[HistoricWarwick]

I am sure not that many people are remotely interested in NFL but, as ever last Sunday's shindig at Wembley demonstrated that the stadium is an excellent venue for american football and what a world apart it is from watching the national team there.

Sell out, every conceivable shirt on display, fans from all over Europe and the US, no hassle or abuse and even thought he game was very one sided there was entertainment before and during the game.

Some die hards don't like change in football, I think we could learn a lot from the NFL, especially attitude towards officials, technology and generally making the game more appealing to a wider audience.

Oh, and there are two games next Autumn.. 49ers playing Jaguars and Steelers v Vikings.

[JonB]

Talking to my brother earlier and he enjoyed it. Still need to catch up with the lad from work that went but suspect he may still be recovering as they had tickets for an after party at a sports bar in London that was open til 6am! Didnt see the game as we went to see the new Bond film but it looked another decent one. Saw an interview with Brady in days leading up to it and he said that it was a very different atmosphere to what they get in the US but they enjoyed it and they actually had to do some work in the build up to the game to deal with the noise created at the stadium as its a lot louder than they are used to.

Missed going this year but will definitely get back on track to go next year. Think we are going for Steelers v Vikings as we've already seen the 49ers the other year and the Jaguars are pants!!

Not seen much NFL this year so far but did enjoy watching the Baseball. Watched some of the last few games as the SF Giants qualified for the World Series coming from 3-0 down and then watched quite a bit of the world series.

This post has been edited by JonB: 30 October 2012 - 12:59 PM

[Denny]

I probably watch more American Football than Association Football.
I'll watch town, internationals and the odd premier league game, but NFL, i'll watch the thursday night game, at least 2 of the Sunday Games and normally the monday night game. I used to watch the college games but aint paying for espn for that.

I'm still at the stage where i would prefer to spend the cash to go watch the ravens play in Baltimore than watch 2 teams i'm not really bothered about in a game where most of the fans are neutrals. in the US The noise the home fans can generate when the home team is on defence is deafening, that's just not there at wembley.
I nearly buckled this year, just to see Gronk, but, In the AFC divisional standings i really needed the pats to lose, and that was never going to happen especially after the rams (and my fantasy team) lost amendola.

As for next years games, the 49ers D will be a huge force, that could be the year they peak, and i have a madden related soft-spot for the Jags and MJD
You wont catch me anywhere near the steelers game.

If you get the chance to go to a game in the states, go for it, but get there 5 hours early for the best food and drink ever at the tailgate parties in the parking lots near the ground.

[HistoricWarwick]

Denny, on 30 October 2012 - 02:21 PM, said:

I probably watch more American Football than Association Football.
I'll watch town, internationals and the odd premier league game, but NFL, i'll watch the thursday night game, at least 2 of the Sunday Games and normally the monday night game. I used to watch the college games but aint paying for espn for that.

I'm still at the stage where i would prefer to spend the cash to go watch the ravens play in Baltimore than watch 2 teams i'm not really bothered about in a game where most of the fans are neutrals. in the US The noise the home fans can generate when the home team is on defence is deafening, that's just not there at wembley.
I nearly buckled this year, just to see Gronk, but, In the AFC divisional standings i really needed the pats to lose, and that was never going to happen especially after the rams (and my fantasy team) lost amendola.

As for next years games, the 49ers D will be a huge force, that could be the year they peak, and i have a madden related soft-spot for the Jags and MJD
You wont catch me anywhere near the steelers game.

If you get the chance to go to a game in the states, go for it, but get there 5 hours early for the best food and drink ever at the tailgate parties in the parking lots near the ground.

I have American clients so I have been the last few years. Getting an Nfl game pass has been a revelation this year for me along with joining a closed fantasy league. I watch about four games simultaneously to follow my players. It is compulsive stuff.

We are setting up a UK league next year and we have a couple of spots free if anyone is interested.

I have Flacco and Cam Newton as my qb's - however neither have delivered big points yet. Fortunately Percy Harvin and Marshawn Lynch are ticking over nicely.

[Denny]

I'm in a uk vs uk league.
Won it last year.
Beat all the USA guys this year and lost to most of the Brits!
Newton's been a huge let down this year.
Should be good to play this week as he's up against rg3 and I think there will be a point to be proved about who's the best running qb
The ravens also have a point to prove but are horribly banged up on d. I would sit flacco this week.

[HistoricWarwick]

Denny, on 30 October 2012 - 11:17 PM, said:

I'm in a uk vs uk league.
Won it last year.
Beat all the USA guys this year and lost to most of the Brits!
Newton's been a huge let down this year.
Should be good to play this week as he's up against rg3 and I think there will be a point to be proved about who's the best running qb
The ravens also have a point to prove but are horribly banged up on d. I would sit flacco this week.

I am stuffed on QBs Denny - however Cam should have a good week this week as Redskins D is not great.

My projection is 186 points from thsi weeks match up (against my client's 189) from Newton, Marshawn Lynch, Ben Jarvus Green Ellis, Percy Harvin, Josh Gordon (WR Browns), Jones (about the only fit WR in Green Bay), Heath Miller and I have Seahawks (D) and Matt Prater (K).

I wished I knew more about it when I drafted but, loving it all the same.

Have an outside squeak that the Broncos are going a long way this season now Peyton has proved he still has it.

What's your views on an expansion team for London? I am firmly against it.

