Fan Experience at Training Camp This Year ...... Lackluster!

[asuhoopsnut]

I took my nephew to training camp today. I hate to rain on everyone's parade, but it just seems like there is something missing at this years training camp. It has always been a great experience to travel just a couple of hours away to a cooler climate to watch training camp. The intimacy of the training camp in Flagstaff is gone in Glendale. There was a lot more personal interaction between players and fans in Flag and more opportunities for fans to get autographs and pics. Also, since the players were all staying in Flag, there were always sightings of players and coaches at local establishments. If there goal was to bring a larger number of fans to watch training camp. than they have succeeded in that area. To me, the atmosphere was so much more exciting and personable in Flagstaff. Just my opinion.

 

[Garthshort]

asu, I'm an out-of-stater, but I do know there are two sides to where TC should be held, and plusses and minuses to Flag and Glendale. You make a good argument for Flag, and I guess we'll just have to see how it plays out.

 

[Bert]

I totally disagree and you dont worry about "raining on my parade" I still think it's great regardless of what you think that's whats great about everyone having their own opinion. While I loved having it in the cool setting up in flag I think the Cardinals pulled off this Glendale Camp really well. It's cool to be able to walk around the stadium and get all kinds of different vantage points and being able to go down to the front row is awesome.

I think the players are spending MORE time signing autographs this year. On Friday Fitz, and Acho were out there like 20 mins after practice was over. Seems like they like it and they were still talking and interacting with fans. I see absolutely no difference with player access except that we now have the high ground, lol.

It's also nice to not have anyones dog barking constantly and not have press people walking up and down the sidelines blocking your view. It's also great to be able to walk 20 feet up the stairs and get a soda and a hot dog. It's also great not to have to drive 4 hours each way to get to camp. This means I can go to about 10+ practices this season instead of 2 or 3.


It's definitely different from flag but I like they way they are doing it and I think once everyone gets over it not being in the amazing setting that was the mountains in Flag, it will be one of the best camps in the league.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

LOL I have been too flag many times and think this is totally overblown.

Rather then 300 people actually being able to watch practice, 8000 now do. That in itself makes this a worthwile exercise. I get some fans are going to have nostaligia and even seems like Larry does, but at end of day its more exposure, better facilities, beer is served, and no weather concerns period.

Other then missing the mountains Glendale >>>> Flag and it aint even close. At least IMO.

 

[jbjarko]

LOL I have been too flag many times and think this is totally overblown.

Rather then 300 people actually being able to watch practice, 8000 now do. That in itself makes this a worthwile exercise. I get some fans are going to have nostaligia and even seems like Larry does, but at end of day its more exposure, better facilities, beer is served, and no weather concerns period.

Other then missing the mountains Glendale >>>> Flag and it aint even close. At least IMO.

Agreed. Beer and being able to dound in the redzone and overview the entire practice was awesome.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

I walked into UoP yesterday still grumpy it wasn't in Flag.

Loved it! Especially loved watching all the families with kids who may not have the ability to take them to Flag.

 

[O]

Loved it! Especially loved watching all the families with kids who may not have the ability to take them to Flag.

And, that's how you build a fan base.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

And, that's how you build a fan base.

Oh, you bet.

I LOVE seeing little kids in Cards gear.

 

[Stronso]

Oh, you bet.

I LOVE seeing little kids in Cards gear.

Not as much as Michael Bidwill

 

[Catfish]

I wasn't at TC today, but I did see the faces of the little kids in Cardinal's gear when they were interviewed by the TV people at UofP today. I have to side with Dems. These kids were overjoyed!!!!! You can bank on it that they will be back again and again. That IS the way you grow a fan base. It sure put a smile on my face when I saw it on the news this evening.

 

[D-Dogg]

Oh wait, they serve beer?

Sold!

 

[Gee!]

Oh wait, they serve beer?

Sold!

Yes they do. I thought it was a mirage myself.. Haha until I had one in my hand..

 

[40yearfan]

Yes they do. I thought it was a mirage myself.. Haha until I had one in my hand..

Did you get into any fights Gee?

 

[Gee!]

Did you get into any fights Gee?

There wasn't any opposing fans to get into fights with..

 

[MoeIsBetter]

Gotta say I loved training camp as well! Rather than pick one weekend to take the girlfriend up to Flag as sort of a mini-vaca, now I get to go every weekend and she doesn't want to go!! Love spending time with her, but taking the boys and drinking a couple beers, WHILE WATCHING FOOTBALL, is awesome!!

Plus, brilliant move putting kids zone on one end zone and "Beer Garden" on the other. Very awesome experience!

 

[JeffGollin]

Just Wondering...

Can the entire Cardinal organization operate in a more effective, less distracting and more streamlined fashion at home in the Valley than it can schlepping equipment and personnel luggage and setting up satellite operations up the hill at Flag?

On the other hand, is there something to be said about the positive impact on team-chemistry you get when the whole team lives together for a few weeks "away from the distractions of home?"

 

[82CardsGrad]

By just about every measure, camp in Glendale is by far a winner! Many have already touched on several reasons - including beer sales!
However, what WILL pay dividends for decades to come is the point Dems made.
The Cards have made a move that will strengthen and build their fan base for a long, long time to come. And, being able to show off the stadium like this should also generate more interest in the game day experience. People are getting a little flavor of what the stadium is all about... Some will feel the urge to buy some tix for a few games...

 

[Arizona's Finest]

By just about every measure, camp in Glendale is by far a winner! Many have already touched on several reasons - including beer sales!
However, what WILL pay dividends for decades to come is the point Dems made.
The Cards have made a move that will strengthen and build their fan base for a long, long time to come. And, being able to show off the stadium like this should also generate more interest in the game day experience. People are getting a little flavor of what the stadium is all about... Some will feel the urge to buy some tix for a few games...

