X said:
STOP.
Introspection time.
Eh. Some of you will get the reference. Seriously though, I want to ask a question (or two) that requires people to really look within themselves to come up with an answer. And it's gonna be difficult to do, I think. Because quite honestly, I don't even know the answer when I ask it of myself.
So ... the question is this. What makes you, as a fan of the Rams, want to defend a specific player (to the death) against other fans of the Rams who feel it incumbent upon them to criticize that same player? And CONVERSELY, what makes you, as a fan of the Rams, want to criticize one player of the team, while being offended by the criticism of the one you like to defend? I've seen Gibson derided by people who get offended by Bradford criticisms, and I've seen Bradford derided by people who get offended by Gibson criticism.
The "what" for me is a conglomeration of my football experience that is some 39 years. I became a Die-Hard Ram when I was 6 and have never waivered,,, started playing organized tackle football when I was 10 (played through HS, and I was no scrub),,, have 3 sons who play football ,,, and as if that wasn't enough... I almost find it impossible to not watch any football game that might be on TV (this goes all the way back to when I was 6 too).
So I've watched, played, worried, studied, and lived football for a long fucking time.
It's been a long time since I've truly defended a Ram player, coach, or executive. The last 6-7 years haven't really given me reason to "defend". I have criticized all of the above though. I hate that I've had anything to complain about any, but I think it's fair to say that we should all agree that the football product has been seriously lacking for far too long. Even so, my addiction to the Rams has somehow stayed unbreakable.
I don't mind reading other's opinions on our team. I'm totally isolated as a Ram Fan here in Orlando, and I have been that way in all of the other places that I lived (many btw, I'm an Army Brat). I crave others who might know the Rams, and thankfully, I discovered Ram forums for the first time in 2009. I've been a religious participant ever since.
I don't mind reading opinions that differ from mine, but I get pissed when posters try and make things personal. I got attacked (had my football acumen questioned) when I first started posting in 2009. I know now that it was done by a few anti-social punks who use these forums for a different reason than I do, but back then I took their bait on several occasions. I know better now, but I am cursed with an extremely sharp memory,,, so I'll never forget a few posters for the wrong reasons. I just can't resist taking stabs at a select few posters out there when I see the chance,,, and they more than deserve it.
Family are allowed to talk about family members right ? It's the people outside of the family that better shut the fuck up. :ww: