Was London a success?

[superpunk]

I didn't catch the whole game, just watched the end.

Granted, this was perhaps the worst display of American Football that we could have possibly managed, but that stadium was a ghost-town, in terms of volume. The only time I noticed significant cheering was when Tynes was in for kicks. The field was a disaster (different sort of mud?) and the whole thing just seemed weak, with jerseys of every NFL team in the stadium.

Is this what we're expanding to? Soccer fans (hardcore ones) can't seem to get in to football because of all the downtime, it's hard to appreciate what goes on in thsoe six-second bursts of fury for someone who thinks watching teams kick a ball around nonstop making very little progress enormously entertaining. (It's been said, but I can't trust a sport that can't explain to me what offsides is....)

So, was it a success? Will we be seeing mroe games over there?Was the stadium loud before they were bombarded with crappy football. Are we still going to have to hear people talking up the Giants?

 

[theogt]

POSTED 12:10 p.m. EDT, October 29, 2007

BRITISH MEDIA NOT IMPRESSED WITH DOLPHINS, GIANTS by Michael David Smith

Reading the London newspapers the day after the NFL's first regular-season game in Europe, it's hard not to come away thinking that the American version of football has a long, long way to go before it catches on overseas.

Although the Telegraph headlines its story, "Mission Accomplished for NFL at Wembley," writer Oliver Brown has loads of complaints.

"Protracted gaps between plays can be filled by cheerleading displays -- and the Miami girls were more than game -- but entertainment on the pitch depends on a level of guile and execution that the London drizzle did not permit," Brown writes. "Miami's first drive did not augur well as Cleo Lemon, an unconvincing stand-in quarterback with Trent Green out for the season, found an early pass to Jason Peelle cut out before Jay Feely missed the consolation field goal."

Over at the Times, Nick Szczepanik writes that the game was "not exactly what most people had come to see" and that it was "a contest that seldom lived up to expectations."

The most favorable write-up among the local press comes from Alan McKinlay of the Mirror, who describes the Wembley crowd as "passionate fans who knew what they were watching." But McKinlay's entire article is just seven paragraphs long, and one of those paragraphs is speculation about whether English soccer matches could be played in New York or Miami.

McKinlay also may have the best sense for why the NFL wants to play games in Europe, noting that the game could mean "the sale of millions of pounds worth of merchandise."

 

[Crown Royal]

I didn't catch the whole game, just watched the end.

Granted, this was perhaps the worst display of American Football that we could have possibly managed, but that stadium was a ghost-town, in terms of volume. The only time I noticed significant cheering was when Tynes was in for kicks. The field was a disaster (different sort of mud?) and the whole thing just seemed weak, with jerseys of every NFL team in the stadium.

Is this what we're expanding to? Soccer fans (hardcore ones) can't seem to get in to football because of all the downtime, it's hard to appreciate what goes on in thsoe six-second bursts of fury for someone who thinks watching teams kick a ball around nonstop making very little progress enormously entertaining. (It's been said, but I can't trust a sport that can't explain to me what offsides is....)

So, was it a success? Will we be seeing mroe games over there?Was the stadium loud before they were bombarded with crappy football. Are we still going to have to hear people talking up the Giants?

Yes - it started off pretty energetically. Bad football tames the best of American crowds, though.

 

[dallasfaniac]

I don't want it to be a success.

Who in their right minds is going to give up a home game so one can be played in another country? They are trying to make football popular in other countries at the expense of the fans that have supported the team through the years.

That and the stupid whistles they were blowing the whole game. That happens in the states and the home team is penalized. If I were a player I would completely destroy a QB on a false start or something and just say I thought the whistle came from the stands and the play was still live.

 

[sago1]

I saw that game and it was boring, boring, boring. Posted same thing yesterday. I'm sure the rain and the poor quality of the field contributed to slowing down the game. Unless the NFL can ensure a viable quality NFL field in Europe to play these games, I'm not convinced their efforts will succeed.

BTW: Also think NFL stands better chance playing in Germany. Let me explain. One of the reason that soccer isn't a big sport in the US is because we already have football, baseball & basketball and host of other sports. There's not a lot of room left to draw on for soccer support. The Brits love their soccer and rugby but also sport cars races, etc. In fact NFL said that hoping to become #4 or 5 best watched sport show. In Germany on the other hand, they only have soccer plus they've already shown a love of American football by continuing to support 2-3 of NFL Europe teams while rest of European teams collapsed. Because of the time a large U.S. force was present in Germany, Germans became more knowledgeable about the game, etc. If a next game is held in Europe, it should be in Germany on a field better suited for American football. Also somehow the NFL has to figure out a way to ensure 2 good NFL teams play--no way Miami or similar team should accidentally play there.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Are we still going to have to hear people talking up the Giants?

