Last Years Low Attendence Revisited

[THE PISTONS]

And people wonder why the attendence was low last year for a playoff team (9-7)...

Well...it's because fans don't have trust that this franchise will win consistantly. When expectations are there, this team folds. Fans want to believe. The hope for this season came in the form of a 9-7 season the year before. Sure that 9-7 came against soft competition...but it was hope.

The 2nd half of last season, this team had a chance to make it a special season...with 10 or 11 wins. It also had a chance to take control of it's playoff destiny.

They started the year 6-2.

Then with a knock that they built that record against soft competition, they lost to the Steelers and Ravens. Then they beat the Browns. Then, they lost to the Steelers and Texans. The Steelers loss was 35-7. The Houston loss was a game that we had won, but gave away.

Then, wins against the lowly Rams and Cardinals...and a loss to the Ravens.

So that was 4 chances to beat the Steelers or Ravens...and they lost all 4. They backed into the playoffs...all they needed was to beat one of these winning teams.

This franchise gets fans hopes up...only to let them down.

Same with this season. High hopes. Disappointment.

Our power win in the 1st half of the season was against a team that was 3-6.

Rinse. Repeat.

[Evad41]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

And people wonder why the attendence was low last year for a playoff team (9-7)...

Well...it's because fans don't have trust that this franchise will win consistantly. When expectations are there, this team folds. Fans want to believe. The hope for this season came in the form of a 9-7 season the year before. Sure that 9-7 came against soft competition...but it was hope.

The 2nd half of last season, this team had a chance to make it a special season...with 10 or 11 wins. It also had a chance to take control of it's playoff destiny.

They started the year 6-2.

Then with a knock that they built that record against soft competition, they lost to the Steelers and Ravens. Then they beat the Browns. Then, they lost to the Steelers and Texans. The Steelers loss was 35-7. The Houston loss was a game that we had won, but gave away.

Then, wins against the lowly Rams and Cardinals...and a loss to the Ravens.

So that was 4 chances to beat the Steelers or Ravens...and they lost all 4. They backed into the playoffs...all they needed was to beat one of these winning teams.

This franchise gets fans hopes up...only to let them down.

Same with this season. High hopes. Disappointment.

Our power win in the 1st half of the season was against a team that was 3-6.

Rinse. Repeat.

Even when good things happen, it's like they try to give it all away. We barely squeaked into the playoffs last year, and if the Jets had shown up at home, or that Cardinal receiver didn't trip over the 3 yard line, then we wouldn't have even had the opportunity to go to Houston to get our collective *** handed to us.

Yesterday was a great microcosim of this entire franchise. Do well enough, hang around long enough, just to get you hooked, get you believing, get you buying seats and jerseys and thinking we have a chance. Then, yank the damn rug out from under you.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by Evad41

Even when good things happen, it's like they try to give it all away. We barely squeaked into the playoffs last year, and if the Jets had shown up at home, or that Cardinal receiver didn't trip over the 3 yard line, then we wouldn't have even had the opportunity to go to Houston to get our collective *** handed to us.

Yesterday was a great microcosim of this entire franchise. Do well enough, hang around long enough, just to get you hooked, get you believing, get you buying seats and jerseys and thinking we have a chance. Then, yank the damn rug out from under you.

The Broncos Game was the same way. As soon as we had a glimmer of hope to win, the offensive line got 2 holding penalties and Dalton threw an interception.

[pdub2005]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

And people wonder why the attendence was low last year for a playoff team (9-7)...

Well...it's because fans don't have trust that this franchise will win consistantly. When expectations are there, this team folds. Fans want to believe. The hope for this season came in the form of a 9-7 season the year before. Sure that 9-7 came against soft competition...but it was hope.

The 2nd half of last season, this team had a chance to make it a special season...with 10 or 11 wins. It also had a chance to take control of it's playoff destiny.

They started the year 6-2.

Then with a knock that they built that record against soft competition, they lost to the Steelers and Ravens. Then they beat the Browns. Then, they lost to the Steelers and Texans. The Steelers loss was 35-7. The Houston loss was a game that we had won, but gave away.

Then, wins against the lowly Rams and Cardinals...and a loss to the Ravens.

So that was 4 chances to beat the Steelers or Ravens...and they lost all 4. They backed into the playoffs...all they needed was to beat one of these winning teams.

This franchise gets fans hopes up...only to let them down.

Same with this season. High hopes. Disappointment.

Our power win in the 1st half of the season was against a team that was 3-6.

