NFL 2014

[BarclayBoy88]

Just wondering if there were any other NFL fans out there?

With the season just a few weeks away, be good to get a little chat going. Especially as we'll be having three games over in London this year.

Personally a massive Jets fan. Also going down to see the Lions/Falcons game at Wembley this year, which I imagine should be a good contest.

Who are we tipping as early Superbowl favourites?

Denver have to be up there again, although I do like the Seahawks again, good, strong, young squad. 

 

[flashdown]

Being from the USA, I am a fan of the NFL and more specifically the Denver broncos and the New Orleans saints. Born in Louisiana and raised in Colorado, thus the ties with both teams. I think it's really cool that games are being played in London more frequently.

I would love to see both my teams in the Super Bowl, but Seattle will be tough to beat again for the saints. Seeing as it's still preseason every team can claim to get to the Super Bowl. Though I believe the ones that have a real chance are Seattle, Denver, San Francisco, and Indianapolis. A dark horse could be Arizona, but who really knows?

 

[splutcho]

I would just about claim to be a fan, because I do enjoy it, but I don't really know the intricate rules, just the basics. And I'm a Packers "fan" but I really don't know why.

 

[BarclayBoy88]

Being from the USA, I am a fan of the NFL and more specifically the Denver broncos and the New Orleans saints. Born in Louisiana and raised in Colorado, thus the ties with both teams. I think it's really cool that games are being played in London more frequently.

I would love to see both my teams in the Super Bowl, but Seattle will be tough to beat again for the saints. Seeing as it's still preseason every team can claim to get to the Super Bowl. Though I believe the ones that have a real chance are Seattle, Denver, San Francisco, and Indianapolis. A dark horse could be Arizona, but who really knows?

What about Carolina? you think this is the year they make the jump?

I would like to say the Jets have a chance but there are too many question marks and a big one against the most important position on the field in the Quarterback. However at least we have the best defensive line in the league. 

 

[Paul Handscombe]

I am an Oakland Raiders fan.  I went to 2 of the Wembley games last year with my son, and we are going to two this year including the Raiders game with my Dad as well

 

[BarclayBoy88]

I am an Oakland Raiders fan.  I went to 2 of the Wembley games last year with my son, and we are going to two this year including the Raiders game with my Dad as well

How do you think the Raiders will do this year Paul?

Seems you are moving in the right direction. 

 

[flashdown]

What about Carolina? you think this is the year they make the jump?

I would like to say the Jets have a chance but there are too many question marks and a big one against the most important position on the field in the Quarterback. However at least we have the best defensive line in the league. 

Carolina have a chance to do so, but if I remember correctly they lost a lot at wide receiver.  So that alone could stop them from making the jump.  Plus they play in a tough division with the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints.  No team has won the division title over the past 6 or 7 years I believe.  With all that said, I'd venture to say they won't make the jump this year and might not even make the playoffs.

You are right about the Jets there BarclayBoy.  The Jets have way too many things up in the air to have any idea on how they will perform this year.  Defense will help, but offense is a must in a division with the New England Patriots.

 

[Paul Handscombe]

How do you think the Raiders will do this year Paul?

Seems you are moving in the right direction. 

Slowly very slowly moving in the right direction, still so inconsistent and haven't had a decent teams in a decade.  a winning season will be a good start even if it's 9-7, and am buzzing for the Wembley game.

 

[BarclayBoy88]

Slowly very slowly moving in the right direction, still so inconsistent and haven't had a decent teams in a decade.  a winning season will be a good start even if it's 9-7, and am buzzing for the Wembley game.

Absolutely, I'm really interested to see how Derek Carr comes on this year, I really liked him in college and will be interesting to see how he improves. 

 

[BarclayBoy88]

Carolina have a chance to do so, but if I remember correctly they lost a lot at wide receiver.  So that alone could stop them from making the jump.  Plus they play in a tough division with the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints.  No team has won the division title over the past 6 or 7 years I believe.  With all that said, I'd venture to say they won't make the jump this year and might not even make the playoffs.

You are right about the Jets there BarclayBoy.  The Jets have way too many things up in the air to have any idea on how they will perform this year.  Defense will help, but offense is a must in a division with the New England Patriots.

