I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

[AvengerRam_old]

It comes as no surprise that a team having success will draw its share of "Bandwagon" fans, who can be defined as fans who jump on board during a successful run but disappear when things get tough.

As an aside, I don't have a major problem with bandwagon fans, provided that they are at least honest about it. For example, I'll readily admit that, as a graduate of the University of Miami's Law School (as opposed to undergraduate college), I am somewhat of a bandwagon fan of he Hurricanes. I tend to get interested in them when they do well, but I don't spend much time worrying about the team when they are having a down year.

I wonder, though... have the Rams developed an Anti-Bandwagon? What I mean by that is, do you think there are fans who are more active and vocal when the team is down (voicing their complaints, critiques and frustrations) who would, paradoxically, become LESS active if the Rams started winning?

If you do think that this phenomenon exists, what do you see as the motivation of the Anti-Bandwagon fans? Is it merely the Cub-Fan-esque notion of supporting the "loveable losers," or is it something else?

Discuss.

[Varg6]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

It's going to be a long offseason isn't it?

I don't know man, that's weird. I think maybe since we've exhausted all our energy into being a bad team, once we're a good team again we'll become apathetic to the whole situation. Personally, I don't care what happens, I'll always be a Rams fan but I can certainly see myself posting less because things are going smoothly--less to worry about, and no more ridiculous posts (hopefully). And honestly, who wouldn't take that scenario over constantly wondering how we'll become good again?

[Nick_Weasel]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

If there were, clanram would be one of the busiest sites on the internet.

[AtlantaRamFan]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

Avenger, I do think there are some people like this because some people are naturally pessimistic. In the same way that some people on all kinds of message boards get their kicks by purposefully annoying others or trying to cause trouble. Some individuals love to complain, and tend to not have as much to complain about when the going is good. Just my 2 cents

[RamsFanThruItAll!!!]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

Well if the Rams start doing good i feel like fans would get bored talking about the positive things after awhile.

There is just alot more stuff on the agenda when it comes to terrible teams.

Think about it. If we were like the Colts, who won the most games this decade, there would never be arguments about the QB position or any other arguments stemming from a terrible game.

Arguments are much more popular than just conversations most of the time.

[ManofGod]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

First of all I'd like to point out that if anyone but AV (a mod) created this post, noone would comment on it...must be nice being in power(lol).

Now on a serious note, every team has these types of "fans" (if you can call them that). Living here in Charlotte, N.C., I am accustomed to seeing my fair share of Panthers material, but now out of the blue last year the city is decked out in Steelers gear, and now its the Saints, the Alabama Crimson Tide, etc. I mean you see their stuff up all over the place, now these same "fans" were nowhere to be found a year ago but oh what a difference a year makes.

But we've seen this not only in football but in other sports as with the chicago bulls during the Jordan years, now where are those same bulls fans(did they all relocate to Chi-town?? Same can be said for the seemingly millions of Boston Red Sox & Patirots fans that came out of hiding during their recent success. And sadly we've seen the same when our very own St. Louis Rams won the superbowl in 99 and became the "Greatest Show on Earth"...R.I.P

So yes this phenomenon does exist, however it is not a new entity, but a common trend in sports. That being said I feel that tough times causes the "fake fans" to show themselves which in turn explains the "anti-bandwagon" behavior. If you as me if you are a fan then you are a fan during the good and bad times. I work at the psych hospital, and I even get picked on by the psych patients about the Rams yet I still stick with the team and a 1-15 record is not going to change that.

Simply put REAL FANS STICK WITH A TEAM NO MATTER WHAT! Now being the straight shooter that I am I must say that for all those who have felt led to post a "I'm not a Rams fan anymore because of the loosing" post then more than likely you fall into this "anti-bandwagon" category. And to you ma'am/sir, I wish you the best & hopefully you can find a team that you are pleased with.

[RealRam]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

...Yes, this phenomenon does exist, however it is not a new entity, but a common trend in sports. That being said I feel that tough times causes the "fake fans" to show themselves which in turn explains the "anti-bandwagon" behavior. If you as me if you are a fan then you are a fan during the good and bad times. I work at the psych hospital, and I even get picked on by the psych patients about the Rams yet I still stick with the team and a 1-15 record is not going to change that.

Simply put REAL FANS STICK WITH A TEAM NO MATTER WHAT! Now being the straight shooter that I am I must say that for all those who have felt led to post a "I'm not a Rams fan anymore because of the loosing" post then more than likely you fall into this "anti-bandwagon" category. And to you ma'am/sir, I wish you the best & hopefully you can find a team that you are pleased with.

