I'm quitting the Lions (1 Viewer)

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

UPDATE



Yeah, pretty sure no one cares.

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills - I've always liked this franchise, was a huge fan of O.J., love their current skill players

[*]Denver Broncos - love this franchise and team since the Orange Crush/Tom Jackson SB team (actually since Floyd Little became a star)

[*]Kansas City Chiefs - love this franchise, great history and roots, but they are a pathetic team right now

[*]New Orleans Saints - love the city, team was pathetic before Brees/Payton, probably 6th on this list

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers - I've always liked this franchise and have admired various Bucs

[*]Washington Redskins - love the fans, great history and traditions, and I could see hating the other three division rivals

Pretty sure I'm going to go with one of the AFC teams, but I wanted to think about 3 from each conference.

The 26 I rejected from consideration:

Arizona Cardinals - almost as futile of a franchise as Detroit

Atlanta Falcons - no, I want to be part of a passionate fan base

Baltimore Ravens - I've liked them throughout the Ray Lewis era, but the roots of their existence...ugh

Carolina Panthers - just can't identify with this team; strikes me as a regional team with no concrete identity or connection to an urban area

Chicago Bears - puhleeze

Cincinnati Bengals - wasteland of a city, inept ownership

Cleveland Browns - hopeless

Dallas Cowboys - too damn many bandwagon fans already

Detroit Lions - N/A

Green Bay Packers - puhleeze

Houston Texans - love this franchise and team but I don't want to jump on the bandwagon of a team on the cusp of making the SB

Indianapolis Colts - nothing to do with the franchise today but their roots are distasteful

Jacksonville Jaguars - aw hell no

Miami Dolphins - maybe when I retire

Minnesota Vikings - puhleeze

New England Patriots - too damn many bandwagon fans already

New York Giants - too damn many bandwagon fans already

New York Jets - see Arizona (although I did like the Joe Willie teams)

Oakland Raiders - wish the team were better, they seem so inept as a franchise

Philadelphia Eagles - NFW, fans are too negative

Pittsburgh Steelers - too damn many bandwagon fans already

San Diego Chargers - I have a soft spot for most AFL originals, but not this one

San Francisco 49ers - great history but just not for me (NTTAWWT)

Seattle Seahawks - love that Stadium, great young team, TSP fans who represent are toolish

St. Louis Rams - great baseball town

Tennessee Titans - had they stayed in Houston as the Oilers, maybe

In the end I'll probably just be a fan of the NFL and FF. But it'd be nice to have one team to root for, and it has to be a franchise I have admired or had an affinity for or admire the fan base or players.

As for the Lions, someone at the office ask me about their loss yesterday. I asked that person if they saw any homeless on their way from Penn Station. "Sure, lots" How many? What were they wearing? What did they say to you? That's about how I felt about Detroit losing - apathetic. Barely acknowledged. Meant no more or no less than the Chargers losing to the Bucs. Baby steps.

Denial.

 

[Proteus]

UPDATE

In the end I'll probably just be a fan of the NFL and FF. But it'd be nice to have one team to root for, and it has to be a franchise I have admired or had an affinity for or admire the fan base or players.

I'm glad you came to this realization. As a Dallas fan who has had a belly full of Jerry Jones's antics, starting with running the coach out of town who won them back to back Lombardi trophies, I have to admit that my fandom has become much more based on players on my fantasy teams than the Dallas Cowboys. I will openly root for my fantasy players to shred them, and I loved the team since I was old enough to understand the game--1977 or thereabouts. Of course I still want Dallas to win, but I am one hundred per cent convinced that they will never get back to the Super Bowl with Jerry Jones as the owner. He doesn't let the coach do his job, and therefore the players have no respect for the coach. As a result, vital elements of a championship team such as discipline, unity, and consistency are non-existent. Anyway, this pales in comparison to your resume of misery, but the point is: I've given up hope and have become a rabid fan of PLAYERS. The other point: I could never ever ever become the fan of another team, and with all due respect, I don't think you can either.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Denial.

Just come out and admit you're jealous.

 

[BobbyLayne]

UPDATE

In the end I'll probably just be a fan of the NFL and FF. But it'd be nice to have one team to root for, and it has to be a franchise I have admired or had an affinity for or admire the fan base or players.

I'm glad you came to this realization. As a Dallas fan who has had a belly full of Jerry Jones's antics, starting with running the coach out of town who won them back to back Lombardi trophies, I have to admit that my fandom has become much more based on players on my fantasy teams than the Dallas Cowboys. I will openly root for my fantasy players to shred them, and I loved the team since I was old enough to understand the game--1977 or thereabouts. Of course I still want Dallas to win, but I am one hundred per cent convinced that they will never get back to the Super Bowl with Jerry Jones as the owner. He doesn't let the coach do his job, and therefore the players have no respect for the coach. As a result, vital elements of a championship team such as discipline, unity, and consistency are non-existent. Anyway, this pales in comparison to your resume of misery, but the point is: I've given up hope and have become a rabid fan of PLAYERS. The other point: I could never ever ever become the fan of another team, and with all due respect, I don't think you can either.

You may be right, others have made that point. Either way I suspect I'll be a lot less frustrated and enjoy the games more.

 

[renesauz]

I know how you feel. I was born in Detroit and moved to Arizona as a kid (I'm 46 now). I've loved the Lions my whole life, and I've been huge Cardinals fan ever since they moved here. Think how it feels to have not just your favorite, but your two favorite teams be laughing stocks. But think about this. After all the failures and embarrassments, going to Tampa to see the Cardinals play in the Super Bowl was one of the best experiences of my life. With the teams I root for, it will probably never happen again. But part of the fun (if you can call it that) of rooting for a bad franchise is the hope that one day you might catch lightning in a bottle and make a run like the Cards did a few years back. I believe those types of runs mean more to guys like you and me than they do to the average Steelers, Patriots, or Giants fans because those moment are so few and far between for us. If you give up now, you are giving up on ever experiencing a moment like that. You might start to like another franchise, but you will never love it. It is the difference between thinking a girl is hot and experiencing true love.Don't give up on true love.

