This is true.

Red Sox and Yankee's despise eachother. You even get that feeling all the way over here on the west coast.

Just a shame that the most bitter rivalry in US sport is in Baseball; which IMO is the least enjoyable sport out of the Big 5 (Football, Basketball, Baseball, Ice Hockey & Soccer).

As I have said, I dont really follow baseball, I follow NFL and soccer over there and have watched Sox-Yankees matches when I see that they are on and watch Celtics matches when I can find them.

I just dont like Baseball for some reason, I see it as rich mans softball but that may just be me and not really taking notice of the game.

And mixing up the Pollards is awful, even I knew that;)

(Mainly because Marcus was a TE with the Pats and was cut over the summer while I was on holiday I think) Prepares to be proven wrong.

But I am tired, you have ruined by sleep pattern over the past 2 months and now I am going to be back to college, so less posting for me (Yeah right).

Night All.

Packers and Broncos to win tonight ;) Weekend of Surprises.

You know, I barely knew anything about football last year - the Superbowl XLI was my second ever superbowl - I had no idea what I was supposed to look out for, I had no idea whom to watch or even how the game was played.

Last year, I just subscribed to NFL Gameday on iTunes and watched it on my way to work - I listened to terminology, and worked out the positions.

But the GREATEST way you can really learn the game - IMHO - is by playing it yourself. On Madden NFL :D Honestly, I bought 08 last year, and 09 this year, and my learning curve has shot right up - I now know how to change the play at the line of scrimage, calling audibles and setting players in motion - and it's made my enjoyment of watching it so much more. I can see when a team is trying to blitz, I now know what the commentators are talking about when they talk about the QB and FB linking up - and I love it :love:

No harm in posting what you think - even if you don't quite understand what us idiots are talking about :p

Please? :D

Seriously though Paul, I appreciate your input on this thread, but you need to think about posting a little less on here. You've pretty much flooded the thread with Patriots stuff - it's great that you're so passionate about it but it gets tiresome to read through all of your posts. I don't want to stick you on my ignore list because I think you're a very informative poster - but just cut down in quantity and work on your quality a little more?

Hope I don't come across as a tosspot for saying that. I don't mean to cause offence, mate.

Funnily enough, Rob, I got into the NFL in exactly the same way - with Madden '92 on the Mega Drive.

I've still got it at my mum's, too.

Tosspot!! :rolleyes:

:afro:

I don't think I've ever used the word tosspot before. Thank you for expanding my vocabulary Rob.

:D
:D
:D

:hi:

The pleasure is all mine! :D

Will be working during the first installment of the Monday Night football double, but will be back in time to have a pizza & beer whilst watching the Raiders v Broncos game.

Been hearing some good things about the new Radiers RB Darren McFadden. Seems to have head a decent pre season.

Good start from Peterson even if the game isn't great so far... how many Packers penalties? Not exactly helping Rodgers start!.

Now the Vikings turn for all the penalties :)

Bloody missed field goal... costing my fantasy team!

I need to Peterson to out-perfrom Driver to keep Strath off my back :D

Oh, and what have I been saying all offseason about Tavaris Jackson? That's right, he's rubbish.

:D

I have the second highest score in my league. And playing the guy with the best score :(

Gotta love a punt returned for a TD

some great blocking helps of course

and no flag this time :D

I have the second highest currently and Strath has the third highest. Paul, our resident expert, has the lowest score :D

Yes, but he probably has McFadden left! :p

And to be fair... he probably had Brady too.

What a homer ;)

Was just thinking back to Wembley last year..... sigh....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/DSCF0428.jpg

He has no-one left! He had Brady... and Welker and Moss, too. He left Darren McF on the bench! And he "conducted" the draft, hey Paul ;)

Urgh it was a horrible messy day

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/DSCF0435.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/DSCF0432.jpg

Im bored btw :D

You need a hobby, Steve.

Mine is sleeping. And reading this thread. And being a member of the Late Night Clique. And downloading ungodly amounts of porn. You get the picture.

Oh im watching the game right now, I have a headache and a really bad back, so its pretty much all i can do right now :( why did I pick The Vikings +2.5 or whatever they were?!

tavaris jackson will never be a good QB

Pauldrulez will not be impressed with that comment :D

Did you know that Minnesota means Cloudy Water in Sioux? I know, amazing :D The Viking's play looks murky :clown:

Aren't the Raiders playing Denver tonight?

Hard to get excited so early in the season.

I need to go to bed but i wanna see how that Money grabbing raider QB does

Sorry to hear that Steve.

