NFL

[Maximus Decimus]

I noticed that there are a lot of NFL tipping threads, but I can't seem to find a general one.

I've been getting back into it the last couple of years after being quite big into it as a teenager.

I was watching an interview with Larry David today where he was joking about how if he was NFL commissioner he would scrap the field goal. To be honest, he did a good job of pointing out how ludicrous it seems. As a fan of rugby first and foremost, I've never thought of it; it's just like their simplified version of our place kicks.

However, in American Football it is a bit more random. They have a sport that is basically just about handling, but now and again they randomly wheel out a guy to kick at the posts. He is the only person in the 53 man squad who does that skill, yet it is crucial to the result. It's like the sport has evolved so far from rugby, that the FG is now just a weird leftover relic that doesn't really make much sense.

In both codes of rugby, kicking is much more fundamental still. They both feature attacking and defensive kicks that multiple players can do. It doesn't feel strange that the sport would reward accurate kicking.

Not that I think it's likely to happen, but it would be interesting if a sport that was originally based solely on creating opportunities for the place kick, slowly evolved (in one of its offshoots) to the point that it didn't see the point of them anymore. 

 

 

 

[gingerjon]

11 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said:

I noticed that there are a lot of NFL tipping threads, but I can't seem to find a general one.

I've been getting back into it the last couple of years after being quite big into it as a teenager.

I was watching an interview with Larry David today where he was joking about how if he was NFL commissioner he would scrap the field goal. To be honest, he did a good job of pointing out how ludicrous it seems. As a fan of rugby first and foremost, I've never thought of it; it's just like their simplified version of our place kicks.

However, in American Football it is a bit more random. They have a sport that is basically just about handling, but now and again they randomly wheel out a guy to kick at the posts. He is the only person in the 53 man squad who does that skill, yet it is crucial to the result. It's like the sport has evolved so far from rugby, that the FG is now just a weird leftover relic that doesn't really make much sense.

In both codes of rugby, kicking is much more fundamental still. They both feature attacking and defensive kicks that multiple players can do. It doesn't feel strange that the sport would reward accurate kicking.

Not that I think it's likely to happen, but it would be interesting if a sport that was originally based solely on creating opportunities for the place kick, slowly evolved (in one of its offshoots) to the point that it didn't see the point of them anymore. 

 

 

 

Drop goals are still legal in American football.

I think there's been one scored since the second world war.

[Maximus Decimus]

2 hours ago, gingerjon said:

Drop goals are still legal in American football.

I think there's been one scored since the second world war.

As I was looking up the early rules of rugby and American football, I came across something called the field goal in rugby. Union scrapped it in the early 1900s and we didn't until 1950.

It seems to be kicking the ball off the floor over the posts, something like that.

[gingerjon]

9 minutes ago, Maximus Decimus said:

As I was looking up the early rules of rugby and American football, I came across something called the field goal in rugby. Union scrapped it in the early 1900s and we didn't until 1950.

It seems to be kicking the ball off the floor over the posts, something like that.

This was covered - I can't remember the details of it - on the main board a few years ago. I think the view was that it wasn't removed earlier because there was nobody actually doing it. I don't *think* any of our members could remember having seen one kicked, or knew of anyone who had.

[Irish Saint]

In other NFL news  Dallas wide receiver Ceedee Lamb has had to pay more in fines for not having his shirt tucked in and his socks too low,  than Aaron Rodgers who as an un -vaccinated player violated every covid protocol the NFL has in place.

[Maximus Decimus]

On 12/11/2021 at 17:05, Irish Saint said:

In other NFL news  Dallas wide receiver Ceedee Lamb has had to pay more in fines for not having his shirt tucked in and his socks too low,  than Aaron Rodgers who as an un -vaccinated player violated every covid protocol the NFL has in place.

They certainly have some odd ways.

As an outsider, one thing I find odd about American sports is how rigid they are. As the leader of free market capitalism, their sports are much more regulated and controlled than say European football.

Take the NFL. They have a salary cap, a draft to ensure competitiveness and a closed shop. The vast majority of players have to go to college before they can play pro-football, meaning you rarely find a player younger than 21.

Compare that to the Premier League: no cap, no draft, promotion and relegation and absolutely no link to academic institutions. Decent 16/17 year olds regularly turn out. Money and influence are king.

Dare I say it, the NFL seems unAmerican. 

 

 

[Gerrumonside ref]

2 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said:

They certainly have some odd ways.

As an outsider, one thing I find odd about American sports is how rigid they are. As the leader of free market capitalism, their sports are much more regulated and controlled than say European football.

Take the NFL. They have a salary cap, a draft to ensure competitiveness and a closed shop. The vast majority of players have to go to college before they can play pro-football, meaning you rarely find a player younger than 21.

Compare that to the Premier League: no cap, no draft, promotion and relegation and absolutely no link to academic institutions. Decent 16/17 year olds regularly turn out. Money and influence are king.

Dare I say it, the NFL seems unAmerican. 

