Poll the audience, Howie!

by David_K on Jul 20, 2011 3:51 PM EDT

I have a crazy idea. Crazy enough that it just might work. Also crazy enough that it would probably never happen, but I would like opinions.

You all have seen the show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", correct? I haven't watched it in some time (though I used to religiously), but I do recall that one of the lifelines available was to poll the audience. Now, from what I recall, no matter how hard the question- the audience was correct probably 95% of the time. The few times they got it wrong was close and very surprising. I kind of wish the F.O. would do a similar thing.

Here's the pitch: There are fans out there. Big fans. HUGE fans. People that love the Eagles because they bleed green, not because they get a paycheck with the Eagles' logo in the corner. I GUARANTEE Jimmy would be able to work as a consultant in the Eagles' F.O. He does a ton of research, understands the basic ins and outs of contracts, and has well thought-out, (usually) non-emotional opinions. He looks at things from all sorts of angles. Jason too. I've read fan posts where you guys (the contributors) thoroughly explain intricate and obscure laws, rule changes, and other technicalities. There are a lot of intelligent fans out there. Many on this blog alone. I feel like if the Eagles took advice from a large number of the intelligent fans, they could maybe form an opinion based on a popular educated consensus, or at the very least use it as a tool. I feel like if they said (for example, I understand this isn't realistic), "Hey, should we draft Brandon Graham AND Daniel Te'o-nesheim two rounds apart?" The vast majority would say hell no. I know I would have. And look what happened- (though it may be too early to judge) it didn't work out at all. Many of us were really upset when it happened. We were right. They were wrong. I am also in no way considering myself in the upper echelon of intelligent fans. I don't think I am.

So here's how I would do it. I would set up a very private and secure blog. Then I would spend a month and handpick maybe 1,000 hardcore fans- writers, bloggers, business men, bar tenders, teachers... doesn't matter the occupation. I would then have them write a short article about how they would change the team, what they think will work out, won't work out, and whatever other things I could think of. Again, the "I" is hypothetical. I don't think I could personally do this. Then once I get a healthy number of people, blog commencement.

A few other things:

- This blog would absolutely HAVE to be secure- big repercussions if this is violated. Maybe only specific IP addresses can access it (I'm not an IT guy, but it's possible), not to be talked about, and password protected. Also, it would naturally be completely, 100% troll-free obviously.

- The FO wouldn't want to pay 1,000 people, so the incentive is that they would know that their voice is being heard by the coach, GM and everyone else involved with making personnel decisions. They would be directly contributing to helping out a team that they would shed blood for. That should be enough incentive for anyone I'd be interested in hiring.

- I know this is different than the "Millionaire" show in that it asks opinions, not facts. There could be a discussion section to explain why your opinion is what it is. It could show rebuttals. It would get the F.O. thinking more.

- I worry about there being too many "yes men" in this business. I'm sure very few people enjoy saying "Howie, you're wrong. This move doesn't make sense because a, b, and c" especially if he signs their pay check. Without the fear of being fired, contributors can speak their mind passionately without worry of losing their livelihood.

- This would be cheap. It would cost the amount to pay a programmer to build the site, a person to find 1,000 fans and read their articles, and the cost to upkeep the site. That's pennies compared to what their budget is and they'd be expanding their "scouting" department 100x.

I'm sure they think they have enough opinions but I don't agree. !,000 is better than 10 especially when those opinions can be obtained in one, easily accessible place AND (most importantly) don't have to worried about being fired if they strongly disagree with one of the top dogs.

Again, this is just a fun idea. I think it'd be awesome and it would further connect the biggest and smartest of fans to their teams. I know it's a long fan post for such a pointless idea because it would probably never happen, but I would love if the future of sports went this way. Howie Roseman: "Hey Andy, I was reading the Consulting Board and this guy mentioned this blah blah..."

Could be cool. What do you guys think? How would you choose the people to be on the "Consulting Board" or whatever the hell you'd call it. Do you think you'd want to be a contributor? Do you think this could or would ever happen if the idea was pitched the right way? Where would the holes be?

Allow me to introduce exhibit A:

Poll

Could and should this happen?

It could and should as long as they get the right people.

3 votes

It could, but I think it would be a bad idea.

1 votes

Good idea, but this would never happen.

21 votes

Stupid idea. Would never happen. I'm going to "o" you.

19 votes

44 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I actually think this idea is awesome…not that they would ever listen to us, as they have years and/or decades of experience, but damn, what I wouldn’t give to put my 2 cents in.

There should be a speculation team (or teamS) and a thread where these predictions could be made though. I was just reading through the archives of the day we signed Vick and how many people said this was the biggest mistake in franchise history. I think it would be kinda cool to see what everyone thinks after a big move or the draft each year.

