What will it take...for people to shut up?

[KatsAzz]

I think Jake is a great guy, and he has lost much of his confidence in the pocket. But, just being a great guy does not make you a great quarterback. I believe Jake's best days are behind him. Can he still have good games? Of course he can, but the problem is that from week to week you don't know what you are going to get from him. Out of 16 games, 6 will be good, 6 will be bad, and 4 will be games where his contribution to the game was so small that it didn't matter either way. That's not what you want from the QB position,unless your team has a great defense,which the Panthers presently do not have.

[GRWatcher]

Fans at Heinz field boo Ben Roethlisberger after 2 INTs when his defense keeps the game close. We didn't start to boo until Jake's THIRD INT and the game was becoming a blowout.

He deserved every bit of it...

No, there was loud & clear booing after the 1st interception.

[fignewty314]

Jake is the best we have,so we got to support him.I've never liked him,but look at the times we've had others starting for him.It's like night and day

[walt227]

Once again you are completely missing the point. This has NOTHING to do with the FO. I do NOT think Delhomme should be starting, but I am aware that he will be. I also do NOT believe Fox is the coach he is made out to be, but I am aware that sacking him now will confine us to the worst case scenario this year.

Please, please, please realise that almost everyone in this thread is as mad at Jake and Fox as everyone else. The point we are trying to make is to try and support the team despite this, so that we do not compound our problems.

What wage they make is meaningless. As long as they are putting the effort out there, what more can you ask.

Now if the team had given up and weren't trying, then that is a different matter.

Tomato, To-mat-o. This all boils down to supporting the FO regardless of whatever decision they make and I don't agree. These guys are like elected officials----do you not see my point? Are you obligated as a fan to pull for every move/decision just because you are a fan? I think not.

It's nothing to do with being a fair-weather proponent. We want to replace our key position---that takes letting the FO know they have the backing of the fans to pull his sorry butt and take a risk.

[DaCityKats]

you guys amaze me, i can't believe how much yall are sucking this man off......i start booing in the 2nd quarter,bc i know how good this team can be.and they did not show it, so booing lets the players know.you guys suck right now, we(fans expect better).call it want you want too...............

[Rhys]

you guys amaze me, i can't believe how much yall are sucking this man off......i start booing in the 2nd quarter,bc i know how good this team can be.and they did not show it, so booing lets the players know.you guys suck right now, we(fans expect better).call it want you want too...............

Oh, because I'm sure they couldn't tell that losing by 3 scores sucked. They must have thought that the fans were OK with losing. I sure am glad they booed, I wonder what the score would have been had the fans not booed, we probably would have lost by a lot more.

I'm sorry but that it a ridiculous notion to me. They KNOW when they're sucking, they want to win, that's why they play the damn game and practice and work out so much. I'm pretty damn sure Delhomme knows fans don't like interceptions. It's plain stupid to think that we need to boo so that the players know when they're playing like sh*t.

Booing is just an angry sentiment that could prove to be a detrimental force to the team's confidence, resulting in players continuing to under perform. It's a mob mentality, that ultimately could result in more losses.

We're not sucking the guy off, I'm just as pissed as anyone on here about last Sunday and how terrible some of Jake's throws were. I was just as pumped last season before the Arizona game and just as disappointed after. Everyone on the team and all the coaches support Delhomme publicly. I'm sure there are some of them that would wish nothing less than for us to have gotten rid of him and have someone else here now, but they don't say it publicly, because they're smart enough to know that it won't help right now. I can't say the same for a lot of the people here.

Right now, if we want to help, all we can do is support the team, and that, whether you like it or not, means supporting Delhomme.

[koolkatluke]

Rhys You are truly being a dick!! You have too be a aHole too tell somebody who paid 100 plus dollars (in this economy) too watch a team play that bad, not too boo if they want too. If I paid too watch a movie and it's bad I have the right too walk out. If I pay too go too a fight and the 2 guys are just dancing around the ring I have the right too boo them. It doesn't say that I hate boxing it says I didn't pay too see this and you need too step it up.