 

 

There’s a quite a few interesting books about how the NFL used these ‘mechanics’ to overtake baseball as the top professional sport in the USA.  What struck me when reading them were some of the parallels you could draw with rugby of both codes when it described pro American Football’s rude beginnings and failed attempts to grow many years ago.  Seems both are decades behind.

One of the main turning points was when the owners realised that the constant bidding wars for the top talent leaving the colleges were really hurting any attempt to grow the professional game - they really started to prosper when they began to work together in earnest to grow the sport rather than just seeing only the interests of their team.

If you can find it the best book I read on the history of pro American Football was called ‘America’s Game’ which charts all the major developments including the changes to help make the media coverage of the game grow and some really simple stuff that they devised around identifying teams by having certain colour schemes, developing narratives around the product etc.  

I believe once you start delving deep into this kind of stuff then the ‘can-do’ spirit of it is truly American in spirit and there is much to learn.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Americas-Game-Football-Captured-Vintage/dp/0375725067

Edited November 14, 2021 by Gerrumonside ref

[Irish Saint]

2 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said:

Dare I say it, the NFL seems unAmerican. 

Some would say Socialist

I have followed the game from the early days of the Channel 4 highlights show " graduating to listening to listening to games live on the American Armed Forces Radio on Sundays.

So many changes in the game. Imo it has become all about the passing quarterback. Throw it enough times and you'll get a ridiculous pass interference call. I much preferred the old running game of Peyton, Riggins etc. I'll miss Derrick Henry  Establish the run then you can pass.

The draft can be so hit and miss Tom Brady being a sixth round choice all those years ago.

The Rams seem to have given up on the draft sacrificing them to obtain experienced players. They have gone all in to win the Superbowl this year.

I'll stop there as I have a pop up that Gerrumonsideref  has replied and I'll read what he has to say.

Good to see a thread started 

Old Bear from Canada used to contribute a lot lbut he was hospitalised and hasn't returned to the forum. I hope he is well.

[Irish Saint]

9 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

There’s a quite a few interesting books about how the NFL used these ‘mechanics’ to overtake baseball as the top professional sport in the USA.  What struck me when reading them were some of the parallels you could draw with rugby of both codes when it described pro American Football’s rude beginnings and failed attempts to grow many years ago.  Seems both are decades behind.

One of the main turning points was when the owners realised that the constant bidding wars for the top talent leaving the colleges were really hurting any attempt to grow the professional game - they really started to prosper when they began to work together in earnest to grow the sport rather than just seeing only the interests of their team.

If you can find it the best book I read on the history of pro American Football was called ‘America’s Game’ which charts all the major developments including the changes to help make the media coverage of the game grow and some really simple stuff that they devised around identifying teams by having certain colour schemes, developing narratives around the product etc.  

I believe once you start delving deep into this kind of stuff then the ‘can-do’ spirit of it is truly American in spirit and there is much to learn.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Americas-Game-Football-Captured-Vintage/dp/0375725067

Pete Rozelle NFL commissioner from 1960- 1989 deserves a lot of credit for the growth of the game.

[Maximus Decimus]

I feel I must apologise to the Jets faithful. I'm something of an NFL hoor and have 3 teams that I follow, one of which (if not the main one) is the Jets.

They have just become the first team since 1966 to concede 45 points in 3 games out of 4. This is all my fault.

For those that doubt, my first ever Widnes game was when we were World Club and League champions. 

[Irish Saint]

1 hour ago, Maximus Decimus said:

I feel I must apologise to the Jets faithful. I'm something of an NFL hoor and have 3 teams that I follow, one of which (if not the main one) is the Jets.

They have just become the first team since 1966 to concede 45 points in 3 games out of 4. This is all my fault.

For those that doubt, my first ever Widnes game was when we were World Club and League champions. 

I too am a long suffering Jets fan. I picked them because they play in a green,why didn't I select the Eagles. Yes Broadway Joe won them a Superbowl but that was before my time. How I long they could find another Ken O'Brien at quarterback.

Another Sunday with crazy results  I went 0-4 on the afternoon games, still great to see Cam Newton back. Run for a touchdown on his first touch of the ball and throw for a touchdown on his second. One couldn't make it up.

Edited November 15, 2021 by Irish Saint

[Liverpool Rover]

It was a big win for the 49ers on Monday night and with a favourable remaining schedule they should make the playoffs.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Not strictly NFL but its Canadian Cousin - The end of the eastern CFL (semi) final between the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger Cats (Special teams Coach - Jeff Reinebold)

A game with a punch line at the end

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/argos-vs-tiger-cats-fan-1.6275029

[Irish Saint]

A few weeks ago i heard Bill Belichick described as Michael Myers, because just when you thought you had got rid of him he comes back around Halloween each year.

Wouldn't mind a Buccs\Pats Superbowl.

