football and basketball

[aarnold517]

Nice start of the season for Arizona with a blow out against Rice (of course the blow out occurred in the first ten minutes and the last five - the middle of the game seemed to be much more in favor of Rice).

always was a fan of arizona because i love the pac-10 but this year im finding it difficult to root for them because of sean miller (ive been a xavier fan my entire life, growing up a mile from cincinnati). it was bad enough to see thad matta leave the team for ohio state but sean miller leaving was a big blow also

on another note, how does syracuse go from losing to a D-II team to dominating north carolina in like a week

 

[aarnold517]

i had to dig this really old thread back up because THE KENTUCKY WILDCATS ARE IN THE FINAL FOUR FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1998!!

apologies for so many caps, but here in kentucky basketball matters way too much and this is huge for our state and city. plus it's been 13 years since i can gloat about the basketball team so i had to do it now

 

[nvpacchi]

i had to dig this really old thread back up because THE KENTUCKY WILDCATS ARE IN THE FINAL FOUR FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1998!!

apologies for so many caps, but here in kentucky basketball matters way too much and this is huge for our state and city. plus it's been 13 years since i can gloat about the basketball team so i had to do it now

I gotta say props to you guys after you lost 5 first round draft picks... But I gotta back my Big East boys up for this matchup

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

to be clear:

To be real clear:

Football

Soccer (a mix of everything, but unreal Football)

incompetent rogue....

 

[Boeing]

LAKERS baby

Lamar Kardashian best 6th man in the game

 

[Hugh Januss]

LAKERS baby

Lamar Kardashian best 6th man in the game

Second best, right after Glenn Davis.

 

[Boeing]

Second best, right after Glenn Davis.

Can Glenn swim?

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

I figured we should have a thread to discuss two of the most popular sports (at least here in America) football and basketball, both of which are in season right now.

A couple of my thoughts (showing a bit of local bias):
Cincinnati Bengals to win the Super Bowl with OchoCinco as MVP

Florida Gators win the national title over Texas Longhorns

Kobe and the Lakers win another championship, but he still is nowhere near as good as Jordan was

and the young Kentucky Wildcats mature before our eyes, waltzing to a national title, and subsequently half the team leaves for the NBA

Cincinnati Bengals to win the Super Bowl = dream on (sorry)

Florida Gators win the national title over Texas Longhorns = might happen

Kobe and the Lakers win another championship = good bet
(but he still is nowhere near as good as Jordan was) = absolutely
... but I'll pick the Heat gets hot and serious,
or maybe Magic pulls something out of the hat.

Kentucky Wildcats mature before our eyes = Yeah baby!

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Can't stand the NBA. Looking forward to the Final Four games tomorrow though. I'll take any team winning at this point, but my favorites in order are: Butler, VCU, Kentucky, Connecticut.

The NBA is stale. Same teams over and over. Plus the game is controlled by the refs, and front office. The whole league stinks and I can't believe so many people keep watching.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Can't stand the NBA. Looking forward to the Final Four games tomorrow though. I'll take any team winning at this point, but my favorites in order are: Butler, VCU, Kentucky, Connecticut.

The NBA is stale. Same teams over and over. Plus the game is controlled by the refs, and front office. The whole league stinks and I can't believe so many people keep watching.

for most part, i agree... except during playoffs.
was glad seeing tucky down uconn. And a Butler or VCU would be a nice change from the old powerhouse teams

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Cincinnati Bengals to win the Super Bowl = dream on (sorry)

He meant the 09 Season, when the Bengals made the Playoffs.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Can't stand the NBA. Looking forward to the Final Four games tomorrow though. I'll take any team winning at this point, but my favorites in order are: Butler, VCU, Kentucky, Connecticut.

The NBA is stale. Same teams over and over. Plus the game is controlled by the refs, and front office. The whole league stinks and I can't believe so many people keep watching.

It´s the same BS as NBA and to a certain level of NHL/MLB/NFL/FIFA. Numerous betting scandals. That´s why we all love cycling. Cheating for winning (give it all ) is still better than the other way around.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Actually, the NCAA is far better than the NBA to watch. And here's why the NFL is the best sport there is to watch, period:

The NFL has parity with all but a few exceptions (NE, Pittsburgh, Indy always good, Detroit, Cleveland always bad), which is something the NBA doesn't come close to having. It's the same clusters of teams in the same playoff positions almost every year for the last 30 years. Every so often a team will sneak it, but not very often. MLB is about as bad as the NBA in this regard, though not quite.

