Opinions on the potential Redskins "bandwagon" fans?

[street_lyte]

While it's still extremely early to start singing the praises of RG3 in B&G, by all accounts we are going to have a very special QB leading our team.

Over the weekend everytime I saw somebody rocking skins gear, i could tell there was something different. Just yesterday I went to the gas station to fill up my tires and got in an awesome conversation with a skins fan who was vaccuming their car. It's really exciting to see and feel a new energy with skins fans in the area, even after just one weekend of the trade news.

However, in my opinion, our fan base has a lot of "lukewarm at best" fans. A lot of fans who hardly root for the team, hate the owner and all of his failed moves (most are woefully ignorant of the past 2 years under ShanaAllen), talk only about the "glory years" and scoff at this generation of skins fans (you all know this guy), etc. I would put most of my friends in this category, unfortunately. Same goes for most of my family and co-workers.


This weekend got me wondering what it will be like if RG3 starts lighting things up in DC. We'll have an influx of something we probably havn't thought of in a LONG time; bandwagon Skins fans.

It feels wierd even saying that, but it will happen. We are already getting a lot of new fans from Baylor alum (something I am 100% cool with btw) and RG3 fans in general.

And let me be clear, there's a big difference between a "re-energized" fan than a true bandwagoner. I'm pretty sure most of you know and can spot the difference.

What do you guys think and feel about RG3's effect on our fan base as a whole, but specifically to the inevitable mob of bandwagoners?

[greenspandan]

"welcome aboard."

[Madison Redskin]

You're late to the party, but better late than never. Welcome aboard.

[GibbsFactor]

We need the support.

[street_lyte]

You're late to the party, but better late than never. Welcome aboard.

That about sums up my opinion on it, but I made the thread because I was really curious to see where all of us diehard fans were at in regards to it.

[SkinsFTW]

The worst is that a very large # of these fans will be Cowboys bandwagonners who are switching teams from what i've read in some threads.

[MR2Drift]

Bandwagon= success, so in that regard I'm fine with it. Talking to them and not knowing anything about the team I could do without but I have you guys for that

[Crazy Levi]

I think it's insulting to call out "potential bandwagon fans."

Fact of the matter is, even after sucking ass for 20 years, the region is STILL filled with Skins fans. 50,000 or so have STILL continued to show up to Redskins games for all these years, the merch still sells, people still watch the games.

Look, I'm an Orioles fan. The Os have sucked for almost as long as the Skins. REALLY sucked. Like even worse than the Skins. I don't even follow them anymore besides occasionally checking the standings. Since they are always in last place by May, and the older I get the duller I find baseball to be, I'm just not part of it.

If they ever made a run again, I'd certainly tune into the playoffs, pay more attention etc. I might even buy an Os cap LOL.

The Skins need all the fans they can get, especially with 20,000 road fans invading Fed Ex on a regular basis. I got no problem with people coming back on board. It's been an awful couple of decades for us, and you can't blame everyone for not being as "gung ho" as the hardcores for all these years.

[street_lyte]

Bandwagon= success, so in that regard I'm fine with it. Talking to them and not knowing anything about the team I could do without but I have you guys for that

Bandwagon does not always mean success, just look at the Cowboys, Eagles as of late, wherever Manning lands, etc. Popularity has a lot to do with it.

---------- Post added March-12th-2012 at 12:11 PM ----------

I think it's insulting to call out "potential bandwagon fans."

Fact of the matter is, even after sucking ass for 20 years, the region is STILL filled with Skins fans. 50,000 or so have STILL continued to show up to Redskins games for all these years, the merch still sells, people still watch the games.

Look, I'm an Orioles fan. The Os have sucked for almost as long as the Skins. REALLY sucked. Like even worse than the Skins. I don't even follow them anymore besides occasionally checking the standings. Since they are always in last place by May, and the older I get the duller I find baseball to be, I'm just not part of it.

If they ever made a run again, I'd certainly tune into the playoffs, pay more attention etc. I might even buy an Os cap LOL.

The Skins need all the fans they can get, especially with 20,000 road fans invading Fed Ex on a regular basis. I got no problem with people coming back on board. It's been an awful couple of decades for us, and you can't blame everyone for not being as "gung ho" as the hardcores for all these years.

I don't know where you got the notion of me insulting or calling out anyone, I am simply asking a question to all of us skins fans, I already stated what I felt above, I thought it would be interesting for all of us to talk about, thats all.

[KingGibbs]

Doesn't bother me one bit. I'd rather use my energy on cheering for the team rather then waste it worrying about other fans. I mean really, why does it matter?

[street_lyte]

Doesn't bother me one bit. I'd rather use my energy on cheering for the team rather then waste it worrying about other fans. I mean really, why does it matter?

Because I think to some fans, it can matter, either a little, or a lot.

[COWBOY-KILLA-]

You can tell a bandwagon fan within the first 15 seconds of the conversation. I don't really call them out or anything, I even try to help them through it. I kinda feel bad really. But honestly if it means more of our fans and less of the opponents in FedEx, then I'm super happy for it and would be more than supportive of the BW's.

[Mursilis]

What do you guys think and feel about RG3's effect on our fan base as a whole, but specifically to the inevitable mob of bandwagoners, especially if we experience immediate success?

If we experience "immediate success" with RG3 (pleasepleaseplease!!!), I'll be far too thrilled to worry about "bandwagon fans". Besides, bandwagon fans aren't nearly as annoying as idiot fans who want to get into I'm-a-bigger-fan-than-you pissing matches with their fellow fans.

[street_lyte]

If we experience "immediate success" with RG3 (pleasepleaseplease!!!), I'll be far too thrilled to worry about "bandwagon fans". Besides, bandwagon fans aren't nearly as annoying as idiot fans who want to get into I'm-a-bigger-fan-than-you pissing matches with their fellow fans.

haha, well said, and I didn't consider that.. i feel the same way.

I'm going to edit my op

[LD0506]

Well personally I won't care a whole lot, let me have worries like that in my life. It'll be an opportunity for all the mavens in the fanbase to show off their smarts educating the newbs, more fun at games, less trash in gameday threads and a whole new crop of people for TK to assboot for our entertainment. Sounds like a win-win to me.