Camaero
10-26-07, 03:57 PM
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7368022?MSNHPHCP>1=10539
Tally-ho! The NFL has hopped across the pond to play a game in jolly old England, forcing sportswriters across America to churn out British clichés quicker than you can say "bangers and mash."
We'll admit it, we know absolutely nothing about Great Britain. Luckily, there's a real, live, umbrella-carrying Brit on the Football Outsiders staff. His name is Stuart Fraser. He knows more about American Football than any Englishman (except possibly Osi Umenyiora), and more about England than anyone on our e-mail chain (even the dude with the Monarch of the Glen fan blog).
Stuart kindly agreed to an interview to help bridge the cultural gap between football-loving Americans and cricket-watching, Stamp Act-enacting Redcoats.
RUNDOWN: In England, they call soccer "football." In America, we call soccer "black-and-white spotted boredom sickness." Does anyone call soccer "soccer?"
STUART: I hope not. It's a horrible name, sounds like some sort of infestation. "The World Heath Organisation was said to be concerned today over soccer outbreaks in West Africa."
RUNDOWN: Which of the following are Brits more likely to do to get psyched before a big game: a) tailgate with beer and snacks, b) have tea and crumpets with Dame Judi Dench, or c) Invade the Falkland Islands?
STUART: We tried "c" in preparation for the semi-final of the 1986 World Cup, and that didn't work out. England is 0-2 in knockout games against Argentina since, although it does add something to the atmosphere. Statistical evidence is in favour of "a," given that the BBC was reporting an increase of 8 million pints over average consumed during Rugby World Cup semifinals weekend.
RUNDOWN: You are a Cambridge man. If we asked an Oxford man these questions, would we get different answers? Dare we say, better answers?
STUART: Well, Bill Clinton went to Oxford, so it probably depends on what your definition of "asked" is.
Any of you Brits even interested in the game? :doh:
I sort of agree with this:
He compared moving key NFL matchups overseas to top Premier League soccer matches being shifted to the U.S.
"Do you want Liverpool and Manchester playing in New York? How many times? Once every other year?" he said. "I don't think it would go. It won't happen.
"When we play key games — the Redskins or Philadelphia — there is an aura in the stadium. It's my city against your city. You feel that in the crowd. When you play (outside the U.S.), it's a legitimate game but you don't have that aspect. It's more of an exhibition in that sense. It's good for some teams but not good for others."
Tally-ho! The NFL has hopped across the pond to play a game in jolly old England, forcing sportswriters across America to churn out British clichés quicker than you can say "bangers and mash."
We'll admit it, we know absolutely nothing about Great Britain. Luckily, there's a real, live, umbrella-carrying Brit on the Football Outsiders staff. His name is Stuart Fraser. He knows more about American Football than any Englishman (except possibly Osi Umenyiora), and more about England than anyone on our e-mail chain (even the dude with the Monarch of the Glen fan blog).
Stuart kindly agreed to an interview to help bridge the cultural gap between football-loving Americans and cricket-watching, Stamp Act-enacting Redcoats.
RUNDOWN: In England, they call soccer "football." In America, we call soccer "black-and-white spotted boredom sickness." Does anyone call soccer "soccer?"
STUART: I hope not. It's a horrible name, sounds like some sort of infestation. "The World Heath Organisation was said to be concerned today over soccer outbreaks in West Africa."
RUNDOWN: Which of the following are Brits more likely to do to get psyched before a big game: a) tailgate with beer and snacks, b) have tea and crumpets with Dame Judi Dench, or c) Invade the Falkland Islands?
STUART: We tried "c" in preparation for the semi-final of the 1986 World Cup, and that didn't work out. England is 0-2 in knockout games against Argentina since, although it does add something to the atmosphere. Statistical evidence is in favour of "a," given that the BBC was reporting an increase of 8 million pints over average consumed during Rugby World Cup semifinals weekend.
RUNDOWN: You are a Cambridge man. If we asked an Oxford man these questions, would we get different answers? Dare we say, better answers?
STUART: Well, Bill Clinton went to Oxford, so it probably depends on what your definition of "asked" is.
Any of you Brits even interested in the game? :doh:
I sort of agree with this:
He compared moving key NFL matchups overseas to top Premier League soccer matches being shifted to the U.S.
"Do you want Liverpool and Manchester playing in New York? How many times? Once every other year?" he said. "I don't think it would go. It won't happen.
"When we play key games — the Redskins or Philadelphia — there is an aura in the stadium. It's my city against your city. You feel that in the crowd. When you play (outside the U.S.), it's a legitimate game but you don't have that aspect. It's more of an exhibition in that sense. It's good for some teams but not good for others."