You get great style differences, and thus intriguing match-ups in the NFL (and college football too, but the BCS sucks big time). One team may play hard hitting defense, another team a blitzing defense. One team a run and shoot offense, another team a ground running team. It creates high curiosity from these variables, and different games every week. Every game actually.

In the NBA nearly every team plays a similar style of half-court offense, with various stars playing isolation in attempts to score. Granted, some teams do run or pass a little more, and some players drive to the basket while others shoot more jumpers, but it takes a real discerning eye to see the subtle differences in match ups. The games almost always appear the same. In the NCAA at least you see teams like VCU and their press defense, or teams with big front lines versus teams with three outside shooters who launch threes. It's not the same diversity as the NFL, but it's a lot more than the NBA.

While almost every sport slows towards the end of a game, the NFL can actually have games that speed up at the end to a crescendo. The NBA and NCAA basketball almost always has the game slow to a crawl at the end with all the timeouts.

MLB has similar problems to the NBA. Plus MLB the game has become so incredibly slow with all the substitutions, and breaks between innings take forever for commercials.

NHL is at least starting to grow again and trying new things, like playing outdoors.

Soccer (Futbol) at least has some differences in teams, you see it in the World Cup especially in styles. But there's too many damned leagues, championships, cups, etc.

Tennis is boring, the mens game is too fast, and there are no rivalries on the womens side.

Boxing is deader than dead corrupt. Way too many divisions and belts. MMA is probably bigger than it by now. Back in the 70s boxing was huge worldwide, huge. Now, it's a joke.

Cycling, like Track & Field has numerous problems with doping, and corruption. Cycling is still the most beautiful sport to watch though.

Nascar is boring. Formula 1, and Indy are okay, but a real sameness to them.

Rugby, cricket, skiing, skating, too small, obscure.

Golf isn't a sport.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Yeah NFL is the best. But they have some REAL dark sides (painkillers, numbing shots, steroids, HGH, too much gambling).
Anyway American Football is No. 1 and i like the NFL because i want to see the best players.
NE is always good because "Belicheat" is the Coach. He´s going for it on 4th down, aggresive play calling, good drafts and free agent pickups. The opposite is Norv the Smurf Turner. Always timid play calling, wasting the great talent of the Chargers. What a sad, sad situation.
NBA... just forget it.
MLB... i watched until A-Rod signed a immoral 250-Mio.-$ Contract. Even tough i played that beauty game, i don´t waste any more money for overpaid drug users.
NHL... great Game. Love the Red Wings. But i always have problems to see the puck. Too bad.
Soccer... most boring and unfair (popular) game. Wish i was born somwhere else, i wouldn´t have wasted my youth playing this game.
Snooker... boring to watch, but the most difficult game to play. Real fun.
Track... i loved it until "King Carl" left. Greatest athlete ever. He was beauty to watch. Nowadays it´s a drug riddled shame. Bolt and Carmelita Jeter come to mind.
Table Tennis... great to play, boring to watch
Cycling... my No. 2 love, but difficult to do. I always didn´t like to play endurance games.

Wish i would be into Australian Football, Gaelic Football and Hurling. I just saw those sports latley on youtube. Must be fun to play.

 

[pmcg76]

NFL-best sport in the world!!! Got to be kidding me, someone said Rugby, cricket and a few other sports were too small. Hey outside the US, what other country has American football as a major sports. Thats right-none.

How anyone can describe a sport thats popular in one country as big is bizarre. I hate cricket but its played in a few countries including India where it is THE sport which automatically makes it much bigger than NFL.

I like NFL but it has so many flaws its unreal, playing time is 1 hour yet takes how long to play, too many BS ad breaks. Superbowl is ludicrous. Time-outs BS, everything is pre-planned and tactics, oh yeah, we are running this play, that play, too little skill or creativity by most players, one player QB controls most of the game.

Not forgetting the most ridiculous rule ever, the 2 minute warning WTF. You need a warning to let the players know there is 2 minutes left, stooopid. 40 player teams when there is only how many players on the field at any one time. Finally, how its even called football when the only player who kicks the ball are the punter and goal-kicker. How many players on a NFL team use their foot on the ball. And of course the players are drugged to the gills and grossly overpaid.

