Why have Viking fans become so cynical?

**COJOMAY** · 01-22-2009, 10:15 AM

I think the main reason, especially young people, have become so cynical is because we want everything and we want it now. It's called "instant gratification." Instant everything. Instant messages, email, fax, internet. Instant food, the faster the better. Instant education, job, wealth. Instant medical service, diagnosis, and an instant cure. Right or wrong, good or bad, we want it now. We're especially seeing that now in our national politics where there is the mistaken belief that if we throw enough money at something it will instantly be fixed. It took 10 years to pull out of the "Great Depression." I don't think people will wait that long any more.
But where this instant gratification has come to the forefront is in sports. The Yankees are spending huge amounts of money, as it pro-football, to buy the latest "star" to give the fans a winning team RIGHT NOW!
I see this same attitude everywhere on PP.O, especially from the younger crowd who has never suffered through years and years of frustration. For me, personally, I've been a Viking fan since their first game in 1961. That's 47 years of ups and downs. But I've never wavered in my loyalty. Sure, I've complained about some things the team has done, but through it all, I've remained a loyal fan with always a hope for a better tomorrow. Always hoping that this year will be "the year."
But I wonder if people who have grown up in a world of instant gratification will continue to have hope 47 years from now.
To me, all the hatred, booing, threats, and other similar behavior is unnerving. Sure, I want to see the Vikings win a Super Bowl as much as anyone, but nothing worthwhile comes easy. But the Vikings are improving. This year we won the conference title. No small accomplishment. We haven't done it for 8 years. Maybe next year we'll win the NFC. There's always hope and that's what makes this team so frustrating and yet so fun. Can you imagine the celebration we'll all have when we finally "DO IT!"
The people of Minnesota have changed in their attitude toward the Vikings. They have become so cynical that they almost didn't sell out a playoff game and they won't support the team's needs. I didn't see this attitude, even when we only won three games in 1984.
Is this team perfect?
No.
Does this team have problem areas? Certainly. But every team in the NFL has problem areas to fix. Are they spending the kind of money the Vikings are to try and fix things. Heck no! We got the best cap guy in the NFL and the Wilf's have shown their willingness to spend money to get better.
So, as things sit right now, I believe that 2009 won't be an even better season than 2008.
Remember, despite the coaching and the QB play, this team has improved two games a season for the last couple of years, and they're going to continue to get better.
Try to be patient!

**Marrdro** · 01-22-2009, 10:18 AM

"COJOMAY" wrote:

Try to be patient!

Starting right now damnit....... ;D

Sorry COJ, couldn't resist.
Nice post my friend.

**singersp** · 01-22-2009, 10:46 AM

Are you insinuating we have "Knee Jerkers" here?
:P

**C Mac D** · 01-22-2009, 10:48 AM

I think there is something to be said for that... there's also something to be said about 2 second year coaches in the Super Bowl.

**Marrdro** · 01-22-2009, 10:52 AM

"C" wrote:

I think there is something to be said for that... there's also something to be said about 2 second year coaches in the Super Bowl.

Especially since one inherited a SB winning team and coaching staff that required very minimal changes and a another one who only had to shore up a OL and some minor Defensive issues.

Seriously, both of thier circumstances isn't anywere close to a team that had to be gutted to become competitive again.

**NodakPaul** · 01-22-2009, 10:57 AM

"Marrdro" wrote:

"C" wrote:

I think there is something to be said for that... there's also something to be said about 2 second year coaches in the Super Bowl.

Especially since one inherited a SB winning team and coaching staff that required very minimal changes and a another one who only had to shore up a OL and some minor Defensive issues.

Seriously, both of thier circumstances isn't anywere close to a team that had to be gutted to become competitive again.

Matry, AZ had to undergoe a LOT of change to get to where they are right now.
Let's be realistic.

**Marrdro** · 01-22-2009, 11:01 AM

"NodakPaul" wrote:

"Marrdro" wrote:

"C" wrote:

I think there is something to be said for that... there's also something to be said about 2 second year coaches in the Super Bowl.

Especially since one inherited a SB winning team and coaching staff that required very minimal changes and a another one who only had to shore up a OL and some minor Defensive issues.

Seriously, both of thier circumstances isn't anywere close to a team that had to be gutted to become competitive again.

Matry, AZ had to undergoe a LOT of change to get to where they are right now.
Let's be realistic.

I agree, however, alot of that change was already in place from Denny.
Long story short, they were not devoid of talent and did not get gutted like the Vikes.

**NodakPaul** · 01-22-2009, 11:01 AM

"singersp" wrote:

Are you insinuating we have "Knee Jerkers" here?
:P

I think he is saying that we have people who want instand gratification, not knee jerk reactions.
Don't try and turn this into another TJack thread...

I am personally not cynical.
I believe that we will be even better in 2009.
Primarily because we will continue to make changes and improvements where needed, as we have for the past three years.
Building a team takes time, and we are damn close to the point in which we will see the fruits of our labor.
In fact, we began seeing them this year with our best record in 8 years and our first NFC North division championship ever.

Bring on 2009!

**Prophet** · 01-22-2009, 11:30 AM

It will always be that way.
When you have a bunch of people, most who have never coached a day in their life, and many that haven't even played the game at any level, and then they act like they know more than people that have dedicated their whole lives to the game then the only result is a sea of tards trying to be relatively more intelligent than each other.

There is a reason we are called fanatics.

**Marrdro** · 01-22-2009, 11:34 AM

"NodakPaul" wrote:

"singersp" wrote:

Are you insinuating we have "Knee Jerkers" here?
:P

I think he is saying that we have people who want instand gratification, not knee jerk reactions.
Don't try and turn this into another TJack thread...

I am personally not cynical.
I believe that we will be even better in 2009.
Primarily because we will continue to make changes and improvements where needed, as we have for the past three years.
Building a team takes time, and we are gol 'darnit close to the point in which we will see the fruits of our labor.
In fact, we began seeing them this year with our best record in 8 years and our first NFC North division championship ever.

Bring on 2009!

You almost had me ready to go off the deepend there for a minute. Then I thought about it......
Way to reel me in my friend.... ;D

Division Champions: (17)
1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1998,
2000, 2008

http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl...a/vikings.html