Bickley: Cardinals have lost nothing but fair-weather fans

[Brian in Mesa]

Bickley: Cardinals have lost nothing but fair-weather fans

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...-lost-nothing-but-fair-weather-fans/93143682/

A traumatic event can trigger the seven stages of grief. Just a like terrible loss in Arizona will illuminate the seven stages of Valley fandom:

1. Vulnerability, displayed by those who choose to be diehard fans of our local teams, a sports market with four major professional franchises and one championship in 113 collective seasons; 2. Internal Conflict, felt whenever you see Valley stadiums overrun by opposing fans, mostly local residents clinging to out-of-town allegiances; 3. Isolation, felt when your need for communal pride (one city, one team) seems out of place in a transient culture; 4. Gullibility, displayed in the reckless way we all embrace draft picks, preseason hype or anything worth cheering.

5. Hope, felt when a local team becomes a playoff contender; 6. Validation, when bandwagon fans come out in droves, weaving together sport’s richest tapestry; 7. Resentment, left in the wake of big-game heartbreak, knee-jerk reaction, disappearing fans and other graffiti of amateurs.

After a 30-20 loss to Carolina on Sunday wrapped up the most disappointing half of football we’ve ever witnessed, the Valley has again arrived at the final stage, with another moment for growth.

Compared to expectations, the 2016 Cardinals have been a disaster. They trusted an undrafted free agent to be a reliable long snapper. They employ a kicker who has missed two game-winning field goals on "Sunday Night Football." Their passing game has been emasculated. Their coaching staff has been slow to counter strategically. Injuries are mounting, and their chances of winning a Super Bowl are reduced to a whisper.

But there’s a big difference between disappointment and failure. You can feel the former, but a competent sports town will not admit the latter. Not with eight games left in the NFL season, with only one NFC team disappearing from the herd.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Yeah, lots of casual fans jump ship... it's their prerogative.

I was reminded yesterday by a Cowboy fan friend.... last year, the Cowboys were still in the division race until December at 4-9.. I ain't givin' up!!

 

[Beaver]

What makes me the most sad is knowing Fitz is retiring very soon and we are looking at this wasted season.

 

[BigRedRage]

What makes me the most sad is knowing Fitz is retiring very soon and we are looking at this wasted season.

he needs to play four more years and clip a bunch of Jerrys records

 

[dreamcastrocks]

he needs to play four more years and clip a bunch of Jerrys records

The sad part about it is that he could be a lot closer now, if he didn't have crap QBs throwing to him half of his career.

 

[overseascardfan]

I haven't given up on this team but the rest of the season looks bleak with all the injuries.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I am still watching. I am hoping for a MUCH better product, no so much wins, and watchability, but still going to tune in.

This is EASY compared to some of those "Same Ol' Cardinals" teams. I personally believe this team is not going to the playoffs, and the new goal for the season is to not lost 10 games.

But, I have been wrong before, and hope to be wrong again with that prediction.

 

[daves]

Best part of the article was the last paragraph:

Remember the NFL season is only half over. Nothing good comes easy. Those quitting on the Cardinals are confirming how far the Valley must travel to deserve its big-league status. And if you’re watching this team just for the verdict and the final validation, and not for the drama and spectacular unpredictability of sports, well, you’re doing it wrong.

...dbs

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Best part of the article was the last paragraph:


...dbs

There is only one small problem with this statement: "And if you’re watching this team just for the verdict and the final validation, and not for the drama and spectacular unpredictability of sports, well, you’re doing it wrong."

The problem is that I 100% agree with the statement, but lets be real here, all but two games (which the Cardinals ended up losing in both, BTW) the Cardinals have played have had any drama or spectacular unpredictability.

I agree those are the best things about sports. The problem is the current team is not delivering on those basic parts of the game, and on top of it the end results are bad too.

I would not even be 1/2 as disappointed with the season as I am if the games were worth the price it was to watch them.

This season so far has been pretty poor on all fronts. Outside of David Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and Calias Campbell (having an unreal season) there is not much going on, IMHO.

This team has to pick it up on a lot of levels.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

There is only one small problem with this statement: "And if you’re watching this team just for the verdict and the final validation, and not for the drama and spectacular unpredictability of sports, well, you’re doing it wrong."