Agreed MOG. "A n t i-" becomes part of the wardrobe of the weeker fan, IMO. It is normal for one to feel sad, frustrated, disappointed after going through what we just did this year -- especially after last year!

But that's okay. Those fans have always been around, even to the point we have a thread here to talk about them.

These fans are what general fanhood is all about. Again, I think they are the weeker, ill-inclined type of individuals that usually walk somewhat aimlessly with a cloud right above their head or a wet blanket around their shoulders. It's much easier for them to wear a brown paper bag on their head with sad motifs about their team scribbled on it ... their tears of rage, their tears of woe. We would surely think twice about using such a demeaning public display (and we try not to be too rash or reckless in our Internet forums castigating the elements in our Rams team [less we find a cancer within the organization we feel medically apt to vanish]).

Thanks to these people we feel stronger, more loyal. Our Rams identity is keener and our fan idiosyncrasy is ever willing to "criticize, but constructively". In other words, we are the select, stronger species of fans.

"FANS... As long as we have each other, we'll never run out of problems."

Ah, the diversity Vs. equality of it all. It's fun to be a fan. GO RAMS IN 2010!

[rammiser]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

Yes there is and they are people who are not happy unless they have something to complain about. Like how the Bulger threads have quieted down and now they are banging on getting rid of O.J., Jackson, on how Long is underachieving etc. These are the same people who seem to say we wont win a game almost as if hoping it would happen. Then when it almost happens brags about how they were right. People that constantly talk about how bad we are and we are no way just a few peices from being successful. The same ones who are already wanting to replace Spags. From the looks of things in New York I'm sure they would welcome Spags back with open arms. Anyway I do believe these people exist and are happier when the Rams are just as miserable as they are.

[DistantRam]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

Yet another divisive thread by TV.

We all know that "your the bestest Rams fan ever" (sic), so please try to get a life.

[BarronWade]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

i get wat your saying and yes!

Its just the case of True fans (anti-bandwagon) discussing and debating how to make the team good instead of seeing how badly the Rams struggled the last 3 years and moving on to another team i wouldn't call it anti bandwagon i would jus call it true die hard fans.

[Yodude]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

As an aside, I don't have a major problem with bandwagon fans, provided that they are at least honest about it. For example, I'll readily admit that, as a graduate of the University of Miami's Law School (as opposed to undergraduate college), I am somewhat of a bandwagon fan of he Hurricanes. I tend to get interested in them when they do well, but I don't spend much time worrying about the team when they are having a down year.

I know exactly what you mean. Since I received my PhD in Physics from M.I.T., I've done my best to follow the escapades of the M.I.T. Parliamentary Debate Team when they travel to tournaments. My favorites have been the Worlds University Debating Championship, the North American Championships, and the Oxford and Cambridge Intervarsities. In 2008, Worlds was held in Cork, Ireland, and NorthAms in Amherst, MA. A ripping good time was had by all in attendance.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

I know exactly what you mean. Since I received my PhD in Physics from M.I.T., I've done my best to follow the escapades of the M.I.T. Parliamentary Debate Team when they travel to tournaments. My favorites have been the Worlds University Debating Championship, the North American Championships, and the Oxford and Cambridge Intervarsities. In 2008, Worlds was held in Cork, Ireland, and NorthAms in Amherst, MA. A ripping good time was had by all in attendance.

Actually, I'm a total diehard fan of the Tufts Jumbos (my undergraduate school) football team. I think their battle with Williams College this year was one of the classic gridiron contests of all time.

(By the way, my father went to M.I.T., so I'm sure you know what animal appears on his class ring)

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

Yet another divisive thread by TV.

We all know that "your the bestest Rams fan ever" (sic), so please try to get a life.

Interesting. I ask a question and you find it divisive.

I think that says a lot more about you than it does about me.

[Warner4prez]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

The 'anti' fans are just hoping Devaney or Spagnulo will be surfing the blogosphere and see some of their wonderful incite and recruit them for a key role on staff.
I'm still waiting for my call.

[makersncoke]

Re: I wonder... is there an Anti-Bandwagon?

You can call it Anti-Bandwagon but I prefer the term "Shared Missery". I believe that most people who are not happy with their lives prefer to bring the rest of the world down with them, and so is the case with a portion of Rams nation. Really it comes down too the old half empty half full thing.