Best 12th man in fedex (albeit short) history?

[frenchskinsfan]

Congratulations to all hR fans who were there. I did hear you on wjfk, Sonny Sam (and I) were very pleased to "feel" the crowd during this first game, thay actually laughed during that wonderful 3 false starts span.
That was just great !

[superskin]

Originally Posted by smoakme

I graded the crowd a big fat F until the fourth quarter. Empty seats, people sittting on their hands, leaving frequently to get drinks... Same BS we always see, but keep in mind I have high standards.

Then something happened. I really can't explain it, but the defense was COMPLETELY on their heels. The Bears led by Orton and Jones were moving at will and rather than being disheartened, the crowd came to life in a way I didn't think possible. The fans won the game today b/c the Bears were in FG range before the 3 false starts in a row was absolutely amazing!

Smoak - I think you summed it up perfectly, my friend. I too was rather disappointed with some aspects of the 12th Man for three and a half quarters. I won't go into particulars because our finish more than made up for the slow start. The "something" that happened in the fourth quarter is equivalent to Lassie barking for help when a boy falls in a well, or Tarzan swooping in to save Jane from a pit of quicksand - the defense desperately needed our help, and we delivered in a way that we never had before in the 8 year history of FedEx Field. Make no mistake about it - Portis had a nice game and Brunell played mistake-free, but our 12th Man resoundingly earned MVP honors. Take this snippet from Thomas Boswell's Washington Post article, for instance:

The Skins throng roared so loudly that, in the most important series of plays in the game, the flummoxed Bears couldn't hear their signals and false-started three times in a row.

"That was FedEx Field the way I sure remember it," began coach Joe Gibbs, who probably meant to say that FedEx was as loud as RFK Stadium used to be. They're only nine miles apart, so it's easy to forget.


What a great thing to read. In my Q & A session that was posted earlier this week, I mentioned my belief that FedEx and RFK had merged, and that the "ghosts of RFK" that lay dormant at FedEx would finally "speak" this season. Folks, those voices spoke yesterday, and single-handedly snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat. For all of you "journalists" (and yes, I mean you Kornheiser) who think that fans like us are delusional in our belief that we can make a difference at these games, go watch the tape of the Bear's backward march - and make sure the volume is down on your TV so the speakers don't blow.

That's the power of this 12th Man, baby - and it only gets crazier from here on out. Hell of a job, guys!

[Biggie]

The crowd finally came alive yesterday. Great work, everyone.

Hail Superskin and my fellow fans for helping make FedEx come alive!

[skinsdude]

Originally Posted by Ibleedburgandy

I sit in the club level and even the club level was rocking. I have to admit, section 338 got it started and it didn't take long for the fever to spread to my section (440).

Burgandy, Section 338, that was me! LOL. Our section, like yours, was off the hook the entire game.

[openallnight]

Originally Posted by smoakme

I graded the crowd a big fat F until the fourth quarter. Empty seats, people sittting on their hands, leaving frequently to get drinks... Same BS we always see, but keep in mind I have high standards.

Then something happened. I really can't explain it, but the defense was COMPLETELY on their heels. The Bears led by Orton and Jones were moving at will and rather than being disheartened, the crowd came to life in a way I didn't think possible. The fans won the game today b/c the Bears were in FG range before the 3 false starts in a row was absolutely amazing!

I for one barely made it back to the tailgate and was weak for about an hour after the game (until I got liquid and some really tasty food). Thankfully that did the trick.

I pretty much agree w/ your assessment. Although, I did notice a much higher % of Skins fans in their seats most of the game. Which did me very proud.

The stadium in the 1st half was not near as loud as it could be. I even had a Redskin fan tell me to dial it down a notch. As I was being too loud. It was the 2nd funniest thing I ever heard at a game. I had to laugh out loud. I could tell a bunch of guys around me were a little annoyed at my screaming the entire time our D was on the field. So, I promised them I'll bring a pack of earplugs next game

But, in the 4th qtr. the crowd finally came to life and made a huge impact. I'd rank those last two D stands as perhaps the 3rd loudest I've ever heard the stadium. It's right up there with last year's Monday night game against the Cowboys and the Lions playoff game.

