I just don't understand why this is so hard to understand. My favorite movie of all-time is High Fidelity. My roommate likes the movie, but it's not his favorite of all-time, yet I'm not a bigger fan of the movie than he is? My head's about to explode.
I didn't intend to criticize anyone. I said there's no such thing as a "true fan". (And by the way, based on the definition of the word true, I still say that.) I said it's ridiculous to use such a term. But nowhere did I criticize anyone's character, from a "high horse" no less, for doing so. Those were things you superimposed on my argument. The one exception is the "bitter diatribes"--if you haven't seen those, fine. But those posts cross the line to attacking someone's character. I did criticize those, and I'll criticize them again.
The "Heroes" analogy you made was a good one, but perhaps not in your favor. For example, I'm sure there are people on this board that probably didn't watch Seinfeld until it was a few seasons in, whereas I watched it from the beginning. Yet I know those same people are much bigger fans of Seinfeld than I am. I've got no problem with people jumping on the band-wagon. But if that same person jumps off when we are bad again, they don't get to get back on. At least that's how I feel about it.
of course they were - what else were they going to talk about? his two career starts? they have to sell him to the fanbase somehow and made-up bull**** that's given way too much signifigance by a sheep-like public is as good a place to start as any. jeff garcia was a gutty leadery leader last year for philadelphia, leading them to the playoffs. funny how we never saw those stories when he was playing for the browns and lions. and i suspect as the bucs post a 4-win season, we won't hear many of them this year, either. leaders are rarely on the losing side; it ain't a coincidence.
i can be honest enough to say i fall in the category of "too cool for school." most of you guys are "eternal optimist." http://blogs.chron.com/fantasyfootball/2007/09/what_kind_of_football_fan_are.html What kind of football fan are you? Too Cool for School There is a subset of every football team's fan base who fancies themselves as very intelligent regarding football and the hometown team. Let me take it a step further. They feel like other people's arguments or comments regarding the team are beneath them when it comes to football knowledge. These fans are typically very dismissive on team message boards and condescending in conversations because they understand that it is impossible for you to follow their logic regarding the team because you simply aren't capable of being able to comprehend that level of intelligent football discourse. The "Too Cool for School" sect likes to throw out football terminology that they learned in high school or maybe use the latest buzz words they learned from ESPN in order to position themselves as authorities. Typically this fan is not only condescending but also unusually negative. On the positive side, they tend to be more objective about their hometown team and they aren't afraid to call it like they see it - even if you couldn't possibly absorb the brilliance of their statement. The Eternal Optimist The fan base that I'm sure the Texans like the most are what I like to call "Eternal Optimists". These fans are happy with almost every draft pick and free agent move and they are certain that this is the year that their team makes the big jump. To be honest, these fans are typically less combative than most as they are usually just nicer than most of us. The "honeymoon" period for new coaches, GMs, quarterbacks and draft picks last longer for these fans because they are less pessimistic by nature. This group of fan was much more common back in the 50's, 60s, 70s and even 80s but has thinned as salaries have escalated for players. This fan will proudly fly their team's colors on a flag outside their house, on a bumper sticker on their car or on a team jersey that they wear to each and every game or to each trip to watch the local team at the sportsbar. The Pessimist Nobody likes pessimists but they are amongst us in our everyday life and sometimes we see them when we look in the mirror. Hey, we all have our issues. The Pessimist will tell you in a heartbeat that he just knew the team was going to stink after a loss in week 1 and he rarely, if ever, has anything positive to say about the home team. To be honest, you generally doubt whether or not the Pessimist is even a fan of the team. Some might think the Pessimist fits into the "Too Cool for School" category but not really. While that group is more objective with their criticism, the Pessimist seems to revel in the misfortune of the hometown team and is quick with a call to the post game show or the morning talk show when the team loses. He can tell you what all the problems are but wouldn't dare offer a solution because what fun would it be if the team started to win? The Pessimist also scours the Internet for negative things about the hometown team that national writers may have written so they can further their agenda of tearing down the team. Some Pessimists actually fit into another subset that we all know all too well... the Bandwagon Jumper. Once things get going good, they are the first to put the team's jersey back on. The Everyday Fan I've found that most fans fit into this category. These fans have a great variance within the subset. Some of these fans are extremely well read about football and their team. They devour football information anywhere they can get it. Others, try and keep up with the team as best they can between work and family life. No matter how much free time they spend thinking about the Texans or whomever their hometown team is, they see the each game their team plays as an escape from everyday life and a chance to be part of something bigger than them. They revel in slapping five with the person next to them at the bar, on the couch or at the game when their team doesn't something good and their Sundays and even Mondays and Tuesdays are joyous occasions after their team has won. This group is different than the Eternal Optimist because they have a strong passion for the team as well but they aren't blind to the team's shortcomings. Unlike the Pessimist, when this group complains about something that the team is doing, it is just because they want the team to be the best they can be. Posted by Lance Zierlein at September 19, 2007 11:18 AM
This basically sums it up for me: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GSiYZd8Fesw"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GSiYZd8Fesw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> Indifferent, On-the-fence, lukewarm people who didnt say much - Sure, hope it lasts a while and maybe we'll give your team some interest too Past hecklers, naysayers and sh*t talkers - Application Denied Until 2009.
DaDakota, Don't go to the Darkside!!!! You know your boy VY is going to take the Titans to the promised land and this time we will not end up a yard short!! Ps - The Texans are playing really well and congrats to them. How long is Andre Johnson out for? How serious is his injury? Any anticipated return date? I feel bad for the guy as he was really putting together a very special season.
Actually, I saw a "Official Houston Texans Bandwagon" bus with the official colors and design on 59 north this past Sunday. I thought it was hilarious!! Too bad, I missed the bus.
Been on since the first game the Texans ever played and continued to ride through the bad times and will be there when we make it to the Bowl. Honestly, If I was Capitan of the bandwagon, I would have closed it off at the end of last season. That would separate the real fans from the folks that only wanna ride when the times are good.
Whew, glad there is no mythical Captain of the bandwagon then. Each fan chooses who to follow, and just because the team is in Houston does not make it interesting to all of us old Oiler fans. I am beginning to like them because of Kubiak and Schaub, I could not stand them before because of Carr.......glad the organization did the smart thing and admitted their mistake and moved on.... Now, if they can just get Andre back and healthy.......then the team can keep going upwards. DD
Whoever is driving the bandwagon, could you hang a left at Fannin and go through the Medical Center really quick? It would be good for DaDa is he were close to a hospital when he breaks his arm jumping off.
