Brits to get taste of NFL

[alldaws1]

Some more news on the game from NFL.com:

NFL game in London attracting fan interest

LONDON (Feb. 7, 2007) -- The NFL's first regular-season game outside North America already looks like a big hit.

More than 500,000 tickets were requested by about 160,000 fans in the three days following the Feb. 2 official announcement, the NFL said.

The ticket request process ends Feb. 18, two months before tickets go on sale for the Oct. 28 game between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium.

Wembley is expecting to seat between 85,000-90,000 for the game.

"Nearly all these requests have come from UK based fans," said Alistair Kirkwood, the managing director of NFL UK. "These figures do not take into account the allocation of tickets for Dolphins and Giants fans from the United States, so we anticipate a very quick sellout when tickets go on sale in early March."

On Sunday, more than 4,000 fans gathered in London to watch the Super Bowl at Super Bash, which is in its fourth year.

Elaborate, what's the ticket request process?

I think you have to be a member of NFLUK.com, if not you can sign up for free, and request tickets. It's not a reservation but it gives the NFL an idea of how many people are interested and you get a better chance of getting tickets I think. www.nfllondon2007.com

I'm glad that they are trying to branch out the NFL, but why the Dolphins and Giants? I mean come on, if you want to get fans to be excited about the NFL, why bring the Dolphins, who's starting QB will either be a gimpy Daunte Culpepper (who was AWFUL last season before going on IR I believe) or Joey Friggin' Harrington, or the Giants, who aren't really that bad, but could do better.

I took a quick look at the advanced schedules (no actual dates, but teams on it) and if it was my decision, I'd bring over the Saints and Colts. Two teams with high powered offense, both playoff teams and some of the most known players in the NFL, including the Super Bowl MVP Payton Manning. I mean both games are going to sell lots of tickets, but I think a really good game, at least on paper, will bring more people and get them interested in the NFL.

This has already been discussed. The Giants and Dolphins (Miami in particular) have a big following in the UK. They're both east coast teams which makes the travel and time difference less difficult. They're two of the only cities to have direct flights to London (which makes it easier for American fans to get to the game). And I'm sure there's more reasons that I'm forgetting, too.

Edited February 9, 2007 by Nitro Girl Spice

[MDK]

I've found myself getting into American Football recently. It all started when I bought a madden game on my gamecube and my mate brought an AF ball to uni and we threw it about. Its fun to play but to watch it isnt that thrilling. I do like to watch the superbowl because it is a bit of a spectacle, even if it is kinda long.

Still, keep an open mind, chaps.

[IAceI]

The Giants and Dolphins were pretty big when the NFL was first shown in England, so they got a good following that way I believe. Same with teams like Dallas and Washington pre-salary cap.

Mind you Dan Snyder can still do what he wants and get someone to come to Washington.

[GhostMachine]

To those bitching about it being the Dolphins and Giants, just remember you could be worse off. After all, you could be getting Lions-Raiders!

[alldaws1]

To those bitching about it being the Dolphins and Giants, just remember you could be worse off. After all, you could be getting Lions-Raiders!

I think the ones bitching are Americans

I'd be glad even with Lions/Raiders, it's a chance to see an NFL game.

[NobBe Nobbs]

Urgh. Don't even joke about that.

[The Third Dukes]

I'm glad that they are trying to branch out the NFL, but why the Dolphins and Giants? I mean come on, if you want to get fans to be excited about the NFL, why bring the Dolphins, who's starting QB will either be a gimpy Daunte Culpepper (who was AWFUL last season before going on IR I believe) or Joey Friggin' Harrington, or the Giants, who aren't really that bad, but could do better.

I took a quick look at the advanced schedules (no actual dates, but teams on it) and if it was my decision, I'd bring over the Saints and Colts. Two teams with high powered offense, both playoff teams and some of the most known players in the NFL, including the Super Bowl MVP Payton Manning. I mean both games are going to sell lots of tickets, but I think a really good game, at least on paper, will bring more people and get them interested in the NFL.

