NFL Crosses the Pond

Camaero · 10-26-07, 03:57 PM

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7...PHCP&GT1=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?

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."

The WosMan · 10-26-07, 04:16 PM

Lame

10-26-07, 04:26 PM

I saw this earlier today, and I guess the Londoners (if that is what they call themselves?) have known of it for quite some time. Sold out!!

What popped in my head was the question about so called 'anti-competative companies' like Micro Soft. When will the EU sue the NFL for its anti-competative policies?

We won't even talk about Major League Baseball which, by law, is exempt from the US Sherman Act.

Unfortunately for the Brits the Miami Dolphins are in the stink hole this year.

geetrue · 10-26-07, 04:43 PM

Football in Europe or football in America boils down to the same thing ... you got to have love ...

You got to love the game, love your team, love the players, love the spur of the moment moment ... that special break, that spirit filled moment that takes your breath away, the space of time that can never be re-done in exactly the same way every time unless your the New England Patroits this year that is.

Onkel Neal · 10-26-07, 05:22 PM

No kidding, I wish the NFL had given you the Patriots vs the Colts for the London game. That would be some football!

During last Monday night's game Russell Crowe was a guest in the booth. He said an Aussie and a Brit rugby team would be in the US to have a game the week before the Super Bowl. I hope they put it on TV, I would like to check it out.

bigboywooly · 10-26-07, 05:40 PM

Aye tis a lame article\whatever

What the pair of insular idiots seem to forget is football - played with feet

- is the most watched\participated game in the world
Just cos that pair and more do'nt grasp it doesnt make it any less of a game

Me ,I love NFL
Have done for years
But in a choose situation which game to watch footie would come first
No doubt the reverse in the US

The Wembley game could have sold out many times over

Kapitan_Phillips · 10-26-07, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The WosMan

Lame

Do I have to bring out my "Things America has stolen from Britain" scroll?

I'm in ur country, steelin' ur futballz

It was hinted at, due to the huge interest from English people about this game, that England might get its own NFL Europe Team. Hey, if we cant beat the Germans at 'soccer' we might aswell hit them really hard with a large man in a helmet!

bigboywooly · 10-26-07, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitan_Phillips

Quote:

Originally Posted by The WosMan

Lame

Do I have to bring out my "Things America has stolen from Britain" scroll?

I'm in ur country, steelin' ur futballz

It was hinted at, due to the huge interest from English people about this game, that England might get its own NFL Europe Team. Hey, if we cant beat the Germans at 'soccer' we might aswell hit them really hard with a large man in a helmet!

Ummmm we had 2 before
The London Monarchs and the Scottish Claymores
Both no longer with us

And NFL Europe ended in March this year

Kapitan_Phillips · 10-26-07, 06:33 PM

That doesnt mean we wont get one, you know.

10-26-07, 03:57 PM	#1
Camaero The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA, Massachusetts Posts: 1,477 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	NFL Crosses the Pond http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7...PHCP&GT1=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? 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." __________________

10-26-07, 04:43 PM	#4
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Football in Europe or football in America boils down to the same thing ... you got to have love ... You got to love the game, love your team, love the players, love the spur of the moment moment ... that special break, that spirit filled moment that takes your breath away, the space of time that can never be re-done in exactly the same way every time unless your the New England Patroits this year that is. __________________

10-26-07, 05:22 PM	#5
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	No kidding, I wish the NFL had given you the Patriots vs the Colts for the London game. That would be some football! During last Monday night's game Russell Crowe was a guest in the booth. He said an Aussie and a Brit rugby team would be in the US to have a game the week before the Super Bowl. I hope they put it on TV, I would like to check it out. __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

10-26-07, 05:40 PM	#6
bigboywooly Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Swindon, England Posts: 10,151 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	Aye tis a lame article\whatever What the pair of insular idiots seem to forget is football - played with feet - is the most watched\participated game in the world Just cos that pair and more do'nt grasp it doesnt make it any less of a game Me ,I love NFL Have done for years But in a choose situation which game to watch footie would come first No doubt the reverse in the US The Wembley game could have sold out many times over __________________ My mediafire page http://www.mediafire.com/?11eoq19bq9r41

10-26-07, 06:33 PM	#9
Kapitan_Phillips Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Swansea Posts: 3,903 Downloads: 204 Uploads: 0	That doesnt mean we wont get one, you know. __________________ Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into.

10-26-07, 04:16 PM	#2
The WosMan Watch Officer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: OH Posts: 332 Downloads: 88 Uploads: 0	Lame

10-26-07, 04:26 PM	#3
waste gate Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I saw this earlier today, and I guess the Londoners (if that is what they call themselves?) have known of it for quite some time. Sold out!! What popped in my head was the question about so called 'anti-competative companies' like Micro Soft. When will the EU sue the NFL for its anti-competative policies? We won't even talk about Major League Baseball which, by law, is exempt from the US Sherman Act. Unfortunately for the Brits the Miami Dolphins are in the stink hole this year.