In terms of a physical contact sport, I would rather have rugby anyday, players need a variety of skills, not just to be strong and fast and they all need to use their brains more and play off the hoof so to speak.

I agree that soccer games can be very boring but a good game is way more exciting than NFL, the problem with soccer at Internationl level is only a few big countries will ever be world champions and at club level the game is ruled by money, plain and simple. That is one thing where I would feel NFL has the advantage over soccer, makes it more varied.

If you asked me what the best all-round sport in the world is, I would go with hurling, the Irish sport. Even though I am Irish, I have never played because its not so big where I am from, Gaelic football is much bigger. Its super-fast with amazing skills levels and very exciting to watch and nobody is paid.

I like Aussie rules a lot as well and like NFL, the spread of teams is more varied because of salary caps etc.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

So you hate-love NFL...
My point wasn´t how popular a sport is, but how good. And from the games i played or know, American Football is No. 1 by far. That´s my opinion, you don´t have to agree. I like the NFL because i wan´t to see the best players. As i said NFL has big problems, but the game itself is beauty.
No talents? You need skill, brain, toughness, technique, speed, power, quickness... compared to my 2nd favourite sport, road cycling (90% endurance), that´s pretty much.

Actually a NFL-Game is played just 10-11 minutes (50 mins huddling, ball spotting, pre snap actions) in 3 1/2 hours. But you know what? In those 10 minutes hell breaks loose. Something that never ever happens during 90+ minutes of Soccer.

And we shall not forget, cycling can be boring too (flat stages): the peloton is 5 hours chasing, catching the breakaway riders 99% of time and we have action for the last 5 mins and a bunch sprint. But heh, i like it. At least some action compared to soccer.

 

[aarnold517]

I love the NFL but one of the reasons i like basketball a little bit more is because the games take less time and it seems like there's more action than football. Whereas in football you know there will be a thirty second break in between every play (except two minute drills), basketball has minutes at a time of non-stop action. Plus throw in the fact that you can be 5'5" or 7'5" and still be a good player as long as you can put the ball threw the hoop. That being said, both the NFL and the NBA are headed towards lockouts, so the corrupted sports that are college athletics will have to do.

Completely separate topic, but I think part of the reason basketball and football are so popular in America are because they are dominated by Americans. If you look at other popular sports around the world, such as soccer (futbol), rugby, cycling, or to a lesser extent hockey, the best athletes aren't Americans. Might be part of the reason for explaining the popularity of football, basketball and baseball (well that and they're awesome )

As for my hometown Kentucky Wildcats, they gave a valiant fight, made it further than we thought but came up just short. Now, we watch as once again half of our team changes and we our forced to compete, and win, with freshmen.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

That being said, both the NFL and the NBA are headed towards lockouts

Completely separate topic, but I think part of the reason basketball and football are so popular in America are because they are dominated by Americans.

Actually i was brought to Football in the mid 80s by a german friend who knew some american. If i only had known him earlier... The best Football was played in the (early) 80s with the aerial attacks by Fouts, Marino, Elway etc. And you know what? I wasted my time watching boring 0-0 and 1-0 soccer games & playing that boring game. If my fellow germans would know about the real football and just learn the simple rules... they would throw soccer in the dustbin. Especially after that scandalous WC 2010... One of my long time friends, i converted him to football. Now he´s watching with me every regular season week.

And now the greedy players and owners destroy that game (after Baseball). Just stupid.

I don´t think football is so popular because americans rule. Look at Track & Field. They dominate since forever, but (almost) only King Carl is famous in your country. I think it´s so popluar, it´s because of the game itself. Simply the best

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I actually think there's less action in basketball. Especially at the end of games. Time outs, plus all the fouls if a game is close really slows the game down. The NBA needs to eliminate free throws and implement a penalty box.

MLB... i watched until A-Rod signed a immoral 250-Mio.-$ Contract. Even tough i played that beauty game, i don´t waste any more money for overpaid drug users.

Agree for the most part. It's a little stupid when one player (A-Roid) makes more money in one year than another team's entire roster (happened last year with the Florida Marlins. He made more than all 25 guys on that team combined).