Great point. Should up the season ticker holder base.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

I wasn't at TC today, but I did see the faces of the little kids in Cardinal's gear when they were interviewed by the TV people at UofP today. I have to side with Dems. These kids were overjoyed!!!!! You can bank on it that they will be back again and again. That IS the way you grow a fan base. It sure put a smile on my face when I saw it on the news this evening.

Were you watching the Channel 10 report? One little kid said something along the lines of, "I like the Cardinals because even though they loose they keep trying!"

Fingers crossed that kids start getting their life lessons from someplace else and they can say, "I like the Cardinals because they win!"

 

[Mulli]

By just about every measure, camp in Glendale is by far a winner! Many have already touched on several reasons - including beer sales!
However, what WILL pay dividends for decades to come is the point Dems made.
The Cards have made a move that will strengthen and build their fan base for a long, long time to come. And, being able to show off the stadium like this should also generate more interest in the game day experience. People are getting a little flavor of what the stadium is all about... Some will feel the urge to buy some tix for a few games...

And then the rock will roll back down the hill when they go 5-11.

 

[Azlen]

It should be noted that not going away for training camp is a growing trend in the NFL.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/...mp-new-york-giants-philadelphia-eagles-072613

According to the NFL, 19 of 32 teams are staying home for camp this year, up from only five clubs who stayed home in 2000. The Washington Redskins are actually going away after being home the past few years, but the rest of the league is trending the other way.

Among the amenities at home for most teams: better food, full indoor fields, proximity to team doctors and hospitals, bigger meeting rooms, top film-viewing equipment and overall increased efficiency.

As for going away, it's about nostalgia, fan access, reaching another part of the fan base and building camaraderie.

 

[CardsFan88]

While I feel the fans are losing the cool weather getaway, as well as the other drawbacks, it definitely isn't all bad.

One of the pros would be that the team gets used to the field they'll play half their games on. This is actually a pretty big deal. If you practice on the same endzones you'll be using in half your games, you learn more of what the stadium is like. QB's, receivers, so on and so forth can peg areas on the field or sideline or in the stands that can help cue them to when to make a cut and things of that nature.

When a QB drops back everything he's seeing besides the fans is the same in practice.

Also while the noise level is lower the team gets used to the acoustics and when on the real field, they get used to the real field. Which is important considering how it divots up pretty easily. It's good for them to practice on THAT field. Make determinations on who makes the team based on their play on THAT field.

We need guys who play good on THAT field, not looks good in Flagstaff and then gets on our field and the field impacts their cutting, speed, or balance.

I also feel it makes a good professional aura about it. Sure it's anywhere when it's the NFL, but something about being in a real NFL stadium, your stadium, adds an edge to practice that an open field in Flagstaff can't replicate.

So while I feel some fans lost the ability to go up north and enjoy a cool day, it's very possible the move helps the team prepare better, pick rosters spots better, and overall become better/more consistent.

 

[cardinalsfan]

I was a little hesitant about the idea of camp being in Glendale at first but after experiencing it yesterday this is the best thing they could have possibly done. No more waiting in long lines for a port a potty. Easy access to food just a few stairs up from your seats (and theres more than enough for everyone). Parking is a lot closer to the field than you'd think. Flagstaff was a long walk if not a bus ride to the fields. This is a whole lot better than the flagstaff tradition and living with its flaws.

 

[BurqueCardFan]

While I feel the fans are losing the cool weather getaway, as well as the other drawbacks, it definitely isn't all bad.

One of the pros would be that the team gets used to the field they'll play half their games on. This is actually a pretty big deal. If you practice on the same endzones you'll be using in half your games, you learn more of what the stadium is like. QB's, receivers, so on and so forth can peg areas on the field or sideline or in the stands that can help cue them to when to make a cut and things of that nature.

When a QB drops back everything he's seeing besides the fans is the same in practice.

Also while the noise level is lower the team gets used to the acoustics and when on the real field, they get used to the real field. Which is important considering how it divots up pretty easily. It's good for them to practice on THAT field. Make determinations on who makes the team based on their play on THAT field.

We need guys who play good on THAT field, not looks good in Flagstaff and then gets on our field and the field impacts their cutting, speed, or balance.

I also feel it makes a good professional aura about it. Sure it's anywhere when it's the NFL, but something about being in a real NFL stadium, your stadium, adds an edge to practice that an open field in Flagstaff can't replicate.

So while I feel some fans lost the ability to go up north and enjoy a cool day, it's very possible the move helps the team prepare better, pick rosters spots better, and overall become better/more consistent.

Although I do not agree with them moving camp to Glendale, I have always thought that a team should practice more in the actual stadium they play in on Sundays. I never understood why a team would not take advantage of more actual practice in the stadium in order to learn the nuances of the field, background, noise, etc...
If you only play in your home stadium 8 times a year, then it is no different than the visiting team, other than not having to travel and change routine.

 

[Duckjake]

It should be noted that not going away for training camp is a growing trend in the NFL.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/...mp-new-york-giants-philadelphia-eagles-072613

According to the NFL, 19 of 32 teams are staying home for camp this year, up from only five clubs who stayed home in 2000. The Washington Redskins are actually going away after being home the past few years, but the rest of the league is trending the other way.

Among the amenities at home for most teams: better food, full indoor fields, proximity to team doctors and hospitals, bigger meeting rooms, top film-viewing equipment and overall increased efficiency.

As for going away, it's about nostalgia, fan access, reaching another part of the fan base and building camaraderie.

How much of that has to do with indoor facilities that are recent architectural accomplishments? No way the Cards could have had training camp in Glendale or Phoenix or Chandler before 2006.

Although I always thought camp in Yuma would make them NFL tough.