Yeah they pretty much lose their entire receiving core in Smith, LaFell, Ginn and Hixon. However they have added a veteran in Cotchery, who's a former Jet and although nothing flashy, is a reliable guy across the middle. They also drafted Kelvin Benjamin who could turn into a very handy player if he puts it all together. You're absolutely right though, it's not an easy division, although it will be interesting to see if the Falcons bounce back from what was a really disappointing season for them last year.

Our offense could click and we'll be fine, it could falter and we'll lose a lot of games 10-3 and such. Brady was 37 yesterday, one year closer to retirement, I can't wait for that

 

[Danhammond1612]

I support the Green Bay Packers. Go Cheeseheads!!

 

[Leedscanary]

Well I was enjoying this forum! Just saw this thread and got really excited - until I saw 2 Cheeseheads already here. I'm going to the Lions/Falcons and Raiders/Dolphins at Wembley this year, but I'll be wearing my beloved

 

[Danhammond1612]

I'm waiting for the packers to go to wembley then I'll go. I've heard the games at wembley have a pretty special atmosphere.

 

[Tomasz Blazak]

Redskins fan here. Optimistic about our chances this season! We have one of the best WR corps in the league on paper and I'm SO looking forward to seeing DeSean Jackson torch the Cowgirls. Think Jay Gruden and Bruce Allen have developed a pretty good roster so I'm hopeful we can have a winning season.

 

[BarclayBoy88]

Quite a good mix of fans here then, which is great to see, and no Dolphins or Patriot fans yet, always a bonus  B)

Although DeSean is a fantastic player, I'm actually quite happy about the Jets not getting involved, the gang related issues would worry me as a fan. 

 

[Tomasz Blazak]

The gang issues are a misnomer really. Poor kids in poor neighbourhoods end up with some of their friends going down the gang route. Nothing to see there imo. The 'gang sign' he threw in the game was not even gang related, he's not affiliated, therefore no problem

 

[skijumptoes]

I got into NFL at a young age listening to Gangsta rap like NWA etc. It was all about the raiders gear (Then LA of course),this led me to get interested in the sport, and some how ended up adopting Falcons as my team based on nothing more than enjoying how they played at the time.

Not watched it since Vick got put away for dog fighting though.. But man i used to love to see him fake a throw so good that the camera would have to pan back, only to see him 10-15 yards further up the pitch with the ball in his hands! lol

Just watch the super bowl and some of the playoffs now, just can't find the time to follow it but would like to.

Where i used to work the company was american owned, and they were all Patriots fans, i remember having a really confusing conversation with them regarding season tickets, and the complexity of their system, and how they had season tickets that they renew as an investment and then hired their seat out for the season, as what they had hit premium prices or something... Really can't remember, but they were proud of this fact.

They couldn't understand how such a thing wasn't in place over here for football.  The idea really grated on me, but kept it to myself in the interest of not upsetting the owners.

 

[splutcho]

I've just treated myself to Sky tv, so I'm going to make more of an effort to watch and understand it better this year. I may start by learning positions other than quarter back, because at the moment it's "the running guy", "the catching guys" and of course "the fat blocking guys".

 

[BarclayBoy88]

I've just treated myself to Sky tv, so I'm going to make more of an effort to watch and understand it better this year. I may start by learning positions other than quarter back, because at the moment it's "the running guy", "the catching guys" and of course "the fat blocking guys".

Sky actually do a really nice job of catering to the novice and seasoned fans, and they do an excellent job of explaining just how tactical it is. I do a little writing on the NFL for a US based company, so always happy to answer any questions if you ever have them splutcho, if you can't find the answer you're looking for anywhere else. 

 

[BarclayBoy88]

The gang issues are a misnomer really. Poor kids in poor neighbourhoods end up with some of their friends going down the gang route. Nothing to see there imo. The 'gang sign' he threw in the game was not even gang related, he's not affiliated, therefore no problem

The thing is, you need to be responsible and remove yourself from those situations. Certainly appreciate he doesn't have the affiliation, but he still hangs out with them. Meaning he is putting himself into dangerous and risky situations which could lead to NFL suspensions or worse. He doesn't seem like a bad guy, I just wouldn't feel comfortable giving that much money to a guy who loves the club scene and associates with gangsters.