I wonder how much social media affects out players when they play in front of crowds that constantly pick them apart and put them down on social media? I know everyone don't, but it does happen and they see it for sure, especially on Twitter. It seems in the last few years, we have played better on the road and I wonder if this has anything to do with it? I would compare it to being a singer and singing at local events in your hometown. Then going on Twitter and seeing everyone pick apart your performance. Saying you should have sung it this way or done that, the mic sucked, the sound guy was terrible and the music was too loud..etc. How would you feel about going back there and performing again vs going out of town and performing? I would feel more focused and relaxed performing on the road as opposed to feeling like I am under a microscope facing my critics after reading a weeks full of insults and jabs at my performance.
Social media has no filter. All of our players are able and do read comments from some of our most ignorant fans every week on Twitter. As we have seen some of them have interacted with these idiots and have chimed back. I wish there was a way for the coaches to shut down social media for the players during the season. I think it would improve our home field advantage.
Thoughts?