"I was the first option on the play and the quarterback made a great throw. I landed on my shoulder and neck and blacked out for a little while, but I'm fine now." - Djacc

by Eagles02 on Jul 20, 2011 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Good point about Vick

I was ecstatic from day 1, personally. But I do see how many peoples’ morals would get between a business decision. I bet it was about 50/50 here on being excited or enraged. Either way, it was a low (monetary) risk, high reward type of signing

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Jul 20, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

The first rule of Flight Club, is you do not talk about Flight Club.

AR should have to wear a Flava Flav necklace until he learns how to manage a fucking clock.
I am the proud target of temper tantrums.

by KByars on Jul 20, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Image fail

AR should have to wear a Flava Flav necklace until he learns how to manage a fucking clock.
I am the proud target of temper tantrums.

by KByars on Jul 20, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

that is fucking awesome

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"Do you know where we are going?" she said.
"To solve the mystery of the eternal hereafter, I imagine," I replied.
-- _The Gods of Mars_
Evil is relative…You can’t hang a sign on it. You can’t touch it or taste it or cut it with a sword. Evil depends on where you are standing, pointing your indicting finger.
-Glen Cook The Black Company

by Udalango on Jul 20, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

As smart as some fans here are

Think about JIBTA… If the FO were to go along with what he wanted, TO would have been given a bigger deal than fat Al and, McNabb would have been pushed out of town along with any white player. We would have Jack Igunina starting instead of Asanti and, any white player wouldn’t even be invited to training camp.

"Learning to eat soup with a knife"

by h2o_34_35_44 on Jul 20, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Haha i had JIBTA in mind while writing it

That’s why there would be some sort of screening process. If JIBTA ever was recommended to become a candidate, the second I would meet him to offer an application I would just laugh and walk away

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Jul 20, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

O

I just wanted to be that guy. awesome idea but no way in hell they will read it let alone pay attention to it. What im seeing is you guys getting a letter something like we value your opinions we want the eagles to be successful loke you do we have the greatest fans ever. without them even reading what you guys have to say and to be honest that be insulting your intelligence so its a great idea but just not gonna have any effect whatsoever in the way the eagles fo do things

And if R. Kelly goes to jail, I'LL PISS ON YO' CAT!!

by Riley Freeman on Jul 20, 2011 4:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

it would be like 3rd graders giving input to college calculous professors

JoeD AKA The Voice Of Reason

by Joe_D on Jul 20, 2011 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

You ever hear about the Mathematics gurus taking LSD to help solve their problems?

"Learning to eat soup with a knife"

by h2o_34_35_44 on Jul 20, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

No but it wouldn't surprise me that they use drugs that activate certain regions of the brain

to help solve problems

JoeD AKA The Voice Of Reason

by Joe_D on Jul 20, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe so

Or maybe YOUR input would be like a 3rd grader giving input to a college professor. I think you are downplaying the knowledge of some fans and giving too much credit to the F.O. I’d say it’d be more like taking the advice of a consensus of the smartest of graduate level students in a particular subject for use by the professors and Dr.’s of the subject. Advice from JIBTA would be like taking advice from a 3rd grader.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Jul 20, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

What fan

Knows the X’s and O’s of professional football? What fans knows all the intangibles? What fan can do what Marty does and produce Steve Young, Brett Favre and turn Vick into one of the most talented NFL QBs?

BTW I , unforutnately, READ the fan posts. “Kolb for DRC next years 1st and 3rd straight up! Get it done FO!”

You don’t know 1 100th of what these guys do about professional football and that’s exactly why they are not on BGN asking our opinions lmao

JoeD AKA The Voice Of Reason

by Joe_D on Jul 20, 2011 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

argument goes both ways

You dont know 1 100th of what they do and they kept mcnabb around longer than you did. Maybe your just an idiot hater?

by Udalango on Jul 20, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

If you’re going to call someone an idiot, use 3rd grade grammar and use the right form of “you’re.”

And no, apparently I was right on the money with McNabb. They DID trade him and I told everyone he was going to blow in Washington as well. 75% of the board didn’t think he was going to get traded OR they thought he was going to light us up twice a year lmao. He even blew when the Skins beat us and our secondary sucked :)

Maybe they SHOULD ask what Joe D would do. :D

Nah I’m sure they are brain storming right now what a good idea it would be to ask a 19 year old who’s only GM experience is a few years of Madden what some good moves are… Brilliant!

JoeD AKA The Voice Of Reason

by Joe_D on Jul 20, 2011 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

No no no...

Don’t go all grammar police if you don’t have the badge or the cuffs… (That’s a metaphor, I learned about them from mah edumacation!)

