PolishDave Posted October 8, 2013 Posted October 8, 2013 They are having games over there so that they can feel better about calling the Superbowl winners "World Champions". Every time I hear some football commentator say "World Champions" I lose respect for them. It is stupid and arrogant when every single team is based here in the states. I know why they do it. They do it because they want to export the NFL brand to the world and to sell NFL products and to build the Superbowl into an even bigger spectacle than it already is. It is good business from a purely business perspective. Personally, I think it is (edited) wrong It makes me want to throw beer cans at people.
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted October 8, 2013 Posted October 8, 2013 I agree the NFL belongs in America, but I like the concept of trying to make Football international. Soccer is boring, rugby is a joke, and cricket...well... Who knows, maybe if it gets popular enough over there they can have not just their own team, but their own division. It would make less traveling back and forth. As far as next year's games go...WTF why are they giving London a peek at our worst teams? Jags and Raiders? Really? You've gotta give them a game that's actually fun to watch. The way to make football international is to bring back NFL Europe. That seemed to be a pretty nice developmental league, which gave some players a chance to develop into NFLers (e.g., Brian Moorman).
Dr. Fong Posted October 8, 2013 Posted October 8, 2013 until they figure out that whole teleporting thing, i think the travel to and from is too much to have a team there It's only a little bit further for east coast teams to go to London than it is for them to go to the west coast. I think with a bit of schedule tweaking it could work just fine.
Mark Vader Posted October 8, 2013 Posted October 8, 2013 We play at Oakland (and at Jax if we each finish 4th). I would love to make the trip to London for a road game. In addition, it would take away a little sting if the Bills play 7 home games (plus Toronto) and 7 road games (plus London). I would loathe that. Since I live in the Bay Area and it's the one game I can make it too next year.
Hammered a Lot Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 Screw London, When are they going to play games in Mexico?
linksfiend Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 We play at Oakland (and at Jax if we each finish 4th). I would love to make the trip to London for a road game. In addition, it would take away a little sting if the Bills play 7 home games (plus Toronto) and 7 road games (plus London). I would loathe that. Since I live in the Bay Area and it's the one game I can make it too next year. The host team tends to chose non-conference opponents (7 of 9) times. So it's not likely that Oakland or Jacksonville would choose to face Buffalo in London.
Mark Vader Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 The host team tends to chose non-conference opponents (7 of 9) times. So it's not likely that Oakland or Jacksonville would choose to face Buffalo in London. This is true. I'm sure the odds are against. Still, I'll wait for the official announcement.
Pilsner Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000259208/article/nfl-adds-third-london-game-in-2014 Jacksonville, Atlanta and Oakland will all have one home game in London next year. How do we feel about this? Those are away games for those teams and also for the teams they are playing. The word home doesn't really apply.
Pilsner Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 (edited) They are having games over there so that they can feel better about calling the Superbowl winners "World Champions". Every time I hear some football commentator say "World Champions" I lose respect for them. It is stupid and arrogant when every single team is based here in the states. I know why they do it. They do it because they want to export the NFL brand to the world and to sell NFL products and to build the Superbowl into an even bigger spectacle than it already is. It is good business from a purely business perspective. Personally, I think it is gay. It makes me want to throw beer cans at people. I agree Dave except that I'd rather drink the beer than throw them at people. The term World Champions shouldn't be used because it's not applicable. The phrasing North American Champions would be more appropriate. But then Canada would need a few full time teams to make this a sure thing. If Amerigo Vespucci / Americus Vespucius were alive today he would have a thing or two to say about this matter. But then again he might not care about sports or the naming of continents. Is there a sport practically exclusive to one other country that is considered a world sport? I suppose World Series could be brought up for debate too. United States Football is pretty much half a North American sport. World sport? Not yet, but someday perhaps. Edited October 9, 2013 by Pilsner
Kirby Jackson Posted October 9, 2013 Posted October 9, 2013 The host team tends to chose non-conference opponents (7 of 9) times. So it's not likely that Oakland or Jacksonville would choose to face Buffalo in London. The home team also picks teams that are lesser draws. If you have noticed the teams that end up with the London games are the ones that have attendance problems. It may make more sense for someone like Jacksonville to send the Bills game over there then say a home game against someone like Dallas or Washington (not sure what NFC division they play).
dombie Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 I just read the ESPN article that the NFL has expanded to 3 games in London with Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Oakland each playing a home game there. We are scheduled to play Oakland as an away game, and currently we are on pace to play Jacksonville away as we'll. 2014 season
HansLanda Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 unfortunately a Bills/Jags or Bills/Raiders game isn't exactly what the NFL will want to showcase in London. Ever perhaps.
zow2 Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 With the Bills already playing one International game in Toronto, i feel like the NFL will look for different opponents.
8-8 Forever? Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 With the Bills already playing one International game in Toronto, i feel like the NFL will look for different opponents. Yes. We are already part of Goodells program . its called the game in Toronto.
mrags Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 Yes. We are already part of Goodells program . its called the game in Toronto. this
plenzmd1 Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 i would buy tickets today for a Bills game in London...how awesome would that be!
judman Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 (edited) The Toronto game is considered a home game. Maybe a team playing two games internationally in one season could be some sort of international test for the eventual London franchise. The Jags should just lease the jet for one way travel next season... Edited October 10, 2013 by judman
Buffalo Barbarian Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 I just read the ESPN article that the NFL has expanded to 3 games in London with Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Oakland each playing a home game there. We are scheduled to play Oakland as an away game, and currently we are on pace to play Jacksonville away as we'll. 2014 season that would be cool but I think the NFL should use a flex game strategy. England may not be aware of which teams are good but you know when you see a good product or not. The Jags and Raiders have been dismal for a while and surprisingly Atlanta is bad this year, whose to say they wont be next year, which is why a flex game would be ideal. Maybe not the best game of the year but a good one with teams with winning records.
Max997 Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 unfortunately a Bills/Jags or Bills/Raiders game isn't exactly what the NFL will want to showcase in London. Ever perhaps. I actually think thats the point as they will most likely sell out any game over there so why not take a Jags game vs the Bills that wouldnt sellout here and bring it over there for a sellout there for the record though i am completely against these games
PastaJoe Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 If two bad teams play against each other, won't that make them look good because it's an even match.
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