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Rampage2K-
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moklerman
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Rampage2K-
on ABC 7 and plenty of articles in both LA Times and OC Register...
Dodgers are in the thick of a playoff race and Lakers just made some major moves....Rams are practicing in training camp.
I don't know what you expect ...we're talking about practice
I think it's more than whatever the local coverage is though. To me, the Rams have to somehow make it cool to be a Rams fan. As many have pointed out, the Raiders had no trouble quickly developing a following. They were good but it was more than that. Fan will always show up for a team in the playoffs but the Raiders had a mystique about them.
Unfortunately, the Rams have a stigma to them. It isn't cool to wear Rams gear. No one is worried about the Rams. IMO, this started and was cultivated when Georgia took over. The league hated her and the fans hated her and that stink has largely remained. I live in central CA and the Raiders, 49ers and Cowboys get far more respect around here than the Rams do. When you tell someone you're a Rams fan they either curl up their nose in incredulity or just pity you. Warranted or not, that is the perception of the Rams. It's almost the equivalent of telling someone you're a Bengals fan. They just can't understand why you would do such a thing and by no means respect it.
But this is also on the Rams. They have never put the effort into staking their claim to the area. I still see just as much or more merchandise from the 49ers and Raiders and Cowboys. If you went to SF, I'd bet they don't have Rams or Cowboys gear dominating their shelves. Sadly, now that the Rams are putting a little bit more stuff out there, it's awful looking.
I really don't know how the Rams can overcome all of these issues but a dynasty on the field wouldn't hurt. It wasn't that long ago that the Patriots were a joke and 2nd class citizens. It can be done but it won't be easy.
Have been to So Cal in the last few years ??
Rams gear is everywhere, yes, even the new stuff is quite popular.....I don't think another team in the NFL could even come close to the 8,000 fans who showed up to camp last Saturday
It was by far the loudest proudest camp atmosphere they showed that day on NFL Network when they reported from every camp that day,
The Raiders are old news and long gone,,,,sure they still have lot's of fans down here, the this is a Rams town now...It helps that the Rams actually win games these days and the Raiders still suck I'm sure.... I work at a very busy casino here in San Diego county and Rams gear is by far the most popular gear I see walking around that place....they've come a long way since the Georgia Rams of Anaheim were limping out of town
Not sure about the heart of LA area but I'm only 90 minutes north and what I say is still to this day, much less how it was in the '80's.
I'm not saying the Rams can't overcome the stigma but all of Stan's money and a SB appearance hasn't really changed anything. IMO, the Rams are still viewed as the '80's and '90's Rams as opposed to the '70's Rams. Take a broad look at how the Rams are viewed by their own fans and everyone else combined. Sadly, it's closer to the @#$%& than of some new regime and winning tradition led by Kroenke. Which I hate but that's the vibe.
Which is kind of the point of this thread/article. While you can't fool people into thinking something's cool, you can absolutely convey to your audience that it's okay to like the product. Which doesn't seem to be happening with the local media. Do they talk up the Rams like Dallas talks up the Cowboys? Or Pittsburgh talks up the Steelers, etc., etc.? No, I don't think they do. Support and coverage of the Rams is presented in an obligatory fashion much more than an enthusiastic one. And the excuse of it being CA or LA as cause for there not being any pride in the team or showing your colors just doesn't work IMO. If SF and SD can be passionate about their teams over the years, there's no excuse for LA to not do the same.
We need someone with a voice to have some balls. This is Rams country. Period. Cowboys, Niners, Chargers, Steelers, etc. can all go suck eggs. You're welcome to root for whoever you want but if it isn't the Rams, you better keep it to yourself. LA needs to have the same feel as if you were a Giants fan in Dallas. Or a Chargers fan in Kansas City. But the media is going to have to let people know that it's okay to stand up for the Rams. That they should stand up for the Rams.
It has been a very long time since they've really done that.