Rinse. Repeat.

I got 3 tickets for 10 bucks a piece to yesterdays game lol

[bengalfan74]

Our attendence is gonna go in the crapper from here on out if big changes don't come soon, it's that simple.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

And people wonder why the attendence was low last year for a playoff team (9-7)...

Well...it's because fans don't have trust that this franchise will win consistantly. When expectations are there, this team folds. Fans want to believe. The hope for this season came in the form of a 9-7 season the year before. Sure that 9-7 came against soft competition...but it was hope.

The 2nd half of last season, this team had a chance to make it a special season...with 10 or 11 wins. It also had a chance to take control of it's playoff destiny.

They started the year 6-2.

Then with a knock that they built that record against soft competition, they lost to the Steelers and Ravens. Then they beat the Browns. Then, they lost to the Steelers and Texans. The Steelers loss was 35-7. The Houston loss was a game that we had won, but gave away.

Then, wins against the lowly Rams and Cardinals...and a loss to the Ravens.

So that was 4 chances to beat the Steelers or Ravens...and they lost all 4. They backed into the playoffs...all they needed was to beat one of these winning teams.

This franchise gets fans hopes up...only to let them down.

Same with this season. High hopes. Disappointment.

Our power win in the 1st half of the season was against a team that was 3-6.

Rinse. Repeat.

Just checking in here. How are the Rams, the Browns, the Bills, the Lions any different?

It seems to me that the Bengals are inconsistant winners verses the above mentioned teams consistantly losing.

But, even with consistantly losing, these fan bases seem to have supported their teams more consistantly.

Rationalizing the "justification" for this fan base not supporting a 2011 playoff team astounds me; but unfortunately, it doesn't surprise me.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Just checking in here. How are the Rams, the Browns, the Bills, the Lions any different?

It seems to me that the Bengals are inconsistant winners verses the above mentioned teams consistantly losing.

But, even with consistantly losing, these fan bases seem to have supported their teams more consistantly.

Rationalizing the "justification" for this fan base not supporting a 2011 playoff team astounds me; but unfortunately, it doesn't surprise me.

We've had 3 winning seasons in 22+ years...and you call us 'inconsistant winners'?

We've had 9 seasons of 4 wins or less.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

We've had 3 winning seasons in 22+ years...and you call us 'inconsistant winners'?

We've had 9 seasons of 4 wins or less.

Again, you aren't considering their "peers"?

How have the Lions, Rams, Browns, Bills been in the last 10 years?

Hint: Terrible.
Second hint: Worse than the Bengals.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Again, you aren't considering their "peers"?

How have the Lions, Rams, Browns, Bills been in the last 10 years?

Hint: Terrible.
Second hint: Worse than the Bengals.

So you judge success for the Bengals based on the absolute worst teams in the NFL being worse than the Bengals?

Isn't the goal...to win playoff games? That's something that each of those franchises have done since the Bengals last have.

[umkubas]

I was surprised by the emptiness in the second tier of Paul Brown Stadium yesterday.

I do not live in the Cincinnati area so I can not be accountable for this lack of attendance.

I did attend the first game of the 2012 National Football League season at M & T Bank Stadium and will attend Lincoln Financial Field on December 13th.

For the National Football League franchise in Cincinnati. medocrity rules!

[Burma]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

So you judge success for the Bengals based on the absolute worst teams in the NFL being worse than the Bengals?

Isn't the goal...to win playoff games? That's something that each of those franchises have done since the Bengals last have.

I agree with The Pistons on this. You measure success based on how you compare to the best. Now if you are the Bengals or my coworkers it is how little can I actually do to not get fired.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by Burma

I agree with The Pistons on this. You measure success based on how you compare to the best. Now if you are the Bengals or my coworkers it is how little can I actually do to not get fired.

Sadly, some fans will never get it. They just shift their metrics of success...

Now it's: We're better than the absolute worst teams in the NFL.

Quite a lofty achievement!

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

So you judge success for the Bengals based on the absolute worst teams in the NFL being worse than the Bengals?

Isn't the goal...to win playoff games? That's something that each of those franchises have done since the Bengals last have.

I don't judge the success of the Bengals on the worst NFL teams.

But, I do evaluate the Bengals fan base by comparing other "losing" teams and their fan support compared to Bengal "fan" support.

WTS, it seems OBVIOUS that this fan base lags others in support and leads others in negativity.

