Reviews
Films, books and games. If it’s in some way connected to the NFL, a review will be posted in here.
NFL Related Review: Madden 12
Sep 2nd
Ok, I’m going to cheat and direct you to Itchy Thumbs who have very kindly published my thoughts on this years outing for the annual NFL franchise.
http://www.itchythumbs.com/2011/09/02/madden-nfl-12-review/
NFL International Series: The Good and Bad of 2010
Nov 1st
So it’s all over for another year (or maybe longer) and after a long day, which we thoroughly enjoyed (other than a few minor complaints, see below), what memories will we take away?
The Good
The Stadium
Let’s start with the obvious! Wembley is a seriously impressive stadium, but when decked out for an NFL match it looks even better. I’m talking about inside the stadium itself rather than some of the surrounding area, which is still a work in progress. It’s truly a credit to the country.
Wembley Stadium, NFL Style
International Series – More Wembley Memories
Oct 25th
Unfortunately I have only been to see the NFL at Wembley once out of the three times (so far) that there has been a match there. That was last year where Tampa Bay came over as the home team and the Patriots came over as the opposition. (It was never going to be a spectacular game like the Chargers v Saints, but hey, it was an experience none-the-less!) So my memories are limited to only one event.
NFL @ Wembley, 2009
It was a fantastic, if very long, day. Me and my fellow NFLers met up at the carpark of a McDonalds just off junction 2 of the M5 and had a spot of breakfast at 7am. When we were content that our bellies were ready for the long day ahead we split into 2 groups of 5 and left for Wembley (in 2 cars, obviously). We arrived at around 10:30am so we had made good time. We actually stopped outside of Wembley at a train station who’s name escapes me and proceeded to take the train to Wembley from there – It was a good job too, as leaving Wembley was a lot harder than getting in!! Once we were there it was amazing. The sea of colour that waved before us down Wembley Way is an image that will stay with me forever. I wish I had took a photo, but I never seem to think of these things on the spot.
International Series – Wembley Memories
Oct 21st
With this year’s Wembley game so close, we’re taking a look back at some of our previous Wembley memories. I’m taking a look at the shootout that was the Chargers @ Saints in 2008.
Wembley NFL Sunday… there’s really no other day quite like it, and it was just gone 10am when I set off from my house. The route to Wembley is a long one (the way I go), via Graham’s house then a lift to a suitable tube station.
Midday on matchday, it's pretty quiet
We arrived at Wembley in plenty of time and met up with Ant (Pats’ fan) and Dom (general good-time guy) before heading inside the tailgate party. This was the one disappointment of the day as the number of people in there simply meant there were queues for everything. Drinks, games, stalls, toilets, more drinks. We did manage to get a couple of beers in, but decided we’d head into the stadium before the game.
Gamepass Review, 2010 (so far…)
Sep 22nd
If – like us – you’re based in the UK – then you’re lucky enough to be able to watch the NFL not just on Sky and Channel 4 but on Gamepass, the service that’s provided in many markets across the world, but that is not available in the US.
This time last year there had been poor service and refunds after both week 1 and 2, and we’d commented on it here. While it did settle down, it was still a shame that the season opened that way.
This year though, I can honestly say the service has been much improved. The technology has changed, there are no downloads this year, and the user interface has been improved too, but the main thing is that it seems to work much more efficiently than it did before!
I have only a 2mb ADSL connection, but get a fairly high quality picture even from 6pm. Although I get the occasional freeze, or stall, and a few times a night the picture quality will downgrade but for the most part it’s a quality service from when I turn it on (about 2pm BST Sunday to when I turn it off (well gone midnight this week, damn you Texans.) and unplug my laptop from the television.
Graham has similar bandwidth and sees the occassional lock/freeze too but a better picture.
So if you’re looking to take advantage of the offers that inevitably start with the season, feel confident that it’s a good service and a great way to watch the matches.
What I Learned From HBO’s Hard Knocks
Sep 11th
HBO’s Hard Knocks – Training Camp With The New York Jets behind-the-scenes NFL program finished this week, it’s 5 week run seeming far too short but leaving plenty of memorable moments and lessons learned. It’s not perfect, and it’s careful to present the Jets in a certain way, there are plenty of narrative shortcuts too but it gives a good look at a club with high ambitions for the 2010 NFL Season.
If you get the chance to watch it, which is admittedly difficult in the UK, then it’s definitely worth a look regardless of your personal team allegiance.
What are the key lessons that we could take from this season of the show?
1 – Rex Ryan Is Really Funny
The series pretty much opened with Rex wondering if they could win the Super Bowl without star corner (then on holdout) Darelle Revis, then stating. “I dunno, he’s pretty ****ing good.” and making me laugh from there on out.
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NFL Related Review: Madden 2011
Aug 16th
I wasn’t going to get this year’s incremental release, but got caught up in release-mania. So it’s here on the desk with me. I’ve given it a go for a few hours now and here are my thoughts.
Graphics and Presentation
Say what you like about EA, but they know how to present a game to you. From the spin-tingling introductory video, to the menus and options and of course the in-game graphics, this game looks great. There are still some small inconsistencies at times with how players move or react, and the occasional clipping error, but nothing too noticeable or worth worrying about.
There are more than ever incidental off-field and play-is-stopped clips that are entertaining initially, and skipped easily enough eventually. It’s certainly the best looking Madden yet (which should always be the case for the latest release!)
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Baltimore Ravens – A Summary
May 10th
M&T Stadium, Baltimore
Well, the draft is over and the mini-camps are getting underway. Figured I’d wait until this point to give my opinion on the last few months, well, as a Raven anyway.
The Anquan Boldin Trade:
This really did take me by surprise. I could see us trading for a solid wide receiver, but to be honest I never really expected it to be Boldin. A pleasant surprise by all means though. Boldin really is a quality player. He may have had a few injuries lately but his effort and his production is nothing to be dismissed. I really can’t wait to see him in the Purple of Baltimore. He came at a pretty reasonable price too. A 3rd and 4th round draft pick? Bargain, especially since we recouped those by trading down in the draft.
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NFL Related Review: Any Given Sunday
Apr 27th
Topic from the archive
I’ve not watched this film recently… but I will again soon. However this topic remains a firm favourite for our readers and brings many visitors with a variety of peculiar search terms. So it gets elevated for now.
Update, August 2010
Check out the Miami Sharks “official” homepage at miamisharks.info
Original article follows. Originally published August 28th 2009.
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It’s become part of my pre-season ritual that I watch this movie at least once. And so I did this week. Strictly speaking it’s not NFL related, as Oliver Stone couldn’t get licensing. So it’s the story of the fictional Miami Sharks playing in the AFFA in pursuit of The Pantheon Cup.
NFL Related Review: Madden 10
Aug 22nd
So yes, it’s that time of year again. Madden is once again on the shelves, and whilst it’s not the chart-stormer in the UK that it is in the States, it’s one game I always look forward to.
This year it’s all about fighting for every yard, and the new Pro-Tak system which allows for gang-tackles. I got this on release day and have been playing it, here’s my thoughts.
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