Oh, and I think you took the Viks and 2.5 because you were high.

I wish I was high and then maybe I wouldnt be in pain! osteopath tomorrow will hopefully put my back together :)

Vikings could still win... 2 mins left. Won't win by 2.5 points though ;)

AP got his TD to help my Fantasy team put a W on the board. :D

140 points. Best in the league. I'm amazing.

That's the end of that :D

I wish I wasnt so right, he is such a :clown:

no they were +2.5, meaning GB were -2.5

Tavaris Jackson is a tool. There was no-one near that pass. ESPN tried to blame Shiancoe for cutting his route short but it wasn't even close. Usain Bolt wouldn't have caught up with that ball!

Right, onto the next game now please ESPN...

Oh sorry, I thought you meant Vikings had to win by more than 2.5, not lose by less than!

Nice start from Cutler

Just short, and they're going to go for it.

Oh dear :D Tut tut, Russell :p

I still find it incredible how easily baseball stadiums are turned into Football stadiums and vice versa

simple i know but still its interesting to me okkkkkkkkkkkkkk :D

Steve, I agree. I find it fascinating. The thing that shocks me is that baseball fields are so big - it pretty much allows the NFL field to fit right into it.

I like the way the McAfee Coliseum is dug into the ground.

http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/afc/mcafeemain2.jpg

Broncos are now 5 yards from the end zone. Lovely pass from Cutler.

It is also capable of holding Soccer games; the Earthquakes have played their a few times this season. I was there for the Galaxy game and it just didnt feel right!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIukkv1Ko0U

Its also a bit like the Basketball to Ice Hockey Arenas

And it still staggers me how big the College stadiums are in the States

Id love to go to an Ohio State or Michigan game (well Not Michigan right now!)

Agree. Last year I just couldnt believe my eyes when I watched a Ohio State game on TV. Its the fact that the stadium is a sell out every week that makes it even more staggering!

There is only one college stadium. Huskie Country

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...ce_stadium.jpg

Ermmmm.... January?

i'd be impressed if that was Seattle in January

Raiders are being served.

Denver 24 Raiders 0.

Brady out for the season.

Nice one fella ... it's so addictive. I first got into the NFL when it first appeared on our screens over here (late 80s or early 90s?). Watched the covergae from the start when I was living with my parents. My and my old would sit up on a Sunday evening religiously, this is after we had picked our sides, me the Cowboys and my old man chose the 49ers. Made it much more interesting considering both teams were challenging around that time and both had great teams.

I've lost interest around 6-7 years ago and never really kept up with the NFL for some reason, no idea why. Maybe it's my age, but first cricket took more of an interest until last season when I caught the NFL opening week and was hooked again. I posed earlier that I hired Madden 08 on the PSP, and I totally agree with you, it's bizarre how much you can learn about the game just by playing that (season opener last night I beat the Giants 38-26 :D ). I 've just bought ti 08 version from eBay.

I will post my thoughts on the opening week of the season later on today .. please don't laugh (Saxon - time to prove how much of a tool I really am!) ;) :D

Judging by some of the responses on the BigSoccer boards when the USA Palace team beat the Red Bulls I think they hate everyone.
:eek:
The Metro tipster picked him to win on the road at 6/5 yesterday. That went well, looks about as good as their Jacksonville tip to win the Super Bowl. :clown:
:sob:

Seriously, nice work. :p
In this day it shouldn't happen anymore.

(Counting down the days until we kick the Marlins out on the street.)

Well here goes, the view of week one from a UK NFL fan starting to find his feet again after a number of years absent viewing. To be honest, being a family man, it is difficult to feed the habit as much as I would like. Football being my first love followed by Cricket and then F1 and WRC. Then comes NFL, a poor relation in recent years in my mind. A sport that you all know by now I followed when the C4 coverage started in the early 90s over here. I chose the Cowboys. My old man chose the 49ers. The supporting began and we couldn't have chose two better teams in those days.

My return to NFL supporting was the first game of last season. I was hooked again. A season that promised to be something for the Cowboys, but ended up with Romo hooked up with one of the Simpsons and the team losing out to the Giants in the play offs. Close season, I turned my attention to checking out the Cowboys and what had been going on in years I'd missed out on. I had known from watching last season that the badly dubbed 'Americas Team' held the same kind of egos and star players now as they did with the likes of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvine.

So now we come on to this season. With the new (amazing) billion dollar stadium well on it's way to completion, the aim of Jerry Jones is to have the Lombardi Trophy on show when the Cowboys move there next season. And to be fair, not a lot had to be done to the team from last season. A few tidy additions here and there by the likes of Zak Thomas, Felix Jones and Adam 'Pacman' Jones to name but a few but with the latter being the biggest gamble.

