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Post by gonzo13 on Jun 7, 2008 9:08:22 GMT -5
I was at the Colts game last night and anybody who wasn't there missed a really entertaining ballgame. The Colts pulled it out in the final minutes of the game by a score of 53-42.
I'd have to say that was the worst game I've ever seen Mike Rathe play. He threw a handfull of picks, and made several other bad decisions. Mike is a great tallent, he just needs to go to practice.
The Speed should have been able to capitolilze on so many turnovers except that they have got to be the dumbest team in football. There were more personal fouls against the Speed last night than I think I've ever seen in any game. They had at least two touchdowns called back (including an int. return in the fourth quarter that would have given them the lead) and they commited multiple fouls that gave the Colts great field position.
In the first quarter, the Speed could not get out of their own way. They couldn't block, they couldn't tackle and it put them in an early 21-0 hole that they were never able to climb out of.
They moved their QB into the shot gun, but were still unable to consistantly protect him. The poor guy got hit every single time he threw the ball, mostly because the shotgun snaps were rolling back to him and he had to run for his life.
The biggest dissappointment for me last night was the attendence. There weren't 500 people there at kickoff, and the late arriving crowd MAY have grown to 1,000 at the most. At this point in the season, it should have been three or four times that, especially as well as the Augusta team drew last two seasons.
Mysecond biggest dissapointment is that neither of the teams, nor the league has one word about the game on their websites.....
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Post by The Stable Master on Jun 8, 2008 8:21:38 GMT -5
the Colts should have won by more
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Post by gonzo13 on Jun 8, 2008 8:28:30 GMT -5
Without all of the turnovers they would have.
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Post by lionsroar on Jun 8, 2008 10:02:03 GMT -5
Your second biggest disappointment is in My opinion the biggest reason why your biggest exist. .......Neither of these teams provide adequate coverage for their fans and you know as well as I know Gonzo it's all gonna start with ownership. A strong ownership will provide for their team the things needed in order to get fans involved. The Colts and the Speed have great looking Websites that are rarely updated. They have all these fancy functions with nothing attached to them. So when you see the websites first launched they look great and create a sense of hope but without being dealt with properly it only looks pretty. ........The Colts should Provide for their fans Like the 'Spartans' Did in their later stages and maybe they would see the turn-out. You have the same players same coach and same attitutude but lack support from the same city their representing. .......I've tried to get the Colts to tell me how I could order some merchandise from them to give some support but they never get back with me. ......Bottom line, give 'em coverage, All Teams, give 'em webcast, post-pre game write-ups, give 'em a coaches show with highlights, give 'em transaction reports. For God sakes meke 'em feel it and they will all show their support    :smileyheroes:   :smileymudcats:  :smileystingrays:   :smileymariners: :smileylions: :smileycolts:  :smileysaints2:  :smileythunderbolts: Harrisburg  |
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Post by free agent fan2 on Jun 9, 2008 8:41:24 GMT -5
Look I'm from the Augusta area and I know that the Colts have had their share of adversity off the field and at sometimes on the field all year.
Augusta is not a bad area to have a arena franchise a team will work and will be sucessful here in Augusta. I was there with the Stallions, Spartans, and with others. I can tell you the biggest problems I see here in Augusta see below.
1) Attendance is bad for the following reasons
Local Augusta Minor league baseball team schedules games the same nights of football games. This eats into the market share of fans. Only just so many to go around and they are numerous other things that go on also.
2) Web sites arent updated regularly
3) No outside coverage of games either through local papers, media etc. Everybody in the CSRA does not read the Augusta Chronicle they are papers such as the Aiken Standard, Citizen News, Augusta Focus, and others along with radio stations.
4) This team is attempting to draw strictly from Augusta it wont work. The CSRA is where the attendance will come from. Example: Lincoln County Georgia is a area steeped in football tradition less than 23 miles from Augusta. They have won more state titles than I can count on any given Friday night during the season they are less than 10 people in a town of over 2900 that are home they are all at the game.
Newspaper ad cost there is peanuts why not tap into the market do human interest story there. Have Lincoln County football night.
5) Ticket cost are too high we are all living from week to week because of gas prices. If a family of four goes to a game here is what they will spend on a game.
4 Tickets = $ 40.00 or more
1 parking =$ 4.00
Food at game $ 30.00 at least
gas to get
there $ 20.00
t-shirts are something $ 60.00
for all 4
Could be more or less but at least $ 100,00
6) No community visits, after school reading programs you can spend thousands on marketing but don't everybody read the papers, radio, tv some just don't think about things.
GET THE NAME OUT
7) People have a very very short memory here in the CSRA you have to keep pounding them with publicity.
Yes, many of us have voiced concerns all year. In fact I have been very vocal. I plan to do something about it I plan to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Because for this to make it here are anywhere you need it everybody on the same page.
GO COLTS I -20 cup this weekend
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Post by free agent fan2 on Jun 9, 2008 10:06:43 GMT -5
Now I'm not going to point fingers call anyone out but part if not all of the Colts troubles were of their own doing.
The name change hurt them bad just at the height of a world championship you go and change the name. Augusta has a short memory sorry but its true.
