Filed under: 1 | Tags: China, nfl, NFL Europe, NFL International, NFL London, UK
Sorry for the delay. Lots of travel of late. Including a very interesting trip to London. I had the opportunity while there to talk a great deal about the NFL. It was only a few weeks after the Dolphins game and since I was wearing my Patriots hat…..allot…..I got allot of questions about the NFL, how it runs, the appeal, etc.
For the first time in my many years of traveling to London, I saw local London kids playing American football in the park. Given it was only catch, but that was really the first time I have ever seen that. I had to stop and play! As part of that I had some great conversations with the Parents….
One interesting point, kind of in the same way Europeans associate themselves with a team and a city, Manchester United as an example, the people I talked to had done the same with the NFL. As an example, the families I spoke with that now considered themselves Dolphins fans after the game, instantly considered themselves fans of each Miami team. They had purchased merchandise for the Dolphins, Heat, Marlins and even the U of Miami (sorry NHL….no takers). I found the cross marketing very interesting. The idea that if you were the fan of one team from a city you should be a fan of every team in a city, even if you don’t live there….
We chatted a great deal about NFL Europe. The general consensus there was that Londoners would sell out a real NFL game every time every week , at least that’s how they feel. But they felt, and most of Europe felt, that NFL Europe was a second class product, the minor leagues etc. (which is kind of was) and as a result felt a little insulted to be given not the top tier product. There was some fascination with arena football however, mainly due to the pace of the game. Overall there was strong sentiment that the NFL would do well there if given a real team.
Regular season games in London are a challenge however, from the travel to the revenue sharing of home game revenue to the cost structure of having a team there. Right now it seems uneconomical for a regular team to be based there and difficult at best to hold occasional games there.
There are parts of the NFL that these fans wanted to see adapted by their FA Cup teams hoever. Number one being the salary cap. The idea that everyone has the same payroll and level playing field was very appealing. As was the way the draft is help by the NFL, not at all like the professional soccer teams over there. These folks felt FIFA could learn allot about marketing and digital content distribution from the NFL as well (not sure on the latter, but the NFL can sure market!)
It was great to see my favorite sport enjoying some success over there. I really do think the NFL will continue trying international expansion, kind of like the NBA 30 years ago. The advantage there being the NBA had an Olympic presence which means government funding in foreign nations for grass roots programs, the NFL will not enjoy that and will have to come up with other ways to fund a grass roots building of the sport. So for now if probably makes the most sense to go after adjunct markets like Mexico and Canada (Toronto Bills? Mexico City Chargers?). China brings a whole new challenge since they really have nothing remotely close to the NFL over there. But I am talking to some folks over there about what an NFL entry might look like, stay tuned! After all the Patriots are owned by the same family that owns International Paper, a company with HUGE interests in China…hmmm……
This looks like the game of the week for sure. A very talented but underachieving San Diego Chargers team v. a loaded but coming off a physical loss to the Patriots Indianpolis Colts team. Unfortunately the Colts have 10+ people on the injury report, it really would be a shame if the effect certain players have on the game by not playing were the determining factor.
Let’s start with the Colts O v. ‘Bolts D. Joseph Addai has proved he can run on anyone, anytime. Great back to have in the Colts zone blocking scheme. Bascially let the line block straight ahead and have Addai find a hole. After the ‘Bolts gave up 296 to Adrian Peterson last week, is anyone confident that San Diego can stop anyone on the ground? The Vikings are 3-5 not 8-1. And they ran the Chargers into the ground. Has anyone seen Sahwne Merriman anywhere lately? I read the box score, I know he played…what, is he in the NFL version of the witness protection program? With or without Ugoh the Colts have a line plenty good enough to push around the Chargers. I expect a balanced attack from the Colts, much as they have done all year. Addai with around 120 yards rushing, 60 receiving and 2 TDs. Manning in the 220 range for yards and a TD.Fairly modest numbers for the receiving core as well, really no need for them to step upm which is good since they may have only 2 healthy…
When San Diego is on offense, they certainly have the talent. LT, Rivers, Gates, and new comer via the Siberia of the NFL – Miami comes Chris Chambers. The Colts D is banged up. They may well still be missing their starting corners and linebackers. Their philosophy always has been to not adjust, bascially this is what we run, beat us. Kind of the opposite of the morphing week to week Patriots D. With all the Colts injuries, if LT gets less than 25 carries, Norv Turner should be fired on the spot. Then flogged, tarred and feathered, and run out on a rail. If Coach Turner has half a brain (debateable) LT should get 25 carries for 130 yards and 2 TDs. At least another 50 yards receiving as well. Gates should have a field day as well. The Colts really have no one to match up with him. And can we stop the James Sanders is the greatest safety ever talk? Where was he against the Pats? Face it, Troy Polamauu is much much better. The Colts just lack defensive firepower right now…that’s why Rivers will throw for 250 in addition to LT’s numbers. 2 TDs as well.
