Armchair Quarterback

Here It Goes

2008-12-09T11:57:00.000-08:00

Well fans,

It is that time for me to conclude what I feel was one of the most interesting and beneficial blogspots in quite some time. I feel that this blog has chronicled the feelings that most football fans have been feeling, & there has been an underlying comic relief that kept the readers interested. It has been a pleasure expressing my thoughts and views, & an even bigger privilege that I could write about something that I felt I was comfortable with. Throughout the entire semester, I have learned different ways of writing and portraying what I felt on paper, & it was a great way to get a more free-writing sense of style. I hope that you all enjoyed my take on the fan base of the NFL.

Thanks again.

--

Marc Schroder

Waiting

2008-12-08T18:16:00.000-08:00

Good Evening fans,

There has been a bit of a holdup in the fanbase scene of the National Football League, because there is a bit of ambiguity as to who exactly there is left to root for. Whether you are from the Northeast, or the Southwest -- there has got to be someone that you can root for. Tonight's Monday night matchup pits the Carolina Panthers against the Tamba Bay Buccaneers, and it gives a chance for some of the fans that no one tends to hear about to come out & support their hometown team. The fans that tend to usually follow these two teams are more than likely just hometown fans. There are a few questions as of late as to what the actual standings are, & who exactly is going to make it into the playoffs? I feel that a lot of bandwagon fans will be hopping onto a different horse buggy sometime in the future, because a few of the big name teams have started to fall off of the maps. Still though, there is a lot of football left to play, so many fans will still be able to rise out of bed the next morning in their favorite teams' gear.

Believe me.

--

Marc Schroder

Testy, Testy

2008-12-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

We all know what time it is. Sunday. With Sunday comes football time. With football time comes tragedy & triumph. Moods are altered by the touch of a pigskin, & that is all that matters. So, how do you think that the fans of the Dallas Cowboys or the New Orleans Saints feel today? Not exactly the same type of feelings. But, there comes a time in every fans life whenever they have themselves a gut-check. There will be a regrouping period come tomorrow that will ease the pain of many fans out there. Do not hesitate to watch the updates as to who will be starting, & what changes will be made.. because I guarantee that there will be some sort of wrench thrown into the system. Do you think that you can be a fan of the National Football League without having a bit of contraversy? I surely hope not. There always needs to be a fire lit under someone so that there will be some sort of challenge to face. Fear not America.. there is still plenty of games left on everyone's schedules.

Keep at it!

--

Marc Schroder

Getting Antzy..

2008-12-06T11:38:00.000-08:00

Hello there,

I know that you can feel it. As most of you may know, the Dallas Cowboys are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. Being such a long time, cross-conference rival, this game not only has implications on this years playoff picture, but also on the historical reputation of the teams playing. What does this mean for the rest of the NFL fan base? NOTHING. I can almost guarantee that everyone will be glued to the FOX network watching these two titans clash it out on the field. I think that it is safe to say, even if you are a new & upcoming fan, you will want to be a part of this. There are so many different scenarios and outcomes that have been drawn up, but I don't think you will be able to get the full effect until tomorrow. I can already sense the buzz that has been floating around on the network television talk shows, and can argue the pros and cons of each team. Look alive, fans.. because this Sunday is going to be one that you will want to sink your teeth into.

God Bless America!

--

Marc Schroder

Thirsty Thursdays

2008-12-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon fans,

I hope that I am finding you in good spirits, seeing as though there have been a few setbacks http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast/0-6-26/Giants--numbers-without-Burress-pretty-impressive.html to a few teams in the league (sorry, New York.) It has come to the attention of the audience, that there is still drama in the sports world. There will always be sticky situations that you will sometimes have to overlook. The true fan understands that most players get caught up in the moment, & tend to react without thinking sometimes. I believe that most of the NFL fans are not distraught over the actions of Plaxico Burress -- they just want to see the show go on. Since there is always a lull in the action during the middle of the week, TV tends to blow things out of proportion that should remain within the organization. I think that there are quite a few fans out there who immediately switch the station whenever they are hearing about "activity" of a player they could care less for. Do you think that if you were a New York fan, you would be condoning this type of action? I think not. All that you want is football, right? At least that's what I've been trying to portray for the past few weeks.

Keep your nose clean, National Football League..