Way to come through 12th Man. Now, we just need to do it for a complete 4 qtrs!!!

[redcayman]

To all of you at the game yesterday. GREAT JOB You all won the game for us. You were so loud you could barely here the commentators on TV.. Keep up the good work!!

[redskin_rich]

Originally Posted by openallnight

The stadium in the 1st half was not near as loud as it could be. I even had a Redskin fan tell me to dial it down a notch. As I was being too loud. It was the 2nd funniest thing I ever heard at a game. I had to laugh out loud. I could tell a bunch of guys around me were a little annoyed at my screaming the entire time our D was on the field. So, I promised them I'll bring a pack of earplugs next game

Thats unbelievable, if anyone ever told me to tone it down, I would tell them to stay home next time. And thats if I was in a good mood. You shouldn't come to the stadium expecting people to be quiet. This is football, not tennis or golf for crying out loud.

[Ibleedburgundy]

Originally Posted by openallnight

I pretty much agree w/ your assessment. Although, I did notice a much higher % of Skins fans in their seats most of the game. Which did me very proud.

The stadium in the 1st half was not near as loud as it could be. I even had a Redskin fan tell me to dial it down a notch. As I was being too loud. It was the 2nd funniest thing I ever heard at a game. I had to laugh out loud. I could tell a bunch of guys around me were a little annoyed at my screaming the entire time our D was on the field. So, I promised them I'll bring a pack of earplugs next game

But, in the 4th qtr. the crowd finally came to life and made a huge impact. I'd rank those last two D stands as perhaps the 3rd loudest I've ever heard the stadium. It's right up there with last year's Monday night game against the Cowboys and the Lions playoff game.

Way to come through 12th Man. Now, we just need to do it for a complete 4 qtrs!!!

I like your earplug remark. I might have to borrow that should some fake fans infiltrate my section. Hope you don't mind. Seriously, It's a great way to divert the negative feeling of the people who just don't get it. At the beginning of the game I was getting some wierd looks from people when I freaked out at the Ramsey clothesline. By the end of the game those same people joined me in sabotaging the Bears offense. It's like at a club, who's going to be the first person out on the dance floor? We have to lead by example early in the season (check) early in each game (room to improve) and often.

[Ibleedburgundy]

Bill Plaschke on around the horn said Gibbs will retire after this year.

Woody Paige and Mariotti actually support the change to Brunell at QB.

[openallnight]

Originally Posted by redskin_rich

Thats unbelievable, if anyone ever told me to tone it down, I would tell them to stay home next time. And thats if I was in a good mood. You shouldn't come to the stadium expecting people to be quiet. This is football, not tennis or golf for crying out loud.

You know it REALLY helps being a season ticket holder. I'm in the same seats every game and I always give 110% enthusiastic support for my team. People in my section know what they're getting with me there. After a season in the same seats I think most of them have actually grown accustomed to my enthusiasm and have grown to enjoy it.
The guy that said something obviously wasn't there last year.

Before I had season tix i used to catch all kinds of gruff for being too loud or boisterous. I was always the outsider in a new seat that the "regulars" gave the dirty looks to etc. A guy at the Lions playoff game asked me to sit down after I jumped up and down following a sack of Frerotte. I explained to him very nicely that there was a very good chance I'd be seated when our offense was on the field.

I don't want to bash people that have had tickets for dozens and dozens of years. Most of these folks are some of the best fans in the world. But, I think a large contingent of the season ticket holders have become complacent.