The season opener started with the Giants hosting the Redskins on Thursday night. I caught glimpses of the game but not enough. In all honesty, after last season the Redskins looked like they may step up from play off losers last time around but in this match the Giants always looked in control and continuing where they left off.

The weekends matches were what it was all about. The coverage started here at 6pm, which I stress again, is a difficult time for me to just sit down with a beer and some snacks to watch until the early hours. But I kept in touch with the goings on. And there was a lot to take in. I'm not going to cover all the games here, only the ones that made me sit up and take notice. I'll start with my beloved Cowboys. A season that promises so much got off to the ideal start. I tuned into the game with the Cowboys in full control. One of the later games of the day, and from what I saw of the match, Felix Jones is going to be a star and will only compliment his RB partner in Marion Jones. What got me about Jones though wasn't just his normal position, it was that on the defence where his position extremely well. Watch out for him. Romo did what he does best while his pillow talking pal TO is the man when he has a smile on his face. Cleveland were no match. The Phillies will be a whole new ball game next week at the Texas Stadium and probably our first big test in divisional rivalry.

My sons adopted team, the Bears, shocked the Colts and could be one to watch as the season progresses. The Titans (one of teams I've taken a liking to for some reason) saw off the Jags while the Phillies ravaged a very poor Rams side. The Chargers lost out to the Panthers in an exciting match while the Pats will have to show what they are now made of without Brady even though they beat the Chiefs. I was hoping that last years Dolphins could turn things around and start with a win but that just wasn't to be with Favre throwing the usual bombs on his Jets offence to take the plaudits. A mention here for my old mans team the 49ers. What has happened to them? They could be fighting it out with the Rams this season for the number 1 draft pick for next. The Steelers and the Bills hit the +30s over the Texans and the Seahawks.

The Monday night match ups were intriguing. Was the Viking Peterson going to start after his knee injury in pre-season? Well he did, and didn't look all that worried about it from the little of the match I saw, however, Green Bay and Aaron Rogers saw them off while in the other match Detroit top scored over a struggling Raiders side.

Well, there it is as I saw and read it. Pick holes at will, but I admit my knowledge is no-where near you guys. This is simply a view from an 'amateur fan' which lacks stats but I hope you will agree shows some passion and a willing to learn more as the season continues to make up for it. Now back to Madden 08 …….. :p

Yeah, thanks for that Rob....

:hmph:

Good summary. I always find it interesting to see how people got into the game, too. I was pretty much the same as you - followed on C4 for a while, then lost interest, then moved out here and picked it up again as the times are more accessible to watch.

Denver beat Oakland, not Detroit. And I didn't get the comment about Jones on defense - it doesn't help that you have, I think, 4 Jones on the roster including Felix, Marion and Adam. :)

Thanks fella, I find it interesting as well.

Yes, oops. Typo there. I know it was late when watching it but I though Felix Jones (the RB) played on the defense a couple of times? Maybe I'm mistaken and they were talking about the Pacman ....

He didn't get any better. Tavaris = no composure and not helped by sill play calling. Why not try more slants and short inside routes than letting him try to throw the killer ball all the time, which he blatantly can't.

I got a bit nervous when Rodgers hit Driver for the 50+ yard score which would've meant more throwing by the Vikes and less chances for AP. Ineligible downfield, I've never been so happy to hear it!

I've been to Oakland, not for a football game, and the stadiums just don't look right. While it is impressive to use it for both, I actually found it offputting last night seeing the diamond on the turf.

Maybe he did - I didn't watch all of it. It's very confusing though, keeping up with the Jones' :)

Oh, and after Cutler's performance last night, I'd like to refer people back to my 3rd year QB summary posted a few days ago. I f*cking rule right now. :D:clown:

Are you Paul in disguise? ;)

Wow, I am good... ish.

See #3. Eddie Royal in Denver. Had a great night.

I must check my fantasy team ...

Did anyone see how Clady played for Denver?

You lost. See the Fantasy league thread.

Great!

By the way, do you know what the 'GU' on the shirts are this season?

It is for Gene Upshaw, who died during off-season. They also have the badges on the field, too, along with his number, #63.

:p Yes, makes sense now .... thanks

And which are the two fields which get the most complaints from the players? Miami and Oakland (which I'd say look better than Pittsburgh ever does, and than New England did when they tried to grow proper grass).
Wondered myself but then Ben's Brady post reminded me: Gene Upshaw.