--

Marc Schroder

Hump Day

2008-12-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

Since it IS the middle of the week, I would like to remind every type of fan out there that there will be some SUPERB SHOWDOWNS this weekend, within the NFL. The classic battle between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys is the matchup I feel that everyone will be biting their nails over. Fans that have been following football since the beginning of its existence will understand the importance of this matchup: combining the two teams with the richest history of excellence in the game of football. I also think there will be some mediocre fans out there rooting for the game placing the Carolina Panthers against the Tamba Bay Buccaneers. It seems that there will not be much bandwagoning this week, because the matchups are too geared towards an actual fan base. I am glad to say that there probably will be a huge following this weekend, & I hope to be a part of it. I will keep you updated within the week of any bufoonery or debauchery that comes along.

Until next time!

--

Marc Schroder

Monday Night Madness

2008-12-01T19:32:00.000-08:00

Good Evening Fans,

It seems to be a slow evening, with the weather and all, so it leads to a question that has been pondering in my head for quite some time now.. Will the fever of football EVER die out? Do you think that there will ever be a time which the fan base will be absent? I honestly do not think that you could look me in the eye and tell me that the die hard fans would be willing to let that happen. There seems to be a sense of lonesomeness whenever you do not have the comfort of your team playing on a Sunday. So, I guess that the answer is this: THE FAN BASE WILL NEVER DIE OUT! So, pack your bags and hunker down if you felt it alright to take a couple of years off. That's not going to happen. Bandwagon fans will come and go, but there will ALWAYS be the ones that bleed true colors. Be true to your school.

Staying alive!

--

Marc Schroder

Getting Ready..

2008-11-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

I have a feeling that the most of you are getting ready to boot, scoot, & boogey out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday.. but remember, there are STILL NFL games to be played on that lovely Thursday. I consider this day to have fans known as, "turkey fans," & it gives me the great pleasure to introduce what I consider a turkey fan. This fan is one who has already eaten an entire pound of turkey slices, & has pretty much covered himself in cranberry sauce. The only thing that he/she has left to do is sit down on the couch, & enjoy a nice game of football. This is the guy that has waited all year for this series of games, & would like nothing better than to just eat himself silly, & root for whoever he pleases. The fans will continue to follow their respective teams -- but only certain teams are allowed to play on Thanksgiving. So, in order to get "stuffed" with the football every fan knows and loves, you will have to find a place serving hot food, & cold beer.

Hand me that TV remote..

--

Marc Schroder

Fallen

2008-11-23T19:41:00.000-08:00

Good Evening,

In today's Sunday matchups, there was one in particular that I am sure a TON of bandwagon fans were looking forward to. The Tennessee Titans faced off against the New York Jets, & it turned out to be a complete rout. The reason that fans would be attracted to this was because that the Titans were undefeated -- until today. There is a certain ora that comes wit an undefeated team, & everyone tends to start & back them whenever there are NO losses. Seeing as though there are no longer any teams with an undefeated record, I believe that the bandwagon fans will begin to wander off, & not come back around until the playoffs. I hope that this has cleared up any confusion as to how a typical bandwagon fan performs.

Keep in touch!

--

Marc Schroder

Wonderful Wednesday

2008-11-19T20:15:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

I am glad to announce that it seems the fans are here to stay. I have come to the realization that the season changes every year, but there will ALWAYS be fans to support their opposing corners. The support is such a high capacity that it is sometimes hard to reach out to everyone -- at times people may feel that they are not getting the credit where it is due. Towards the end of the week, I will give you an update as to how some of the coaches feel that the season has been going. Until next time.

Keep on rocking in the free world.

--

Marc Schroder

Monday Night Matchup

2008-11-17T11:43:00.000-08:00

Good Afternoon,

Tonight's Monday Night Football matchup is shaping up to be a semi-interesting one (fairweather fans included.) The Cleveland Browns are facing the Buffalo Bills in a battle of the "new" quarterbacks. There has been quite a bit of controversy over who was going to be decided as the starting quarterback for the Browns, but Brady Quinn has finally been named the number one position. Most fans tonight will be freezing their butts off, so that will aleviate some of the disappointment of their teams performance. There will be a lot of talk about the outcomes later on this week, so I will be sure to keep you updated as to who said what, & why they chose to say it. I hope that we do not fall under the hockey radar eventually -- this season needs to step it up.

Good riddance.