I love seeing the new folks come in. Especially the guys that may only get to go to a game or 2 all season. It brings me back to my first game when I was 6 years old. I'd cherish each and every play of each and every game as if it may be my last. This infiltration of energy and excitement really raises the bar for ALL of us that attend the games. To this day 30+ years later I still feel the exact same way when I enter the stadium. To me being able to attend the games is one of the biggest priveleges I have in life and I'm not going to blow it by not giving my team and my Redskin family all I've got for 3 hours 8 times a season.

[openallnight]

Originally Posted by Ibleedburgandy

I like your earplug remark. I might have to borrow that should some fake fans infiltrate my section. Hope you don't mind. Seriously, It's a great way to divert the negative feeling of the people who just don't get it. At the beginning of the game I was getting some wierd looks from people when I freaked out at the Ramsey clothesline. By the end of the game those same people joined me in sabotaging the Bears offense. It's like at a club, who's going to be the first person out on the dance floor? We have to lead by example early in the season (check) early in each game (room to improve) and often.

Alot of times emotions run high at the games. And alot of times alcohol intensifies those emotions and clouds the cognitive processing abilities of people. I direct ALL my emotions on the field and never at another fan. I always strive to be 100% respectful of my fellow fans. Too tell you the truth I'm usually in such a zone during the game I pretty much filter out everyone around me.
For the ones that may express a problem the key is to try and make them understand that their sitting there being quiet is MORE of an insult to me and our team than my fanatic screaming is to them and our team.

[superskin]

Originally Posted by openallnight

You know it REALLY helps being a season ticket holder. I'm in the same seats every game and I always give 110% enthusiastic support for my team. People in my section know what they're getting with me there. After a season in the same seats I think most of them have actually grown accustomed to my enthusiasm and have grown to enjoy it.
The guy that said something obviously wasn't there last year.

Before I had season tix i used to catch all kinds of gruff for being too loud or boisterous. I was always the outsider in a new seat that the "regulars" gave the dirty looks to etc. A guy at the Lions playoff game asked me to sit down after I jumped up and down following a sack of Frerotte. I explained to him very nicely that there was a very good chance I'd be seated when our offense was on the field.

I don't want to bash people that have had tickets for dozens and dozens of years. Most of these folks are some of the best fans in the world. But, I think a large contingent of the season ticket holders have become complacent.

I love seeing the new folks come in. Especially the guys that may only get to go to a game or 2 all season. It brings me back to my first game when I was 6 years old. I'd cherish each and every play of each and every game as if it may be my last. This infiltration of energy and excitement really raises the bar for ALL of us that attend the games. To this day 30+ years later I still feel the exact same way when I enter the stadium. To me being able to attend the games is one of the biggest priveleges I have in life and I'm not going to blow it by not giving my team and my Redskin family all I've got for 3 hours 8 times a season.

Well said. It's fans like you that make the "job" of being SuperSkin ALOT easier on Sundays.

Sir, I am proud to have you a member of this 12th Man.

[Axegrinder]

But will we do it again?!!!

[smoak]

Originally Posted by redskin_rich

Thats unbelievable, if anyone ever told me to tone it down, I would tell them to stay home next time. And thats if I was in a good mood. You shouldn't come to the stadium expecting people to be quiet. This is football, not tennis or golf for crying out loud.

Amen, but testimonials like the one from OAN are why I am down on Skins fans.... Time to see the wizard and ask for heart b/c we are pathetic. Asking someone to be quiet at a football game when the defense is on the field is insane IMO. Just insane.

[smoak]

Originally Posted by Axegrinder

But will we do it again?!!!

Not if we come back from Dallass with a 1-1 record and a poor offensive showing. Call me crazy, but if we lose to Dallass, the fans will be brutal in week 4 and we'll lose to Seattle. Being 1-2 going to the Broncos and Chiefs on back-back weeks doesn't sound good to me...

Folks, I stand by the fact that I am calling Dallass a "must win" for this franchise. We have to find a way build something in Dallass and take that into the bye week.