Raleigh, NC __ The past couple of weeks have been a crazy time for all Carolina fans.  Is that an understatement, or what?  But why do I say it's been so crazy?

Let me get to the heart of the matter.  We are experiencing a snake-bit football season.  We have been losing games and not looking that good in doing so.  And based on our last game at Wake Forest, it looks like we could be getting worse.

When a team is winning, the coaching staff and players are heroes.  And the Athletic Director who hired the head coach is a genius.  But just wait until we have a season on the fast train going south.  Then all hell breaks loose.  And people start jumping off.  We're seeing some of that now.

There are always fringe fans for anything.  That is as long as it's fashionable.  Or in this case, as long as we can leave the stadium with a victory and a smile on our faces.  Or we can have bragging rights at work or at play.  All that matters is that Carolina won.  And we're looking good because... we're a Carolina fan.

Guess what?  Our team is 2 - 6 on the season with four challenging games remaining.  Probability would state that it's going to get worse.  That's not what worries me... pisses me off, if you will.  There are valid reasons why we're having a down year.  But we have another distraction in the camp.

Let's look back at the fringe fans.  I could also think of them as parasites.  When things are rosy and the team is winning, they are styling.  There is nothing but good to say and feel.  But let the team have a bad season. The only way they can feel good and still be styling is to become the ultimate critic.  And that's where the rub comes in.

All of a sudden fans become expert critics on coaching and playing the game of football.  The players have no talent or are not coach-able.  The coaches don't know their asses from a hole in the ground.  The Athletic Director who hired this idiot in the first place should be hung.  And all these former Carolina fans turned critic all of a sudden have all the answers and solutions.

The facts are that this program is suffering some side effects from some prior recruiting deficiencies.  On top of that we've lost a lot of experienced players for various reasons.  39 recruited scholarship players listed on pre-season rosters from 1998-2001 are no longer in the Carolina football program.  That's a lot of upper classmen to lose on the two-deep chart, not to mention senior leadership on the field.  We've had additional injuries this season and our players are left short-handed.

But that's not the point at hand.  Suffice it to say that our coaches and players are doing the best they can with the hand dealt.  But that's only two parts of a three part equation.  A third part of the team that could still be having a good season and positive impact on the program is partially in self destruct mode.

I have always maintained that a team is made up of 3 parts: coaches, players and fans.  Fan support at the game during the heat of the battle can make a difference.  Texas A&M is the epitome of what the '12th Man' can do.  But to hell with Texas and the steer they rode in on.  I'm talking about the North Carolina Tar Heels.

And I'm talking about Carolina fans.  It's doesn't make a damn if you're in the Rams Club.  It doesn't make a damn if you're a Carolina alumnus.  It's doesn't matter what you do between 8 to 5.  There is only one thing that really matters if you call yourself a Carolina fan, and that is attitude.  And it's fortunate for Carolina that with John Bunting, attitude is his bottom line.

To cover the basics, let's review some definitions for what makes up a fan.

Ah, the fringe fans.  Those people who profess to care just don't seem to realize what they are doing with their critical analysis.  They are Carolina detractors.  They are hurting not only their own image, but also taking away from a positive image for Carolina and the football program.

They speak ill of the coaches and players, and of those Carolina fans who continue to be enthusiastic about our team.  And they could be inadvertently hurting recruiting efforts - not only for more players but also more Carolina fans and potential donors.

Well, to those people I say it's time for a gut check.  It's time to look in the mirror and take a hard look at yourselves.  It's time to understand what is meant by saying patience is a virtue.  And if you care to call yourselves a Carolina fan, it's time to be held accountable.  Being a Carolina fan is defined by positive attitudes and actions.

I offer encouragement to all steadfast Carolina fans who not only feel the pain of defeat, but also continue to go to the games and give positive support to the players and coaches.  In my book you are part of our team.  And together we will fight the good fight.  Enthusiasm is contagious.  See you at the game on Saturday.