--

Marc Schroder

Couldn't Have Said it Better

2008-11-16T20:25:00.000-08:00

Here we go,

I don't think that I could have thought up a better Sunday then today; everything that was predicted to happen did, & that seemed to make all of the viewers happy. I think that most of the fans were extremely happy with the outcomes, (except for the select few teams that lost), & are more than anxious to head into the next week with a W. I think that the media was spot on with their guesses. It seems that someone was FINALLY doing their job. I cannot believe that gambling could have been that easy.. ha. Go figure. I want to say that things are looking at turning around for the better, but I do not want to jinx any of the other fans out there.

So I'll let things be..

--

Marc Schroder

Anything Goes

2008-11-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

Well hello,

It is weird knowing that the football season is already almost over? I cannot believe the outcomes of the games. Today, I am going to talk about the bandwagon fan. I believe that the Tennessee Titans are having a tremendous season, but who honestly follows them (besides Nashville of course.) If you are a fan of them this year, could you name me the starting lineups if I asked you? I just believe that certain results of certain teams are chronicled as "successful" because of their records, but you cannot take the immediate results as statistics. It is just hard trying to understand that just a few years ago, this team was not even a contender, & now, sports apparel shows are selling out of their merchandise. End of rant.

--

Marc Schroder

Is it Just Me?

2008-11-03T18:47:00.000-08:00

That is the question: Is it just me? I am starting to feel as if I am the only fan that knows what the hell is going on in the National Football League. I feel that I am the only one concerned. I feel as if I am the only one intrigued anymore. Am I the one carrying the networks? Do I relay all of the messages to the public? I cannot keep carrying all of the weight on my shoulders. There needs to be more fanatical fans showing up, & rooting for the teams that they know and love. I cannot understand how football does not mean as much to everyone else as it does to me. Is there going to be a downfall soon, giving NO credibility to this sport whatsoever? Just because an unknown team is leading the league, that does not mean that the fans must go into hiding. I feel a bit scared that no one knows what to think anymore. The Super Bowl could not come soon enough.

Penalty flags EVERYWHERE...

--

Marc Schroder

Media Mondays

2008-10-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

Ahh, what a feeling.

It seems that these types of days never get old. They are the days in which you hear the constant bickering & bitching of what "we did wrong last night." Arguments as if they are YOUR team. You have got to be kidding me. I can understand the avid fan, or even the traditional fan.. but c'mon. You have got to be pulling my chain over here, fairweather fans. You have known NOTHING about football all these past seasons, & you still want to tell me what the team could have done better? I just find it difficult to understand this type of logic, & I had to let someone know. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP. I cannot fathom why fans such as these feel as if their input is credible. If this is football fanatacism, I am going to have to change my outlook.

Judas Priest.

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Marc Schroder

Are You Ready for Some Football?

2008-10-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

Wow.

It is EXTREMELY hard to believe that there is no Sunday Night Football game on this evening. I know that there was an earlier game in the morning, but that still does not makeup for the lack of a time slot filled late this evening. I am sure that there are tons of fans out there wondering, "what the hell is going on?" It seems that this is some sort of coy attempt at trying to figure out whether or not the fans are actually paying attention. I think it would be hard to continue with a routine that you have had every Sunday night whenever one of the main components is not available for you. I think that tomorrow night's game will be a dandy one, & it should bring out a TON of fans that were waiting on tonight's game. Until then, keep your eyes on the prize.

First down!

--

Marc Schroder

Cold Wednesday

2008-10-22T17:18:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,

With the cold front coming in, there comes a new turnaround for the season. I can see it in the eyes of certain football fans that I have been talking to -- THINGS ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE. I can even tell from the bandwagon fans that they believe something huge is going to happen. There may be some undefeated teams they want to hold on to, but the tables are about to turn. I feel that there is a certain mindset that all fans have been put into this season, which gives them the idea that "nothing can go wrong." I believe that within the next few days, there will be news leaked out about certain circumstances that have forced teams to change their rosters, depth charts, etc. So, beware "fairweather fans," there seems to be a chill in the air..

Brrrr

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Marc Schroder

Sunday Rain

2008-10-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

This past Sunday called for a lot of mediocre football to be watched. I am willing to bet that even the fairweather fans did not waste their time in front of the tube. It seems to me that the week was not built up at all to the media, & lead to a disappointing turnout fan-wise. Most teams that were supposed to win, did -- but then there were upsets (which people usually love to see.) If I were a fan of most of these teams, I would be anxious to see what the next week has in store, & cross my fingers/hope for the better. Hopefully this next week will call for some better match-ups, & even better outcomes.

