Let's talk about "true fans"

[DaFace]

Marcellus's thread was clearly a lot of attention whoring, but when it comes down to it, he has a point. The word "true fan" has become a catch-all for anyone who doesn't agree with a person on here about XXX player or XXX move that the Chiefs have made.

The issue I have with it is that it's increasingly become a straw man insult that doesn't even make sense. Discussion around here lately reminds me of discussions in D.C. where every issue has to be black and white and anyone who doesn't agree with you is an idiot. The reality is that there are opinions all over the spectrum and that nothing is ever black and white. I'd think there are at least five different categories of Chiefs fans these days:

1 - True "homers" who will cheer for the team and applaud every move they make unconditionally. These types almost don't even exist on ChiefsPlanet (though people like to act like they do). These are only a small portion of the Chiefs fanbase, and they look like this.

2 - Optimists who will always cheer for the Chiefs, but have a sense of realism about it. They probably cheered Cassel for the first few years, but reluctantly joined the SOC bandwagon last year when it was clear that there was just no hope in saving the team under Cassel.

3 - Fans who try to keep a balanced approach. They don't get too excited about drafting a RT at #1 or trading for Alex Smith, but they believe that it's likely the team will at least be improved this year if not dramatically so. Their approach is a "wait and see" reaction, though they'll be quick to criticize if things don't work out.

4 - Pessimists who are skeptical that the Chiefs are going to be competitive any time soon, but who do try and give the team some benefit of the doubt under the new leadership. They're probably not happy about Alex Smith being our QB, but are grudgingly willing to see what he can do.

5 - Total naysayers who have had it with the team for the past 40 years and will refuse to be optimistic until the Chiefs find some real success (playoff wins at a minimum, and Super Bowl contention ideally). They believe that the front office should be constantly scrutinized given that their predecessors were given a long leash and screwed it all up.

Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to see where people would put themselves on the spectrum. It seems like most threads these days are battles between 5's and 1's, but I'd bet that those types are actually pretty rare around here. My dream would be that we can one day have discussions that are dominated by 2's, 3's, and 4's, but who knows if that can ever happen until the Chiefs start showing success.

Discus.

[cdcox]

In my long history of Chief fandom, I've been mostly in the two to three range.

Exceptions: I have been extremely negative about three moves from the outset: 1) Herm Edwards, 2) Matt Cassel, and 3) Alex Smith. I was skeptical about 1) Gunther as HC, 2) the return of Gunther, 3) Greg Robinson and 4) McCluster, but willing to wait to see it play out.

The one area that I'm more pessimistic than the average fan on the board is that if I don't see a head coach or QB working out, I'd rather the Chiefs go 0-16 than 8-8. I'm ready to move on, and 8-8 just prolongs the pain.

I'm also no longer satisfied by playoff appearances as a measure of success. I need to see the team on a pathway to dominance.

As for the up coming season I see a floor of 6 wins and a ceiling of a playoff win, which is more optimistic than many on here. But I'm very unhappy with Alex Smith as a QB, because there is no realistic hope that he will be a dynasty level QB.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Either every GM in the NFL is ignorant, or CP groupthink is ignorant.

Hmmm......I wonder which is more likely......

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by cdcox

In my long history of Chief fandom, I've been mostly in the two to three range.

Exceptions: I have been extremely negative about three moves from the outset: 1) Herm Edwards, 2) Matt Cassel, and 3) Alex Smith. I was skeptical about 1) Gunther as HC, 2) the return of Gunther, 3) Greg Robinson and 4) McCluster, but willing to wait to see it play out.

The one area that I'm more pessimistic than the average fan on the board is that if I don't see a head coach or QB working out, I'd rather the Chiefs go 0-16 than 8-8. I'm ready to move on, and 8-8 just prolongs the pain.

I'm also no longer satisfied by playoff appearances as a measure of success. I need to see the team on a pathway to dominance.

As for the up coming season I see a floor of 6 wins and a ceiling of a playoff win, which is more optimistic than many on here. But I'm very unhappy with Alex Smith as a QB, because there is no realistic hope that he will be a dynasty level QB.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

x1000

If the pessimists were slightly less obnoxious in their self-righteous bitching it wouldn't force balanced fans into homerism.

This.

[mikey23545]

Originally Posted by Marcellus the True

I would honestly call myself a 2.5.

I want to be optimistic but I get as pissed as anyone when things are going bad.

I am trying to stay balanced but the more I get slammed by the 4's and 5's it makes me want to push back making me look like a 1.

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

x1000

If the pessimists were slightly less obnoxious in their self-righteous bitching it wouldn't force balanced fans into homerism.

There ya go.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

I'm pretty sure they have a tattoo of Roaf on their left ass cheek and Shields on the right one.

It's funny, because they were what was wrong with that team.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

It's funny, because they were what was wrong with that team.

It's funny because there was one major difference in the playoff success Will had.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

I do believe it is the Hunt's dictating the QB strategy. They are the consistent ingredient in this scenario, and that is the evidence I see.

All of the other parties have changed, more than once, but the results are the same.

At the very least, Coaches are so afraid to take a chance on drafting one and losing their job. Could the Hunt's be telling them if they draft a QB, they better damn well be right or they are gone?

That's exactly what I think. There's no evidence to this point that that's changed. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised at some point.

As far as the "naysayers and optimists making things worse", I'm sorry to say that's completely a two-way street. In a lot of ways talking Chiefs football here is like a political discussion. I think that's just the internet, though. People seem to be losing the ability to have civil discussions. So much polarization, so much proselytization.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

If you get butthurt by pessimism, there are several homer-friendly sites available. Many in fact. Go ahead and rock that Google one time, Lil Chiefy.
Posted via Mobile Device

[boogblaster]

Marty and Dickie ball were fun to watch .. but didnt get there .. hopefully this time it works .. not expecting miracles yet .....

[007]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

If you get butthurt by pessimism, there are several homer-friendly sites available. Many in fact. Go ahead and rock that Google one time, Lil Chiefy.
Posted via Mobile Device

THIS

[Alex Smith 4Ever]

I'm shocked that less than 30% of this website counts themselves as pessimists

[007]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith 4Ever

I'm shocked that less than 30% of this website counts themselves as pessimists

I'm shocked there are not more naysayers.

[Alex Smith 4Ever]

Originally Posted by Guru

I'm shocked there are not more naysayers.

This entire website is naysayers. I just don't understand why they think they're optimists

[007]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith 4Ever

This entire website is naysayers. I just don't understand why they think they're optimists

I've gone through moments of naysayeritis but never fulltime.