2009 NFL Thread

[StorminNorman]

I want to watch Gruden coach an offense of Vick-Dunn-Harrison throughout Europe.

 

[FaT_tONle]

I don't like it. It has to be some type of small league with multiple teams. If not it's just a marketing ploy.

 

[StorminNorman]

Who cares if it's just a marketing ploy? Holding games overseas is just a marketing ploy. Considering letting London host a Super Bowl is just a marketing ploy. Being just a marketing ploy is enough reason to do it.

But it's not just a marketing ploy. These players would be playing football! They would thus be in football shape! So when a player goes down, there is 100 free agents ready to join a team.

The real NFL is not Madden. Filling a hole made by injury isn't as easy as going to the Free Agent page and picking the player with the best overall. Free Agents acquired half way through the season more often than not end up getting hurt in practice. Why? They are out of shape. This fixes that.

 

[FaT_tONle]

I never advocated London games. But if the NFL wants to market their game.. they can't just have two teams. They have to be recognizable franchises and markets. I like the idea if they did four teams minimum. But it can't just be two international teams.

 

[Erzengel]

I kinda agree, more than just 2 teams of the Globetrotters and the Generals.

 

[StorminNorman]

I never advocated London games.

Irrelevant to the point I was making which was that dismissing an idea simply because it's a marketing ploy doesn't work because the NFL makes decisions all the time that are simply for marketing.

But if the NFL wants to market their game.. they can't just have two teams. They have to be recognizable franchises and markets. I like the idea if they did four teams minimum. But it can't just be two international teams.

I have no problem with making it four teams, but I don't think it can't work with just 2. Especially if rosters are fluid thanks to teams picking off the most productive players throughout the season when needed.

You don't need real "franchises" because these are simply exhibition teams.

 

[Excel]

I want to watch Gruden coach an offense of Vick-Dunn-Harrison throughout Europe.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Irrelevant to the point I was making which was that dismissing an idea simply because it's a marketing ploy doesn't work because the NFL makes decisions all the time that are simply for marketing.

I have no problem with making it four teams, but I don't think it can't work with just 2. Especially if rosters are fluid thanks to teams picking off the most productive players throughout the season when needed.

You don't need real "franchises" because these are simply exhibition teams.

I want it set up so that these players and coaches are playing for "something" other than just exposure and paychecks. It has to be some kind of league. I get that NFL Europe was a failure... but a plan like this would get old after a few years.

Or even crazier... do what soccer does. Add a couple of expansion teams to the league... then relegate teams like the Lions if they are in the bottom for many years and bump an expansion team in the NFL.

 

[Go Web Go!]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - After seeing fans jam London's Wembley Stadium to watch the NFL the past two years, the league is considering adding a second regular-season game overseas in time for the 2010 season.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday the second game could also be played in London or another location in the United Kingdom. The issue will be discussed at next week's league meetings, and could be included in a larger plan to add up to two regular-season games to the NFL schedule.

"The fan reaction we've had in London has been extraordinary. We would like to feed that passion," Goodell said after speaking at the Charlotte Touchdown Club. "We have a great fan base in the UK. There have been discussions of taking the second game and playing it in another market in the UK. That's something that we'll evaluate."

The NFL first staged a regular-season game in London in 2007, when the New York Giants beat the Miami Dolphins 13-10. Last year, the New Orleans Saints beat the San Diego Chargers 37-32.

Both games were sellouts, and fans quickly gobbled up tickets for this season's game between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 25.

While Goodell reiterated there are no plans to move the Super Bowl to London, he said a second regular-season game is drawing support from league owners.

"I think the teams have had a great experience that have gone over," Goodell said. "We've been able to build on that and I think teams recognize it's an honor and a privilege to go over and play there. And it can be done without impacting the team negatively."

However, some players have been critical of the overseas game because of the extensive travel involved in the middle of the season. One team also loses a home game in the arrangement, a potential competitive disadvantage.

"The negative is taking the home game away from the fans," Goodell said. "It's another reason why potentially restructuring the season and changing two preseason into regular-season can be something that we find is beneficial to the fans."

For ****'s sake, STOP!

 

[Immortalfire]

I am seriously starting to not like Goodell

:facepalm

 

[BlackLantern]

the Hammer is starting to make me sad

 

[Raiden]

I don't understand NFL's obsession to take the games over to Europe in an effort to expand the interest oversea. If Europeans want to watch NFL games, they can see them on satellite TV, there's no need to transport two teams over and risk such factors as jet lags just for a little more cash.

