Celebrating Unbridled Fan Anger: FireBillCallahan, Trade A-Rod, Petitions and More

Fans are amusing. We get way too wrapped up in "our" teams. We scream and shout. Sometimes there are tears of sadness...less frequently tears of joy. We think up brilliant nicknames that should last for eternity. Because we can. We wear funny clothes. We yell loudly. And while it's all likely painfully unnecessary, it is what makes us fans.

However, for my money, nothing is more entertaining than sitting back and taking in the pure, unbridled anger of other fans. Those who truly take their displeasure to the next level.In today's digital world, creating a soapbox to stand up and shout spit-enducing rants of rage takes minutes. So, this Tuesday we take a look at who's shouting about what...and why it's making us laugh. In so doing, we also recognize those who've done a little extra to deliver a fairly straightforward message such as...

Fire Bill Callahan: Alive since late 2006, Fire Bill Callahan could be the gold standard in the "fire "fill-in-the-blank coach" blog category. With labels like "arm tackling," "giant gaping holes," "record-breaking losses" and "third down is killing us," the anger is immediately tangible. But, in all seriousness, this site goes to new heights to try to illustrate the magnitude of Callahan's ineptitude. Not only is it comprehensive, it's mind-blowing (8-17 vs. winning 1-A teams??!!). Add to it all the "fun with stats" feature atop each page (today's is "Bill Callahan is 1-8 vs. the AP Top 25 (based on final season rankings). The only team defeated was 2004 Pittsburgh, ranked #25 at season's end. ") and FBC is very tough to beat. Take some time to peruse this site. It's well worth it. The right-hand column alone deserves at least five minutes.

Fire Dave Wannstedt: Wow, who knew this door would unlock such treasures. Not only does a solid-looking blog and dedicated domain exist to incite the fans of Pittsburgh to revolt...but, apparently, this is old hat for Wannstedt-coached teams. The "tradition" extends back to Dave's crazy days in Miami where fans petitioned to Huzienga for his dismissal and, before that, unceremoniously in the annals of Chicago Bears history. As we've said on these pages, he is a special coach. This quick bit of research only confirmed our suspicions. Kudos to firedavewannstedt.blogspot.com for kicking off their blog with a simple and subtle message. And we quote..."Monday, September 24, 2007. Raison d'etre: Resolved, that Dave Wannstedt should be shown the royal blue and mustard yellow door." Oui, Oui.

In Defense of Isiah...Just Kidding: Combine passionate New York fans....the Internet...and an incompetent GM with a knack for saying exactly the wrong thing pretty much all the time...and presto! Internet bliss for all. Ladies and gentleman, those in need of a little anti-Isiah pick-me-up have countless options. For starters, head over to http://fireisiahthomas.blogspot.com/. Cool features include a countdown clock to the end of Thomas's extension and an ode to some of Isiah's finest moves. My one piece of advice? Stick with the last sentence of your blog description: "Destroying the Knicks Since December 22, 2003." It has a nice ring to it. Says it all. Like the fine folks in Miami, some longtime Thomas haters also have the whole petition thing going.

Trade A-Rod Now: While I'd been hoping for that diamond-in-the-rough "Kill A-Rod" URL, you can't be disappointed with what this site brings to the table. More than meets the eye, this gathering spot for A-Rod haters boasts sections dedicated to "Hate Mail," "Nicknames" and "Trade Propositions." Best of all is the site sub-title: "Anti-A-Rod since 2005." Good for you, sir. Keep on keeping on.

Trade ShaunA: Moving to the NFL for a moment, we pay heed to Trade Shauna a Seahawks blog recently started by a friend of a friend. We assume the monikker Shauna used in a similar way as many of my Giants fans friends use Elisha...in a whimsical, feminine sort of manner that belies their respective girly-like play. We get the whole double entendre thing, too. Nice. A quick perusal of the few posts already up reveal a slightly-below-the-surface, but, nonetheless, deep-seated and long, bubbling hatred of Shaun Alexander. We anxiously anticipate a bubbling over in the near future.

There are so many more out there in the blogosphere to read and enjoy...to absorb and appreciate anger of the purest kind...but, alas, we have not the time to peruse them all. Please share others in the comments.

And, of course, there are always the more-than-entertaining one-off declarations of ill-will and even official forum threads devoted to demotion.

Enjoy it all. More happy tidings later.