Fair Weather Fans

This past Sunday the Washington Redskins played their home opener at FedEx Field and although they won, the way lots of fans were behaving, it's almost as if they hadn't. The play by the offense was sparked with occasional signs of life with multiple marches down the field that only ended in field goals. Thanksfully the kicker, Shaun Suisham, is on his game again otherwise go back a few years and recall kicker Brett Conway who had a few off games where even short yardage field goals were no guarantee. At least these days there is a bit more consistency and Shaun Suisham is probably thanking his lucky stars that he made every kick he lined up for. It was his efforts that effectively 'won' the game for the team. Of course, that there is the operative word. 'Team'. If there's no team unity then it's just a bunch of prima donnas trying to play a game of football as best they can.

One thing that I will say is that just as devoted as most players are to their teams, the fans in Washington are no less devoted. Since 1992 (the last time Washington played in the Super Bowl) the fans have been starting off every year by saying, "maybe this will be the year". Stranger things have happened with other teams. The Giants lost their first six games and then their coach Tom Coughlin announced to the media that no one should have any expectations out of the Giants that year. They later went on to win the Super Bowl against the near perfect New England Patriots. I say this because like most fans of the Redskins, I'm hoping that a lightning strike like the Giants can occur again and that it will occur here in Washington.

What doesn't help the situation any is when the fans start turning on their team on their home field as is what happened on Sunday. After what the fans believed to be miscalls or mistakes in offensive play calling, the fans in the stadium began to 'boo' and boo repeatedly. It was so bad in fact that rookie defensive player Robert Henson twittered his reaction to fans on his twitter page. He stated, "All you fake half hearted Skins fan can .. I won't go there but I dislike you very strongly, don't come to Fed Ex to boo dim wits!!" He also added, "The question is who are you to say you know what's best for the team and you work 9 to 5 at Mcdonalds" Now most fans in Washington will agree that ticket prices for a 'Skins game are so high that it would take someone at McDonalds a very long time to earn the money to buy those tickets. Either that or they'd need a very good scalper but that's beside the point.

The problem is that Henson, who has yet to play an actual down as a Redskin, is reacting to the way fans are behaving and while I don't blame his reaction, I think he needs to put it in context. I can say (though I've never experienced it myself) that being 'booed' by anyone is probably not the most enjoyable of experiences but is it any wonder? With the team owner Dan Snyder upping ticket costs like he's following the stock market and bringing in sketchy personnel who have high aspirations but little to no evidence of greatness (be it coaching or playing) as well as bringing in plenty of high priced players past their prime for extrodinary amounts of money, it's no wonder the fans are frustrated. When you hear comments in the media about how much the team is worth and how much many players are being paid, You begin to wonder where all that money is going in terms of talent. Henson's comments weren't the wisest but they do go to the heart of the matter that some fans are simply fair weather fans. When the team is doing well they'll jump and cheer but then when the chips are down they'll curse the team and everyone associated with it.

I'll admit that I was disappointed with the team's performance on Sunday and although they won I'm feeling that the offense has yet to come to the point where they can be truly effective. But by our fans booing any and all decisions by the team, do you think players will be motivated to try and continue to play their best or would they rather play halfheartedly until the game is done? I'd rather that they give it their best and that we stand by them. Henson (who has subsequently apologized repeatedly) should stifle such future commenting urges but it's telling that he's probably not the only one on the team who feels that way. That being the case we need to cheer them on through thick and thin. But the Redskins also need to know that another season filled with false hope isn't going to help either.