Half Smokes

DC-area tidbits in small bites

John Harbaugh Says He Wants The Ravens To 'Take Over' Washington D.C.

by Mike Prada • Jan 17, 2011 4:56 PM EST

This tends to be a city of bandwagon fans, but for the most part, that hasn't applied to the football teams. Washington D.C. proper primarily roots for the Redskins, while those in Baltimore root for the Ravens. There's really not much overlap, mostly because of the storied history of the Redskins and the short history of the Ravens. So let's be honest: there's really no coalescence of events that would possibly allow the Ravens to take over the hearts and minds of Washington D.C. football fans.

But still, Ravens coach John Harbaugh will try. Harbaugh got so excited about his future with the organization that he decided to try to build his fanbase.

I love the Baltimore Raven fans. We're reaching out and trying to get more. We're trying to take control of this whole area. We'll take over Washington DC while we're at it. And head up into Pennsylvania and grab all those fans, and over to West Virginia and Virginia. Come on and be a Baltimore Raven fan because this is an exciting organization and exciting football team.

But why stop there, John? Why not go up to Philadelphia, and grab all those Eagles fans upset about their playoff loss? Why not go further south to North Carolina and scoop up Panthers fans who wanted Andrew Luck? Why stop at Earth? Why not go into space and get all those astronauts to become Ravens fans? You can tell them you beat the Steelers, and they wouldn't know any better.

Where's your ambition John!

Do you like this post?

Next Post: Washington Capitals Have Dominated Competition Within Last Year Despite Recent Struggles

Previous Post: VIDEO: JaVale McGee's Alley-Oop Slam Against The Utah Jazz

Comments

Not Sure About Redskins After 17 Years of Failure

Years ago I would have agreed with Mike Prada. But after 30 years of being a DC football fan, and the past 17 years of failures since 1993, I really am not sure anymore. Now I am thinking next fall of getting DirecTV simply to watch other cities’ football teams, since I am so disgusted with the Redskins.

I think John Harbaugh has a REAL opportunity given the decade plus of anti-fan attitudes of Dan Snyder, and now the personality of Mike Shanahan. Treating your fans like trash is a sure way to lose fans, and even with all of that there are still Redskin supporters. That is what the Joe Gibbs era in the 1980s accomplished. But 30 years later that is becoming just a faded memory. I think the vitriol of the Shanhans, especially the son, is another way to alienate fans.

So I think John Harbaugh is smart here, and I think he will be more successful than the writer thinks. Over the past 10 years I have seen more and more people in the DC openly as Raven fans (and openly as Steelers fans).

The Redskins owner and coaches only have themselves to blame. You can’t imagine them seeking to “expand” their fan base, and of course, that really says it all, because they don’t even care about their existing and local fans.

The name of the DC football team is a constant embarrassment, as is their performance, and then on top of that you have the owner and the coaches showing vitriol to fans. I would not be shocked if this continues in 10 years that the team moves to another city.

DC-Baltimore Ravens? It would not surprise me if things keep going the way they have been going. I have never like the Ravens, but given the mess with the Redskins and of course the absurd team name, a DC-Baltimore Ravens team makes more and more sense in 2011.

by 20832football on Jan 18, 2011 8:27 AM EST reply actions

Former Redskins fan now a Ravens fan

I’m a convert to Raven Nation. I’m done with the Deadskins and their losing culture, bad decisions, racist name, greedy owner, awful suburban stadium. Done. Go Ravens!

- Josh in D.C./Arlington

by Josh Marks on Jan 18, 2011 1:38 PM EST reply actions

you’ll fit right in with the baltimore fans, when the skins start winning again (if ever lol) dont come back, seriously dont blame it on all the other crap, you obviously were a redskins fan before so dont bring their name into it, your a typical band waggon fan, ravens can have u as a fan

baltimore got very lucky, they had success early in their existince and got a super bowl, when they start sucking, which will be soon, their defense is getting older and older, that stadium will be half empty cause baltimore is just a bunch of band waggon fans, ex-redskins, philly fans that just like them cause they are winning

by ms100484 on Jan 19, 2011 4:59 PM EST reply actions

delusional!!

This dude is NUTS!! Im a diehard Skins fan and will never defect! Ravens fans are ALL bandwagon fans anyway! They make me wanna stop being an Orioles fan. Nobody from Baltimore will talk about them though, all they wanna talk about is the Raisins because they win. Remember when they were the one team to lose to the Dolphins a couple years ago? Nobody was wearing their purple then, typical. They still have a lot of winning to do to catch up with the Skins. One Championship, I’m not impressed. All these people that talk about Snyder treating us like trash, Ive had season tickets for 5 years now and I dont feel it. Sure parking may expensive but it is what it is. We’ll be back, then the bandwagon jumpers will be back talking about “the skins are my nfc team” garbage.

by airdj81 on Jan 20, 2011 1:51 PM EST reply actions