Track... i loved it until "King Carl" left. Greatest athlete ever. He was beauty to watch.

He was, but unfortunately, he doped too. Not to the extent of others, no, but still...

How anyone can describe a sport thats popular in one country as big is bizarre. I hate cricket but its played in a few countries including India where it is THE sport which automatically makes it much bigger than NFL.

Well, for one reason the United States is the most sports crazed nation on the planet. We spend zillions of dollars watching, playing and supporting a slew of sports. Nearly half the fans of the NFL are women, if you can believe that. It's insane how popular sports is in the US, and the NFL is at the top.

The NFL definitely has problems, Foxy listed them, and right now they are suing each other. But the most "popular" sport in the world is Soccer, though it has a big share of problems as well, some of which Foxy said, or rules that are just dumb:

• The way the clock counts "up" requiring fans to deal with stoppage time.

• Ties stink. But sudden death by penalty kicks are a joke. It would be like ending a tied football game with a punt, pass and kick contest. Who thought that up?

• In sports like NFL, Basketball or Baseball even, you can be under so much pressure and on the spot that if you screw up it could haunt you the rest of your life (ask the great Bill Buckner). But in soccer a player can go an entire game without touching the ball and look like he did his job, and 99% of the fans would hardly notice.

• There are too many damned leagues, cups, championships for many fans to follow.

This doesn't mean I don't like soccer. I do like it. I prefer watching it live, and used to work on the video crew for the Portland Timbers. Soccer is a great sport too. I just don't think it's as dramatic, dynamic, athletic, explosive or exciting as the NFL (or "football).

Many years ago boxing was one of the most popular sports on the planet, almost equal to soccer. Now, boxing is an awful sport, awful. It's corrupt, there are so many weight classes, so many belts, you don't even know who's who or any good. But it's still popular across the planet, more in other countries than the US. But that doesn't mean it's worth anything as a sport.

 

[Oldman]

The NFL is offerring HGH and blood testing as important in the next agreement with NFPLA. The NFL Commissioner is making some high visibility visits to school age environments explaining the dangers related to PEDs. This and their current awareness of head injuries could change the game or just be window dressing. The fact that they seem organized in these efforts distinguishes them from other sports from a promotional view.
When was the last time USA Cycling took a strong initiative on PED's? I'd say never as a 25 year member; let alone having a noteworthy spokesperson represent them.
I like the odds of the NFL continuing to provide quality pro sports entertainment. The NBA should start paying attention, however.

 

[pmcg76]

.



Well, for one reason the United States is the most sports crazed nation on the planet. We spend zillions of dollars watching, playing and supporting a slew of sports. Nearly half the fans of the NFL are women, if you can believe that. It's insane how popular sports is in the US, and the NFL is at the top.

The NFL definitely has problems, Foxy listed them, and right now they are suing each other. But the most "popular" sport in the world is Soccer, though it has a big share of problems as well, some of which Foxy said, or rules that are just dumb:

• The way the clock counts "up" requiring fans to deal with stoppage time.

• Ties stink. But sudden death by penalty kicks are a joke. It would be like ending a tied football game with a punt, pass and kick contest. Who thought that up?

• In sports like NFL, Basketball or Baseball even, you can be under so much pressure and on the spot that if you screw up it could haunt you the rest of your life (ask the great Bill Buckner). But in soccer a player can go an entire game without touching the ball and look like he did his job, and 99% of the fans would hardly notice.

• There are too many damned leagues, cups, championships for many fans to follow.

This doesn't mean I don't like soccer. I do like it. I prefer watching it live, and used to work on the video crew for the Portland Timbers. Soccer is a great sport too. I just don't think it's as dramatic, dynamic, athletic, explosive or exciting as the NFL (or "football).

I am going to diagree with you on the statement that the US is the most sports obsessed nation in the world. I would put the Aussies well ahead of the US in terms of being sports crazy, this is based on the fact that I have lived in both countries so I am not just guessing on that.

Plus, Australia have world class teams in Cricket, Rugby union, Rugby League . Their soccer team is the equal of the US national, likewise they produce a lot of world class cyclists on road & track. They have also produced top golfers, tennis players, track & field etc. For a country with a mere fraction of the US population its quite staggering how many athletes Australia produces, also the fact that their big national sport Aussie Rules is not even international.