As a Saint fan, I agree 100%.

As an Eagles fan...I'm still praying.OP....I feel your pain.

 

[Bills_Fan11]

I think you can make a decision to care less about the Lions, but don't think you'll ever be able to truly be a "fan" of another team again.

Therein lies the dilemma. I've thought a lot about what I'd do if the Bills ever moved. I couldn't pick a team that's popular nationally 'cause that goes against everything it means to be a Bills fan. Can't pick a team that's won a SB cause that takes away the chase of the 1st elusive title. Can't pick a warm weather team. Basically I'd be stuck with Cleveland, which would cause equal heartache. Rooting for any of these rust belt teams is brutal & there is just zero justice that a lame football city like Indianapolis finishes with the worst record in the two best years to finish with the worst record, in 1997 & 2011. The only real solution is just to care a little less. Family/life can help with that.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills

[*]Kansas City Chiefs

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wow, you really are a glutton for punishment.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills

[*]Kansas City Chiefs

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wow, you really are a glutton for punishment.

S - L - O - W learner.

But I do think it would be more fun to adopt a team that has never won a SB, or has had a 40 year dry spell, or hasn't won a championship of late.

I certainly find that more appealing than hopping on the bandwagon of a perennial powerhouse.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills

[*]Kansas City Chiefs

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wow, you really are a glutton for punishment.

S - L - O - W learner.

But I do think it would be more fun to adopt a team that has never won a SB, or has had a 40 year dry spell, or hasn't won a championship of late.

I certainly find that more appealing than hopping on the bandwagon of a perennial powerhouse.

Sounds like you already have your team.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills

[*]Kansas City Chiefs

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wow, you really are a glutton for punishment.

S - L - O - W learner.

But I do think it would be more fun to adopt a team that has never won a SB, or has had a 40 year dry spell, or hasn't won a championship of late.

I certainly find that more appealing than hopping on the bandwagon of a perennial powerhouse.

Sounds like you already have your team.

Doood...I'm just looking for a little hope here, man. This is like picking the prom night date - whether I get lucky or not, just gimme some hope!I've lived with hopelessness for 50 years. It's time to move on.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills

[*]Kansas City Chiefs

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wow, you really are a glutton for punishment.

S - L - O - W learner.

But I do think it would be more fun to adopt a team that has never won a SB, or has had a 40 year dry spell, or hasn't won a championship of late.

I certainly find that more appealing than hopping on the bandwagon of a perennial powerhouse.

Sounds like you already have your team.

Doood...I'm just looking for a little hope here, man. This is like picking the prom night date - whether I get lucky or not, just gimme some hope!I've lived with hopelessness for 50 years. It's time to move on.

Picking another hopeless team is like hitting hyperspace in asteroids when the whole screen is about to kill you. Just jumping from one hopeless situation to another.In your case I would just quit rooting for anything other than bets/FF teams. with no home team to cloud your mind it might actually help in those things.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills

[*]Kansas City Chiefs

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wow, you really are a glutton for punishment.

S - L - O - W learner.

But I do think it would be more fun to adopt a team that has never won a SB, or has had a 40 year dry spell, or hasn't won a championship of late.

I certainly find that more appealing than hopping on the bandwagon of a perennial powerhouse.

Sounds like you already have your team.

Doood...I'm just looking for a little hope here, man. This is like picking the prom night date - whether I get lucky or not, just gimme some hope!I've lived with hopelessness for 50 years. It's time to move on.

Picking another hopeless team is like hitting hyperspace in asteroids when the whole screen is about to kill you. Just jumping from one hopeless situation to another.In your case I would just quit rooting for anything other than bets/FF teams. with no home team to cloud your mind it might actually help in those things.

Probably worth pointing out you cherry picked the three franchises with the worst present situations. OTOH, Broncos, Redskins and Saints are not exactly hopeless; the Bucs are also not that far off IMO, especially with Martin taking pressure off Freeman. I'll grant you Ralph Wilson's Bills and the KCC are not in danger of becoming a good team any time soon.But there is a recurring theme to this thread that you can't invest in an adopted team the same way you did with the one you grew up with, and as I've said, the best solution might just be to be an NFL fan with no specific allegiance.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills

[*]Kansas City Chiefs

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wow, you really are a glutton for punishment.

S - L - O - W learner.

But I do think it would be more fun to adopt a team that has never won a SB, or has had a 40 year dry spell, or hasn't won a championship of late.

I certainly find that more appealing than hopping on the bandwagon of a perennial powerhouse.

Hm so why not the Browns?

 

[BobbyLayne]

Post #142 SID

 

[BobbyLayne]

Fireman Ed is no longer going to lead the J-E-T-S cheer.

Everyone has a breaking point.

 

[hugebearsfansinceforever]

Bobby Layne was drafted by Da Bears, no?

Come back home, Bobby. I know old man Halas truly regrets ever getting rid of you.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

IMO, the Lions aren't the problem. You are. If you take this that seriously, if you can't be a fan without it affecting your happiness, if you can't enjoy your autumn because the team does what you know it will end up doing...something is wrong.

