NFL

[gingerjon]

14 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said:

https://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12118/13204364/louis-rees-zammit-former-rugby-star-left-out-from-kansas-city-chiefs-squad-for-2024-nfl-season

No surprise there really. 

I must say I have enjoyed the Union fans, bigging up what have been some pretty nothing performances against much lower opposition.

Also, my opinion might be tainted slightly by an off comment I saw of somebody making out he'd do way better than Hayne did because he'd been playing at a much higher standard.

Well Hayne made the 53!

He's got a guaranteed 2.5 year pay day in some team's practice squad, apparently.

I'd be quite happy to fail like that.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Hi,

Just to say that I’ll be posting up the annual NFL tipping competition on behalf of Irish Saint later today.

First prize is a nice voucher or a donation to a charity of your choice.

The competition is still being run by Irish Saint, but he’s asked me to set up the first week.

The rules are the same as last year and in addition to your first week’s choices you will be asked to nominate the 14 play off teams (7 per conference).

Get your thinking caps on and good luck!

The NFL regular season starts a week today with a Thursday night game.

All the best,

Gerrumonside ref

Edited August 29 by Gerrumonside ref

[Maximus Decimus]

9 hours ago, gingerjon said:

He's got a guaranteed 2.5 year pay day in some team's practice squad, apparently.

I'd be quite happy to fail like that.

Not sure about that. He's been dropped completely from the Chiefs now as they went with a different IPP player, so I'm guessing the 3-year contract had some conditions in it. It looks like he's been picked up the Jaguars but no details as of yet for how long. 

I've genuinely nothing against him, I know absolutely nothing about him tbh. He seems to have been pretty high up the pecking order in Union, so he clearly took a big risk going to the NFL and the reality is that it is exceptionally hard and somewhat unrealistic to expect to make it against top-quality athletes who've spent their whole lives doing it. The attitude of some Union fans making out like he was God's gift and on another level to a top-level RL-player is what left the bitter taste.

I know he's now beyond the pale, but it demonstrates what a remarkable job Hayne did. To play in 8 full NFL games as a running back only months after making the switch, is testament to how good an athlete he was. 

[gingerjon]

8 minutes ago, Maximus Decimus said:

Not sure about that. He's been dropped completely from the Chiefs now as they went with a different IPP player, so I'm guessing the 3-year contract had some conditions in it. It looks like he's been picked up the Jaguars but no details as of yet for how long. 

I've genuinely nothing against him, I know absolutely nothing about him tbh. He seems to have been pretty high up the pecking order in Union, so he clearly took a big risk going to the NFL and the reality is that it is exceptionally hard and somewhat unrealistic to expect to make it against top-quality athletes who've spent their whole lives doing it. The attitude of some Union fans making out like he was God's gift and on another level to a top-level RL-player is what left the bitter taste.

I know he's now beyond the pale, but it demonstrates what a remarkable job Hayne did. To play in 8 full NFL games as a running back only months after making the switch, is testament to how good an athlete he was. 

Agree about Hayne and was only going on what someone who has a slightly better understanding (i.e. some) of the NFL than I do (or, it appears, most UK reporters have).

It's a digression but it does also show how it would likely work in reverse. We have a smaller pool but the likelihood is that if you brought over a dozen NCAA footballers and expected them to make a go in professional RL that they would end up in League 1, if anywhere. The instincts aren't there, even if the skills can be taught.

[gingerjon]

A reminder, as well, that Sky have NCAA rights this year.

Last year, they hardly showed any games and those that they did pick were ... usually bizarrely bad choices.

Week 1 is coming up and they appear to be showing one whole game. Thankfully, it's an okay-ish one: Saturday, 8.30pm, Miami @ Florida. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

52 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

A reminder, as well, that Sky have NCAA rights this year.

Last year, they hardly showed any games and those that they did pick were ... usually bizarrely bad choices.

Week 1 is coming up and they appear to be showing one whole game. Thankfully, it's an okay-ish one: Saturday, 8.30pm, Miami @ Florida. 

I remember when I first was aware of US college football that Miami and Penn State were two of the top teams duelling to be number one in the mid 80s.

I also remember picking up two squashy small American footballs for the Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles that played their fight songs when caught through a little speaker that triggered on heavy contact!

My soft spot is with the Tennessee Vols after meeting some of their fanatical fans many years ago in New York who exchanged some sporting merchandise with us.

Anyway like you say let’s hope we get a better standard of choice this year.

Edited August 29 by Gerrumonside ref

[MattSantos]

18 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said:

Not sure about that. He's been dropped completely from the Chiefs now as they went with a different IPP player, so I'm guessing the 3-year contract had some conditions in it. It looks like he's been picked up the Jaguars but no details as of yet for how long. 