Edited December 7, 2021 by Irish Saint

[THE RED ROOSTER]

How to sack you head coach in Jacksonville by Text....

https://twitter.com/D_Rothy/status/1471373582928384000

[Irish Saint]

1 hour ago, THE RED ROOSTER said:

How to sack you head coach in Jacksonville by Text....

https://twitter.com/D_Rothy/status/1471373582928384000

The " more tweets " beneath  tell the story.

[Irish Saint]

John Madden: NFL coach, broadcaster and video game icon dies at 85 - BBC News

John Madden's unparalleled impact on NFL influenced generations of football fans

[Gerrumonside ref]

3 hours ago, Irish Saint said:

John Madden: NFL coach, broadcaster and video game icon dies at 85 - BBC News

John Madden's unparalleled impact on NFL influenced generations of football fans

I was very sad to learn this news.

I got into American Football when he was really cementing his reputation as the voice of the sport in the mid to late 80’s.

He brought insight, a great turn of phrase and a sheer sense of enthusiasm/fun to occasions when he was behind the microphone.

A great coach, commentator and ambassador for the sport - and yes, those Madden computer games were brilliant too (not played one for a while)!

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Gerrumonside ref

[Maximus Decimus]

22 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

I was very sad to learn this news.

I got into American Football when he was really cementing his reputation as the voice of the sport in the mid to late 80’s.

He brought insight, a great turn of phrase and a sheer sense of enthusiasm/fun to occasions when he was behind the microphone.

A great coach, commentator and ambassador for the sport - and yes, those Madden computer games were brilliant too (not played one for a while)!

 

Almost certain that without the Madden games, I wouldn't be an NFL fan.

Always seemed like a decent likeable guy too.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Twitter gets it wrong, but a player gets cut maybe not entirely due to the vitriol on Twitter and in the NY Media but certainly a contributory factor

https://heavy.com/sports/new-york-giants/release-darqueze-dennard-cut-twitter-reaction/

[Irish Saint]

For Gerrumonsideref.   Washington have announced their new name will be Washington Commanders. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

11 minutes ago, Irish Saint said:

For Gerrumonsideref.   Washington have announced their new name will be Washington Commanders. 

Yes, I was keen on the name change, but not on the choice they’ve made.

Commanders doesn’t seem very NFL-ish - seems overly long and the whole thing doesn’t really roll off the tongue.

I visited Washington DC many years ago as a child and found great delight that the stop for near the Pentagon is called Foggy Bottom.

I suppose having the initials WC for your team does mean you can be flushed with success!

Edited February 2, 2022 by Gerrumonside ref

[devonhawk]

Being a Redskins supporter since the very early 80s, I was expecting the worst. I’d heard things like Americans, Presidents, Armada and Defenders, so I am quite happy with Commanders. I would have preferred Redwolves or Redhogs, but it is not to be.

We can build a brand around Commanders, well if the absolute Bell End Snyder, goes away.

It was the worst kept secret in NFL. Thiesman gave it away, a close up of meeting notes and branding at the FedEx shot from a helicopter. 

Hopefully, we can start becoming a force again. I started following Washington in the Gibbs years, I guess I was gloryhunting, well how can I be a glory hunter when we haven’t won a ruddy thing for 30 long, long years. 

That’s still a better championship record than Warrington, mind.

[Gerrumonside ref]

1 minute ago, devonhawk said:

Being a Redskins supporter since the very early 80s, I was expecting the worst. I’d heard things like Americans, Presidents, Armada and Defenders, so I am quite happy with Commanders. I would have preferred Redwolves or Redhogs, but it is not to be.

We can build a brand around Commanders, well if the absolute Bell End Snyder, goes away.

It was the worst kept secret in NFL. Thiesman gave it away, a close up of meeting notes and branding at the FedEx shot from a helicopter. 

Hopefully, we can start becoming a force again. I started following Washington in the Gibbs years, I guess I was gloryhunting, well how can I be a glory hunter when we haven’t won a ruddy thing for 30 long, long years. 

That’s still a better championship record than Warrington, mind.

Yes, I started following them after they lost the Super Bowl to the Raiders in 1983.

I loved the crowd at the old RFK and the concept of the Hogs, the Smurfs and John Riggins!

I always felt they were one of the blue collar teams especially compared to their rivals Dallas who proudly like to call themselves ‘America’s team’ haha.

Totally agree that getting rid of Dan Snyder is the key to turning around the franchise.

[devonhawk]

8 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

Yes, I started following them after they lost the Super Bowl to the Raiders in 1983.

I loved the crowd at the old RFK and the concept of the Hogs, the Smurfs and John Riggins!

I always felt they were one of the blue collar teams especially compared to their rivals Dallas who proudly like to call themselves ‘America’s team’ haha.

Totally agree that getting rid of Dan Snyder is the key to turning around the franchise.

Until he goes, we will always be a team with a terrible record of post-season success. FedEx is crumbling, we need a new stadium ASAP. There must be land in DC, but I believe Snyder is looking everywhere but DC, Virginia and even Maryland just now.