Blackouts, Sellouts, and Peyton Jerseys - Fan-bases of the AFC South

The next category in the team analysis is going to be a little personal for some of you readers, it's the analysis of the fanbases.  Are they loyal?  Are they loud?  Any annoying habits that seem to have spread among the group?  Is this a group of people I want to associate with?  All fair questions.  Now, if there was ever a category in which I could benefit from some feedback from the actual fans, this is it.  For the most part, I'm having to go off numbers, reputations, and the small sample size of these fanbases that I've actually encountered, but I'll be as fair as possible.  With that in mind, we start with our first division...


AFC South

Houston Texans - Usually the newer teams struggle to establish a fanbase, but the Texans have actually built a respectable one.  Granted, a powder-puff football game featuring the local Baptist Church's senior adult ladies would probably sell out in football-crazy Texas, but a streak of 78 consecutive home sell-outs is impressive for a team that is yet to make the playoffs.  It did leave a bad taste in my mouth seeing them cheer for their Longhorn hero Vince Young over their own team in 06, but when Vince returned this year they seemed to have gotten over their college sweetheart.  Have I ever met a Texans fan?  Nope, but I do trust they exist.

9/15

Indianapolis Colts - The Colts' fans (or the stadiums' speakers according to some Pats fans) turned the RCA Dome into one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL.  Unfortunately, the word is that the fans forgot to bring that noise when they moved to their new stadium.  The Colts have sold out every game since the end of the 98 season, which non-coincidentally is the year they drafted Peyton Manning.  Before that, the team was fighting its share of blackouts as they tried to fill the stadium.  So the question remains, what happens if the teams' fortunes turn again?  Tough to say, but they've been pretty solid over the last decade.

8/15

Jacksonville Jaguars - ELIMINATED - Basically non-existent at this point, but in their defense it's a small city (comparatively speaking) and the owner appears to have given up on the town.  Still, haven't seen much effort to keep the team there by the locals. 

1/15

Tennessee Titans - Since the move to Nashville, the Titans have sold out every single preseason, regular season, and playoff game.  When the team is winning, the SEC-friendly fans' style carries over into the pro game, complete with southern-style tailgating and noise usually reserved for the college games.  Still, in the South, it's hard for the pro-team to overcome the popularity of the college teams.  That's why when the Colts come to town, a lot of "Titans fans" who also wear orange on Saturdays can't help but cheer for Peyton.  The tickets keep selling, but you just don't get the sense that the Titans are the #1 priority for the majority of their fans.  I'd wager that if you asked most Titans fans who their favorite football team is, the answer would include the word "University".

7/15