How about the 49ers? That used to be appalling at times ...

Honestly can't remember the last time I saw a 49ers home game on TV. :(

The one I really remember was the Bears home play-off game with Seattle a few years ago. Wet, and the turf was a mess when the game was decided after OT.

Almost as bad as Wembley. :clown:

Can't find details of the latest Players Association survey on this. Google has failed me on this one I'm afraid.

jazman finised with 9 correct. Should get Chester to update the pool to add your nine in.

If he can do that would be awesome .... very pleasing start. Downhill from now on :D

Ooooh. I got 138 in my Yahoo one, also top spot. See you next season. :p

Just spent the evening watching the Packers Vikings game on Sky +. Rogers did well, quite impressed.

Right as RDS asked so nicely, I will tone down the Pats lovein despite Bradys injury.

Showing my fantasy prowess, I had Brady as my starting QB and left Brett Favre and Jay Cutler on the Bench along with Darren McFadden.

Aaron Rodgers impressive and he will hope to continue that to keep Favre away from the Wisconsin spotlight.

Didnt watch the whole match, but the Raiders look like they can run the ball down the other teams throat, like the Vikings, but both struggle with the ball in the air. As shown by the first 8 Raiders plays being runs and Russells first pass being offtarget.

Nate Burleson out for the year.

Unlucky Seattle!

On that note elliot.

I have updated my blog.

http://patrioteagle.blogspot.com

Not on the Patriots feature as promised but a short look at something else.

Merriman out for the year as well after finally coming to his senses and having surgery on his knee

That would be confirmed after my blog, could have done a bit on these two ligaments as well.

What on Earth is going on with Vince Young?!

Sort yo act out boi!!!

Is Flacco the permanent starter for Baltimore too?

I was under the impression Troy Smith was going to be, but then he was ill at the weekend!? :confused:

They havent confirmed it yet. They have said Flacco is Week 2 starter but as far as I know, the rest of the season is unconfirmed.

What a good kid. You should reward him.

:p

How old is your son? I might be able to find a Bears T-shirt to send his way if he'd be interested.

TS got some sort of illness over the offseason and lost like 30 pounds along with a lot of stamina. I'd say this was his only chance at an NFL starting job, too.

Sounds like diabetes, which is the exact same illness that Cutler suffered from, with similar symptoms. Although the ESPN Football Daily podcast I listen to said it was a virus of some sort.

I'd heard it was viral, too.

Shame, cos I was there when he threw his first NFL TD against the Colts :D

From the limited glimpses I saw of TS last season he actually looked like he had some decent ability. Obviously the fact he's only 6' is a disadvantage.

Hope he gets better soon! Both he and Flacco would be great competition for each other I think. Kyle Boller's days in the NFL are numbered I think!

I have always felt like Boller is a capable QB in an incompetent offense. Ravens never have a good offense. They splash all their cash on the D.

I think Boller would be good in a West Coast style set up.

He's 10 fella. That would be cool, he'd be well chuffed. I have never minded the Bears to be fair ... so I didn't berate him that much ...

My sister is a Dolphins fan and so is my daughter :D :D To be fair, for my sister it was all about Marino. My daughter just wante dto get involved last season when I asked my son ... :p

Diabetes comes in many forms, as do viral illnesses.

To me this sounds like something more like Glandular Fever (which I'm only saying because I've had it and remember the symptoms).

Dolphins lose Donald Thomas (starting rookie RG) for the year and cut Boomer Grigsby.

I agree. I suffered from that and it's quite awful. Missed six weeks of school because of it ...

I had glandular fever as well, at college. Had about 4 weeks off lazing around doing sweet F.A... it was pretty enjoyable... especially as my parents were at work so my girlfriend would come round to look after me. Needless, to say, she caught it too :D

That's the thing though. It just looks like you're being lazy until the blood test come back ...

Could you please refer to my beloved team as the Eagles and not the Phillies Thanks EEIE (the Phillies are the neighbouring baseball team in Philly! :clown: )

PS I hate the Cowgirls and all that America's team b*****ks.................There I feel better now!!!!

PPS Am I the only one on here that supports the team with the same nickname as our beloved football team ?

:confused:


PPPS Anyone with an interest in google search "the 700 Level" :eek:

As soon as you stop calling my team the Cowgirls ... ;)

That's what I said. Ludicrous nametag which the Press invented as far as I know ... maybe someone can correct me if thats not the case.

The Philadelphia Eagles are the NFL equivalent of Millwall. :D