Dolphins Debbie Downer's Do's & Don't's?

[So Be]

Here's a Happy Hour discussion/debate from South Beach last night. The "Debbie Downer" label is an over exaggeration for most Phans but, all the D's sounded good.

Every Phan has been critical of the team, owner, FO, coaches, and players at some point. It's part of being a fan, and everyone has the right to do so. This thread is to question what the forum thinks the limits should be in what fans should do or don't do. Here's a few examples from what was said, and it did become a somewhat heated discussion.

Do's

Do criticize an owner for making some bonehead moves.
Do criticize a GM for "questionable" moves.

Don't

Don't say players suck, are hot garbage, etc. when they give their best, although taking shots from what you see is fine.
Don't be a Debbie Downer because others are just to be in the majority.

This is a very small sampling but, I wanted to leave things open for your views?

[Dolfan1]

I think to be a real fan you have to see the good and bad on the team and it's your right to express what you see. My problem is when a fan only sees or talks about the bad. I can admit that I found it difficult to say anything positive about Wallace though.

[So Be]

I think to be a real fan you have to see the good and bad on the team and it's your right to express what you see. My problem is when a fan only sees or talks about the bad. I can admit that I found it difficult to say anything positive about Wallace though.

He did score 10 TD's for our team but, mostly agree.

A few things we saw as crossing the line were SAMMY SUCKS!!!. the air show for Ireland, and the abuse Dallas has taken.

[Dolfan1]

One thing I absolutely hate is when the fans Boo their own team. IMHO that is just wrong. You're supposed to be there to support your team not Boo them.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

Stir it up, little So Be, stir it up! (I had to use 'little' because i wasn't about to use darlin')

My personal opinion is that all's pretty much fair in love & war and just like anything, with exceptions of course (For instance with all of the grief that Jonathan Martin has caused us Fin fans i don't think in light of his latest reveal that if he were still with Carolina we should yell 'Hey, why don't you just do us all a favor & kill yourself!' That would seriously be crossing that line!.

I do however think sports is an arena where every guy out there (well, except for Jonathan Martin maybe) knew what they signed up for..You're paid a Kings Ransom to play a kids game, and the so-called Fan Debbie Downer Don'ts are part of the bargain..I'm pretty sure there's nothing that's come out of a fans mouth that every player hasn't heard from another player lined up across from him tenfold, probably closer to a thousand-fold! So the way i see it, if a player is playing like hot garbage i'll call it like i see it..In the real world guys that can't get the job done are replaced on a daily basis but in the world of football sometimes they're the only option and if a fan has invested his hard earned money, his time (some of us have invested our lives & more $$ that we can count) and his blood, sweat & tears (Plenty of those!) IMO, he's earned every right to call it as he sees it, with very few exceptions...

I know there are some that get tired of the negativity but on the flip-side some get equally tired of the fan that only sees the positive..i think at the end of the day we're ALL looking for the same end result, some just choose different paths along the journey...

[ONole1]

To DP's point, the Happy Homer (not intended at Idaho, just something catchy) is just as bad. I am a FAN which means I am and FANATIC. My emotions go up and down, and when it comes to Miami and FSU those emotions top out and hit rock bottom. The view I have now may not be the same view I have after my emotions have leveled out and I come back to reality. I try to look at both sides...lord knows I have been both a DD and a HH but there are some fans that can't get on both sides of that line...LOL

[So Be]

Stir it up, little So Be, stir it up! (I had to use 'little' because i wasn't about to use darlin')

My personal opinion is that all's pretty much fair in love & war and just like anything, with exceptions of course (For instance with all of the grief that Jonathan Martin has caused us Fin fans i don't think in light of his latest reveal that if he were still with Carolina we should yell 'Hey, why don't you just do us all a favor & kill yourself!' That would seriously be crossing that line!.

