NFL - American Football 2010

Sorry I just can't get into American football at all. I'm developing quite a liking for baseball though. I've started following the Yankees because a cousin in New York is a fan and that definitely adds an edge to the game.

American Football is a complex game to start to follow. Strateigically it is like chess, except 'the pawns' weigh 350 pounds, but still form a barrier through which the 'skill' pieces make their moves.

The stop, start mature of the game is very like the chess clock, with each move evaluated and built on, or countered.

I used to watch a bit of baseball, but in the summer cricket is the game for me. Following The Yankees is a brave move, they are the Manchester United of baseball, the team people love to hate. They do buy up the best talent though.

The wait is almost over, but I might be more excited about the 'Canes this season than I'm about the Dolphins. Let the games begin.

I used to think Baseball was good until I went to a match in New York many years ago now. Was very disappointed with it all then.

As for American Football, I quite like the cheerleaders

I happily admit that I don't understand the finer points of the game but sadly I see nothing to make me want to dig deeper. I don't like the stop/start offensive/defensive aspect. And most importantly when I attended my one and only American football game many years ago it took nearly four hours as far as I remember to complete eighty minutes of play. The local bars were closed by that time so I didn't get a beer on a Friday night. There was no going back after that

As I said it's the Yankees simply because my cousin's a New Yorker and lifelong Yankees fan. It's a bit of moral support for her.

....I've just about given up on those Brits who are always boringly negative towards the NFL ....if you "get" the NFL you'll know what a wonderful sport it is ...if you don't then fine but don't diss what you obviously don't understand.

.....I'll still continue to support my Cowboys in the hope their 90's form finally re-appears but if it doesn't then fine ...as long as we beat the dreaded Eagles and the toxic Redskins then I'll sleep fine!

It is funny, when I watched many of the world cup soccer games, I found the lack of a stop/start made me long for the NFL season. The same for having an offense and defense.

With soccer I often found that a team was just slogging away for 45 minutes without a pause to consider if their tactics were of any use against their opponent. I also found the game could meander with nothing being achieved for long periods. That said I really don't get football/soccer in a big way.

With the NFL, I find the 4 downs or out generates a reason for every play, and the advancement down the pitch also raises the tension/enjoyment as the yards are either ticked off toward a score, or the seeing the skill of a defense stop this.

I do understand fellow 'Brits' who can not get the NFL, and I find their comments on the game very similar to American's comments on the game of cricket, which I also love. Many 'Brits' who do not like the NFL also dislike cricket for its stop/start nature.

One other thing that I do not think those who are not fans of the game do not get is the speed at which the plays take place, many of the players are almost as fast as sprinters, and even some of the big guys over 300 pounds can sprint too. True they do not have the endurance kind of fitness that a soccer or rugby player has, but it is not that kind of game, and I don't hear those who criticize the lack of endurance in NFL players complaining about Usain Bolt not being a very good marathon runner.

The speed and size of the players also accounts for the uniform and padding, the forces in those plays are quite capable of causing serious injury. That said, I have heard that many Americans do think rugby players are quite mad to play such a physical game with so little protection.

Three to four hours to play 60 minutes of play, hey that is fast, a cricket test match takes five days.

Seriously though, until you understand the tactics of American Football it does seem as though nothing is happening when the ball is not 'in play', but like with chess, the point is that time is analysis and planning. That is just as fascinating as the actual plays, but the joy, or understanding of that part of the game does not come until you have become engrossed in the game to some extent.

To someone who has not grown up in a culture where American Football is not part of their sporting heritage, that is a barrier that is difficult to overcome, so the game is an acquired taste and like other acquired tastes you need to see a reason to take on that challenge. To most 'Brits' there is no such reason.

I did once describe my view on American Football as 'Chess with violence', although I still like the English description of 'A game of rugby between two team of motorcycle couriers'.

Just in case the five days for a cricket match has completely scared off any Americans from cricket for ever, later today is the finals day of the English domestic T20 season, three games in one day, two semis and the final, each at a frantic three hours or so, all on the same ground. I still doubt that any American will be sat enthralled by all that. I even think they have started having cheer leaders at the games, now that is just not cricket!

Jet, I am with you on those divisional games, no lingering Shannahan loyalty from this old Broncos fan. I also think that in Tony Romo you have a really likeable leader to your team.

Hope springs eternal at this time every year - come on the Browns!

Strange that I used to detest them until I moved to Cleveland in 1997 and despite moving to Chicago in 2000 I could never get into the Bears at all.

So, if Jake Delhomme can forget his hideous season at Carolina last year and return to previous form, combined with improved depth at running back and a greatly improved defensive backfield then we have a shot. The AFC North is a tough division though but you just never know.....hope springs eternal after all.

Cheers

Jim

Will the 'skins ever be good again?

The Minnesota Vikings are "my team" this season. Will there be any coverage on channel 5 at all, is Sky the only way to catch NFL games in the UK this time around?

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
Will the 'skins ever be good again?

Not with Snyder as the owner.

Born and raised a Redskins fan. Dad bought season tickets (45 yd line, upper deck) for RFK stadium in 1963. Went to every home game growing up. Jack Kent Cooke was a class act, and a great team builder. The result was three SuperBowl wins (1983, 1988 and 1992).