[NobBe Nobbs]

Hellacious travel? OK, the flights are a bit of a bastard, but it's not THAT bad.

[AJ]

I really doubt the teams would be flying economy. So I doubt the travel is even a problem.

[The Kraig]

I might watch it on TV. And that's about it.

I think there should be more emphasis on international Americal football. I'd much rather see a 'World Cup' of NFL. And why would America object? They would be intense favourites. When you see your country do respectable in any sport, it gets you interested. For example if Scotland suddenly beat England at cricket, then hell yes cricket would shoot up in popularity up here.

[lanky316]

For those of you not American, it's an acquired taste. Much like many Americans would find your football to be rather dull with the lack of scoring, lack of scoring opportunities, and plenty of just running around and kicking the ball around to each other.

However, some of us choose to get past all that and appreciate the game for what it is.

[NobBe Nobbs]

For those of you not American, it's an acquired taste. Much like many Americans would find your football to be rather dull with the lack of scoring, lack of scoring opportunities, and plenty of just running around and kicking the ball around to each other.

However, some of us choose to get past all that and appreciate the game for what it is.

Okay now I've defended the NFL in this thread since I happen to enjoy watching it and am one of those people who's displayed an interest BUT this is coplete crap. The number of times I see an NFL game when a team are one or two scores up grind to a halt and really slow up the last quarter, sometimes even the half. It is just as dull, for football there are near constant opportunities, including when it's coming to the end.

Jyust last night I watched a game just like that. In the second half one side were 1-0 up and the other lot had a couple of chances. Rather then sitting on their lead they went for it. Not only did they get a second goal but they didn't stop there... They carried on and scored a 5th after four minutes of stoppage time. That's NOT something you ever see in the NFL. Although there are 0-0 games which are dull you can have very exciting 0-0 draws and that's where the average ~American starts to show his ignorance to the sport when they start harping on about scorelines.

[-A-]

I quite enjoy American football, but I fell asleep during the Superbowl. The commentary and adverts drove me into submission

[lanky316]

For those of you not American, it's an acquired taste. Much like many Americans would find your football to be rather dull with the lack of scoring, lack of scoring opportunities, and plenty of just running around and kicking the ball around to each other.

However, some of us choose to get past all that and appreciate the game for what it is.

Okay now I've defended the NFL in this thread since I happen to enjoy watching it and am one of those people who's displayed an interest BUT this is coplete crap. The number of times I see an NFL game when a team are one or two scores up grind to a halt and really slow up the last quarter, sometimes even the half. It is just as dull, for football there are near constant opportunities, including when it's coming to the end.

Jyust last night I watched a game just like that. In the second half one side were 1-0 up and the other lot had a couple of chances. Rather then sitting on their lead they went for it. Not only did they get a second goal but they didn't stop there... They carried on and scored a 5th after four minutes of stoppage time. That's NOT something you ever see in the NFL. Although there are 0-0 games which are dull you can have very exciting 0-0 draws and that's where the average ~American starts to show his ignorance to the sport when they start harping on about scorelines.

[lanky316]

double osted somhow

Edited February 10, 2007 by lanky316

[IAceI]

The thing is with the NFL, they stop start a lot yes, but when they start something happens. You have your interceptions, your fumble recoveries, your late in the game laterals, breaking tackles, bursts to the outside, up the gut runs, long throws downfield, jukes, spin moves etc.

I feel that even in a boring match of NFL there is always intensity in each down, in each play even coming towards the end of a match. That's just what I think about it.

[Cactus Drags]

0-0 football draws are boring as fuck, and there is nothing you can say to challenge that.

[King Ellis]

0-0 football draws are boring as fuck, and there is nothing you can say to challenge that.

Well excuuuuuuse us, we can't all have about 3 different ways to score.

[Liam]

0-0 football draws are boring as fuck, and there is nothing you can say to challenge that.

Depends on what 0-0's you are talking about, to be honest.

And both games can be as boring as each other, so it is a mute point.

[Cactus Drags]

I'm not denying that American Football can have it's boring moments. But there's nothing less entertaining than 0-0, regardless of whcih 0-0.