When you're a kid, it really, really hurts when your team loses. But then Bills fans see Thurman Thomas strap on a Dolphins helmet and everyone sees Jerry Rice in Seattle, and Al Davis sues the league while toying with two cities, and the whole league shuts down arguing over how to split up billions of our dollars...and you realize it's not really a game. It's a business. You knew that, but seriously. That's really all it is.

Of course fans are disappointed when the team doesn't win, but get what you can out of it. Enjoy the expensive television presentations, marvel at seeing guys like Manning and Brady play in our era, appreciate a nice string of entertaining Super Bowls, cook out, gather around the television and enjoy the games. Play fantasy football and create your own title runs. Enjoy the game, even if you're disappointed by your favorite team that plays it.

On another note, you have no reason to whine. Your team hosts the first Thanksgiving game every year. Every. Single. Year. Your offense is entertaining. You have the game's best wide receiver. If Stafford is your guy, you could have another 15 years watching him succeed.

Oh, and you last made the playoffs way back in...2011. Matt Millen is gone, too. If you can't see the positives in the Lions at this point, you're missing out.

(I'm not a Lions fan, but you shouldn't be ashamed to be one these days).

 

[cobalt_27]

IMO, the Lions aren't the problem. You are. If you take this that seriously, if you can't be a fan without it affecting your happiness, if you can't enjoy your autumn because the team does what you know it will end up doing...something is wrong.When you're a kid, it really, really hurts when your team loses. But then Bills fans see Thurman Thomas strap on a Dolphins helmet and everyone sees Jerry Rice in Seattle, and Al Davis sues the league while toying with two cities, and the whole league shuts down arguing over how to split up billions of our dollars...and you realize it's not really a game. It's a business. You knew that, but seriously. That's really all it is.Of course fans are disappointed when the team doesn't win, but get what you can out of it. Enjoy the expensive television presentations, marvel at seeing guys like Manning and Brady play in our era, appreciate a nice string of entertaining Super Bowls, cook out, gather around the television and enjoy the games. Play fantasy football and create your own title runs. Enjoy the game, even if you're disappointed by your favorite team that plays it. On another note, you have no reason to whine. Your team hosts the first Thanksgiving game every year. Every. Single. Year. Your offense is entertaining. You have the game's best wide receiver. If Stafford is your guy, you could have another 15 years watching him succeed. Oh, and you last made the playoffs way back in...2011. Matt Millen is gone, too. If you can't see the positives in the Lions at this point, you're missing out.(I'm not a Lions fan, but you shouldn't be ashamed to be one these days).

 

[Phenix]

IMO, the Lions aren't the problem. You are. If you take this that seriously, if you can't be a fan without it affecting your happiness, if you can't enjoy your autumn because the team does what you know it will end up doing...something is wrong.When you're a kid, it really, really hurts when your team loses. But then Bills fans see Thurman Thomas strap on a Dolphins helmet and everyone sees Jerry Rice in Seattle, and Al Davis sues the league while toying with two cities, and the whole league shuts down arguing over how to split up billions of our dollars...and you realize it's not really a game. It's a business. You knew that, but seriously. That's really all it is.Of course fans are disappointed when the team doesn't win, but get what you can out of it. Enjoy the expensive television presentations, marvel at seeing guys like Manning and Brady play in our era, appreciate a nice string of entertaining Super Bowls, cook out, gather around the television and enjoy the games. Play fantasy football and create your own title runs. Enjoy the game, even if you're disappointed by your favorite team that plays it. On another note, you have no reason to whine. Your team hosts the first Thanksgiving game every year. Every. Single. Year. Your offense is entertaining. You have the game's best wide receiver. If Stafford is your guy, you could have another 15 years watching him succeed. Oh, and you last made the playoffs way back in...2011. Matt Millen is gone, too. If you can't see the positives in the Lions at this point, you're missing out.(I'm not a Lions fan, but you shouldn't be ashamed to be one these days).

AMEN!When a league is based around making money off you, make money of it... hence fantasy football.I don't care about the Carolina and Philly game tonight, I care how my fantasy players do in it.Why take such a personal interest in anything that does not benefit you? I like my favorite teams, but not gonna get bent cause they lose. They dont get bent when they dont score to help my fantasy team. lol

 

[Phenix]

UPDATE



Yeah, pretty sure no one cares.

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills - I've always liked this franchise, was a huge fan of O.J., love their current skill players

[*]Denver Broncos - love this franchise and team since the Orange Crush/Tom Jackson SB team (actually since Floyd Little became a star)

[*]Kansas City Chiefs - love this franchise, great history and roots, but they are a pathetic team right now

[*]New Orleans Saints - love the city, team was pathetic before Brees/Payton, probably 6th on this list

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers - I've always liked this franchise and have admired various Bucs

[*]Washington Redskins - love the fans, great history and traditions, and I could see hating the other three division rivals

Pretty sure I'm going to go with one of the AFC teams, but I wanted to think about 3 from each conference.