[Rhys]

Rhys You are truly being a dick!! You have too be a aHole too tell somebody who paid 100 plus dollars (in this economy) too watch a team play that bad, not too boo if they want too. If I paid too watch a movie and it's bad I have the right too walk out. If I pay too go too a fight and the 2 guys are just dancing around the ring I have the right too boo them. It doesn't say that I hate boxing it says I didn't pay too see this and you need too step it up.

I never said you don't have the right to boo, I never said that you weren't allowed to boo, I never said you don't have the right to leave during the game, I never said that any of us hated football (as your analogy about boxing suggested).

All I was saying was that at what point does booing the team become a detriment to their success as a whole?

That's the question I've been asking. People keep saying booing means that we're telling the players they're currently playing bad. They know that, they don't need to be told. I know everyone at the game is there to see just that, a game, not a thrashing, and that when we're getting thrashed they're upset. I just do not get how booing can be constructive.

I guess what it boils down to is whether or not booing helps or hurts.

[koolkatluke]

I never said you don't have the right to boo, I never said that you weren't allowed to boo, I never said you don't have the right to leave during the game, I never said that any of us hated football (as your analogy about boxing suggested).

All I was saying was that at what point does booing the team become a detriment to their success as a whole?

That's the question I've been asking. People keep saying booing means that we're telling the players they're currently playing bad. They know that, they don't need to be told. I know everyone at the game is there to see just that, a game, not a thrashing, and that when we're getting thrashed they're upset. I just do not get how booing can be constructive.

I guess what it boils down to is whether or not booing helps or hurts.

If booing hurts you as a professional player then you are a bitch and need to pick another profession. Booing is meant to let someone know that I do not like your effort and what you are doing and you need to step up.

[Rhys]

If booing hurts you as a professional player then you are a bitch and need to pick another profession. Booing is meant to let someone know that I do not like your effort and what you are doing and you need to step up.

We've reached an impasse. I fundamentally disagree with you about booing, and what it achieves. So, no point in continuing arguing.

Now there's threads about Jake getting threats, I'm sure that is designed to increase his effort and productivity too...

:banghead:

[Urrymonster]

Tomato, To-mat-o. This all boils down to supporting the FO regardless of whatever decision they make and I don't agree. These guys are like elected officials----do you not see my point? Are you obligated as a fan to pull for every move/decision just because you are a fan? I think not.

It's nothing to do with being a fair-weather proponent. We want to replace our key position---that takes letting the FO know they have the backing of the fans to pull his sorry butt and take a risk.

Hate to say it, but no FO makes decisions based on crowd and fan reactions. Sure the QB will occssionally get benched, but that will only happen if there are already seeds of doubt within the coaches minds. In addition, what power do us as fans have over what decisions are made? Naught. Just look at the Eagles as an example. When was the last time the FO went with their back up QB because the fans turned on McNabb, or drafted the player they wanted? They are notorious for getting on top of their team, yet Reid and the FO pretty much ignore them.

Will Fox, Hurney and Richardson be thinking about Delhommes future. You better believe it. Not because the fans told them by booing him. They can actually see for themselves how he is playing, so booing in that instance is a loads of crap. All it does, as I am trying to point out, is hurt the team.

I want both Delhomme and Fox out, hopefully sooner rather than later, but I will support them every week until they go.

If booing hurts you as a professional player then you are a bitch and need to pick another profession. Booing is meant to let someone know that I do not like your effort and what you are doing and you need to step up.

So because someone is a professional, they are suddenly exempt from having human emotions? These players lay it on the line every week and the game where they try their hardest, yet play like crap, the fans turn on them. Trust me, it hurts them all deeply when fans turn on them. They show their professionalism when they come out and say "we understand the frustrations of the fans". Think we all know that's not how they really feel.

What I do not understand is that everyone defending the action still thinks it's because we are supporting the FO or 'slurping Jake', we aren't, not even close. We are just realising that booing a team that was still trying till the final whistle, when they have been thrashed, is counter productive and creates a divide between the fans and players.

Everyone has a right to do what they want. The problem is that booing them, because you didn't get your moneys worth, just shows your true colours. You are not a fan of the team, rather a fan of an event. Frankly I watch till the last second ticks by in even the worst of games because I love the team and love watching us play. If all you are interested in winning, then please realise you are not what this team needs right now.