 

[StorminNorman]

I want it set up so that these players and coaches are playing for "something" other than just exposure and paychecks. It has to be some kind of league. I get that NFL Europe was a failure... but a plan like this would get old after a few years.

Or even crazier... do what soccer does. Add a couple of expansion teams to the league... then relegate teams like the Lions if they are in the bottom for many years and bump an expansion team in the NFL.

But they are playing for something more than exposure and paychecks - they are playing for a spot on a real NFL roster. Or a real NFL coaching job.

 

[StorminNorman]

I don't understand NFL's obsession to take the games over to Europe in an effort to expand the interest oversea. If Europeans want to watch NFL games, they can see them on satellite TV, there's no need to transport two teams over and risk such factors as jet lags just for a little more cash.

It's a misguided effort.

You can expand the game globally without taking away from the domestic experience.

Kirwan's idea is a perfect alternative. Sending the Pro Bowl overseas is a good alternative.

 

[Mister J]

The Hammer on player discipline.

The Hammer on league expansion (international concerns and regular season extension).
If there weren't recent NFL forays into Europe that didn't fall flat on their ass, I might be inclined to give a little latitude in consideration here. However, that's not the case. Give this **** a rest.

 

[Darthphere]

I don't understand NFL's obsession to take the games over to Europe in an effort to expand the interest oversea. If Europeans want to watch NFL games, they can see them on satellite TV, there's no need to transport two teams over and risk such factors as jet lags just for a little more cash.

Ah yes, the terrible jet lag injury. It's right up there with turf toe.

 

[StorminNorman]

The Hammer on player discipline.

The Hammer on league expansion (international concerns and regular season extension).
If there weren't recent NFL forays into Europe that didn't fall flat on their ass, I might be inclined to give a little latitude in consideration here. However, that's not the case. Give this **** a rest.

I don't think the failure of NFL Europe means Europe doesn't care about NFL Football. The product on the field was lower than that of SEC Football.

 

[Mister J]

There's a discernible interest, but it strikes me more as novelty. I don't see it as enough to justify jobbing teams out of home games. Toss some preseason games over there, but multiple regular season games and Super Bowl rumblings? Give me a break.

 

[BlackLantern]

Those limeys would throw a ***** fit if we forced the MLS into their football champions series or if Premier League games were played over here....the NFL has just found a way to get more money in the purse and calling it a goodwill gesture

 

[Immortalfire]

There's a discernible interest, but it strikes me more as novelty.

Indeed, the handful of Brits that follow it does not equal taking a game from the real fans here at home.

 

[Addendum]

Indeed, the handful of Brits that follow it does not equal taking a game from the real fans here at home.

Because nothing says "you're a real fan" than paying a fee to park at the stadium or parking garage, overpriced condiments, having a cutoff for the overpriced watered down beer, and then spending another hour or so trying to leave the stadium.

It's not like those fans could...GASP...watch it on TV at home, where the food and beer has already been purchased, or your buddies bring some extra, there's no parking fee, and the cutoff only happens when the beer runs out.

Or head to a bar, where you can get some better beer or the harder stuff if you like.

 

[FaT_tONle]

But they are playing for something more than exposure and paychecks - they are playing for a spot on a real NFL roster. Or a real NFL coaching job.

By going up against competition that 32 other NFL teams passed on...

 

[Dr. Evil]

The NFL is the only league without a huge international presence and American Football will never be an Olympic sport ever (At least baseball had their time in the Olympic spotlight).

 

[El_Citrus]

NFL going to Europe works as a novelty as Mister J said. With Goodell wanting this and more regular season games, teams will have to receive the extra bye week. I don't like the move to Europe since it robs teams of a home game and all but forces their bye week to be scheduled around that game. As previously stated, I'm sure the Brits would love it if some Premier League games were brought to primetime US. They may have sold out the games in London, but I just don't see it lasting during the regular season.

 

[Immortalfire]

Because nothing says "you're a real fan" than paying a fee to park at the stadium or parking garage, overpriced condiments, having a cutoff for the overpriced watered down beer, and then spending another hour or so trying to leave the stadium.

It's not like those fans could...GASP...watch it on TV at home, where the food and beer has already been purchased, or your buddies bring some extra, there's no parking fee, and the cutoff only happens when the beer runs out.

Or head to a bar, where you can get some better beer or the harder stuff if you like.

Nothing like a gameday experience.