I am not saying that lightly either as I wouldnt be the biggest fan of Aussies in general.

On your points about soccer, like every sport it has its faults but to address a few points.

The tie situation is something that the governing bodies have been trying to get a decent solution to for a long time. But its the same in NFL, in a tied game, the team that usually wins the coin toss nearly always wins the game, right? so games are decided on a coin toss altough it does happen less in NFL.

In soccer I agree penalties are a lottery but in knockout competitions, world cup, Champions league etc its the only current viable solution. We had the golden goal which was the same as the NFL system but games would still finish tied.

Soccer has become more negative but we had two Champions league games tonight with 11 goals between them. For me a good soccer match will always beat a good NFL game.

We could pick faults with various sports all day, for example, the US Divisonal systems seems strange when not all the teams with the best records make the play-off because they are in the wrong divison. A team from the AFC could make the play-offs with an 8-6 record whilst perhaps a team with a 10-4 record in the NFC might not make it. Seems strange to many people.

I think it just depends on what you grow up with, when I lived in the US, I enjoyed the NFL more than the other US sports and even made a game down in Baltimore but in comparison to attending a soccer match in Argentina for example, there is no comparison in terms of atmosphere etc.

NFL is very simple, there is what 30 something teams and thats it, maybe thats a big plus but it goes against the European concept of free and open competition. Its a cultural mindset. I think as the US is the only counrty where NFL is played, its very simple. There is no international angle, no world cup, no European Cup etc. Because of that, of course there is far less competitions, cups etc so its more straightforward.

In comparison, the UCI are trying to create a similar system to the NFL with a closed competition with 20 teams only i.e. UCI Protour. Look at how much opposition there is to this so its the same for other sports despite the benefits of a closed entry.

As I said, we could argue all day but in closing I will say this, American football has never grown outside the US as a sport whilst soocer has spread to all corners even places where it was never big like Aisa, look at Japan, South Korea or even Australia where it has become a lot more popular. Why?

Soccer is not even my favourite sport, for team sports I would prefer Gaelic football and maybe even rugby despite growing up with all these sports.

 

[pmcg76]

This doesn't mean I don't like soccer. I do like it. I prefer watching it live, and used to work on the video crew for the Portland Timbers. Soccer is a great sport too. I just don't think it's as dramatic, dynamic, athletic, explosive or exciting as the NFL (or "football).

Again, I disagree with this staement, I dont think NFL players are more athletic than most other team sports, they generally have one field position and thats it, all most guys do is block or try to get past another player. Also, most players are either on the offensive or defensive side which means they spend a lot of time on the sidelines not playing in a 60minute game.

I think the average soccer player covers on average 5km/3miles in a normal game. How does that compare to the average NFL player per game. NFL is more about shouts bursts of speed and strength whilst soccer is about stamina and skill. Its like comparing a 100m sprinter to a long distance runner, is one somehow more athletic than the other, I dont think so.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

He was, but unfortunately, he doped too. Not to the extent of others, no, but still...

You are right. But Ephidrin is nothing compared to the hight-tech blood doping of nowadays... I remember so much good times, especially the unbelieveable Comeback in Atlanta 1996 winning long jump gold at age 36. Luckily i bought a ticket on the black market for 200 $ to see it live...
His running style was once and forever, being behind until 10 meters to go and than flying past everyone else. Beautiful.

The NFL is offerring HGH and blood testing as important in the next agreement with NFPLA. The NFL Commissioner is making some high visibility visits to school age environments explaining the dangers related to PEDs. This and their current awareness of head injuries could change the game or just be window dressing. The fact that they seem organized in these efforts distinguishes them from other sports from a promotional view.

But we all have to admit that cycling is the first sport with blood and training testing. That BTW is the reason that there are so many positives. Cycling isn´t dirtier than any other pro sport. I´d even say the are way ahead.

On your points about soccer, like every sport it has its faults but to address a few points.

The tie situation is something that the governing bodies have been trying to get a decent solution to for a long time. But its the same in NFL, in a tied game, the team that usually wins the coin toss nearly always wins the game, right? so games are decided on a coin toss altough it does happen less in NFL.

In soccer I agree penalties are a lottery... For me a good soccer match will always beat a good NFL game.