The 26 I rejected from consideration:

Arizona Cardinals - almost as futile of a franchise as Detroit

Atlanta Falcons - no, I want to be part of a passionate fan base

Baltimore Ravens - I've liked them throughout the Ray Lewis era, but the roots of their existence...ugh

Carolina Panthers - just can't identify with this team; strikes me as a regional team with no concrete identity or connection to an urban area

Chicago Bears - puhleeze

Cincinnati Bengals - wasteland of a city, inept ownership

Cleveland Browns - hopeless

Dallas Cowboys - too damn many bandwagon fans already

Detroit Lions - N/A

Green Bay Packers - puhleeze

Houston Texans - love this franchise and team but I don't want to jump on the bandwagon of a team on the cusp of making the SB

Indianapolis Colts - nothing to do with the franchise today but their roots are distasteful

Jacksonville Jaguars - aw hell no

Miami Dolphins - maybe when I retire

Minnesota Vikings - puhleeze

New England Patriots - too damn many bandwagon fans already

New York Giants - too damn many bandwagon fans already

New York Jets - see Arizona (although I did like the Joe Willie teams)

Oakland Raiders - wish the team were better, they seem so inept as a franchise

Philadelphia Eagles - NFW, fans are too negative

Pittsburgh Steelers - too damn many bandwagon fans already

San Diego Chargers - I have a soft spot for most AFL originals, but not this one

San Francisco 49ers - great history but just not for me (NTTAWWT)

Seattle Seahawks - love that Stadium, great young team, TSP fans who represent are toolish

St. Louis Rams - great baseball town

Tennessee Titans - had they stayed in Houston as the Oilers, maybe

In the end I'll probably just be a fan of the NFL and FF. But it'd be nice to have one team to root for, and it has to be a franchise I have admired or had an affinity for or admire the fan base or players.

As for the Lions, someone at the office ask me about their loss yesterday. I asked that person if they saw any homeless on their way from Penn Station. "Sure, lots" How many? What were they wearing? What did they say to you? That's about how I felt about Detroit losing - apathetic. Barely acknowledged. Meant no more or no less than the Chargers losing to the Bucs. Baby steps.

Denial.

All I notice is you are a pathetic fair weather fan.Also, no one honestly on the face of this earth cares about your fandum.... NO ONE, EVEN PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOU OR ARE IN YOUR FAMILY, NO ONE CARES!

 

[mr roboto]

UPDATE



Yeah, pretty sure no one cares.

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills - I've always liked this franchise, was a huge fan of O.J., love their current skill players

[*]Denver Broncos - love this franchise and team since the Orange Crush/Tom Jackson SB team (actually since Floyd Little became a star)

[*]Kansas City Chiefs - love this franchise, great history and roots, but they are a pathetic team right now

[*]New Orleans Saints - love the city, team was pathetic before Brees/Payton, probably 6th on this list

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers - I've always liked this franchise and have admired various Bucs

[*]Washington Redskins - love the fans, great history and traditions, and I could see hating the other three division rivals

Pretty sure I'm going to go with one of the AFC teams, but I wanted to think about 3 from each conference.

The 26 I rejected from consideration:

Arizona Cardinals - almost as futile of a franchise as Detroit

Atlanta Falcons - no, I want to be part of a passionate fan base

Baltimore Ravens - I've liked them throughout the Ray Lewis era, but the roots of their existence...ugh

Carolina Panthers - just can't identify with this team; strikes me as a regional team with no concrete identity or connection to an urban area

Chicago Bears - puhleeze

Cincinnati Bengals - wasteland of a city, inept ownership

Cleveland Browns - hopeless

Dallas Cowboys - too damn many bandwagon fans already

Detroit Lions - N/A

Green Bay Packers - puhleeze

Houston Texans - love this franchise and team but I don't want to jump on the bandwagon of a team on the cusp of making the SB

Indianapolis Colts - nothing to do with the franchise today but their roots are distasteful

Jacksonville Jaguars - aw hell no

Miami Dolphins - maybe when I retire

Minnesota Vikings - puhleeze

New England Patriots - too damn many bandwagon fans already

New York Giants - too damn many bandwagon fans already

New York Jets - see Arizona (although I did like the Joe Willie teams)

Oakland Raiders - wish the team were better, they seem so inept as a franchise

Philadelphia Eagles - NFW, fans are too negative

Pittsburgh Steelers - too damn many bandwagon fans already

San Diego Chargers - I have a soft spot for most AFL originals, but not this one

San Francisco 49ers - great history but just not for me (NTTAWWT)

Seattle Seahawks - love that Stadium, great young team, TSP fans who represent are toolish

St. Louis Rams - great baseball town

Tennessee Titans - had they stayed in Houston as the Oilers, maybe

In the end I'll probably just be a fan of the NFL and FF. But it'd be nice to have one team to root for, and it has to be a franchise I have admired or had an affinity for or admire the fan base or players.

As for the Lions, someone at the office ask me about their loss yesterday. I asked that person if they saw any homeless on their way from Penn Station. "Sure, lots" How many? What were they wearing? What did they say to you? That's about how I felt about Detroit losing - apathetic. Barely acknowledged. Meant no more or no less than the Chargers losing to the Bucs. Baby steps.

Denial.

All I notice is you are a pathetic fair weather fan.Also, no one honestly on the face of this earth cares about your fandum.... NO ONE, EVEN PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOU OR ARE IN YOUR FAMILY, NO ONE CARES!

And yet, here we are, in a multi-page thread. And here you are, reading, quoting, and responding.

 

[Runningman]

UPDATE



Yeah, pretty sure no one cares.

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

[*]Buffalo Bills - I've always liked this franchise, was a huge fan of O.J., love their current skill players

[*]Denver Broncos - love this franchise and team since the Orange Crush/Tom Jackson SB team (actually since Floyd Little became a star)

[*]Kansas City Chiefs - love this franchise, great history and roots, but they are a pathetic team right now

[*]New Orleans Saints - love the city, team was pathetic before Brees/Payton, probably 6th on this list

[*]Tampa Bay Buccaneers - I've always liked this franchise and have admired various Bucs

[*]Washington Redskins - love the fans, great history and traditions, and I could see hating the other three division rivals

Pretty sure I'm going to go with one of the AFC teams, but I wanted to think about 3 from each conference.