The problem is that I 100% agree with the statement, but lets be real here, all but two games (which the Cardinals ended up losing in both, BTW) the Cardinals have played have had any drama or spectacular unpredictability.


This team has to pick it up on a lot of levels.

So true, so true. And yet, we are only 1.5GB and still have to play Seattle one more time. We have a favorable schedule on paper as well. Use the bye to get your head out of your ass team!

 

[cardpa]

I would still watch this team even if they were 0-7. I have followed them too long to do anything different. Been through so many bad years at points it seemed a .500 record was cause to celebrate. I am loyal to a fault but that's okay by me. A playoff position is still possible however unlikely. Until they are mathematically eliminated I always have hope that they somehow sneak into the playoffs.

 

[NJCardFan]

I would still watch this team even if they were 0-7.

1978, Cards were 0-8. I went to see them @ Philly for my first ever live football game. I cheered my butt off. The Cards won 16-10.

 

[Bodha]

I have no problem with fair weather fans.


The Cardinals are in the service industry (entertainment). You wouldnt keep going to your mechanic if he stopped fixing your car. Why should we keep supporting this team that stop delivering wins?


I personally am a die hard fan, but sports teams must deliver, otherwise they deserve empty stadiums.

 

[DeAnna]

I don't think that article is relevant to anyone that visits this board. He's referring to all the other so-called 'fans.' Also known as the ones who purchased season tickets for the sole purpose of re-selling them for a profit.

 

[MrYeahBut]

.
My granddaughter is not a fair weather fan. . . She found this and sent it to me!

.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[jmt]

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My granddaughter is not a fair weather fan. . . She found this and sent it to me!

.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[jmt]

I like that!

 

[Shaggy]

he needs to play four more years and clip a bunch of Jerrys records

I hope he decided to keep it going atleast a few more years.

 

[Stout]

I don't think that article is relevant to anyone that visits this board. He's referring to all the other so-called 'fans.' Also known as the ones who purchased season tickets for the sole purpose of re-selling them for a profit.

+1

I didn't like it much, personally. Our team sucks, so taking potshots at fans isn't really doing any good, nor is it good journalism. Point the finger where it should be pointed--at BASK and the players.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Bickley is a fairweather "insider."

 

[RugbyMuffin]

+1

I didn't like it much, personally. Our team sucks, so taking potshots at fans isn't really doing any good, nor is it good journalism. Point the finger where it should be pointed--at BASK and the players.

Agreed.

The NFL is a business, and whenever the NFL does something to screw over the fans, they give that blanket statement as justification for their failures.

The business fails, and the fans do not continue to buy into the product, and then the fans are blasted for their lack of loyalty.

Its pure catch-22.

As for local sports analysis calling our fans ? Agreed. It is very, very weak sauce on their part, and really doesn't prove anything because of the catch-22 situation that I stated before.

I remember Green Machine getting all but hurt when he wrote an article calling out the fans, getting called out for it, and him taking his ball and going home.

Same thing, just a different writer and time. Yet, at least these days you can always chalk this as a way to get twitter followers, and listeners for his radio show using negative emotions of people.

But whatever. His opinion of the fans means jack and squat, and jack just left town.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I like that!

+1

 

[RugbyMuffin]

So true, so true. And yet, we are only 1.5GB and still have to play Seattle one more time. We have a favorable schedule on paper as well. Use the bye to get your head out of your ass team!

Sat here for at least 1 full minute trying to figure out why only having 1.5 giga-bytes and what it had to do with what the Cardinals or ourselves had to play.

Gonna be a long day. LOL

 

[cardpa]

Sat here for at least 1 full minute trying to figure out why only having 1.5 giga-bytes and what it had to do with what the Cardinals or ourselves had to play.

Gonna be a long day. LOL

LMAO!

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I would not even be 1/2 as disappointed with the season as I am if the games were worth the price it was to watch them.

Every game is worth the price of admission, IMHO. We go for the experience of being there, yelling, cheering, celebrating, and, yes, hanging out heads whenever we lose. Wouldn't trade it for the world. You don't get the full experience of a game from your couch or your TV, IMHO. Life is short. If you can go to the game - go to the game. Any game.