Things were never the same after after JKC died in 1997.

Hook

quote:

Originally posted by JonR:
The Minnesota Vikings are "my team" this season. Will there be any coverage on channel 5 at all, is Sky the only way to catch NFL games in the UK this time around?

After living in Minnesota these past 25 years, I have no choice but to wholeheartedly concur with JonR's choice!

Still, have pretty much reached the point in life where there are limits on the amount of time and energy I put into following sports. I still enjoy a good sports story. And I still enjoy watching the playoffs and/or championship game for most any sport.

So while I am past the point of being emotionally invested in any particular sports team, I still hope the Vikings win. Mostly because I dread calling on certain customers the Monday morning after a Vikings loss!

Hook

quote:

Originally posted by JonR:
Will there be any coverage on channel 5 at all, is Sky the only way to catch NFL games in the UK this time around?

I am pretty sure that Channel 5 have dropped all US sports, I suspect we only got it last year as they had probably signed a two year deal the previous year. Baseball was gone by this time last year.

Sky will have three games on a Sunday I think, plus red button games if we are fortunate.

ESPN (America) have got the Monday night games, possibly exclusively.

So either way it will be subscription.

There may also be internet viewing, but again through subscription.

The BBC have shown the Wembley game and the Superbowl the last couple of years, and done what I thought was a fantastic job. I suspect that will be the same again, I do hope so.

Well, surprise, surprise, Favre is back in Minnesota. Perhaps he discovered that his sports soap was being upstaged by LeBron James, who despite me never having seen him, never will see him, or never watching the sport he plays, has quickly become one of my most disliked sportsmen. What a pointless joke.

All the teams have now played one pre-season game, which has told us nothing, although allowed the coaches to start to slim down the rosters.

I thought Tebow looked OK, all those who go on about his technique, didn't, I will wait and see. I did find some season predictions which I will have a look through, but they didn't look much different from how the teams finished last year.

The only things that stand out to me are that I do think the The Raiders will improve a lot with Jason Campbell, I really do not think that McNabb and Shanahan will make The Redskins any better. It will be interesting to see how Matt Leinart does at the Cardinals, he has a lot of good players around him, and a good coach too. Mostly other than that many teams look very similar to last season.

Mercy, mercy me - can't he just go away?

Favre should have retired after leaving the Pack I'm afraid - gone out in a sort of glory not all this messing about!
Go Packers!!!

As I am a Bills fan, and they are once again the epitome of mediocrity, I anticipate plenty of free time on Sunday afternoons this autumn.

And yes, Favre should go away, quietly if it possible for him to do so.

The only reason I hope Favre retires soon is so people will stop going on about it. Otherwise, I still really enjoy watching someone like him, who so obviously loves playing the game. I'll watch Favre any day - even one of his bad days - over any of the TOs and Ochocincos the league and many fans seem to idolize. He reminds me why I like football.

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
Will the 'skins ever be good again?

Probably not but they are still my team in the NFL. I live in hope.

quote:

Originally posted by MilesSmiles:
The wait is almost over, but I might be more excited about the 'Canes this season than I'm about the Dolphins. Let the games begin.

Alarmingly, my daughter seems to have become a Cane WAG within a very short time of starting at UM. As she is going to all the matches (and parties), I'd like to follow them, but I doubt if they'll be seen on UK TV.

First match is tonight, GO CANES woooooooo!

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
First match is tonight, GO CANES woooooooo!

ESPN America carries the matches on Sky but they are not showing the 'Canes tonight.

NFL 2010 - UK TV coverage

Good news!

OK, now next weeks schedules are almost fully listed this is what we will get for the regular season.

5.3-/6pm Sunday evening - 12.30 Sky Sports (subscription) - two afternoon games, possibly more on the red button.
00.50 - 4.30am Sunday night/Monday morning Channel 4 (free to air) - the Sunday night game.
1- 4.30am (ish) Monday night/Tuesday morning -ESPN America (subscription*) - the Monday night game.

*ESPN subscription, not part of the Sky packages.

Sky will probably show the other midweek/Thanksgiving games, and presumably the Saturday games.

So much better news than we expected a few weeks ago. Will Mike Carlson be on C4? Will Gary Imlack be back?

For week 1 this is what is listed.

Fri 17th (Thurs night) Sky Sports 1 12.00-4.0am
The season opener Vikings @ Saints

Sun 19th (Sunday evening) Sky Sports 4 5.30pm-19.00pm
Carolina@ Giants
followed on the same channel by by 9.00pm-12.30am
SF 49'ers@Seattle

(may have red button games)

Mon 20th (Sunday night) Channel 4 12.55-4.45am
Dallas@Washington

Mon night/Tue Morning (I don't know the time yet) ESPN America
Baltimore@Jets
San Diego@Kansas

(Tow game for the opening week only)

I am really thinking of getting an ESPN subscription, but I think my partner may have something to say about me watching six games in the nest week (probably over 20 hours of NFL).

I am really excited about this season, and I do think it looks very open, the power teams of the last decade are not what they were, and there is room for some new blood to break through.

ESPN America is essential for me as they show the college games. Go 'Canes.

Canes will be in for a rude awakening when they travel to Columbus, OH this weekend :-)

Go Buckeyes!

Cheers

Jim