The 26 I rejected from consideration:

Arizona Cardinals - almost as futile of a franchise as Detroit

Atlanta Falcons - no, I want to be part of a passionate fan base

Baltimore Ravens - I've liked them throughout the Ray Lewis era, but the roots of their existence...ugh

Carolina Panthers - just can't identify with this team; strikes me as a regional team with no concrete identity or connection to an urban area

Chicago Bears - puhleeze

Cincinnati Bengals - wasteland of a city, inept ownership

Cleveland Browns - hopeless

Dallas Cowboys - too damn many bandwagon fans already

Detroit Lions - N/A

Green Bay Packers - puhleeze

Houston Texans - love this franchise and team but I don't want to jump on the bandwagon of a team on the cusp of making the SB

Indianapolis Colts - nothing to do with the franchise today but their roots are distasteful

Jacksonville Jaguars - aw hell no

Miami Dolphins - maybe when I retire

Minnesota Vikings - puhleeze

New England Patriots - too damn many bandwagon fans already

New York Giants - too damn many bandwagon fans already

New York Jets - see Arizona (although I did like the Joe Willie teams)

Oakland Raiders - wish the team were better, they seem so inept as a franchise

Philadelphia Eagles - NFW, fans are too negative

Pittsburgh Steelers - too damn many bandwagon fans already

San Diego Chargers - I have a soft spot for most AFL originals, but not this one

San Francisco 49ers - great history but just not for me (NTTAWWT)

Seattle Seahawks - love that Stadium, great young team, TSP fans who represent are toolish

St. Louis Rams - great baseball town

Tennessee Titans - had they stayed in Houston as the Oilers, maybe

In the end I'll probably just be a fan of the NFL and FF. But it'd be nice to have one team to root for, and it has to be a franchise I have admired or had an affinity for or admire the fan base or players.

As for the Lions, someone at the office ask me about their loss yesterday. I asked that person if they saw any homeless on their way from Penn Station. "Sure, lots" How many? What were they wearing? What did they say to you? That's about how I felt about Detroit losing - apathetic. Barely acknowledged. Meant no more or no less than the Chargers losing to the Bucs. Baby steps.

Denial.

All I notice is you are a pathetic fair weather fan.Also, no one honestly on the face of this earth cares about your fandum.... NO ONE, EVEN PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOU OR ARE IN YOUR FAMILY, NO ONE CARES!

I care.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

UPDATE



Yeah, pretty sure no one cares.

Teams I am considering becoming a fan of after this season is over:

• Buffalo Bills - I've always liked this franchise, was a huge fan of O.J., love their current skill players
• Denver Broncos - love this franchise and team since the Orange Crush/Tom Jackson SB team (actually since Floyd Little became a star)
  
• Kansas City Chiefs - love this franchise, great history and roots, but they are a pathetic team right now
  
• New Orleans Saints - love the city, team was pathetic before Brees/Payton, probably 6th on this list
  
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers - I've always liked this franchise and have admired various Bucs
  
• Washington Redskins - love the fans, great history and traditions, and I could see hating the other three division rivals
  

Pretty sure I'm going to go with one of the AFC teams, but I wanted to think about 3 from each conference.

The 26 I rejected from consideration:

Arizona Cardinals - almost as futile of a franchise as Detroit

Atlanta Falcons - no, I want to be part of a passionate fan base

Baltimore Ravens - I've liked them throughout the Ray Lewis era, but the roots of their existence...ugh

Carolina Panthers - just can't identify with this team; strikes me as a regional team with no concrete identity or connection to an urban area

Chicago Bears - puhleeze

Cincinnati Bengals - wasteland of a city, inept ownership

Cleveland Browns - hopeless

Dallas Cowboys - too damn many bandwagon fans already

Detroit Lions - N/A

Green Bay Packers - puhleeze

Houston Texans - love this franchise and team but I don't want to jump on the bandwagon of a team on the cusp of making the SB

Indianapolis Colts - nothing to do with the franchise today but their roots are distasteful

Jacksonville Jaguars - aw hell no

Miami Dolphins - maybe when I retire

Minnesota Vikings - puhleeze

New England Patriots - too damn many bandwagon fans already

New York Giants - too damn many bandwagon fans already

New York Jets - see Arizona (although I did like the Joe Willie teams)

Oakland Raiders - wish the team were better, they seem so inept as a franchise

Philadelphia Eagles - NFW, fans are too negative

Pittsburgh Steelers - too damn many bandwagon fans already

San Diego Chargers - I have a soft spot for most AFL originals, but not this one

San Francisco 49ers - great history but just not for me (NTTAWWT)

Seattle Seahawks - love that Stadium, great young team, TSP fans who represent are toolish

St. Louis Rams - great baseball town

Tennessee Titans - had they stayed in Houston as the Oilers, maybe

In the end I'll probably just be a fan of the NFL and FF. But it'd be nice to have one team to root for, and it has to be a franchise I have admired or had an affinity for or admire the fan base or players.

As for the Lions, someone at the office ask me about their loss yesterday. I asked that person if they saw any homeless on their way from Penn Station. "Sure, lots" How many? What were they wearing? What did they say to you? That's about how I felt about Detroit losing - apathetic. Barely acknowledged. Meant no more or no less than the Chargers losing to the Bucs. Baby steps.

Update?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Lots of "cautious optimism" this year around the Lions. Vegas has them at 7 1/2 wins, I'm thinking they may finish a little higher with a 9-7 or 8-8. Doubt if that means playoffs but it would be a step in the right direction.

 

[tdmills]

Lots of "cautious optimism" this year around the Lions. Vegas has them at 7 1/2 wins, I'm thinking they may finish a little higher with a 9-7 or 8-8. Doubt if that means playoffs but it would be a step in the right direction.

The Lions got worse as a team.

