[Fisch]

Sorry. I was a season ticket holder during some of the most dismal years at Ford Field (which were really, all of them leading up to this season) ....

Where was the noise at some of those crucial points in the game? I don't mean when they got within 7 in the 2nd half ... I mean when it was 10-6, etc .... and the offense was flat, so the stadium was silent.

As many of you know I've been a fan of this team since I was about 8 years old.

A great portion of this team's fan base is fair weather, and has no clue when to cheer. (I've heard a loud stadium while the Lions were on offense, and no, not against CHI or GB ... and have heard it so quiet on defense that I could hear an opposing QB calling signals.) It really makes it hard for those of us who have been there all along. (NOTE: Some of you might remember my rant when I canceled my season tix ... a reminder that I did not abandon the team, but rather became a cynic and pledged to not support the Millen regime monetarily ... )

More rants to come ... this week really pissed me off.

Get a clue, Lions fans. The 12th man shouldn't only show up when the game's exciting.

[TimT]

I was disappointed that they didn't kick in when the team could have really used them, but...

I think the fans are a victim of the teams inconsistency. A bit apprehensive, maybe scared a by the teams inability to generate offense.

Plus, it's Detroit, not Pontiac. You could always count on a raucous crowd in Pontiac. For all the hype there has been about Ford Field being a tough place to play, it's really kind of artificial.

[LionOnTop]

honestly this team doesnt deserve it. Give the fans a reason to cheer

[smokie2]

I agree Fisch! I watch from Kansas City on Sunday ticket and the announcers said over and over that the fans were not helping at all! What is going on? Come on if you are luckey enough to be in Ford field then make some noise!

[chuckken]

I dunno bro...If the Lions need to depend on crowd noise to win games at home, they are in more trouble than we thought.

[roar56]

Were any of you at the game? It was loud and proud in there! Even the bluehairs in my section were on their feet screaming when the Falcons had the ball pretty much every play -- not just the occasional third down!

I think the TV people were trying to influence the TV audience -- the stadium was rocking most of the game.......

[Fisch]

roar56, on 25 October 2011 - 12:22 PM, said:

Were any of you at the game? It was loud and proud in there! Even the bluehairs in my section were on their feet screaming when the Falcons had the ball pretty much every play -- not just the occasional third down!

I think the TV people were trying to influence the TV audience -- the stadium was rocking most of the game.......

I'll have to take your word for it, Jack. The sound on TV was noticeably different at different stages in the game, to the point that I was disappointed. I used to scream all game long (although sometimes not family friendly ... LOL) ... and I used to see a lot of lame duck fans in my section, so I was left to presume that the same were present when I was hearing the noticeable changes in volume on Sunday.

[roar56]

Quote

I'll have to take your word for it, Jack. The sound on TV was noticeably different at different stages in the game, to the point that I was disappointed. I used to scream all game long (although sometimes not family friendly ... LOL) ... and I used to see a lot of lame duck fans in my section, so I was left to presume that the same were present when I was hearing the noticeable changes in volume on Sunday.

I could have just been influenced by the increased volume level in Section 106, but I don't think so. Some of these guys have been seated on the 50 since 1952 -- and I have never seen them on their feet before! It seemed to me the entire stadium was noisier than normal. Not as loud as the Monday nite game, according to the regular that sits in front of me -- but certainly as loud as last week. The crowd was quiet until the Falcons huddled, then crescendo'd until the ball was snapped. When Ryan tried to audible, it got real crazy and stayed that way until the snap.

My question -- in another thread -- still stands, though. Now that the Lions have lost, is the bandwagon getting emptier?

[StumblinScuba]

roar56, on 25 October 2011 - 02:51 PM, said:

Now that the Lions have lost, is the bandwagon getting emptier?

A part of me hopes it does. Some football ignorant people coming out of the woodwork. Playoff Red Wings and Playoff Tiger fans I imagine.

Plus I look forward to Chukken becoming a Panthers or Falcons fan every season.

[Fisch]

roar56, on 25 October 2011 - 02:51 PM, said:

My question -- in another thread -- still stands, though. Now that the Lions have lost, is the bandwagon getting emptier?