As I said, we could argue all day but in closing I will say this, American football has never grown outside the US as a sport whilst soocer has spread to all corners even places where it was never big like Aisa, look at Japan, South Korea or even Australia where it has become a lot more popular. Why?

1.) But soccer has by far the biggest problems. Nearly half of the WC-Games were decided by the refs (some german guys did a great study on it). The FIFA (next to the IOC) is the most corrupt and thus worst sports organisation in the world (compare Jennings).

2.) Ties in the NFL: Around 55 % of the coin toss winners win in OT. Not that big lottery as you tought. About luck in general: The nature of the soccer game (mostly one error kills a team, because most games end 1-0) makes it the luckiest game of them all. Studies have shown that the least favourites win in soccer, followed by hockey... the NFL has the most favourites win (around 63%, depending on the seasons you look at). Since i like games where the best and not the luckiest wins, the NFL is the best.

3.) The worst 3-0 Snow-NFL-Game will always beat the best 3-2 soccer match. Once, if people invest some time in understanding the simple Football-Rules, they will see the beauty of American Football.

All skills are needed, not just strenght and speed. You would wonder how many skills and tricks a good CB needs to cover a WR. Or how difficult it is to pass a ball 50 yards right over the shoulder of a WR in 3 seconds when 4 big strong men "try to kill" you. Or...

Almost all the time all 45 men on a NFL-Roster enter a game. Only sometimes you see a player "DNP" during any given sunday. I think you just forgot that there are special teams which include WRS, OL, DL, Kickers, even sometimes Backup-QBS.

I think people who hit out against Football never really understood the game. Just my opinion, don´t wanna hurt somebody.

 

[pmcg76]

You are right. But Ephidrin is nothing compared to the hight-tech blood doping of nowadays... I remember so much go

1.) But soccer has by far the biggest problems. Nearly half of the WC-Games were decided by the refs (some german guys did a great study on it). The FIFA (next to the IOC) is the most corrupt and thus worst sports organisation in the world (compare Jennings).

2.) Ties in the NFL: Around 55 % of the coin toss winners win in OT. Not that big lottery as you tought. About luck in general: The nature of the soccer game (mostly one error kills a team, because most games end 1-0) makes it the luckiest game of them all. Studies have shown that the least favourites win in soccer, followed by hockey... the NFL has the most favourites win (around 63%, depending on the seasons you look at). Since i like games where the best and not the luckiest wins, the NFL is the best.

3.) The worst 3-0 Snow-NFL-Game will always beat the best 3-2 soccer match. Once, if people invest some time in understanding the simple Football-Rules, they will see the beauty of American Football.

All skills are needed, not just strenght and speed. You would wonder how many skills and tricks a good CB needs to cover a WR. Or how difficult it is to pass a ball 50 yards right over the shoulder of a WR in 3 seconds when 4 big strong men "try to kill" you. Or...

Almost all the time all 45 men on a NFL-Roster enter a game. Only sometimes you see a player "DNP" during any given sunday. I think you just forgot that there are special teams which include WRS, OL, DL, Kickers, even sometimes Backup-QBS.

I think people who hit out against Football never really understood the game. Just my opinion, don´t wanna hurt somebody.

I understand American football very well, I followed it when I was a kid and I also lived in the US for 18 months and was lucky enough to be there at the start of the Patriots rise to success when Brady came in for Drew Blewdsoe as QB and watched them every week. I lived in New Engalnd so of course Patriots were the team ahd have been my team since then. I also managed to go see the Ravens play the Broncos down in Baltimore. Admittedly I dont see many games anymore as they tend to be on too late over here but I usually catch the SuperBowl and a few other games each season.

As far as I am concerned, each NFL player has a set of skills for their position whilst almost every soccer players need a wide variety of skills, speed, ball control, tackling, passing, heading, creating space, anticipation, trickery, shooting, tracking. Each player does these to varying levels. Take a wide receiver in American football in comparison, they need speed, catching skills, anticipation, creating space, trickery and......thats a lesser set of skills for a player who spends a lot of time on the sideline.

You say you like the fact that the better team usually wins in NFL, doesnt that make it less interesting. Is there anyone who doesnt like to see a surprise or the underdog win even if its lucky. My soccer team Birmingham City recently beat the mighty Arsenal to win the league cup, they were lucky but it was result that most people were delighted with as the little guys won. Take out the unpredicitability factor and a sport becomes less interesting.

