Training Camp: disconnect between Rams players and fans? 2 posts

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  • July 28, 2014 at 1:07 pm #2725
    Avatar photozn
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    just one poster’s view, I don’t know either way obviously

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    Playmaker

    So a topic of discussion at Rams Park during Training Camp amongst a lot of fans is the disconnect between the Rams players and the fans. And it is very prevelant after practice. I have been watching some of the NFL Networks coverage of training camps over the past few days. And they show Peyton Manning, RGIII, JJ Watt, Drew Brees, Andre Johnson, and other Superstar players going over and talking and joking with fans after practice, signing autographs, and taking pictures. Without a PR person telling them they had to stop. Without anybody making them. They do it anyway.

    Then you go out to Rams Camp. Where the second practice is over, every player other than the ones they make go sign for kids 14 & Under in a designated tent, make a B Line for the locker room. Despite fans asking them to come over. The only player that consistently comes over is Chris Long who stays after for a long duration taking pictures, signing, joking, and being personable.

    And if anyone has ever been by the autograph tent they will tell you the Rams employees, especially this Brazilian looking lady that is in charge, is rude to the kids and the players. So much so that I have seen players get onto her in front of the crowd to back off.

    Meanwhile tonight you have a mega star, Kurt Warner, who was at Rams Park for the NFL Network. He came over and talked to fans before, during, and after practice. He stayed long after all current Rams players were already gone to sign autographs and take pictures and be personable.

    I know there are a lot of Rams Employees that frequent all of these Rams Boards. I hope you read this and realize that there is a giant disconnect between your fans and your team. You’ve had the worst record in the NFL over the last 7 season stretch. And the 15-65 record from 2007-2011 was the worst stretch of any team in the NFL ALL-TIME!!!!

    I would suggest the employees become more hospitable and less arrogant to the fans while they are there for the 14 or so practices a year that you host camp. And to the players the fans understand you just practiced for 2 hours. But this is the one time to interact with the people that buy the tickets, the jerseys, etc… that help fund your contracts. It doesn’t take that much of an effort to come over and be personable to the fans. You don’t realize how much it means to a lot of people that come out and support you.

    If a 2 time MVP, former Super Bowl MVP, and future Hall of Famer can do it, you should make a better effort to do so.

    July 28, 2014 at 2:16 pm #2728
    Avatar photozn
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    just a response to the above…just to be extra clear, “OP” on a lot of boards means “orginal post” or “original poster.” …I still don’t know either way. Just a topic that’s out there.

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    Kells720

    I don’t agree with the OP. I can see how it may be viewed that way. But the Rams do plenty around town locally in season and out of season. A couple of points:

    1. Chris Long is one of the few vets on the team. He’s invested time in the city. He’s got more of a connection than many of the rookies and 2nd-3rd year players. It makes sense that he would engage fans more. He’s obviously outgoing. The others are still trying to solidify a spot and are focusing on football. I’ll take that.

    2. As much as it’s cool to see Kurt hang around after practice and give autographs….he hadn’t just finished practicing. He also still has a connection to the city given his history here, so his interaction is more of a natural thing.

    3. These players are people. Although it would be nice of them to dedicate more time after practice to the fans, they don’t owe us that. However, in an effort to make sure that the team does spend that time with the fans (particularly for the kids), they designate a place and time following practice to do so. I see nothing wrong with that.

    4. I personally observed Kenny Britt interacting with fans during practice on the opening day. He was upbeat, and even though he was teasing one fan about wearing a WV jersey, the fan appreciated the real, unscripted interaction with Britt. He even squirted water at the guy all in fun. It was cool to see.

    I think we ask too much of these kids out here….because essentially that’s what they are. They are big kids being paid extremely well to play a kids game. As long as they produce wins on the field I’m not bothered by their current level of fan interaction. I’m fine with it right where it is.[/quote]

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