I do however think sports is an arena where every guy out there (well, except for Jonathan Martin maybe) knew what they signed up for..You're paid a Kings Ransom to play a kids game, and the so-called Fan Debbie Downer Don'ts are part of the bargain..I'm pretty sure there's nothing that's come out of a fans mouth that every player hasn't heard from another player lined up across from him tenfold, probably closer to a thousand-fold! So the way i see it, if a player is playing like hot garbage i'll call it like i see it..In the real world guys that can't get the job done are replaced on a daily basis but in the world of football sometimes they're the only option and if a fan has invested his hard earned money, his time (some of us have invested our lives & more $$ that we can count) and his blood, sweat & tears (Plenty of those!) IMO, he's earned every right to call it as he sees it, with very few exceptions...

I know there are some that get tired of the negativity but on the flip-side some get equally tired of the fan that only sees the positive..i think at the end of the day we're ALL looking for the same end result, some just choose different paths along the journey...

"You Don't Have To Call Me Darlin, Darlin" David Allan Coe

Unable to post the tune or link but, one of the few C&W songs I like. Years ago, a guy on my dart team from Texas used to play it 4-5 times a match, and grace us with his sing-a long at "Got drunk the day my mom got outta prison, etc. He could not sing a lick but, the audience in the bars loved the guy and bought us many a round of drinks when he "sang" it.

[Seadog]

Chowder, Wheels off the Bus and Wannabee all sucked, just saying....But Wheels and Chowder had pretty swinging hair flowing from their helmets....

[Daytona Dolfan]

There you go Seadog, you were able to see both the bad and the good.....

[Driven_Phinsane!]

To DP's point, the Happy Homer (not intended at Idaho, just something catchy) is just as bad. I am a FAN which means I am and FANATIC. My emotions go up and down, and when it comes to Miami and FSU those emotions top out and hit rock bottom. The view I have now may not be the same view I have after my emotions have leveled out and I come back to reality. I try to look at both sides...lord knows I have been both a DD and a HH but there are some fans that can't get on both sides of that line...LOL

Agree 100% 'Nole, well put...I'm an up & down, bi-polar, screaming highs & crying low's, roller-coaster riding Phanatic, but i blame the team..They are the ones afterall that have Driven me Phinsane!!!

[So Be]

Chowder, Wheels off the Bus and Wannabee all sucked, just saying....But Wheels and Chowder had pretty swinging hair flowing from their helmets....

Good to see you looking at the positves in hair flow.

[Seadog]

Yes much easier to type the one thing they did well, than trying to write a book larger than War & Peace on the bad things they did....

[So Be]

Yes much easier to type the one thing they did well, than trying to write a book larger than War & Peace on the bad things they did....

I would rather read your book. JK

[Finatic]

I think fans have the right to be negative if the team is playing poorly. If a player is losing the ball, or not producing then they are accountable. They know that is part of the deal when they make millions of dollars and ask to be in the spotlight. Same as actors and actresses. I don't think it should be personal attacks that are out of line though. Just say Wallace sucks as a wide receiver, or so and so can't tackle worth a damn.

[Phins169]

For me, crossing the line is when we attack each other for our views or how we see a player playing. I would guess that most of the players on the team very seldom visit these sites and I would bet they could care less how we think. It is when we attack other members on the forum that things go out of bounds. JMHO

[Finatic]

Agreed! Spot on. We will not allow personal attacks here. That crosses the line. Debate? Yes. Butt Heads? Yes. Attack and insult? No Way. Not happening.

[Phintim Menace]

I think you are all on the right track. There is no reason to attack a person whether they are a football player or a member here. On the other hand, we are all entitled to our opinions especially to praise and criticize players and coaches within the limits of criticizing their work. I personally count Wallace as one of my least favorite Dolphins of all time. I feel justified in being displeased with his body of work with Miami considering what he cost the team. As a person I do not know Mr. Wallace at all and he may be a very good man. As a player, I am glad he is tanking on someone else's roster instead of ours.