I've genuinely nothing against him, I know absolutely nothing about him tbh. He seems to have been pretty high up the pecking order in Union, so he clearly took a big risk going to the NFL and the reality is that it is exceptionally hard and somewhat unrealistic to expect to make it against top-quality athletes who've spent their whole lives doing it. The attitude of some Union fans making out like he was God's gift and on another level to a top-level RL-player is what left the bitter taste.

I know he's now beyond the pale, but it demonstrates what a remarkable job Hayne did. To play in 8 full NFL games as a running back only months after making the switch, is testament to how good an athlete he was. 

He's not been dropped completely out of choice, he's on the waiver wire

 

[Maximus Decimus]

8 hours ago, MattSantos said:

He's not been dropped completely out of choice, he's on the waiver wire

 

He didn't make the 53, not even close really. Everybody thought he'd make the practice squad because they have a place for IPP players but a Nigerian player took that meaning he had to move.

Luckily for him, the Jaguars have picked him up as their IPP spot. I suspect it's because of the British aspect and having 2 London games. You have to feel for all the people who got his KC jersey, although maybe you don't.

There is an outside chance he could feature at the London games, but with having to learn a new playbook it isn't likely.

In theory, you'd think spending time on the practice squad would be great to learn the game but I was watching a video from an ex-player who suggested that isn't really what happens. Because you're not in the squad for the upcoming game, you don't get the snaps in practice, the starters do.

His best chance seems to be on the new kickoff, and hoping the Jaguars use him because it's in London. If he could take advantage of that you never know but the likelihood is that he'll be back in Union within a couple of years.

Edited August 30 by Maximus Decimus

[EggFace]

On 29/08/2024 at 18:13, Gerrumonside ref said:

I remember when I first was aware of US college football that Miami and Penn State were two of the top teams duelling to be number one in the mid 80s.

I also remember picking up two squashy small American footballs for the Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles that played their fight songs when caught through a little speaker that triggered on heavy contact!

My soft spot is with the Tennessee Vols after meeting some of their fanatical fans many years ago in New York who exchanged some sporting merchandise with us.

Anyway like you say let’s hope we get a better standard of choice this year.

Do Miami Dophins fans follow the College team and vise versa.

[gingerjon]

4 hours ago, EggFace said:

Do Miami Dophins fans follow the College team and vise versa.

No idea about them specifically but in the southern states, it's college football first, second and third, and anything else a long way behind.

[MattSantos]

On 30/08/2024 at 20:33, Maximus Decimus said:

He didn't make the 53, not even close really. Everybody thought he'd make the practice squad because they have a place for IPP players but a Nigerian player took that meaning he had to move.

Luckily for him, the Jaguars have picked him up as their IPP spot. I suspect it's because of the British aspect and having 2 London games. You have to feel for all the people who got his KC jersey, although maybe you don't.

There is an outside chance he could feature at the London games, but with having to learn a new playbook it isn't likely.

In theory, you'd think spending time on the practice squad would be great to learn the game but I was watching a video from an ex-player who suggested that isn't really what happens. Because you're not in the squad for the upcoming game, you don't get the snaps in practice, the starters do.

His best chance seems to be on the new kickoff, and hoping the Jaguars use him because it's in London. If he could take advantage of that you never know but the likelihood is that he'll be back in Union within a couple of years.

Yep, fair.

He's an incredible athlete. Be good to see him go well.

[Cherry and White]

Week Two

Sky Sport Action.
14:00 Collage game day.
17:00 Arkansas @ Oklahoma state
20:30 Northern Illinois @ Notre Dame
00:30 Tennessee @ NC state

Week Three

Sky Sport Action

14:00 Collage gameday.
17:00 LSU @ South Caroline 
20:30 Florida @ Texas A&M 
00:30 Georgia @ Kentucky 

 

 

 

[gingerjon]

15 hours ago, Cherry and White said:

Week Two

Sky Sport Action.
14:00 Collage game day.
17:00 Arkansas @ Oklahoma state
20:30 Northern Illinois @ Notre Dame
00:30 Tennessee @ NC state

Week Three

Sky Sport Action

14:00 Collage gameday.
17:00 LSU @ South Caroline 
20:30 Florida @ Texas A&M 
00:30 Georgia @ Kentucky 

 

 

 

Blimey. With the exception of the Fighting Irish, who I avoid on principle, I'd switch on for those.