Areas they got worse:

DL - lost Cliff Avril, Sammie Hill, Vanden Bosch. Acquired Jason Jones, Ansah. It's a negative because Ansah will need time to develop

OT - Lost both starting OT's from last season.

WR- they didn't get anyone to help Calvin. Hoping Burleson/Broyles will recover from injury isn't getting it done.

CB- they're not good and they didn't get help

LB- 24th in the NFL vs run in terms of YPC, nobody new of note

Areas they got better:

S- Signed Glover Quinn

Interior OL - signed Jake Scott and drafted Larry Warford

Reggie Bush

I would have them as underdogs in every NFC North, NFC East and AFC North game. That's 14 games right there add in Arizona and Tampa Bay and I'll take the under 7.5 wins on the season.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Lions are 3 point favorites @ home vs the Vikings week 1.

link: http://www.footballlocks.com/nfl_point_spreads.shtml

 

[Man of Zen]

6-10.

 

[humpback]

The Lions got worse as a team.

Areas they got worse:

DL - lost Cliff Avril, Sammie Hill, Vanden Bosch. Acquired Jason Jones, Ansah. It's a negative because Ansah will need time to develop Avril hurts, but Hill and VandenBosch were garbage. You forgot they signed Idonije as well.

OT - Lost both starting OT's from last season. Reiff will be a starter now, which will help offset somewhat.

WR- they didn't get anyone to help Calvin. Hoping Burleson/Broyles will recover from injury isn't getting it done. How does this make them worse? If Broyles and/or Burleson stay healthy, they can only be better.

CB- they're not good and they didn't get help They drafted Slay early 2nd rd.

LB- 24th in the NFL vs run in terms of YPC, nobody new of note Again, how does not adding anybody new of note make them worse?

Areas they got better:

S- Signed Glover Quinn

Interior OL - signed Jake Scott and drafted Larry Warford

Reggie Bush

I would have them as underdogs in every NFC North, NFC East and AFC North game. That's 14 games right there add in Arizona and Tampa Bay and I'll take the under 7.5 wins on the season.

I'm not saying they're vastly improved, but you seemed to have left a few things out. I think they had a pretty decent offseason overall.

 

[tdmills]

The Lions got worse as a team.

Areas they got worse:

DL - lost Cliff Avril, Sammie Hill, Vanden Bosch. Acquired Jason Jones, Ansah. It's a negative because Ansah will need time to develop Avril hurts, but Hill and VandenBosch were garbage. You forgot they signed Idonije as well.

OT - Lost both starting OT's from last season. Reiff will be a starter now, which will help offset somewhat.

WR- they didn't get anyone to help Calvin. Hoping Burleson/Broyles will recover from injury isn't getting it done. How does this make them worse? If Broyles and/or Burleson stay healthy, they can only be better.

CB- they're not good and they didn't get help They drafted Slay early 2nd rd.

LB- 24th in the NFL vs run in terms of YPC, nobody new of note Again, how does not adding anybody new of note make them worse?

Areas they got better:

S- Signed Glover Quinn

Interior OL - signed Jake Scott and drafted Larry Warford

Reggie Bush

I would have them as underdogs in every NFC North, NFC East and AFC North game. That's 14 games right there add in Arizona and Tampa Bay and I'll take the under 7.5 wins on the season.

I'm not saying they're vastly improved, but you seemed to have left a few things out. I think they had a pretty decent offseason overall.

Izzy is average. But overall none of them will approach the sack numbers of Avril, which is needed to force QBs to step up into Suh/Fairley.

Reiff is a starter, but untested and a late 1st round pick.

Having a hole on a team WR/LB and not addressing it, doesn't make it better. WR- two guys back from injury is risky and they did lose Titus who did play last year. Helping Calvin/Stafford with another WR wasn't addressed(so it's still a negative in my book). LB same thing, IMO if you're not getting better you're getting worse. It's not like Detroit invested a 1st round pick in a WR/LB and are just waiting for development.

Forgot they got Slay, who I like, so that's a good point. I just don't like their CB's vs the rest of the NFC North(Jordy/Jones/Cobb/Marshall/Jeffery/Jennings/Patterson).

 

[humpback]

The Lions got worse as a team.

Areas they got worse:

DL - lost Cliff Avril, Sammie Hill, Vanden Bosch. Acquired Jason Jones, Ansah. It's a negative because Ansah will need time to develop Avril hurts, but Hill and VandenBosch were garbage. You forgot they signed Idonije as well.

OT - Lost both starting OT's from last season. Reiff will be a starter now, which will help offset somewhat.

WR- they didn't get anyone to help Calvin. Hoping Burleson/Broyles will recover from injury isn't getting it done. How does this make them worse? If Broyles and/or Burleson stay healthy, they can only be better.

CB- they're not good and they didn't get help They drafted Slay early 2nd rd.

LB- 24th in the NFL vs run in terms of YPC, nobody new of note Again, how does not adding anybody new of note make them worse?

Areas they got better:

S- Signed Glover Quinn

Interior OL - signed Jake Scott and drafted Larry Warford

Reggie Bush

I would have them as underdogs in every NFC North, NFC East and AFC North game. That's 14 games right there add in Arizona and Tampa Bay and I'll take the under 7.5 wins on the season.

I'm not saying they're vastly improved, but you seemed to have left a few things out. I think they had a pretty decent offseason overall.

Izzy is average. But overall none of them will approach the sack numbers of Avril, which is needed to force QBs to step up into Suh/Fairley.

Reiff is a starter, but untested and a late 1st round pick.