[charleyfarley11]

i went to last years game between tampa bay and chicago. first time i had been, it was brilliant. the party before in the car park was great, was a bit tipsy before the game itself!! couldnt go this year but will be going to the steelers game next year as my mate is a massive steelers fan (i support dallas, dont laugh!)

the atmosphere is brilliant and the poster is right we could learn a lot from the NFL

[HistoricWarwick]

charleyfarley11, on 31 October 2012 - 01:59 PM, said:

i went to last years game between tampa bay and chicago. first time i had been, it was brilliant. the party before in the car park was great, was a bit tipsy before the game itself!! couldnt go this year but will be going to the steelers game next year as my mate is a massive steelers fan (i support dallas, dont laugh!)

the atmosphere is brilliant and the poster is right we could learn a lot from the NFL

I'll be there - got to be better than the Jags game and I can't stand the niners.

I sense a town gathering at Wembley next year...

[JonB]

HistoricWarwick, on 31 October 2012 - 04:24 PM, said:

I'll be there - got to be better than the Jags game and I can't stand the niners.

I sense a town gathering at Wembley next year...

49ers are probably the closest i have to having a team but i've seen them before which is partly the reason the other lads who i've been with and went on Sunday want to go to the other game. Normally about 5 or 6 of us go and previously we've stopped in a Travelodge over at Aldgate East which is fine for the fact its pretty cheap and its on the right tube line for Wembley but its a bit crap for having a drink or foodon getting back. They changed this year and stopped in a hostel near to St Pancras i think and i believe it was a lot better and cheaper!! The only downside was that the pub we've gone to in years gone by near Wembley Central was shut for some reason so they had to go in another one whilst the queues died down.

[ash_cfc]

Huge Bears fan here! Best friend is a Packers fan too which always makes up for great banter!

[Johnnyspireite7]

Dolphins fan (have been since the late 80's), watch out for my cap on the Kop!

[HistoricWarwick]

ash_cfc, on 31 October 2012 - 05:10 PM, said:

Huge Bears fan here! Best friend is a Packers fan too which always makes up for great banter!

Bears look the business this year - as would the Packers if they could sort out a decent secondary - they remind me of Newcastle under Keegan, you score one TD, Aaron will get us two.

[calvin plummers socks]

Next London NFL game to be held at the Olympic Stadium (and a faint possibility of it being used regularly for games)

[JonB]

No it's not. Tied into wembley for a few more years yet but there is a possibility in the future however nothing close to be sorted.

[calvin plummers socks]

Ah ok- I'm on a legacy steering panel for the OP and it was said at a meeting last week that it was being moved from Wembley.
I have no interest in US football so I did tend to drift off a bit so may have misread the timescale...

[JonB]

Here you go...can't be there til 2017 at the earliest.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/20151739

[Mr.Spireite]

[Denny]

HistoricWarwick, on 31 October 2012 - 01:12 PM, said:

I am stuffed on QBs Denny - however Cam should have a good week this week as Redskins D is not great.
My projection is 186 points from thsi weeks match up (against my client's 189) from Newton, Marshawn Lynch, Ben Jarvus Green Ellis, Percy Harvin, Josh Gordon (WR Browns), Jones (about the only fit WR in Green Bay), Heath Miller and I have Seahawks (D) and Matt Prater (K).
I wished I knew more about it when I drafted but, loving it all the same.
Have an outside squeak that the Broncos are going a long way this season now Peyton has proved he still has it.

What's your views on an expansion team for London? I am firmly against it.

Sorry Warwick - completely missed your question.
I'm not firmly against it, ... *deletes waffle* yes, actually I am.
The NFL fans here, I would say most of us have a team, and most of them will be fairly passionate about them, you have to be to stop up till 5am twice a year to watch your team get stuffed in Jacksonville, or seattle (still bitter). I'm no more likely to support the London SillyNannies as I am about to start watching QPR, I would go to watch the ravens play them, i would even go to watch a team that was simply interesting like Green Bay, but i wouldn't be there for all 8 home games.
Frankly, if they are to open up a franchise, Canada or Mexico should get it first (you could argue Minnesota / san diego cover there, but..)
A single match or two is about perfect for now, the TV coverage here has to improve 1000% before anything else can progress. The BBC Red button coverage is absolutely shocking, I would much rather watch on ESPN and pay the £5.

Btw, fantasy wise, i beat the final american in our league, also my good friend and the league commissioner thanks to Newton / Peterson and Decker running riot. and him having Seattle's D. I'm assuming with you Harvin and SEA D, but Newton and Lynch, your weekend was mixed?

[Denny]

Mr.Spireite, on 06 November 2012 - 05:42 PM, said:

Might have to rename this to an american sports topic if you are bringing hockey into this Rob.
What are you going to do with out a season next year?

Actually, the whole Contract palava is insane..
NFL
no UK TV deal until the day before the season starts, and a worse service than last year.
no US TV Deal for some places until AFTER the season started
no real referees until week 3 / 4 after the president had to step in to sort em out(if dema thought our refs are bad, dear god, wait until you see the decisions made by refs that were fired by the lingerie football league)
Last Season Players locked out and unable to have pre-season training
Hockey
no season next year due to players/owners contracts (i think)
Basketball
lock-out threat for contracts also.

Imagine that here? Just wouldn't happen. I hope.

[Town_Fan]

Johnnyspireite7, on 31 October 2012 - 08:06 PM, said:

Dolphins fan (have been since the late 80's), watch out for my cap on the Kop!

I blame Dan Marino for that.

As a young scamp I really liked the Seahawks due to the alliterative nature of their name and the cool badge on the helmet. I then got into a bit more and followed the Dolphins when they were successful with Don Shula and Dan Marino.

Nowadays though I'm back to being a fully fledged Seahawk with a soft spot for the Dolphins. I will quite happily watch anyone though and I regularly have a water cooler discussion with my mate (a Bronco's fan) at work.