To each their own. I'd rather have realistic football talk. There's a difference between optimism and realism. Not trying to hurt anyone's feelings, but what's the point in saying we're going to win every single game every single year? We wouldn't be here debating anything, this thread wouldn't exist, etc.
I'll admit I'm wrong on being a homer = being obnoxious. You can still be realistic and be a homer. I've just experienced my share of d*ckhead fans who have no respect for other teams and I can't stand those people so I guess I'm jaded. I suppose we're all homers to some extent; after all, we're all Rams fans. All I'm trying to say is that there's more to debate when we're all realistic.
Also, I hope that we win the super bowl every year, but I don't go around preaching that to everyone. On the other hand, I always want to hear our players exude that kind of confidence. That's just common sense on their end and it's almost expected to hear from our end. But players are in a different position than us fans. If they don't support the team in every way then they will be looked down upon. It's like asking a potential draft prospect if they think they're the best at their position in the draft. Who's honestly going to say "Well I really think this guy is better than me, you should probably draft him instead." Lol.
That's all cool. I get what you're saying. Just because I am a total homer doesn't mean I can't see what's going on. I firmly believe however, that there is a fine line in the NFL between winning and losing on any given Sunday. And a team that gets hot at the right time and might not have all the weapons or last season's Probowlers can surprise a lot of people. I'm not really serious about 19-0 but I am not ready to concede a game at this point so.....
There's plenty to talk about if there is anything to talk about if you get what I mean. Right now there's not much going on. But as there is more, there will be camp reports and news reports about certain players and how they look. There will be power rankings to debate. We will get reports from the talking heads about how the players look. Then... THEN... pre-season and then.... The season starts and we have all kinds of things to talk about - homer or not.
You'll find pretty lively debate here without the angst of other boards. My problem is that often I find the term realist associated with negative people all too much. This site is not about finding ways to be real so that you manage others' expectations. If someone wants to feel negative and carp on everything the Rams are doing - this is probably not the best place to hang out. That doesn't mean a person can't question what the Rams are doing in situations or games or with players, but it does generally mean that if all someone wants to do is bitch, they are very likely to be shown the door - realist or not.
So when I see a thread that is about "realistic" expectations before the season even starts, I am all in. Why not? Unless the Rams start stinking up the joint as we've seen with the team in several prior seasons, I am going into each game thinking we are going to win. It does me no good to think otherwise and yet I still find plenty to discuss about what the team did or is doing. I have to admit, after the Dallas game last year, I was livid. Still, I thought we had a chance to win the following week. Maybe not a good chance but a chance. If I didn't, I don't know why I'd watch it.
Anyway, it's not really a big deal. I am a Ram fan for well over forty years. There ain't no way I'm not a realist. This team has forced me to be one. But I am also a total homer. I grew up with this team. I can't rout for any other team. So I might as well think they are going to win any time they step onto the field.