A sign of the times?

[TW]

Only 51,000 seats were sold for the scrimmage. Lambeau Field holds 73,000. It's usually a sell-out.

Is it a sign of the times? People without jobs? People concerned for their jobs, not wanting to spend the money?

Regardless of the reason, that's a lot of empty seats in Green Bay.

The Packers front office better be very much aware of the situation, and try to get a handle on keeping costs down for those attending games.

[Doc]

It's not just the times. It's the poor business decision process that has been happening as of late.

The Brett Favre issue didnt sit well with many fans, no FAs to prove they are interested in actually moving forward, no big named players at all on the team that draw additional fans, no signs of a winning season (just hopeful), and having a rainout for family night probably didnt help any.

The fans have always been taken care of in Green Bay. Today as a fan, I have the feeling as if Im less important. I cant exactly put my finger on it, maybe someone else can explain if they are feeling it too.

I can tell you this.... The Packers would have a lot harder time today getting that Vote, then they did a few years back.

[TW]

I think the best way of describing what's happened with the Packers is that the Harlan era is over.

While Harlan was in charge in Green Bay, the family entity was always at the forefront of the organization, even when ticket prices were skyrocketing, and expenses mounted.

I wish we could say the same thing about the Mark Murphy era, but we can't. What I'm seeing is a pure business attitude with a lot of bells and whistles, but very little interest in anything other than highly profitable engagements.

Now, don't get me wrong. Murphy may well be the model of consistency when it comes to business. I'm saying that the old "family" feeling, like when Harlan answered his own phone, and talked to fans, is a thing of the past. Sadly, we may never see it again.

[sharpefan]

Well Doc I feel TT is not playing the FA market when they need it like O-line and the Punter issues. It is like TT is just trying to get by and not to do to much in FA and all in the draft.
I feel we need a loud leader we have leadership in your ranks but those guys are quite leaders and it just isn't working. We have to have the one or two guys that can fire up the younger players and we just don't have that type player.
We need that one vet. that can be loud and the ability to push the younger players with out stepping on the young players feet.
We need that 1 player who can move people with out upsetting people some one they all respect.
They will be just about a 500 football team a little better or worst until they get this guy.
So why spend big money to see a game and not have that wow factor in it like a Reggie or Brett brought.

[50poundhead]

Why single out the Packers? Does any franchise have that "homey, family" feel? Granted, the Packers were probably the last to have it and it's likely gone with Harlan.

It's likely a combination of things. Down economy probably the biggest.

In closing, I'd rather have a boring team with a chance at the title than a team with two great players that isn't going anywhere. We may not be the former yet, but I think we can get there.

[sharpefan]

Let's quit kidding your selves by using the excuse we are a young team. This is the year TT is to bring it but there are a lot of fans that just don't see it this year.
But we can say we are one of the youngest teams in the NFL if we don't make a splash in our division. I for one I'm tiered of using the excuse we are a young team and we are well under the cap, just give us a year and next year we can say it all over again. No TT bring this team up now let's not wait until next year.

[Talaren]

I don't agree that fans are less important now, or that the Packers treat them as such. Revamping that training camp area for fans, giving free handouts, having full time staff answering any questions you have, and having as simple as port-a-pottys around make me feel appreciated. I don't have to fend for myself. The players were all hands on, it was awesome.

Anyway...economic times can be cited, but also the losing season last year, people are fairweather. If the Packers are good it's more top of mind. Out of sight, out of mind.

[50poundhead]

Where did I say we were a young team or give Thompson a free pass? I said "we weren't there yet."

This team has to win more games and play a crisper brand of football. The failure to do so falls on Thompson, McCarthy, and the players themselves.

I think Favre's presence created this aura that we were "one or two players away." We haven't been and we weren't. Sure, we routinely made the playoffs during the Sherman era. The division sucked. Thompson has made his share of mistakes--especially in his handling of the offensive line (particularly the inability to draft or sign quality replacements given his decision to release or not re-sign the players at the three interior positions) and has to be held accountable for each and every one of those mistakes.

I count the Favre mess as being a draw when it comes to mishandled it worse, but a decision had to be made and it was.

I imagine some fans are unhappy about that, but I doubt that was the reason that there were 20,000 empty seats. Seems attendance was better last year when the whole Favre thing was being played out writ large and if there was a time for fans to make a powerful statement, it would have been then and not now.

[adam]

We will be in the playoffs.


I'll be the one saying I told you so in January.

[miracle]

I think today is different than it was even 13 years ago in sports. Having twelve (plus) 24-hour sports networks and how many millions of internet sites dedicated to sports with all of these hyper-critical "experts" flapping about failures and "what have you done for me lately" attitudes has had it's impact. I think it leads more fans to jump on bandwagons as well. I think 6-10 had more to do with the empty seats than the economy.

On our way home from Green Bay my wife commented about all of the corner seats being open. She said, "You really don't have to get your tickets real early if we decide to do this again next year..." My instant thought was that we'll have to be real early to get tickets next year. I fully expect a double-digit win season (11 is my call) and I know all of the "life-long fans" (legit and bandwagon) will be ready to jump on those seats.

[amoeba15]

Depending upon what happens between the owners and players regarding either an uncapped 2010 season or serious problems regarding the collective bargaining agreement leading to a lockout/strike --- TT could be deemed a genius and saviour of the Packers.