[BengirlVal]

We were at the game and I was a little shocked at the empty second bowl. But then I started thinking...why would everyone fork over their hard earned money on a team that can't win on a regular basis?
My husband and I let our season tickets go last year. Half way thru the season the ticket office called and said that if we bought the remaining 4 games we would still be able to have our season tickets for the next season. We bought it hook line and sinker. Then this year we kept our season tickets and added a 4th seat. Geez don't I feel like a big fat dummy!! The $3000 we spent could have gone towards a really nice family vacation.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by mulligan

I don't judge the success of the Bengals on the worst NFL teams.

But, I do evaluate the Bengals fan base by comparing other "losing" teams and their fan support compared to Bengal "fan" support.

WTS, it seems OBVIOUS that this fan base lags others in support and leads others in negativity.

Is the goal of an NFL Franchise to win playoff games and ultimately Super Bowls?

How have the Bengals ranked among NFL teams among that goal?

[mulligan]

Did anyone see the CBS camera shot of the mass exodus of the Cincinnati "fans" with the Bengals down 11 points, over 3:30 minutes left in the game, two time outs,and the 2 minute warning?

I also heard that Dave Lapham commented about the mass exodus on the radio.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Did anyone see the CBS camera shot of the mass exodus of the Cincinnati "fans" with the Bengals down 11 points, over 3:30 minutes left in the game, two time outs,and the 2 minute warning?

I also heard that Dave Lapham commented about the mass exodus on the radio.

I saw it on TV. You mean you weren't at this game?

Are you saying those people are bad fans?

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

Is the goal of an NFL Franchise to win playoff games and ultimately Super Bowls?

How have the Bengals ranked among NFL teams among that goal?

When was the last time the Browns were in the Super Bowl? Never. Last playoff win? 1 win in 2002.

A series of failed coaches, failed QBs, failed GM, failed ownerships.

Detroit? Again, they have never been to the SB.
St. Louis hasn't been to the playoffs since 2004. (2-14 record in 2011 and had 7k more in fan attendance on average.)

All said, these teams have had greater fan support.

You complain about mis-management of the Bengals. Yet, all of these teams have had mis-management, yet their fan bases aren't as embittered.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

I saw it on TV. You mean you weren't at this game?

Are you saying those people are bad fans?

I wasn't at the game.

And, yes, I am saying a "fan" that leaves at this point in the game is a bad fan.

The Bengals were still in it. Why leave?

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by mulligan

When was the last time the Browns were in the Super Bowl? Never. Last playoff win? 1 win in 2002.

A series of failed coaches, failed QBs, failed GM, failed ownerships.

Detroit? Again, they have never been to the SB.
St. Louis hasn't been to the playoffs since 2004. (2-14 record in 2011 and had 7k more in fan attendance on average.)

All said, these teams have had greater fan support.

You complain about mis-management of the Bengals. Yet, all of these teams have had mis-management, yet their fan bases aren't as embittered.

Old Motto: Destination New Orleans!

New Motto: We're better than the absolute worst teams in the NFL!

Think it would fit on a shirt?

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by mulligan

I wasn't at the game.

And, yes, I am saying a "fan" that leaves at this point in the game is a bad fan.

The Bengals were still in it. Why leave?

Do they not pay the same amount for tickets if they leave early?

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

Do they not pay the same amount for tickets if they leave early?

Keep going with this logic. I think it will be revealing.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Keep going with this logic. I think it will be revealing.

Perhaps it was already revealing...

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

Do they not pay the same amount for tickets if they leave early?

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

Perhaps it was already revealing...

I agree with you. And this is rare.

[muskiesfan]

Every fan has the same rights as other fans. Just because someone does not cheer, root, watch, or stay as long as someone else, that doesn't make one fan bad and one fan better.

I'm originally from Cincinnati and have been a Bengals fan my entire life. I've seen the good (2 Super Bowl appearances) and the bad (the 90's-early 00's). I can understand how some people get worn out by this franchise. I, like so many others, had high expectations for this season. So far, this season has been a huge letdown.

We as fans have every right to voice our happiness as well as our displeasure. Unfortunately, it doesn't truly make a difference. With the revenue sharing in the NFL, Mike Brown makes a profit no matter what. Go to the games or don't, buy merchandise or don't, he's still making millions.

I think that is the part that is the most disheartening. No matter what we fans do, he's still depositing money into his account. He has no reason to change. He has no reason to listen to us and put a consistent winner on the field.

That is what makes the situation for us Bengals' fans really rough. We want our team to win, but good or bad, Mike Brown still gets paid.