All in all this should be a pretty entertaining game. Probably allot of big plays on both sides. With the undermanned Colts and the underachieving Chargers, this is a game perfect for one or the other to step up. I actually think the Chargers take this one. Again, assuming Turner actually gives LT the ball. But if he pulls a typical Norv, and uses LT as a decoy, the ‘Bolts will get blown out. call that getting Norved…
All things considered, and taking into effect that possibility of getting Norved…’Bolts over Colts 28-24. 350 yards of total offense for each team. 2 turnovers each. A mild upset and a great game. This could actually mean Jacksonville and Tennessee get within a game of the Colts for the division lead. Colts make an attempt at saving their season, and Rivers gets a chance to return to the form of last year. This Ryan Leaf imitation has got to end!
Enjoy the game! This could be one of the most entertaining games of the year.
Filed under: 1 | Tags: big game after effect, Colts, injuries, nfl, Patriots
I think I posted last week the effect the Patriots D has on the injury report. This week for the game against San Diego, the Colts have no less than 10 players questionable or out for the game. Dallas Clark has a concussion, Gonzalez a thumb injury etc. Now to be fair, some such as Ugoh and Harrison were injured prior to the Patriots game. But this is a significant number of additions after a physical matchup with the Pats.
Unfortunately the Patriots have a bye week, so we really can’t compare their injury list. I would imagine it has grown a bit as well had they had to play this week.
The after effect of a big game can not be understated. People often think it is a mental letdown, and sometimes it is, but often times it is more physical. You have two teams that really got up for this game, went all out, pushed themselves to the limit, and that leads to more than just mental exhaustion, that leads to injuries.
While the ‘Bolts have been a disappointment, the injury list may just be the factor that levels the playing field.
Filed under: 1 | Tags: Addai, Brady, Faulk, good v. evil, Indianapolis Colts, Manning, New England Patriots, nfl, running up the score
Ok, my predicted score last week was a bit off, but who can really predict a 50+ spot??? But the tactics such as swing passses to Faulk out of the backfield etc. actually were pretty spot on….
So why not go with the flow and take a look at Patriots – Colts this week. Game of the year/decade/whatever. Some idiot on ESPN.COM actually called it Good v. Evil (is EVERYONE forgetting how Manning ran up the score in 2004? BTW for all you Colts fans that say Sorgi played allot, he threw 6 passes in 4 games, it was all Manning. Or the fact that Steve Young scored at will in 1992….yet these guys aren’t running up the score? Whatever….). This could prove to be a really fun game to watch. Two pretty evenly matched teams, contrasting styles (the Colts look like Patriots 2004 and vice versa), and gee, no hype at all.
The key matchup here is probably Patriots D v. Colts O. The Colts are a very balanced team unlike previous years, and will take what the defense gives them, not forcing hte issues as in the past. Expect allot of 10 yard and less passes and swing passes to Addai. The Patriots D-line is big, physical, and experienced. Hard to move for anyone. The Colts will probably look to get outside or just in front of the linebackers allot. Assume Adalius Thomas and/or Rodney Harrison cover Dallas Clark, with a 3 deep zone behind them. This could actually mean a good game for the slot receiver Gonzalez as well as Addai. Lots of hitches for Gonzalez for around 75 yards, and expect Addai to get 120 or so combined yards at a touchdown. I really do expect a stalemate between these two lines which means getting around or just over them will be the strategy. Manning should throw for 220 or so and at least one touchdown.
Now the fun part. The new, revamped Patriots Offense and the playing very well Colts D. Again, probably a stalemate along the line of scrimmage. The Patriots O-Line is very good at pass protection, and the inside 3 (two guards and center) are physical run guys. The Colts have a quick and athletic line on D, but lack a little size. The same can be said for their linebackers. Very fast, but not huge. For this reason I expect a similar strategy from the Patriots. Lots of swing passes, more screens than the Colts do, and allot of attempts to exploit the 10 yard and in area off of the tackles. This might be a breakout game of Kyle Brady. Big (really really big) but slow, he has a size advantage that can be used against the linebackers of the Colts. I expect 60 yards and a TD from him. Watson and Moss will get allot of attention, and I expect a physical safety to lineup against Welker in a nickel package variation to slow him down. This means one on one against the second corner for Donte Stallworth. They have to respect his speed. So he may turn a few 10 yard hitches into long runs with his ability after the catch. I think he will end up wiht more yards than Moss to the tune of 130 plus a TD. Faulk too a good day with 80 all purpose yards. Brady should have a decent day, 250+ yards and two touchdowns.
All in all a very entertaining game is shaping up. Two great coaches and organizations (even though Bill Polian has proved to be a little nuts in the pressbox such as calling for his team to break Flutie’s leg last year, or shoving Jets officials). This will be fun! But I do think the Pats take it 34-27. The question will really be how well these teams recover for the next game. Take a look at the injury reports after a team plays the Patriots, the number of guys on the report goes up on average 50% the week after a team plays the Patriots. A result of the physical play. On the contrary for Colts opponents, it goes up around 15% for the same reason.
Have fun with this one! But just think, if the Patriots win and score allot….just in case….how will the National Media and the fan base of the NFL in general react. THAT could be the most entertaining part of all. I actually read a Redskin fan post that the Patriots should be penalized for running up the score and maybe lose draft picks. Did he have that same reaction when the Redskins beat the Browns (coached by Bill B.) in 1991 by 50? I bet not……