You failed to take advantage of a major media tie in there. You could have said world champs.
They did little in the off season to prepare for this year.
Arena football is not a 6 month business its year round. To be successful for next year you start the following Monday after your last game. In the off season you visit the schools, push the season tickets, and you go to the local games.
You presell sponsor packages, build good will, you show the community that you are serious and they will stand by you.
Ive made a career this season pointing out alot of whats wrong and calling folks out. Yea I was wrong I'm going to say this and it may shock everyone. I appreciate the hard work, time effort that has gone into Augusta this year by its management, staff. No you havent been perfect yes you have done good, bad, burned alot of bridges but you tried. This coming season you have a chance to do better I know you will.
As for buying Augusta Shirts and stuff getting calls back from them good luck. The shirts are expensive the deal with badger sports wish somebody would get the logo and let everyone make their own or something.
I know I want to send a couple to some buddies in Iraq. I need a football probably going to buy a couple off of Andrew Haines ebay site at 10,00 each only place I found them.
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Post by lionsroar on Jun 9, 2008 15:37:42 GMT -5
I thought that Badger only did the uniforms? I've seen this on Columbus's website but they sell nothing from Badger at the games. It's all 'a2 apperral'
......and no not af2 but a2 it's a company in columbus
.......i tell ya if they are not selling or making sure their merchandise is being sold then it's a real shame! They have the people ,like you say to support them, but they have to be willing to sell their product or they will not survive! Which is a shame too because they are our biggest rivals and the Lions need them
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Post by gonzo13 on Jun 9, 2008 17:07:01 GMT -5
The difference between me and you Tony is that I am not trying to posture myself for a position with the team, so I can say whatever I want.  There have been several problems listed here, but what it boils down to is that there is no excuse for the numbers that the Colts are drawing. They are putting a good product on the field, they just aren't getting it done off the field. Maybe they could post that high dollar mascot up at Wal-Mart, or the mall.....Or send it to ASU or Ft. Gordon so they could get something out of that thing. It doesn't necesarily have to cost money to advertise, just a little legwork. .......I'm just a part timer in Augusta, so maybe somebody who lives there can answer this question for me..... What would be wrong with indoor football in Christenberry fieldhouse at ASU? The floor looks plenty big enough, and even though there aren't nearly as many seats as James Brown arena, the rent probably isn't nearly as high either. Get out and sell some dasher ads and you could make up for lack of seats. |
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Post by free agent fan2 on Jun 9, 2008 17:19:54 GMT -5
I was in Columbus three times last year. The guy that does the shirts with the program covers is a class act yes I own a few of your shirts. Heck the price was just unbeatable and Coach Jason gave me one after Columbus beat our tail in a game.
I have his business cards the tee shirt guy now as for badger they do make golf shirts for Augusta fans, players and coaches but you would have to be a bank owner to buy one at $ 45.00 they are steep unless they cut the price.
As for our love for each other being that we spent a year together in the beat each other silly WIFL yea we need each other. I know Skip, McDonald and several of your owners they like playing Augusta the crowds and the rivalry. Its fun I also know your cheerleader cordinator anyway he Lions are a decent not to bad ride for Augusta and Id love to see this rivalry continue after all Lions arent all that bad.
As for selling the merchandise there is no store, place outside of the game to get any. The staff sells it at the games They are NO Hats and just a few other items.
As for AIFA footballs Andrew Haines has a few up on ebay from time to time for sale.We all know him.
As for Augusta they will be fine just need to be taken into the shop in the off season given a tune up and they will be more than road ready next year.
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Post by free agent fan2 on Jun 9, 2008 17:32:34 GMT -5
No, I am kinda in a quandry here
on the one hand I want to see football suceed here because I beleave it will make it. I have vison love of game and desire.
on the other hand Im also reminded along with others of how some of us were done and how we were told that our oppions didnt matter. They were many of us that said our peace and hmmm we led the WIFL in attendance we offered advice it was basically falling on deaf ears.
Yea attendance was a disgrace all year. There was no excuse for it none the blame fell square on the shoulders of the powers that be.
Im not going to sit here and take up for them no they were wrong. All Im saying is pu aside the differences and lets do better.
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Post by free agent fan2 on Jun 9, 2008 17:35:50 GMT -5
In reply to the ASU Field question that was looked at and wasnt ruled out.
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Post by JustMomma on Jun 9, 2008 19:32:07 GMT -5
In reply to the ASU Field question that was looked at and wasnt ruled out. Working on it now  It's a great alternative to the circus at the JBA. |
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Post by free agent fan2 on Jun 9, 2008 20:40:10 GMT -5
playing in a shoebox would be better than JBA
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Post by free agent fan2 on Jun 9, 2008 20:45:22 GMT -5
Correction playing on broad street in the road is better. The folks at JBA have some bad attitudes and the crap they pull during the games its a wonder anybody shows up.
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Post by men lie women lie numbers dont on Jun 9, 2008 20:52:19 GMT -5
Augusta is in trouble rathe threw 6 picks in a game last year to our db larry thompson in lakeland last year......
Start Believing in the phantoms guys...............
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It's a great alternative to the circus at the JBA.