That part will continue, no doubt. Never mind that their winning streak has come against competition no greater than what we have faced. They are the big bad giants and they are on a roll. Funny, no one mentions that their competition has been basically weak.

Sorry punk. Didn't mean to hijack your London thread.

 

[Hostile]

Most of the crowd probably cheered loudest on kickoffs, PATs, FGs, and Punts.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

London Calling la la la I don't know the rest of the song, someone please fill in

btw, look how proper the English papers all are, "stand-in QB" lol "consolation field goal"

 

[superpunk]

I don't want it to be a success.

Who in their right minds is going to give up a home game so one can be played in another country? They are trying to make football popular in other countries at the expense of the fans that have supported the team through the years.

That and the stupid whistles they were blowing the whole game. That happens in the states and the home team is penalized. If I were a player I would completely destroy a QB on a false start or something and just say I thought the whistle came from the stands and the play was still live.

I couldn't believe any NFL team would agree to sacrifice a home game in any season. Huizenga's a miser of a used-car salesman, and I'm sure he got some financial benefit from this. He clearly doesn't give a crap about winning, so I guess taht's where the agreement originated.

I don't see any long term benefit, really, aside from eventually making another league in Europe - one that will actually work. They need to develop European talent, though - because noone in Europe (aside from overseas service-men) gives two flying craps about a bunch of Americans over there playing minor league games.

They'll never put a franchise over there.

That part will continue, no doubt. Never mind that their winning streak has come against competition no greater than what we have faced. They are the big bad giants and they are on a roll. Funny, no one mentions that their competition has been basically weak.

Sorry punk. Didn't mean to hijack your London thread.

No worries...that's what the question is there for. Criticizing the red-hot Giants and their impressive 3 point victory over Cleo Lemon and Jesse Chatman.

 

[CNY Cowboy]

As far as I'm concerned it was a success, It just showed the world that the Gints aren't the team that The media is making them out to be.
That was a terrible showing on their part.:dissgint:

 

[Crown Royal]

Most of the crowd probably cheered loudest on kickoffs, PATs, FGs, and Punts.

:laugh2:

 

[PosterChild]

-Fans make the best of inferior product-

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7385684

Answer seems to be that it wasn't truly well received, but looks like Sheriff Goodell is forging full seam ahead. Must be some kind of strategery.

 

[joseephuss]

-Fans make the best of inferior product-

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7385684

Answer seems to be that it wasn't truly well received, but looks like Sheriff Goodell is forging full seam ahead. Must be some kind of strategery.

Didn't the plan to start playing some games in foreign countries start before Goodell was in charge? The 49ers and Cardinals played in Mexico last year, which was Goodell's first season, but that game was schedule before Goodell actually started as commissioner.

 

[LeonDixson]

Most of the crowd probably cheered loudest on kickoffs, PATs, FGs, and Punts.

Well, my good man, that's because those are the times the chaps are properly launching the ball; with their feet!

 

[adbutcher]

Most of the crowd probably cheered loudest on kickoffs, PATs, FGs, and Punts.

I will call that unsuccessful, lol.

 

[Crown Royal]

Didn't the plan to start playing some games in foreign countries start before Goodell was in charge? The 49ers and Cardinals played in Mexico last year, which was Goodell's first season, but that game was schedule before Goodell actually started as commissioner.

Yep. It's the collective wish of the owners to expand the product, not just that of Goodell.

 

[CATCH17]

It sucked bad.

 

[PosterChild]

Didn't the plan to start playing some games in foreign countries start before Goodell was in charge? The 49ers and Cardinals played in Mexico last year, which was Goodell's first season, but that game was schedule before Goodell actually started as commissioner.

True, but as a good steward of the league shouldn't he steer the NFL ship into calm, welcoming waters?? Ok, enough analogies for one post...my point is that it's clear that the Euros aren't eager to have our football rammed down their throats. Time to face it.

 

[Richmond Cowboy]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7385684

What that outlet will be is uncertain. During Sunday's FOX telecast, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will open a football academy in the United Kingdom. The possibility of more regular-season games, an expansion franchise and even a Super Bowl in London are being bandied about as part of the NFL's "globalization" efforts.
quote]

Are they out of their skulls?

 

[WoodysGirl]

My biggest issue is that fans blew whistles during the middle of the play causing players to stop because they thought the Refs had blown the play dead.