Being a fan since the Faloney days, and enduring the best and worst over the decades, I must admit that my frustration and anger with the on-field performance is being displaced with mere apathy. As I consider myself to be a loyal, (not blind) fan, the idea of apathy is frightening, beacuse it means you no longer care 'Cause it won't make a difference.
This is not an overnight phenomena, I went from 12 sseason tickets to 10 to the present 8, and I am having a hard time using them up and people even refuse freebies because of the ON-FIELD product. I see a likely drop to 6 or 4 tickets for next year unless something dramatic happens.
Everyone loves and appreciats the Caretaker, and has gone the extra mile for him, but he is essentially being sabotage, albeit unwittingly, by the product.
SOLUTION: First, there has to be a virtually immediate purge of some deadwood, not brand new start, but selective release of individuals, the OC, DC, specialty teams coordinator (God, 13 m3n on the field at this time of year), the DB coach, and the Receivers coach. THe line coaches are in my opinion doing a great job.
Secondly, you do not have to fire Marcel, just re-assing his duties and put someone knowledgeable and experienced in the GM role, as I sense Marcel is neither very good at talent evalutaion, and that his demeanour rubs people the wrong way so that it may not be what we need to entice free agents to come here.
Thirdly: the above has to be done earlier rather than later to build momentum for the new season, if you wait too late you will get the same dose of crap we got this year.
Fourthly: Some continuity is needed, I would rather have it with Charlie instead of Marcel.
Fifthly: PLayer changes, in my opiion, not a complete overhaul, but virtually all the DBs must go, 'cept perhaps Gordon, give DA a 2nd chance, and maybe, if healed, Cody. THe Aauthier experiment at safety should be terminated. Armour is a must to sign, his leaving would give the wrong impression, and some contiunity is needed. Keep the core of the lines in tact and just upgrade them, but blow up the receivers. The only keepers would be Bauman because he is a Canadian tho not a starter yet, and Curry as a back up. No one else deserves a spot even in the back up role. Save $ be dumping Armstead and using it for Armour or a free agent receiver. See what you can get by trading the porcelain doll named Ralph to the west, and then bring in receivers with size, speed, and heart.
SIXTHLY: Caretaker, your marketing crew has to come up with something for those of us that have been loyal, as you cannot afford to lose us, but don't let them mistake loyal fans for being stupid fans. We went with the 3 year plan, and might consider something else, but otherwise you will see us at the games, just in lesser numbers and likely only only walk up purchases. However, the ON-FIELD product is the key.
Sorry for the rant, but it is an effect of the anger to apathy crisis I am in.