This is quite simple really, soccer has lots of problems and flaws, no argument there but American football has just as many. Soccer is the global game so its magnified on a much bigger scale. Seriuosly, most NFL teams play what 16 games a year, thats not even half a season in soccer terms and there are only 30 pro teams in the entire world.

Outside of the US, nobody gives a crap about American football. If its such a great sport, then it should have grown by now like Basketball has in other countries. As I pointed out, soccer has grown in places like the US, Australia, Japan, Venezuela, places where other sports have been traditionally bigger.

Why hasnt American football grown outside of the US in a similar vein? Because people dont understand it!!! Seriously, thats clutching at straws. I understand and like American football as I do many sports but I still think Soccer is better to watch. My best friend was a huge NFL and Steelers fan but he was an even bigger soccer/Man Utd fan. And just because you converted one friend dont mean NFL is more exciting. There are people in Ireland who like cricket and I dont understand that either. People think we are crazy to like cycling but we do. There will always be those who go against the grain.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

As far as I am concerned, each NFL player has a set of skills for their position whilst almost every soccer players need a wide variety of skills, speed, ball control, tackling, passing, heading, creating space, anticipation, trickery, shooting, tracking. Each player does these to varying levels. Take a wide receiver in American football in comparison, they need speed, catching skills, anticipation, creating space, trickery and......thats a lesser set of skills for a player who spends a lot of time on the sideline.

I think we can´t agree here. I played leauge soccer in my youth (am born and living in germany). So i can talk about skills a little. All positions (except the GK) need the same skills: lots of endurance, one strong leg, and speed. Let me go here as comparison with a Football OL-Center: He needs strenght, great blocking skills, quickness (with a 300 lbs body!), a brain to recall a 200-page-Playbook. That turns into a 8-hour working day: Watching (and learning from) game film, weight lifting, training sessions. How long is the usual training session for a soccer player? Exactly, 2 hours per day.

You say you like the fact that the better team usually wins in NFL, doesnt that make it less interesting. Is there anyone who doesnt like to see a surprise or the underdog win even if its lucky. My soccer team Birmingham City recently beat the mighty Arsenal to win the league cup, they were lucky but it was result that most people were delighted with as the little guys won. Take out the unpredicitability factor and a sport becomes less interesting.

63% of NFL-Favourite wins isn´t that much. That´s why we had surprise SB-Winners like the Pats in 2001, Steelers 2005, Colts 2006 etc. etc.! But it´s real anoying when refs and chance only decide the games (like in soccer). I like surprises, but not sheer coincidence. Normally the better should win, that should be the nature of competition.

This is quite simple really, soccer has lots of problems and flaws, no argument there but American football has just as many. Soccer is the global game so its magnified on a much bigger scale. Seriuosly, most NFL teams play what 16 games a year, thats not even half a season in soccer terms and there are only 30 pro teams in the entire world.

The game is grueling, that´s why it´s 16 games. A nice byproduct is that fans never get over feed like in soccer where 1 million games, cups and championships are awarded. Who´s really the best team then?

Outside of the US, nobody gives a crap about American football. If its such a great sport, then it should have grown by now like Basketball has in other countries. As I pointed out, soccer has grown in places like the US, Australia, Japan, Venezuela, places where other sports have been traditionally bigger.

Why hasnt American football grown outside of the US in a similar vein? Because people dont understand it!!! Seriously, thats clutching at straws. I understand and like American football as I do many sports but I still think Soccer is better to watch.

Why is it then by far the sport in the USA? The problem (next to understanding the rules) is that people only grow up in USA with that sport. In germany we have a Saying: "Was der Bauer nicht kennt isst er nicht" (Sorry, can´t translate it in english).
That soccer is more exiting to watch than Football is beyond my understanding. You tell me what´s interesting in seeing 1-0 games decided by obscure penalty kicks, red cards and pure chance. I don´t get it.

My best friend was a huge NFL and Steelers fan but he was an even bigger soccer/Man Utd fan. And just because you converted one friend dont mean NFL is more exciting.

And somebody converted me, and he converted somebody and so on... We have a really good fan culture here, making the otherwise dull cold winter enjoyable to see 3 Live-Games until way past midnight in some cute bars. In the same time we enjoy new friendships with americans who live or make holidays here.