Dan Steinberg’s article in today’s Post – ‘There is nothing to talk about’: Media members adjust to the weirdly boring Redskins – echoes the same sentiments I’ve heard recently from friends.
But is enthusiasm truly “tepid” as one radio host told Steinberg, or are there really fewer people talking about the ‘Skins?
Google says there’s something to it. Compare searches for “redskins” from previous Augusts to this year:
- August 2015: 16.7% higher higher than August 2016.
- 2014: +33.3%
- 2013: +40%
- 2012: +33%
- 2011: +20%
- 2010: +20%
- 2009: +3.3%
- 2008: +10%
- 2007: -11.1% lower than in August 2016.
- 2006: +16.7%
Take a look at Google Searches for “redskins” since 2004. These numbers show search interest relative to the top point on the chart, December 2012. A search level of “30” like you see in August 2016 indicates that the term had roughly 30% as many searches as in December 2012.
When taking a look at what’s driving searches in past years, it’s clear that the name debate dominated results. With an established starting QB, RGIII shipped out of town, and no high-profile free agents there’s not as much gossip as there has been in the past. Of course 2016 could be a return to normalcy
August 2016:
A look at notable first-page Google results:
- ESPN – Redskins issues in run game spread all over
- Washington Post – Redskins tinkering with lineups as preseason slate nears
- CSN – Projecting the Redskins’ 53-man roster
- Redskins preseason score
- Bryan Stork
- Robert Kelly
August 2015:
Looking back a year, there was a lot of news around the refusal to change the team name. First-page Google results:
- ESPN – Bruce Allen: Redskins won’t change name in order to build new home
- Deadspin – Brawl Breaks Out At Joint Redskins-Texans Practice
- Business Insider – The Redskins have benched Robert Griffin III, and it looks as if he’s done in Washington
- Redskins Ravens fight
- Redskins brawl
- Redskins game tonight
August 2014:
Wow, lots of people weighing in on the name. First-page Google results:
- The Blaze – Two Major NFL Announcers Say They Won’t Use Term ‘Redskins’ on the Air
- Washington Post – Where people stand on the Redskins’ name
- Boston Globe – Redskins name needs to be changed
- USA Today – Mike Ditka on Redskins controversy: ‘It’s all the political correct idiots in America’
- Redskins game tonight
- Redskins Ravens score
- Redskins Browns highlights
- Mike Ditka Redskins
August 2013:
More on the name! First-page Google results:
- Slate – The Washington _________
- Deadspin – The MMQB Will No Longer Use The Name “Redskins”
- Mother Jones – Ditching the Redskins, Once and for All
- National Review – The Left vs. the Redskins
- Redskins cuts
- Redskins game tonight
- Redskins game today
August 2012:
RGIII’s first season excited people, but coming off a 5-11 season it search traffic wasn’t as high as the next two years. First-page Google results:
- Redskins.com – Redskins Ambassadors | Darny
- Deadspin – Why Your Team Sucks 2012: Washington Redskins
- NFL.com – Tanard Jackson of Redskins suspended indefinitely
- CBS Local – 80 Greatest Washington Redskins Of All-Time
- Redskins cuts
- Alfred Morris Redskins
- Redskins vs Bills
August 2011:
Despite hiring Shanahan in 2010 he went 6-10. This meant a Grossman-at-QB team was headed into the 2011 season. Searches still up over 2016, but not by much. First-page Google results:
- Redskins.com – Redskins Ambassadors | Genevieve
- CBS Local – Looking back on the Redskins’ 2008 Draft Class
- Washington City Paper – Fight for New Dixie
- New York Times – 2011 Washington Redskins Season Preview
- Tim Hightower
- Lofa Tatupu
- Redskins vs Steelers