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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 10:48:27 GMT
Post by jimboslovechild on Nov 18, 2016 10:48:27 GMT
Is anybody else on here following the NFL?
I am following it for the first time ever this season, after becoming bored of the premier league (also because I expect to be up in the middle of the night a lot when our soon-to-arrive baby is born). I'd always been put off by the silly team names, complicated rules, mass of protective gear compared to rugby, and the general American bull-sh*ttishness of it. On closer inspection, it is fantastic.
What I enjoy most is the tactical complexity. Each "play" (I know, annoying word) is largely planned in advance -- by both sides. This gives it a weird balance between being very "scripted" but also requiring lots of improvisation. To draw a bizarre comparison, I think I enjoy the same things about NFL that I do about test cricket.
I'm following the Philadelphia Eagles, who have no chance of winning anything (typical). |
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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 10:58:29 GMT
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Post by sandbachhatter on Nov 18, 2016 10:58:29 GMT
Ah, you had me all along, and I genuinely contemplated giving it a go (I have a friend in Wisconsin who is a Packers fan), then you lost me right at the end by comparing elements of it to test cricket. So close!
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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 10:58:58 GMT
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Post by sandbachhatter on Nov 18, 2016 10:58:58 GMT
Congrats on the impending arrival by the way!
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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 12:06:20 GMT
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Post by gazz on Nov 18, 2016 12:06:20 GMT
Congrats on the impending arrival by the way! Seconded! Congrats, mate! I don't follow the NFL myself, but I have watched the odd game in the past and used to love playing the Madden console games. I know it's not quite the same thing, but it did make me appreciate that it's not just about the hype - it really is a complicated and entertaining sport. |
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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 12:50:36 GMT
Post by hermannsays on Nov 18, 2016 12:50:36 GMT
Congrats on the baby news, JLC.
I don't really follow NFL but I'm quite happy to watch it. It's clearly a very tactical game and the athletic side of the game is phenomenal too.
In the background (and if I understand correctly), the draft system and salary cap help to avoid the kind of situations we see in football where a few teams can buy the best players and give no chances to young players.
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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 13:02:59 GMT
gazz likes this
Post by hatter_in_macc on Nov 18, 2016 13:02:59 GMT
I'm following the Philadelphia Eagles, who have no chance of winning anything (typical).
County have clearly scarred you for life!  Great news about the awaited new... erm, love child, too. Many congrats. |
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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 13:09:27 GMT
Post by Epworth Hatter on Nov 18, 2016 13:09:27 GMT
Congrats, jlc.
I'm a big NFL fan. I've followed the Packers since I got into it nearly 30 years ago through the John Madden game on the Sega Megadrive. (Likewise for Ice Hockey)
What made you choose the Eagles to follow? They're not having a good season so far! Randall Cunningham is one of my all time favourite players. He was the Eagles QB in the early 90s and really transformed the role from just passing to pass and rush.
Sandy - it's nothing like test cricket!
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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 13:10:06 GMT
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Post by dudleyhatter on Nov 18, 2016 13:10:06 GMT
Congrats on your impending arrival. I have followed it since it first came to our screens in the 80s. My team used to be Dallas back then. I blame JR!
These days I don't have a particular favourite team. I like following individuals like Cam Newton. The BBC highlights show is quite good too. Great analysis, the other week one of the ex pros was so delighted to talk through a crunching tackle you could feel his enthusiasm and adrenaline.
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Post by jimboslovechild on Nov 18, 2016 14:29:10 GMT
Thanks chaps! I have suggested Jimboslovechildslovechild as a name. It didn't make the shortlist.
I picked the Eagles because I spent 6 months in Philadelphia during my studies. They're not going too badly this year, as far as I can tell. They seem to be in a very strong conference and tend to make bad decisions towards the end of the game. Most people on the forums seem to think this is down to having a rookie QB and a rookie coach, and there is still a good amount of optimism.
With the comparison to test cricket I really just meant that you get a moment of action, then it winds up again, then the next, winds up again, the next... also with field placings / setting traps / bluff and double bluff etc. It makes for a similarly immersive experience I suppose. At opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of physicality of course!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2016 14:30:27 GMT
It's way down the list.
Somewhere after watching the grass grow, watching paint dry and AFL.
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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 17:02:34 GMT
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Post by jimboslovechild on Nov 18, 2016 17:02:34 GMT
It's way down the list. Somewhere after watching the grass grow, watching paint dry and AFL. There's my little ray of sunshine. |
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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 17:19:49 GMT
Post by Epworth Hatter on Nov 18, 2016 17:19:49 GMT
They're not going too badly this year, as far as I can tell Quite right, jlc. I'd got in my head they weren't doing so well, but 5-4 is not a bad start to the season. I fear it will be 5-5 after their weekend in Seatle, mind. And then home to Green Bay, which will also be tough. At least they are not doing a 49ers! (1-8, losing 8 in a row) |
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NFL
Nov 18, 2016 23:23:05 GMT
Post by another_ruined_saturday on Nov 18, 2016 23:23:05 GMT
congrats JLC. will watch the highlights programme properly at some point. the bits i've seen are interesting partly because they're easing us brits into it, and they get the room to talk about it properly. conversely when i watch a stream of liverpool's games it's often the NBC broadcast and is too simplistic because that's all they have time for between the constant adverts...AND it usually features robbie mustoe (a nation shrugs).
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NFL
Nov 19, 2016 8:21:27 GMT
Post by jimboslovechild on Nov 19, 2016 8:21:27 GMT
The Eagles won their first three and then went on a bad run, which is probably why you had them in mind as doing badly. They've got a lot of tough games to come, and have already managed to lose against all three division rivals -- despite being in the lead going into the fourth quarter in every game. Some aggressive play calling cost them badly, attempting a TD instead of just kicking. Being 5-4 would be ok in some divisions but with the Giants and the Cowboys, it is nowhere near good enough. In fact, the Redskins aren't that bad either!
The good thing about having so many tough games is that it gives them a good chance of being one of the two live games shown on free TV here. The German show also does a good job of explaining things, especially the penalties, which I still find very random (holding and pass interference, for example: They're all at it!). I'm still learning it but it has been a lot of fun. The games are often shown at a great time as well, it is quickly becoming a nice Sunday evening tradition!
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NFL
Nov 19, 2016 10:18:10 GMT
gazz likes this
Post by bringbacklenwhite on Nov 19, 2016 10:18:10 GMT
Have always had an interest since we played a version of it at College to compare it to Rugby.
We then invented an indoor version (played like leaping frogs) to be played when it was too wet to go outside for games and we had one gym for 4 classes to entertain. This was at the time Channel 4 was promoting the cross-Atlantic game.
For some reason I have always followed the Raiders (LA or Oakland) - the Stockport County of American football.
A good way of following the game is to watch the Red Zone on sunday evenings. every game is covered and they switch games whenever anyone enters the last 30 yards (The Red Zone). Can be a bit confusing at times but once you have worked out the score system on screen, the "uniform" colours and helmet logos it brilliant as it cuts out all the stop and starts.
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