[koolkatluke]

Hate to say it, but no FO makes decisions based on crowd and fan reactions. Sure the QB will occssionally get benched, but that will only happen if there are already seeds of doubt within the coaches minds. In addition, what power do us as fans have over what decisions are made? Naught. Just look at the Eagles as an example. When was the last time the FO went with their back up QB because the fans turned on McNabb, or drafted the player they wanted? They are notorious for getting on top of their team, yet Reid and the FO pretty much ignore them.

Will Fox, Hurney and Richardson be thinking about Delhommes future. You better believe it. Not because the fans told them by booing him. They can actually see for themselves how he is playing, so booing in that instance is a loads of crap. All it does, as I am trying to point out, is hurt the team.

I want both Delhomme and Fox out, hopefully sooner rather than later, but I will support them every week until they go.

So because someone is a professional, they are suddenly exempt from having human emotions? These players lay it on the line every week and the game where they try their hardest, yet play like crap, the fans turn on them. Trust me, it hurts them all deeply when fans turn on them. They show their professionalism when they come out and say "we understand the frustrations of the fans". Think we all know that's not how they really feel.

What I do not understand is that everyone defending the action still thinks it's because we are supporting the FO or 'slurping Jake', we aren't, not even close. We are just realising that booing a team that was still trying till the final whistle, when they have been thrashed, is counter productive and creates a divide between the fans and players.

Everyone has a right to do what they want. The problem is that booing them, because you didn't get your moneys worth, just shows your true colours. You are not a fan of the team, rather a fan of an event. Frankly I watch till the last second ticks by in even the worst of games because I love the team and love watching us play. If all you are interested in winning, then please realise you are not what this team needs right now.

Nobody did not say they didn't watch till the last tick. We say the effort they put forth was unacceptable. We want them to do better then the crap they show us last Sunday. How can you question another person Fandom because they do not ride the RaRA bus with you? I think a better fan is the person that follow's the team and love's the team and will not put up with sub par effort. That makes the team want to get better. If you were getting paid for sub par work and nobody were ever checking you. You would continue doing sub par work.

This is not the little league. There are no trophies or moral victories. These GROWN MEN get paid to do a job and if they are not doing the job to the best of their ability we should let them know. Do your feeling get hurt when the Boss criticize's your work or do you do a better job next time around. Well we as fans are their bosses and we felt like they can do a better job.

[Urrymonster]

Nobody did not say they didn't watch till the last tick. We say the effort they put forth was unacceptable. We want them to do better then the crap they show us last Sunday. How can you question another person Fandom because they do not ride the RaRA bus with you? I think a better fan is the person that follow's the team and love's the team and will not put up with sub par effort. That makes the team want to get better. If you were getting paid for sub par work and nobody were ever checking you. You would continue doing sub par work.

This is not the little league. There are no trophies or moral victories. These GROWN MEN get paid to do a job and if they are not doing the job to the best of their ability we should let them know. Do your feeling get hurt when the Boss criticize's your work or do you do a better job next time around. Well we as fans are their bosses and we felt like they can do a better job.

Fair enough, your opinions to mine.

My opinion is that they tried hard Sunday and a few players gave their all. Some just had a real bad day. I will never boo them though, unless they do not pull their weight. In my mind booing players because they did not perform is cheap and has more of an effect than people realise. Just because they earn a lot, does not make them immune to the effects.

Oh and if people did not stop watching till the last seconds, why was the stadium so empty before the last whistle?

We are not their bosses though. Crazy to think that. Ticket entrance goes to stadium maintenance and running costs. Their wages come from sponorships and the NFL TV rights.

[Rhys]

I just completely disagree with you. It's a matter of positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement. I suppose booing could motivate some players, as it would anger them, but I can certainly imagine it could demoralize or alienate a player from the fans.

If I was a player that played hard and practiced hard every day, and then gave it my all on Sunday just to have fans boo at me if I drop a pass or mess up a throw it would piss me off and I would be less likely to perform for them.

Urrymonster is completely right in saying that it helps to create a rift between the players and the fans. They're not going to want to 'play for us' if we don't support them.

In the end, however much motivation for players is produced from booing at them, i believe even more is lost when it happens.