StumblinScuba, on 25 October 2011 - 03:43 PM, said:

A part of me hopes it does. Some football ignorant people coming out of the woodwork. Playoff Red Wings and Playoff Tiger fans I imagine.

Oh, hell yes. My stomach turns every time I turn on local sports talk and hear the ignorant fools talking their crap. Some twad at work the other day says "So what about your Lions? This is where the downward slide starts, huh?" I started laughing and said, "Are you serious? Did you think they were winning the Super Bowl this year? What would YOU fix? Personally, I see the team that I thought they were BEFORE the season, and while I expected them to be pretty good/borderline playoff caliber and on either side of that line, I didn't expect them to start 5-0, so that was gravy. But that said, they played two playoff caliber teams and lost 2 close games to them. They're right where I expect them to be."

The look on his face was one of disinterest and the conversation was immediately over. Why? He was probably just repeating some shit he heard some idiot on the radio talking about, and had no clue whatsoever about the Lions, how they play or what got there to where they are.

I hope they all start dropping like flies so the rest of us can enjoy the season. My angst has nothing to do with fanhood ... it is generally just alcohol fueled venting when I see the team I've loved since I was a kid competing again, and want more from them ... that's all.

[StumblinScuba]

That's been a perk of living down here in Florida, I generally only hear Lions talk when I seek it out or if I watch the game at the bar the occasional person will razz me.

[TimT]

I don't know if the bandwagon is emptying or even how many fans have really been added. Everybody's talking about them, but they were before, too. The difference to me is that before the conversations were about how bad or stupid the management or coaches were. We've had a bit of a break from those keyboard GM's this year... until now anyway. (present company excluded)

I think even the bandwagon fans (who I welcome wholeheartedly, though having a hard time identifying them) recognize the talent here. We all do, that's why expectations are so high. Our 1st round pick didn't even make it in the line-up to start the season and nobody really seemed to mind. Those draft picks were the team's salvation in previous years.

[chuckken]

Not silly me...I actually thought that with a healthy Stafford the Lions could really make a run of it this year. But I guess that's only for teams with Bradys and Rodgers. "Quack!" COME ON! Quit making excuses!...How long are Lions fans going to be saying the same dad gum crap year after year....stuff like >The Lions are doing exactly what I thought they'd do this year and I'm very content with the way things are going< This is crap!...Win NOW!...NOT NOW, "RIGHT NOW!" Sorry, I forgot!...To be a "real" fan, you have to love their losing ways....year after year, after year, after year, after year.< NOT!

[Fisch]

I'm not content, I'm realistic. Next season is when I expect this team to be in real contention for something (with 1 more solid draft).

[chuckken]

Fisch, on 27 October 2011 - 12:44 AM, said:

I'm not content, I'm realistic. Next season is when I expect this team to be in real contention for something (with 1 more solid draft).

I too am excited for next year, but truth be told, we don't really know what the future holds. Stafford could get seriously injured, (or Calvin) So in a way, we have to live for the present. Too bad we're stuck with Linehan. I don't have alot of faith in this guys play calls. Every once in a blue moon he pulls out a good play, but for the most part, he's not very consistant. Don't think Stafford likes him too much.

[TimT]

That's funny, Chuccken. Linehan is my favorite of the bunch. He's not arrogant like Schwartz, nor is he manipulative like Cunningham. He's a straight-forward, easy-going coach that I think puts our team in a very good position to win.

I think the second-half football that we play on offense is a sign of a good coach. It's one thing to come out strong on your first drive because you've been scripting it all week. When you make adjustments and put your players in a better chance to succeed as the game wears on, though, that shows good play-calling and coaching.

[chuckken]

TimT, on 27 October 2011 - 02:02 PM, said:

That's funny, Chuccken. Linehan is my favorite of the bunch. He's not arrogant like Schwartz, nor is he manipulative like Cunningham. He's a straight-forward, easy-going coach that I think puts our team in a very good position to win.

I think the second-half football that we play on offense is a sign of a good coach. It's one thing to come out strong on your first drive because you've been scripting it all week. When you make adjustments and put your players in a better chance to succeed as the game wears on, though, that shows good play-calling and coaching.

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. Linehan is not aggressive enough for my taste on attack. I think as a person he's probably a nice guy, but on the field?...Don't think so, he isn't cunning enough...too predictable.