[Gerrumonside ref]

On 03/09/2024 at 20:01, Cherry and White said:

Week Two

Sky Sport Action.
14:00 Collage game day.
17:00 Arkansas @ Oklahoma state
20:30 Northern Illinois @ Notre Dame
00:30 Tennessee @ NC state

Week Three

Sky Sport Action

14:00 Collage gameday.
17:00 LSU @ South Caroline 
20:30 Florida @ Texas A&M 
00:30 Georgia @ Kentucky 

 

 

 

I’ll try and watch the Tennessee’s match with North Carolina State for sure either live or recorded on Sky Sports Action/NFL

I see that Sky have picked Pittsburgh @ Atlanta 6pm and Dallas @ Cleveland 9pm for their NFL selections.

I’m pretty addicted to NFL red zone though as Washington have been both bad and unfashionable for quite some time so it’s the main way for me to catch them.

[MattSantos]

3 hours ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

.

I’m pretty addicted to NFL red zone though as Washington have been both bad and unfashionable for quite some time so it’s the main way for me to catch them.

All about the RedZone. Really looking forward to it getting dark on an evening now.

[Maximus Decimus]

3 hours ago, MattSantos said:

All about the RedZone. Really looking forward to it getting dark on an evening now.

RedZone is awesome. I always say it's like a version of Match of the Day if it was live and had more games.

[redsi42]

Rain stops play? 

analysts are all struggling to fill time, the big question appears to be can Kansas City will it for a third time?

I don’t think so

[Maximus Decimus]

6 hours ago, redsi42 said:

Rain stops play? 

analysts are all struggling to fill time, the big question appears to be can Kansas City will it for a third time?

I don’t think so

Watched a video yesterday on teams that have tried the three-peat, some have come close but never done it.

Great start to the season yesterday, all decided by a toe!

[Maximus Decimus]

Anyone else do a fantasy NFL draft.

Did one yesterday and must say I really enjoyed the process, much more than a traditional fantasy league.

[Gerrumonside ref]

2 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said:

Anyone else do a fantasy NFL draft.

Did one yesterday and must say I really enjoyed the process, much more than a traditional fantasy league.

Never done it for the NFL, but the fantasy draft for FPL is my preferred format for playing with friends.

The draft event itself is exciting, but the key to it is picking up the unexpectedly hot players in the weekly waivers and keeping the line up fresh around your established ‘heavy hitters’ in terms of points.

Enjoy!

[Irish Saint]

3 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said:

Anyone else do a fantasy NFL draft.

Did one yesterday and must say I really enjoyed the process, much more than a traditional fantasy league.

Strangely, for some reasons unknown NFL fantasy games I have never bothered with as I say stange as after Rugby League the NFL is the game I follow most.

NRL supercoach is highly addictive. The super league I tend to pick a team for week 1 and then forget about it

I also forgot to mention that my friend's nephew Bem Sinnott signed a rookie contract with the Commanders.

[Maximus Decimus]

28 minutes ago, Irish Saint said:

Strangely, for some reasons unknown NFL fantasy games I have never bothered with as I say stange as after Rugby League the NFL is the game I follow most.

NRL supercoach is highly addictive. The super league I tend to pick a team for week 1 and then forget about it

I also forgot to mention that my friend's nephew Bem Sinnott signed a rookie contract with the Commanders.

I do NRL Supercoach and this year managed to keep it up for ages. Despite initially cheating, I still didn't win .

I'd heard from people in work who'd done it and thought I'd look it up. They make leagues of 10 and then the draft starts. I was first pick and thought Mahomes was a good shout - turns out he wasn't in the top 10 QBs somehow...

It's exciting, when the app announces 'you're on the clock'

[MattSantos]

2 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said:

I do NRL Supercoach and this year managed to keep it up for ages. Despite initially cheating, I still didn't win .

I'd heard from people in work who'd done it and thought I'd look it up. They make leagues of 10 and then the draft starts. I was first pick and thought Mahomes was a good shout - turns out he wasn't in the top 10 QBs somehow...

It's exciting, when the app announces 'you're on the clock'

You picked Mahommes with the 1st pick in a draft. Wow. That genuinely quite funny. Sorry. 

I'm in 3 leagues. Scott Hanson often mentions one of them on RedZone as its called the Scottish Cup and been going around 15 years now. I've won the league leaders shield a few times, but never got to the final dance. 

[Maximus Decimus]

12 hours ago, MattSantos said:

You picked Mahommes with the 1st pick in a draft. Wow. That genuinely quite funny. Sorry. 

I'm in 3 leagues. Scott Hanson often mentions one of them on RedZone as its called the Scottish Cup and been going around 15 years now. I've won the league leaders shield a few times, but never got to the final dance. 

I'm guessing it's a case of 'how to say you're a noob without saying you're a noob?'

[Gerrumonside ref]

Pity we’re not getting the powerhouse matchup between Texas (3) @ Michigan (10) in the college football today on Sky

Edited September 7 by Gerrumonside ref