Having a hole on a team WR/LB and not addressing it, doesn't make it better. WR- two guys back from injury is risky and they did lose Titus who did play last year. Helping Calvin/Stafford with another WR wasn't addressed(so it's still a negative in my book). LB same thing, IMO if you're not getting better you're getting worse. It's not like Detroit invested a 1st round pick in a WR/LB and are just waiting for development.

Forgot they got Slay, who I like, so that's a good point. I just don't like their CB's vs the rest of the NFC North(Jordy/Jones/Cobb/Marshall/Jeffery/Jennings/Patterson).

Like I said, losing Avril hurts, but you included Hill and Vanden Bosch and didn't mention Izzy. Izzy may be "average", but he's more worthy of a mention than those two are.

Agreed about Reiff, but it still lessens the blow some- it isn't as if they didn't replace either tackle. Not sure why "late 1st round pick" (23rd btw) is a knock against him. He has a chance at being very good.

I didn't say their WRs were better, but you said they were worse. How is losing a head case cancer WR but adding a seemingly healthy Broyles and Burleson (as well as Calvin and Pettigrew being healthier) not better (nevermind worse)? Saying if you're not getting better you're getting worse is odd- to me it means you're the same.

Again, CB isn't a major strength by any stretch, but we're simply comparing it to last year. It should be better, you have it worse.

Anywho, I've seen a few spots where they have ranked their offseason in the B range, which I agree with. I think they are slightly improved overall on paper, not worse.

 

[tdmills]

The Lions got worse as a team.

Areas they got worse:

DL - lost Cliff Avril, Sammie Hill, Vanden Bosch. Acquired Jason Jones, Ansah. It's a negative because Ansah will need time to develop Avril hurts, but Hill and VandenBosch were garbage. You forgot they signed Idonije as well.

OT - Lost both starting OT's from last season. Reiff will be a starter now, which will help offset somewhat.

WR- they didn't get anyone to help Calvin. Hoping Burleson/Broyles will recover from injury isn't getting it done. How does this make them worse? If Broyles and/or Burleson stay healthy, they can only be better.

CB- they're not good and they didn't get help They drafted Slay early 2nd rd.

LB- 24th in the NFL vs run in terms of YPC, nobody new of note Again, how does not adding anybody new of note make them worse?

Areas they got better:

S- Signed Glover Quinn

Interior OL - signed Jake Scott and drafted Larry Warford

Reggie Bush

I would have them as underdogs in every NFC North, NFC East and AFC North game. That's 14 games right there add in Arizona and Tampa Bay and I'll take the under 7.5 wins on the season.

I'm not saying they're vastly improved, but you seemed to have left a few things out. I think they had a pretty decent offseason overall.

Izzy is average. But overall none of them will approach the sack numbers of Avril, which is needed to force QBs to step up into Suh/Fairley.

Reiff is a starter, but untested and a late 1st round pick.

Having a hole on a team WR/LB and not addressing it, doesn't make it better. WR- two guys back from injury is risky and they did lose Titus who did play last year. Helping Calvin/Stafford with another WR wasn't addressed(so it's still a negative in my book). LB same thing, IMO if you're not getting better you're getting worse. It's not like Detroit invested a 1st round pick in a WR/LB and are just waiting for development.

Forgot they got Slay, who I like, so that's a good point. I just don't like their CB's vs the rest of the NFC North(Jordy/Jones/Cobb/Marshall/Jeffery/Jennings/Patterson).

Like I said, losing Avril hurts, but you included Hill and Vanden Bosch and didn't mention Izzy. Izzy may be "average", but he's more worthy of a mention than those two are.

Agreed about Reiff, but it still lessens the blow some- it isn't as if they didn't replace either tackle. Not sure why "late 1st round pick" (23rd btw) is a knock against him. He has a chance at being very good.

I didn't say their WRs were better, but you said they were worse. How is losing a head case cancer WR but adding a seemingly healthy Broyles and Burleson (as well as Calvin and Pettigrew being healthier) not better (nevermind worse)? Saying if you're not getting better you're getting worse is odd- to me it means you're the same.

Again, CB isn't a major strength by any stretch, but we're simply comparing it to last year. It should be better, you have it worse.

Anywho, I've seen a few spots where they have ranked their offseason in the B range, which I agree with. I think they are slightly improved overall on paper, not worse.

I can see how Izzy should've been added.

My point with Reiff is that he's not a Lane Johnson/Eric Fischer/etc. He could walk in and be very good like you said, but he isn't an uber talented player like them.

Overall, we're debating small things. I don't think the Lions improved themselves in enough areas to compete for a .500 record(which was the vegas line).

 

[Sinrman]

Liked the Lions since I was a kid. It's pretty hard being one of their fans. Very hard, actually. But I've stuck it through all these years, so what's another crappy season? We have a

lot in common with the Browns, which a good friend of mine is a fan of. We kinda cheer for each others team to do well.

I agree though that it likely won't ever truly change until the Fords get out of the ownership business, and that ain't happening...

 

[BlueBlazer05]

Whether the roster is worse or not, I can guarantee the Lions aren't going 4-12 again. Just about every single thing under the sun went wrong in 2012. This doesn't mean they'll make the playoffs now, but a lot of the boneheaded play should dissipate.

Reiff is still an unknown. I would settle for him being Jeff Backus 2.0, solid but unspectacular. Stafford may take a couple extra hits this season, but he's the type of QB who can mask a shaky O-line with quick (and sidearm...) throws.

The key thing with the Lions' secondary is depth. Let's say Houston, Slay, Delmas, and Quin are the starters, with Bentley as the nickel. That's pretty good to start. Some of the holdovers are adequate enough for backups, plus they signed Chris Hope. Funny thing is, that added depth may not even be needed. Detroit had a ridiculous amount of DB injuries last year, even by NFL standards. You would think that couldn't happen two years in a row, right?