Bleeding Green Nation -- Home of the REAL Slim Shady
36-5-20-JJ Bleeding Green Forever

by DeSean10 on Jul 20, 2011 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions

that was a sumaritans arrest right there

JoeD AKA The Voice Of Reason

by Joe_D on Jul 20, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

*Samaritin’s

Bleeding Green Nation -- Home of the REAL Slim Shady
36-5-20-JJ Bleeding Green Forever

by DeSean10 on Jul 21, 2011 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

cobb’d: Samaritan’s… hands over badge

Bleeding Green Nation -- Home of the REAL Slim Shady
36-5-20-JJ Bleeding Green Forever

by DeSean10 on Jul 21, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand your point

But many people do know the X’s and O’s. And between a thousand educated fans, someone with knowledge of whatever they are discussing will be able to articulate a point that maybe someone in the F.O. hasn’t considered. The main thing is, strength in numbers. If you put 5 brilliant doctors in a room to try and figure out a disease, I feel like they’d get a lot more done if they could consult 1,000 mediocre ones due to that one guy who may point out an obscure flaw. Whether the fans come up with an idea or solve something isn’t the goal. The point would be maybe that one person who makes them think twice about a decision or one who brings up a point no one has thought of. You don’t need everyone to know every X and O. And it would just be used as a consulting tool, not a decision making force. Ya wouldn’t take the popular vote and make it law.

I’d like to have one for whatever job I have.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Jul 21, 2011 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions

so have u read the fan posts here lol

JoeD AKA The Voice Of Reason

by Joe_D on Jul 21, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Ha yes

But literally anyone and their mothers can write stupid stuff here. I just did. There is literally zero requirements you have to meet in order to make a fan post. You don’t even need a mouth or any semblance of reason. I feel like you’re “filtering” which means you highlight the negative while ignoring the positive. Since I already said there would be a relatively intensive screening process and it would be competitive, there is no reason to use this web site as an example for anything but pointing out intelligent fans who go above and beyond.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Jul 21, 2011 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I think this is a great idea..

…for the Cleveland Browns, or some other team that is in the throes of a streak of losing seasons. For us it’s not even close to necessary, but it would be an interesting idea for a bad team to try. There would undoubtedly be logistical problems keeping up with the pace of NFL deals and such (sometimes a guy is on and off the market before the public even knows about it), but it would definitely be an interesting idea.

Bleeding Green Nation -- Home of the REAL Slim Shady
36-5-20-JJ Bleeding Green Forever

by DeSean10 on Jul 20, 2011 7:09 PM EDT reply actions

That is a horrible idea. Although some fans are intelligent, moves that we usually think would be bad turns good ie: Mike Vick. Often ideas that sound good turn bad ie T.O.

Granted, sometimes we are right, but more often than not I’d like the person who’s job to sign FA’s to have the idea to sign FA’s. There is a reason why we are fans and they are professionals.

"If Revis has an Island, Asomugha should have a continent." - #5
"Or if the rest of the defense if even decent then
our two Rookie safety’s don’t have to go all Ed Reed-Palamolu-Dawkins-super sayan badass mode to help us win." - W_E
Sending pics of your junk > dog killing > generally being a douche > sexual assault allegations > being on the Cowboys.

by number5 on Jul 20, 2011 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

love the bluntness

Yea, it’s a radical idea. But you don’t think that there is a single fan who is capable of coming up with creative ideas to fix the team? The reason they can’t hire 100 consultants is because they don’t want to pay for them and they’d be impossible to manage… not because people aren’t intelligent or knowledgeable enough. I mean, look at the Redskins. How predictable are they? Very. How many fans know that? All of them. Don’t you think Dan Snyder could use a little truth? These people are going crazy because their voices aren’t listened to. They aren’t heard.

I’m not saying it’s a great idea. It’s a fun one though. And it’s an interesting debate, in my opinion.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Jul 21, 2011 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe, but I like the way Reid handles things.

Maybe if is a team with a not so strong head coach/FO

by number5 on Jul 21, 2011 4:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I like your stuff, Dave (may I call you Dave?)

Your comments almost always have a dash of humor and just make sense.

I like this idea, but it would never work.

At first, I wasn’t on board until you mentioned you wanted to handpick people… very very important.

Like others mentioned above, people are retarded; You’ve just got to pick the diamonds out of the rough.

"I'm 95% sure that 100% of what he says is wrong."

by Ralf E Chubbs on Jul 22, 2011 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

yes, you may call me Dave

May I call you Chubbs?

Thanks for the compliment, and I agree it would never work. In fact, that’s what I voted for on my own poll… so… that’s where I stand on whether or not it will happen.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on Jul 25, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions