TK Posted December 7, 2003 Share Posted December 7, 2003 http://www.dailypress.com/sports/columnists/dp-21735cm0dec07,0,4467957.column?coll=dp-sports-columnists Redskins fans quiet, but they're still there Warner Hessler December 7 2003 The first telephone message I received Wednesday morning went something like this: "This is John in Newport News. Tell Buster in Hampton that we are out here. We're lying low because we don't have much to brag about, but we're here." Huh? Who is Buster? Who is out there? And what can't you brag about? I checked with the office later that day and learned that Buster in Hampton had appeared in Feedback that morning, asking where had all of the Redskins' fans gone? Then it made sense, and I understood why John and the rest of the people who wear burgundy-and-gold have been lying low. The Redskins may be one of the most written-about professional teams in North America, but they have won only one division title in the past 10 years. The fans are out there, though. They may be angry at the owner and disappointed in the team, but they're out there. One reason to believe it is every survey this newspaper has taken over the past 20 years shows the Redskins have many more fans than any other team, be it college, pro or high school. Joe Eller knows they are out there, too. He's the programming coordinator at WVBT, the Fox television station in Hampton Roads that airs the Redskins and the other 15 teams in the NFC. Eller deals in eyeballs and advertising. The more eyeballs watching a program, the more revenue the station receives from advertisers. When it comes to sports on local television, nothing can touch the Redskins for commanding the most advertising bucks. Not the World Series. Not the college basketball Final Four. And certainly not the NBA Finals. The 2000 census says there are 1.55 million people living in Hampton Roads, and there are 570,757 households with an average of 2.6 people per household. In Eller's world, the most important number is 675,000 television sets, and it's important to get sets turned on to Fox when the Redskins play. More sets turned on means more eyeballs watching, which equals more revenue. According to Eller the Redskins, despite their 4-8 record, have an average television rating of 16.4 this season. That means 16.4 percent of all sets were tuned to Washington's games. There's one more number that is factored in, a number that fluctuates from week to week. It's called "share," or the percentage of sets that are on and tuned to the Redskins game. When Dallas played Washington earlier this season, the game drew a 22.2 rating (of all TV sets) and a 34 share (of sets turned on). That's a lot of people, especially when you figure a lot of fans watch games at home with friends or relatives, or in crowds at bars and restaurants. A cynic might say, sure, a lot of people watch the Redskins because the NFL is hot, not because they like them. According to Eller, ratings for NFL games on Fox not involving Washington are 25 to 30 percent lower. So, how does the Redskins' 16.4 rating compare with other prime sports offerings on television? According to Nielsen Media Research, the 2003 World Series averaged 12.8, the 2003 Final Four averaged 12.6, and the 2003 NBA Finals averaged 6.5. They're out there, Buster. And there are a lot more of them than there are of you and whatever team you follow. BEST QUOTE RB Rock Cartwright, Washington, on coach Steve Spurrier calling 42 passes and 26 rushes in a 24-20 loss to New Orleans last Sunday: "We thought we'd run the ball a little more, but coach doesn't think we need to run the ball. He wants to throw the ball." WORST QUOTE CB Charles Woodson, Oakland, on coach Bill Callahan saying, "We've got to be the dumbest team in America in terms of playing the game.": "I can't believe another grown man would call another man dumb." JUST A THOUGHT It's looking like Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson is going to pull the plug on coach Gregg Williams after this disappointing season. If the New Orleans Saints finish poorly and coach Jim Haslett is fired, he might be a popular choice in Buffalo. Haslett started eight seasons at linebacker for the Bills, and his wife, Beth, is from the area. NICE TURNAROUND Believe it or not, the Redskins have not been called for a false-start penalty in four games. When you consider that tight end Zeron Flemister drew the last false start on Nov. 2 in the third quarter of a game against Dallas, it's been five games since an offensive lineman jumped the gun. BEST GAME Ravens 29, Bengals 16. There may be more compelling games, but this game gets the nod for strange reasons. Stodgy Baltimore suddenly has a high-powered offense (88 points in the past two games), and perennial loser Cincinnati has a winning record (7-5) in December. WORST GAME Giants 23, Redskins 19. These supposedly good teams are playing out the string with 4-8 records. You could call this the Underachievement Bowl. Warner Hessler can be reached at 247-4648 or by e-mail at whessler@dailypress.com Copyright © 2003, Daily Press Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Hog Posted December 7, 2003 Share Posted December 7, 2003 Redskins fans are still here, and we will ALWAYS be here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK Posted December 7, 2003 Author Share Posted December 7, 2003 CH, keep in mind that the Hampton Roads area is home to a naval base, a shipyard, the hometown area of Bruce Smith & Mike Vick. With all that factored in, along with a 4-8 record, the ratings that local Fox station is getting is something for them to be proud of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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