I disagree about Sammie Hill, I thought he was a key backup. That said, C.J. Mosley should replace him just fine.

There's a lot of high-upside rookies on the roster, even some of the late-rounders and UDFA's. Hopefully a couple of them pop right away (Ansah in particular).

Bush will make an enormous difference. Joique Bell did the best he could, but he's a 4.6 guy. Now, we may not gonna see vintage Reggie with the 4.3 speed, but we'll still see a lot of big plays from him.

 

[thatguythere]

Lots of "cautious optimism" this year around the Lions. Vegas has them at 7 1/2 wins, I'm thinking they may finish a little higher with a 9-7 or 8-8. Doubt if that means playoffs but it would be a step in the right direction.

The Lions got worse as a team.

Areas they got worse:

DL - lost Cliff Avril, Sammie Hill, Vanden Bosch. Acquired Jason Jones, Ansah. It's a negative because Ansah will need time to develop

OT - Lost both starting OT's from last season.

WR- they didn't get anyone to help Calvin. Hoping Burleson/Broyles will recover from injury isn't getting it done.

CB- they're not good and they didn't get help

LB- 24th in the NFL vs run in terms of YPC, nobody new of note

Areas they got better:

S- Signed Glover Quinn

Interior OL - signed Jake Scott and drafted Larry Warford

Reggie Bush

I would have them as underdogs in every NFC North, NFC East and AFC North game. That's 14 games right there add in Arizona and Tampa Bay and I'll take the under 7.5 wins on the season.

This is an awful post. Please go do some more research and come back when you actually have a clue.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I completely disapprove of someone giving up on their team, but I'm considering giving Lions' fans special dispensation. Just invent ways to lose.

 

[Ray Barboni]

These guys are turds...that napoleon complexed D-bag of a coach must be fired. Bad guy, bad coach. I'm almost inclined to say Ms. stafford blows donkeys. I'll give him one more year though because I thunk he needs coaching up.

I'm a loser because I'm a Lions fan.

 

[Shutout]

Lions fans, I truly feel for you. I'm not even a Detroit fan but watching the collapse of this team the past month has been like watching a puppy on a busy freeway.

You need lovie smith coaching your team. Would be an instant upgrade at stabilizing that team.

 

[Manster]

I work with a guy who grew up in Michigan. He's a huge sports fan. He deals with the disappointment of the Lions by rooting for other Michigan sports teams. i.e. University of Michigan (his alma mater), Pistons, Tigers. He also lived in Miami for a while and follows the Fins and the Heat. He spreads his fandom out if you will.

I feel sorry for fans who put all their faith in the Lions.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Today I was in two low stakes magic football championships.1-1, won enough to pay for about half what I spent on Christmas. Won just my 2nd title in our 18 year redraft. I've never felt so low after winning a titlle.

There was a thread awhile back, what means more, your RL team or FF. It's not close for me.

This team has talent. Coaching is pathetic. They should have won the division by 3 games.

I've had it good overall as a sports fan. U of M has won national titles I'm both basketball and football, the Tigers have won two WS and the last 3 division titles, the Red Wings have had an amazing 20 year run, and the Pistons have 3 titles. Not bad, no complaints from any of those teams.

One GD playoff win 56 years. F'n Lions.

 

[fantasycurse42]

If Jim Schwartz isn't gone by next Monday, you know he has serious dirt on the owner.

 

[Judge Smails]

When the head coach and the QB choke like they did the team is done. Probably most underachieving team I've seen based on their roster. As a Stafford owner, my eyes didn't lie the last 6 weeks. He GAGS under pressure. Jumpy, quick feet, bad decisions, etc. He's a great front runner - but when things get important he just wants to hide. I think his psyche will be damaged for good now. Unless they get a HC who is a master psychologist this guy will always doubt himself now.

What a waste of talent...

 

[TwinTurbo]

So current and ex-Lions fans, would you rather have Stafford or Cutler? I see a lot of similarities in both guys and while the Bears are having a better season, I think Cutler is still pretty much the same Jekyll and Hyde QB that he's always been. The game at Detroit was a prime example of how Cutler can look so bad and so good in the context of a single game. Both these guys have cannon arms and can make all the throws, including some throws you wish they would never make. They also both have issues with poor mechanics and footwork.

I would rather have Stafford and love the way he plays when he's on, as he can absolutely destroy defenses when given a clean pocket to operate from. But somebody on the next coaching staff really needs to work with him on improving his mechanics and not forcing bad throws. He looks like he needs to lose a few pounds and stay in better physical condition.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Lots of "cautious optimism" this year around the Lions. Vegas has them at 7 1/2 wins, I'm thinking they may finish a little higher with a 9-7 or 8-8. Doubt if that means playoffs but it would be a step in the right direction.

The Lions got worse as a team.

Areas they got worse:

DL - lost Cliff Avril, Sammie Hill, Vanden Bosch. Acquired Jason Jones, Ansah. It's a negative because Ansah will need time to develop

OT - Lost both starting OT's from last season.

WR- they didn't get anyone to help Calvin. Hoping Burleson/Broyles will recover from injury isn't getting it done.

CB- they're not good and they didn't get help

LB- 24th in the NFL vs run in terms of YPC, nobody new of note

Areas they got better:

S- Signed Glover Quinn

Interior OL - signed Jake Scott and drafted Larry Warford

Reggie Bush

I would have them as underdogs in every NFC North, NFC East and AFC North game. That's 14 games right there add in Arizona and Tampa Bay and I'll take the under 7.5 wins on the season.

4-1 in their division, 2-2 vs NFCE, 1-3 vs AFCN, and hovering at 7 wins.