Team News
Essex Spartans Start Off Strongly
Apr 28th
No, we don’t usually look at the game on this side of the channel. Or indeed at any level other than the NFL but our very own contributor Tom is a defensive back for the Spartans, so we’ll give a little shout-out now and again.
Tom, #21 Essex Spartans
Week 1 saw the Black Tide record a 71-8 victory against the Norwich Devils last weekend, a full match report is here and team photos are available on their Facebook page.
Well done to Tom and the team, and good luck for the coming season.
For more information about the British American Football Association, please visit their official page.
NFL 2011 Draft Tonight!
Apr 28th
Despite all the uncertainty, the appeals, the grumping and grumbling, one thing was never in doubt is that the NFL Draft would be going ahead. And here we are.
The top prospects have been tweeting all week about their time in NYC and all seem to be looking forward to it. Speculation has been as wild as it always is and I’m sure they’ll be a lot to second guess come tomorrow morning. All eyes are on the main QB targets like Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton and Jake Locker but expect to see linemen having their names called early and often.
In the UK hours, the Panthers are on the clock at 1am Friday morning. Video overage is on ESPN, radio on Radio 5 Live and text at nfl.com, Yahoo! Sports and several other places that I’m sure you can find.
Craig, Tom and I have completed our own personal draft boards and we’ll be seeing how we got on for the 1st round over the weekend and grading accordingly.
Enjoy the draft!
Super Bowl XLV – The Good, The Bad and Christina Aguillera
Feb 9th
There we go, this season is in the bag and before we start worrying about if there will be a 2011 season let’s take a few more moments to look back at the big game’s best and worst bits.
The Good
The Spectacle – Nobody does a show like the NFL and this was great. The stadium was fantastic, the pre-game was great, the presentation and ‘product’ was second-to-none.
Close Game – Although it looked like the Packers would run away with it, the Steelers battled hard to get back into the game with a strong second half showing. Ultimately they would come up short, but it made for an enthralling game.
Steelers’ Running Game – How many times did we see Rashad Mendenhall bump of the pack and then run to the outside for a nice gain? Too many. If the game situation would have allowed for them to keep running, it would have been a long day for the Packers’ front seven.
Packers Passing Defense – Not just the interceptions, but the play all game was – for the most part – excellent. Hines Ward got away in the endzone and there were some other blown coverages, but other than the touchdown Mike Wallace was kept firmly in check and all Ben Roethlisberger could complete were short passes, mainly over the middle. More >
Super Bowl XLV – UK Time
Feb 2nd
With just days to go your Sunday night plans should be pretty much set by now. But in case you were wondering, the Kick-Off for the big game is 11:30pm UK time.
Obviously tune in before that for anthems and pre-game shenanigans but at the very latest be settled in with supplies at 11:30.
Polamalu Edges Out Matthews for Defensive Player of the Year
Feb 1st
Taking 17 votes to Clay Matthews’ 15 Troy Polamalu has been named the NFL’s 2010 Defensive Player of the Year. Fellow Steeler James Harrison was 3rd with 8 votes in a result that truly shows of the defensive strength that has defined these two teams’ seasons and will play such a big part in the coming Super Bowl.
Troy Polamalu, 2010 DPOTY
Both Polamalu and Matthews have been real game-changers. Matthews has got in the backfield a lot and caused troubles, as his 13.5 sacks shows. Both have made a lot of tackles, Polamalu doing so from deeper on the field with his aggressive yet intelligent play. He’s also a hightlight-reel favourite, frequently seen diving over the lines to make tackles and generally being a nuisance to the opposition offence.
It’s easy to concentrate on the offence of a team, and both the Steelers and the Packers are strong on that side of the ball too, but the old adage that “Defence wins Championships” may prove true this weekend. Either way, we’re looking forward to it.
Singletary And McDaniels, Back In Work
Jan 19th
As you probably know the coaches of the two teams that met at Wembley this year were both fired before the end of the season. Well, they’re now both back in work.
Mike Singletary is the new Linebackers coach at the Minnesota Vikings and Josh McDaniels is the new OC for the St. Louis Rams. These are good moves for both players. Big Mike will be able to do what he does best; work with – and improve – the linebackers and McDaniels gets to concentrate on offensive play without that pesky defence or game management clouding his view. Here’s wishing them the best for 2011.
Although there are plenty of stories still to watch with these two teams (such as the quarterback position for both teams) this will probably close out our NFL International Series coverage for the 2010 season, it’s been a great season and despite the fate of these two teams (and their coaches!) we had a good game to remember. Here’s hoping 2011 sees a game coming our way too… in fact, here’s hoping 2011 sees any games.
NFL Conference Championships. It’s 2 and 6
Jan 17th
Yes, it sounds like something Nan would have said but with the divisional round gone we have the same situation in both conferences with the number 6 seed travelling to the number 2. And after four great matches on divisional weekend, we have two more mouth-watering match-ups heading our way.
Both Conference Championships are on Sunday and at different times to usual.
So at 8pm (UK time) the NFC will be settled : Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
And then at 11:30pm, it’s the AFC’s turn: New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers
We’ll be back later this week to take a look at these matchups and make our predictions.
Rex Ryan and Humble Pie
Jan 13th
With T-Rex “talking the talk” this week, you can’t help but think a massive portion of humble pie is due his way. And no, not the late 60s-early 70s outfit that are probably most famous today for winning Stillwater’s groupies in Almost Famous (though they are included here for your pleasure, Steve Marriott pictured courtesy of Dina Regime.)
With the bluster, trash-talking and attention that Ryan generates he reminds me very much of soccer manager Jose Mourinho. The manager (or coach in this instance) draws the attention away from his team and players and onto himself. It’s an admirable quality when he’s your manager but there’s no mistake that he’s a nuisance if he’s the opposition manager.
I like Rex Ryan, and I think the game is richer and certainly more entertaining for having him in it. But he’s heading for a fall this weekend.
Or if he’s not, then I’ll be the one eating up humble pie come Monday.
If The Play-Offs Started Today – Week 15 2010
Dec 21st
With just two weeks to go three more teams joined the Patriots with confirmed post-season places. Who are the eight that would join them if the playoffs started now?
In the NFC
The Bears dismantling of the Vikings means that they’re confimred as division winners thanks to their 5-0 divisional record; the Packers cannot catch them.
The Saints loss to the Ravens, combined with the Falcons winning means that Atlanta has won the NFC South. They look very much the class of the NFC right now. The Saints, with their impressive 10-4 record, hold a wildcard spot.
In the East the Eagles’ stunning 4th quarter win against the Giants puts them a game above their rivals from New York but they need one more win to wrap things up. The Giants are still in prime position for a wildcard spot and this week they’re the 6th placed team. More >
If The Play-Offs Started Today – Week 14 2010
Dec 14th
On the week that the first team booked their post-season place (and in some style) let’s take a look at what we’d be looking at if the play-offs started this week.
In the AFC
That the New England Patriots are the number 1 team is in no doubt after successive thumpings of the Jets and the Bears. The Patriots are looking at home field advantage. The Steelers are also the proud owners of a bye-week, but have the Ravens one game back but behind on tie-breakers – they hold a wildcard spot.
The Jaguars are leading the AFC South, but are behind the West leadering Chiefs thanks to More >