Whats a true Saints fan?

After reading a lot of posts and some of the debates we have had here regarding players like Reggie Bush I decided to write this thread

We are all Saints fans but what does it mean to be a true fan?  A true fan supports and cheers for his team not only when they are winning but also when they are losing.  But beyond winning or losing there is also cheering for the individual players too and this is where sometimes the lines can blur with some fans.

Not everyone may agree with me but when you boo a player on the Saints you are also booing the team.  A true fan will support each and every player on the team no matter how well or how poorly they are playing.  Bad mouthing, bashing or just hating on a player in all truth is also bad mouthing, bashing and hating the team because the players are what makes the team. 

With the case of Reggie I know he has been a disappointment and some people think that he has not earned his paycheck but the main thing to remember Reggie is still a Saint and wishing him to do bad is in the end wishing bad on the whole team.

As fans we will analyze and pick apart strength and weakness of position or even individual players which is fine, also acknowledging that we could use upgrades is fine, but flat out hating is not the sign of a true fan.  Some people also tend to get overly caught up in stats, which can make them appear to be more importnat than the team winning or losing, in the end individual stats aren't that important as long as the Saints win.

No matter who is playing for the Saints as fans we should give them our support because in the end would you rather a player you don't like do better and help the team or flop so you were proven right but also hurt the team.  If you agree with the later you are not a true fan.

A true fan will always support and cheer for the Saints and will always cheer and support each individual player also in the end without them there is no team.

Excellent topic for discussion nightshade.

With that said I have to respectfully disagree with many of your points about being a true fan.  Maybe it is because I fit some of the criteria you touch on in your post (reliance on stats, calling out players, etc.), but I think there is more to my disagreement.

I think fans express their support for a team in a variety of ways.  I personally favor fans who think critically and hold their front office accountable for the moves.  Some fans haven't followed a team for a long time so the basis of their support may come from a more emotional standpoint.  There is not necesarily anything wrong with that.  Some fans find players that they relate to and they will back them to the hilt.  Again that is how some people express love for their team.  Now if for example a fan expresses support for the Saints on the basis of certain players, who am I to question his devotion?  On the same token if a fan is more analytical and question the status quo again how do I question the devotion?  Especially when the "analytical" fan is clearly giving alot of thought to the franchise.  My point is that the "logical" fan expresses his support in a different way.

I think expectations are a key for fans too.  Anyone who knows me would call me an eternal optimist regarding the Saints, but on message boards I dissect them because I want to appreciate them realistically.  For instance, we have a gamer at the QB position.  The facts show that this is true.  We have an underachiever at RB and I would say the facts (stats, eyeball test) bear this out.  This coming season I am rooting for both to succeed.  I have not met or spoke with a Saints fan that wants Reggie to fail.  I just don't see how honest discussion regarding how my team plays qualifies someone to be a lesser fan than someone who spins every offseason move as a stroke of genius.  I can honestly say that I am extremely impressed by this offseason, but I do not say that every year.  Nor should I.  If I grow accustomed to mediocrity then the FO can feel a little more comfortable putting out an inferior product.

In summation, I am a diehard Saints fan.  I root for all things Saints.  If you help the Saints I am your friend.  If you aren't the helping the Saints, I will not hide it.  I will cheer/argue/applaud for moves that help the team and not necesarily individuals.

This was my main point of the post.  Most of us will analyze play and discuss the finer points of players talent which is fine.  My point was hating a player and wanting him to fail doesn't only reflect wishes toward the individual but also the team. My point is anyone who hates a player without reason or just "because" he is not a true fan.

For example if the Saints signed Chris Henry I would 100% disagree with the move but when he would become a Saint I would cheer for him and hope that he turned his life around and succed with team. 

While I like to see Saints players put up huge stats in the end its the win that matters more and not saying you Turk but there are people that seem to put more importance on stats than wins.

Okay, I think I understand both of your points on this topic. Turkey I fully understand where your coming from. Your saying you don't need to be a homer about the team. Honest assesments of the team and player is a big thing for me. So I agree, like when I see comments about, " this is our year, we're going to the superbowl" On the one hand I applaud the expectation, but on the other hand, I know full well that anything can happen, and this team still has a ways to go in putting together that kind of season. So I fully understand where your coming from.

Shade, I think I see what you mean also. It's one thing to be critical, however it's another thing entirely when you put out info is such a way as to trying to convince other people that this player or that player is the cause of all our calamity. I think a lot of heat of a thread in particular about a player was the fact we kept seeing comments that kind of leaned towards a certain player being the sole downfall to our season last year. I mean we hear about the messed up play in Tampa, and how that stole our momentum, yet in all actuality our momentum never got started. We started out 0-4, then we went 4-0 the next few, and then we lost to the winless Rams of all teams, and we didn't lose a close game, it was damn near a blow out, yet we saw reference to the fact that that play, by a certain player, in Tampa, stole our momentum. I mean come, on, is that the only thing that screwed our season? Those are the types of things I believe Shade is refering too. That's going beyond just being critical of a player

In summary:<o:p> </o:p>

A Saints fan is one that:<o:p> </o:p>

• Cheers for the team through thick and thin<o:p> </o:p>
• Cheers for all players to do well<o:p> </o:p>

A Saints fan can be critical of a player, but not hope that he fails. What would be the point of that?<o:p> </o:p>

IMHO: I know a lot people bash Bush; and there maybe some good reasons for it.  But to lay blame on him for the entire season, or even one game, is just ridiculous!<o:p> </o:p>

However<o:p> </o:p>