American Football

Welton Toffee · February 4, 2008

Maybe one of our American friends can help me out here, but is it just me, or is American Football [Poor language removed]?!

Having never really watched a game before I decided to watch a bit of the Super Bowl before hitting the hay last night. Now I don't claim to uinderstand the sport, but I was hoping to be entertained by one of the biggest American sporting spectacles. Needless to say, I wasn't. I mean, why is it, that after every 10 seconds of play, everyone has to stop?! So dull! Stop, start, stop, start, why can't they just get on with it?! And then they have an ad break in the middle of a quarter! What's that about?!

It's like rugby for people who can only concentrate in spells of less than 20 seconds :mellow:

:blink:

GrandOldTeam · February 4, 2008

Its a wimpy version of rugby.

*expects backlash from American lot*

Dylan · February 4, 2008

No backlash from me. I hate the fact a game with 1 hour of playing time takes 4+ to complete.

Don't get me wrong, they are very good at what they do, and they certainly couldn't do it without pads, but it is just boring. It has never held my interest (except when I played John Madden '92 on the Mega Drive/Genesis (y)

)

Tennessee Blue Mike · February 4, 2008

No backlash here even though I enjoy the game. The games can get me a little comatose at times the way they drag it out for all the commercials. I just like a free flowing game like the real football. I have to admit some of the NFL lads are unbelievable athletes. So if you put things in perspective and not compare I think you have a entertaining game. Most people I talk to here laugh at a nil nil game and ask me how could you watch 90 minutes of that. I think it all lies in the student of the game in us and how much you enjoy the history,tactics and favourite team you belong too. You have to be a passionate fan. Lukewarm just won't get it.

SuitsBlue · February 4, 2008

i watched a game on channel 5 years ago, it was enthralling.

the commentator said ''if only all games were this exciting'' with games being shown in the early hours of the morning it makes actually following it somewhat restrictive.

same with basketball, used to try and follow that in the days where 'the rockets' had cassell and olajuwon, and eventually barkley.

monty · February 4, 2008

For all you Statesiders, isn't this so called football game of yours dropping down the ratings of popularity, losing out to UFC fights and the like

Cal · February 4, 2008

I quite like the games on the 360 etc.

Tennessee Blue Mike · February 4, 2008

monty said:
For all you Statesiders, isn't this so called football game of yours dropping down the ratings of popularity, losing out to UFC fights and the like

Your right Monty it's even rated lower than UFC headliner Ena Sharples V Elsie Tanner. But the Hilda Ogden wet t-shirt contest didn't garner as much interest I wonder why? :lol:

chicoazul · February 4, 2008

I prefer the basketball. "Inside the NFL" is enjoyable but cant stand watching it live.

Steve Nash is the tits.

TX Bill · February 4, 2008

I think Dylan and TBM hit the nail on the head.

What kills footballl for me here in the States is the 1 hour of actual game playing stretched out over 3 1/2 hours for commercials, halftime, etc....

I've really never rated it but will watch the Super Bowl as it's a great excuse to eat food.

monty · February 4, 2008

TX Bill said:
I think Dylan and TBM hit the nail on the head.

What kills footballl for me here in the States is the 1 hour of actual game playing stretched out over 3 1/2 hours for commercials, halftime, etc....

I've really never rated it but will watch the Super Bowl as it's a great excuse to eat food.

Come to my Super Bowl party the foods great and the telly is off

heatmeiser · February 4, 2008

It's the only american sport I can stomach. Apart from the fighting on ice obv.

We used to have a team, Leigh Razorbacks.

It was like an american football team on Phoenix Nights.

The running back got sent down for snatching an old ladies handbag (she turned out to be a copper dressed up).

Our cheerleaders used to leave footprints that nessie would have been proud of.

We won the SteelBowl a few times though. I was the mascot, oh yes.

SuitsBlue · February 5, 2008

its been none stop Bruse Springsteen from you this evening.

what is the motivation?

atrottel · February 5, 2008

I enjoy it, but that's probably because I got into it in an area where a great player was just starting his career (Elway, for anyone who does follow the sport). There are a tremendous amount of tactics and individual battles going on, but it's difficult to appreciate if you don't know how it works. (Bit like cricket for people from countries where they don't play it.)

Still follow the Broncos games and results, although I agree the ad breaks make it almost unwatchable (as with most mainstream US TV). But I can't stand baseball. Went to see the Yankees live one time and it was like watching paint dry.

Ice hockey is pretty useless on TV but a great live experience.

TX Bill · February 5, 2008

I understand where you're coming from on baseball.

I'm a big fan of baseball and grew up playing it but you've really got enjoy it for the strategy aspect as well because if you want non-stop action, then baseball isn't it.