It sure seems like the NFL is having a lot of fun trying to alienate their fan base. Between game blackouts and stopping fans from tweeting during games, they’re really beginning to test the public’s patience. Fans just want to have fun and root for their favorites teams. And the NFL would do well to remember that it’s those same fans who are helping pay for those bloated paychecks that the players and executives have become so fond of getting.

So perhaps they should just ease up.

Lately (as in, since they started losing – badly), the Washington Redskins have started taking aim at their fans. Previously there was a rule for the stadium audience that helped control the various banners and signs that people would bring in support (or opposition) of the playing teams.

Fair enough. Football is intended to be family friendly. It wouldn’t do to have an obscene image or phrase mucking it up.  And large banners could cause safety issues, or just plain be obnoxious by blocking peoples’ view of the game.

But after Daniel Snyder effectively removed all authority from head coach Jim Zorn, the signs took a more criticizing tone – nailing Snyder for his recent decisions regarding the team. The solution? Ban all signs from the games.

Wow, that’s petty.

“Banners are permitted at FedEx Field; however, Guests may not display banners that advertise or mention products or services. Banners may not cover existing FedEx Field equipment or signage. Signs may not be made with metal or wood. Management reserves the right to remove any sign, including those deemed to be obscene, inappropriate or which obstructs the view of other Guests. For the safety of all Guests, banner poles are not permitted.”

So in other words, most banners were permitted. Then it became obscene to criticize Snyder, so no banners whatsoever were permitted. That’s pretty much the typical action when a franchise hits an impotent skid and ownership struggles against mounting discontent. You limit the fans’ ability to vent at games. Security at Lions games practiced it at one point, too, stripping fans of at least some “Fire Millen” signs at one of the low points of former team president Matt Millen’s tenure. The Lions deny it was ever a team mandate, and that banners of any kind have always been off limits. But the latest message from the Redskins is pretty clear: Buy the tickets and don’t question the management – which sort of makes watching a Redskins game like flying coach. (Yahoo! Sports)