john h

I think most of us are in pain over the continuation situation with our team. As long term fans who pay to get into the stadium or pay big fees to access Direct TV to watch the Cardinals we are not being treated fairly in my opinion.

We can all compain to each other and the best that gets us is to vent and maybe feel a little better for a few minutes.

Is there anything, not matter how small, that might make a "real difference"?
I will offer up this: Let us appoint a point man in Airizona perhaps someone like Jim Skane and each of us who are willing contribute $50.00 or whatever we can afford or what ever it takes to raise enough money to take out a sizeable add in the local paper. I propose it be an open letter to the Airizona Cardinal organization or to Bill Bidwill Jr whatever seems appropriate. We would express our concerns in a genteleman like mannner but in a firm matter about our thoughts on improving the organization and what we perceive as a lack of real effort to put a competitive team in Airizona. It could be signed by all the contributors or anyone that wanted to join in regardless of contribution. We might total up years of all the people have been fans. We could easily come up with 1000 years and we would have signatures from many parts of the country. Maybe one of you guys in the Valley could check on the price of a 1/4 page or 1/8 page add. The letter would have to be reasonably short and well thought out. I think such an ad could produce somewhat of a groundswell in the area and certainly get the attention of the Cardinals and probably force them to reply. Surely the sports editors would pick up on it and give us some copy. I will offer up $100 right now as a first contribution. Jim would you be willing to take this on? I really feel strong that we as fans are being short chained. OK let me hear your feedback? Crazy Card fan in Arkansas.

Ryanwb

I'd pony up 20 bucks for this

Brian

Actually, the letters already been written, just re-write the post "The End" by Tired Cardinal.

I too would pony up the money. Seriously.

Anyone volunteer to take point?

Pariah

I like the idea, but have you ever been in a copywriting meeting? It's hard enough to write something with 3 people's input much less hundreds.

How do you propose developing the content of the letter?
Maybe on this board we could decide the three main points we want to convey and then appoint a committe that will develop and draft the letter from those points. Sort of a Republic of Cardinals Fans.

RedStorm

I would pitch in some bucks.

Walter is one that always seems to write compelling posts.

I say we have people post topics. We then put up a poll of top five. Vote on the top three.

Then, have someone compose it and post it for everyones review. Then send it in.

I think this is a great idea. If anything they will see a bunch of fans who are passionate for a winner.

__________________
Yeah, Stormy's probably on to something. - Rivercard

Sense MAKER!!!
Blasphemer!!!
Burn him!!!!

He speaks in tongues of logic and common sense, this troubles us and must be dealt with swiftly. - conraddobler

Pariah

It's the "everyone's" review part that will bog us down beyond belief. I think we need a small group representing everyone.

RedStorm

Then what we do is nominate and then take a poll vote. This is the USA......

__________________
Yeah, Stormy's probably on to something. - Rivercard

Sense MAKER!!!
Blasphemer!!!
Burn him!!!!

He speaks in tongues of logic and common sense, this troubles us and must be dealt with swiftly. - conraddobler

john h

I think Jeff is in advertising and I would propose he make a first draft if he is willing and post it. If he is not willing I would be willing to give it a go. I suggest sending the letter to Jim Skane and let him pass final muster and approve it. I would trust both of these guys. Let this thread run for about two weeks and let us see how much people are willing to throw in. Total it up and see what that will buy us. I think even a small add on the Sports Page is going to draw some attention from sports writers and could even get a little national attention like the Bengal fans who were going to sue the Bengals. I will stand by my $100 contibution. At the end of two weeks if we have at least $1000 I think we could get a one day (perhaps Sunday or Saturday) ad in the sportsection of the Republic. Let us see how this thread goes and we can get more definitive. Let me hear from Jeff and Jim if you are willing to join in. I certainly due not want a rude letter but one that clearly and succintly expresses our concern for the future.

Derm

So you don't have balls enough to carry your own water?
You communicated your point here, write your own letter.

If you don't like what's going on in the Cards HQ, then let them know about it, if you'd like. Or don't buy a ticket or don't get DirecTv or just go and hide.

Brian

Just a thought,

Do you all think it would be prudent to wait and see what transpires with Colvin, Stewart, Chike, Holliday, Jackson, etc. before this goes into motion, or was the Plummer and Boston (especially Boston) fiasco what instigated this?

I was just thinking, if all the planets aligned and the football gods smiled on us and we got several of these guys signed than our complaints and money would fall on deaf ears.

Just a thought.

Pariah

I think it's a good idea--and carries more weight with more people behind it.

I'm an out of work PR hack so I have plenty of time and some writing skills if Jeff doesn't have the time or the inclination.

Brian

By the way Derm,

Complaining about 50+ years of ineptitude isn't whining, it's a legit complaint.

Pariah

Good point. I'm out until training camp...

Houdini

If it's publicity with a message that you want, save your money. For free you can deliver your message via TV and radio. Just get a set of drums, and then stay slightly off in the distance at the stadium ground breaking ceremony and chant the following into a megaphone to the beat of the drums.

WE WANT FOOTBALL, NOT BIDWILL!

JeffGollin

Let me hear from Jeff and Jim if you are willing to join in
I'm willing to pitch in, but my gut tells me we shouldn't do it. Stay with me while I try to figure it out in print. Here goes:

I assume the objective of this exercise is to get Cardinal management to listen to our concerns, take them seriously and act upon them appropriately.

If we publish a letter in the AZR, the fact we did it will become the issue and not the reasons why we did it. The only message they'll hear is that "a lot of Cardinal fans are angry." There's a strong likelihood Cardinal Mgt. will just get pissed and defensive and tune out our message altogether.

1. Let's see how the next week (or two goes). It wouldn't surprise me if the Cards announced something "good" by the end of today. Well before day's end, serious formal offers have now been made to Kordell and Colvin and there have been Graves' (intentional or unintentional) slips of the tongue (i.e. "things will begin to happen", "we'll get this thing moving") that, if nothing else, suggest something may be in the wind.

2. What would be the impact of a full page ad on prospective free agents weighing whether the "football environment" in the Valley is condusive to building a winner?

3. What can we say in an ad that Cardinal Management doesn't already know?

4. Trying to get the regulars on this BB to agree on everything to go in letter will be like "trying to herd cats."

Here's an alternative proposal:

A. We air our dirty linen in private.

B. We use Jim O as our communication channel.

C. We draft a letter and collect signatures.

D. We send it to Graves, Mikey and Mr. B.

E. We either release to the press or hold out the option of releasing to the media later - the fact that X-hundred Cardinal fans sent a formal letter of protest to Cardinal Management.

__________________
ONE HEARTBEAT.
Later (GBR/RIP40 - RIPSKKORP)