Semi-OT: NFL announces teams for 3 London games for 2015

[Jackson 2]

na·tion·al
?naSH(?)n(?)l/
adjective
adjective: national

1. 1.
   of or relating to a nation; common to or characteristic of a whole nation.
   "this policy may have been in the national interest"
   synonyms:state, public, federal, governmental;More
   civic, civil, domestic, internal
   "national politics"
   antonyms:local, international
   • owned, controlled, or financially supported by the federal government.
     "plans for a national art library"

noun
noun: national; plural noun: nationals; singular proper noun: National; noun: the National

1. 1.
   a citizen of a particular country, typically entitled to hold that country's passport.
   "a German national"
   synonyms:citizen, subject, native;
   voter
   "a Canadian national"
2. 2.
   a nationwide competition or tournament.
   "she finished 16th at the nationals that year"

Jesus, that's a good one...

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Basketball was invented in Springfield, MA and the origin of hockey is a topic of debate. If "no one" in Canada cared about basketball and baseball, the Toronto franchises would have been gone years ago. I'll agree their popularity isn't what it is here, but it's wrong to say no one cares.

Sorry, i meant basketball was invented by a canadian. obviously the toronto franchises have fans, just not many, certainly not enough to warrant keeping them in canada.

 

[Jackson 2]

Sorry, i meant basketball was invented by a canadian. obviously the toronto franchises have fans, just not many, certainly not enough to warrant keeping them in canada.

No apology necessary, just difference of opinion.

 

[FrodoBagginz]

thank god it's not us

If this is true wow

Not like we have a chance anyway unless the league decides to allow non-domed stadiums to host or Kraft decides to put a dome over Gillette Stadium.

 

[Gwedd]

Here's a thought: Start the NFL Europe back up. 8 teams minimum. 12 or 16 would be better. Let them play a season similar to the College schedules, with similar bowl games, formats, etc.

Personally, I would look forward to the English/French matchups, especially if they built a stadium at Harfleur, Crecy, Poitiers or Agincourt. But that's just me.

The German/French matchups could be played at Ypres, Verdun, or the Somme. Perhaps even have a match every four years in Belgium, somewhere near the Ardennes.

I'm thinking that there are all sorts of possibilities with this.

 

[Marinlik]

Here's a thought: Start the NFL Europe back up. 8 teams minimum. 12 or 16 would be better. Let them play a season similar to the College schedules, with similar bowl games, formats, etc.

Personally, I would look forward to the English/French matchups, especially if they built a stadium at Harfleur, Crecy, Poitiers or Agincourt. But that's just me.

The German/French matchups could be played at Ypres, Verdun, or the Somme. Perhaps even have a match every four years in Belgium, somewhere near the Ardennes.

I'm thinking that there are all sorts of possibilities with this.

The problem is talent level. Even the worst NFL teams would have a much better talent level than NFL Europe could have.

 

[Haley]

Wow, our entire division "gets" to go (except for us). That's going to rile some folks, no doubt.

 

[Jackson 2]

That was my first thought, too. But, we've already been twice, so...

 

[PATS16N0]

I read somewhere that in the future, any team that wants to host the Superbowl is going to have to give up a home game to play in London, or is this already in place?

 

[FrodoBagginz]

The Jets game is going to set back any plans to have a team in London by about 10 years.

 

[Haley]

That was my first thought, too. But, we've already been twice, so...

Oh, absolutely. But I'm sure our division's fans and media will not often remember.

 

[Tunescribe]

May I add, "Screw London football games" Let them have Soccer. This is the NATIONAL Football League!

Well said. Nothing against Brits in general (after all, we adopted and refined their language), but please stop encouraging Roger Goodell's nonsense. Your pounds and pence are better used elsewhere.

 

[Jackson 2]

A buddy of mine texted me this afternoon: "...after the British see these f******Jets, they'll probably shut down Heathrow Airport..."

 

[Gwedd]

The problem is talent level. Even the worst NFL teams would have a much better talent level than NFL Europe could have.

Yes, but....... I see an NFL Europe as a developmental league for the NFL, a "Minor League" much like the NFL uses the College Footballs programs now. Players who are undrafted, released from rosters, are European and want a chance, then the NFL Europe league could be just the ticket.

 

[jmt57]

If the NFL wants to create a Euro-league, I really don't understand why they don't just invest in one. The goal of an NFL team in the UK is just a bad one logistically.

Ironically the NFL already tried that, and they ended up shutting it down. The World League of American Football, with (depending on your point of view, either the unfortunate - or appropriate - acronym of WLAF), which later became NFL Europe existed from the early 90's until about six or seven years ago. Adam Vinatieri and Kurt Warner were among those that played in the league if I recall correctly.

From what I read fans there are primarily fans of existing specific NFL teams, so I'm not convinced that either a minor league or an NFL franchise would be successful. I don't know that a new NFL Europe would be any more successful than the old one was.