and such.

[Raiders Army]

Become an NFL fan and you'll win every time.

[KeyserSoze]

2 more random thoughts.

1-If in Spain (and I bet in England an Italy) a team is moved to another city, there will be big big problems (thinking in Ath. Bilbao, Barsa, R. Madrid, Betis....)

2-At least in US football all the teams has good chances to be winners. But think in baseball, with teams rich and poors. And then think in Europe were a lot of fans just want that his team is not relegated.

[scooper]

Just to chime in as a long time Bengals fan:

I fell in love with the Bengals when they brought out the striped helmets and uniforms.

So....Basically since the birth of Who Dey? :D :D :D

[albionmoonlight]

I would have trouble rooting for a team not from the Boston area. Like when the Patriots almost moved to Hartford, that would have ended my enjoyment of the NFL. I really have no emotional stake in the Seahawks, for example, despite having lived in Seattle for 5 years now. But Bostonians are known for being self-centered homers so I suppose it's in my blood.
I am sure that this question betrays my lack of knowlege of New England geography/culture, etc., but it is one that occured to me back when this was close to happening--namely, what was the big deal?

From what I can tell, Boston and Hartford are about an hour and a half apart--close enough that the NFL was going to keep Boston as part of the TV Blackout market for the games. So it must be reasonable to consider Boston and Hartford as part of the same area/market.

And the team was already named as a regional team--the New England Patriots and not the Boston Patriots.

So it did not even seem to me like the team would be leaving the Boston area or its fan base. It would be much more like when the Redskins moved from RFK to Fed-Ex field.

I'm not trying to get the New England folks angry--I just have no idea why this would have been such a big deal. Maybe it come from growing up in the South where we have a bit more room--and an hour or two drive to get where you are going does not cause you to travel through four different states.

Anyway, insight would be appreciated.

[JasonC23]

As a long-suffering (but not nearly as long as many others) White Sox fan, let me tell you that when your team finally wins it all, it feels ddaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn good. Don't lose hope!

[pennywisesb]

As a long-suffering (but not nearly as long as many others) White Sox fan, let me tell you that when your team finally wins it all, it feels ddaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn good. Don't lose hope!

I can't wait for the day my Golden State Warriors finally bring one home....