Heads or tails?

--

Marc Schroder

Pigskin Talk

2008-10-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

I hope that his week finds you in good spirits, seeing as though so many teams failed to live up to the hype that was presented before them. I believe that if you are an avid sports fan, than you have a sense of what I am talking about. I don't care whether you caught the tail-end highlights on ESPN, or whether you got updated after the fact via your friends hateful email, but the matter of the fact is, this season is beginning to get jumbled.

You can read all of the articles that you want from the beginning of the season, and NONE of them would have been even close to being correct. So many fans are bawling their eyes out because their teams are not living up to its potential. Is this the fault of coaching? Players? Referees? It is most certainly not the fault of the FANS, and that is what is so disheartening. It seems that we are staring adversity in the eye, & not fighting back. I believe that only true football fans can feel the pain that I am trying to address right now, & my only hope is that we can have different results at the end of next week.

Hey, hey, hey.. GOODBYE!

--

Marc Schroder

New Beginnings

2008-10-07T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hello Fans,

This weeks football results have astounded tons of fans. I guarantee that if you are a loyal fan, you are loving the outcome of these past few weeks. For Tennessee fans, they have never seen their team go 5-0 in the first of the season -- that's what patience is all about! It is good to know that there is still some loyalty in this game we call football. The conferences are starting to buildup big leads within each other, except for the NFC East. You can call it whatever you like, but I think this is the juggernaut, & if they continue to produce the same numbers that they have been.. I can smell a Super Bowl.

I believe that these next few weeks will consist of drastic changes in the recordbooks, & outstanding plays to end games & hopes for the playoffs.

Stay tuned to ALL sports channels in order to find out the latest news!

Until next time..

--

Marc Schroder

Lazy Wednesday

2008-10-01T12:07:00.001-07:00

Hello All,

Today, I am going to briefly describe to you how I feel about rivalries in the NFL. Rivalries are what make the pros worth watching. It seems that in other games, you never catch the intensity, or the trash talking, or the heartfelt signs that fans make for the opposing team. It all comes out whwnever you are playing your arch nemesis. In the NFL, there are many weeks throughout the season that determine whether you are a contender, or a pretender. Be sure to watch closely whenever the Cowboys go up against the Giants, or the Colts face the Ravens. When the Steelers face the Packers; you had better be on your best behavior. I believe that this is an important aspect of the game because you get a chance to realize what your team believes in. You are associated with ____ team, & you are willing to do anything for that rivalry. This is why America is a fantastic place to host the National Football League.

Have a great day.

--

Marc Schroder

Week 3

2008-09-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon football fans,

In this week in football, we saw many ups and downs (& I don't mean throwing the pigskin.) There were fans that had no idea what to do with themselves after each one of these games. Today, we are going to focus on the bandwagon fans. I imagine that there were TONS of people rooting & cheering for both the Green Bay Packers & the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night (both with a 2-0 record.) You would have been oblivious to have missed the weight of this game. Even if you had no idea who was starting for either team, you knew that they were BOTH UNDEFEATED. As it turned out, the Cowboy fans prevailed, & were able to wear there blue & white all week to work. Green Bay fans, however, decided to jump on the Cowboy caravan after the loss in Wisconsin. Good luck next week, followers.

Until the next whistle blows..

--

Marc Schroder

Opening Sunday

2008-09-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

Good evening Sports Fans,

In the world of football today, many of fans were out & about on this Sunday. Today's hometown fan is probably the easiest to chronicle because of all the home wins this week.

I am sure that every fan in the New England/New Orleans/New York area are still flooding the streets thanks to their home team wins. The fans will still be sporting their jerseys until they walk into the office tomorrow morning. These type of fans are the ones who are willing to wear pajama pants with the Steelers logo to the in-laws house on Christmas morning.

Later this week, I will be telling the tale of the fairweather fans & hopefully I will be able to describe the term "bandwagon" to strangers of this type of support.

Until next kickoff..

--

Marc Schroder

Pre-Season

2008-09-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

This week is slow for most football fans. No one seems to want to care about which 3rd string lineman is getting playing time, and which rookie is outstanding on the sidelines. Everyone is waiting to cut to the chase, and follow their team. Most fans are dusting off their jerseys, caps, and favorite mugs anxiously awaiting opening day.

This blog will follow the emotions and feelings of different types of fans -- ranging from fair weather to fanatics. Are you ready for some football?

--

Marc Schroder