Rugby

[89Hen]

Oh, and finally the fucking nfl will stop its embarrassing forays into Europe.

Yeah, those sellout crowds are embarrassing for the NFL.

[polsongrizz]

Oh, and finally the fucking nfl will stop its embarrassing forays into Europe.

Yeah, those sellout crowds are embarrassing for the NFL.

Yeah, that happens 1-2 times. Show me those same crowds in the games after they started some lame ass faux nfl system there. Oh wait, they went bankrupt every single time.

[polsongrizz]

Once the farce of amerikan football is kicked to the curb like the bitch it is and we go to rugby the world will be a better place.
Oh, and finally the **** nfl will stop its embarrassing forays into Europe.

BTW, was at the Vegas Sevens, the U.S. won.

You do realize that Tottenham Hotspur is building a new, $1B plus stadium, with some of the design in place so that they can lure NFL games there? The NFL in the UK is a pretty established thing that isn't going away. There'll be a London franchise in 10 years and it will be successful. American football has adapted to safety concerns over the past 100+ years, and it will continue to do so for at least as long as we're all alive.

You do realize that at least 25% of EPL teams are now owned by Americans? So of course they are going to push their agenda, that being what the Brits have given a middle finger to continuously over the years, the failed nfl startup teams in Europe. The world as a whole think this version of "football" is a joke, that is a fact.

[89Hen]

Yeah, that happens 1-2 times. Show me those same crowds in the games after they started some lame ass faux nfl system there. Oh wait, they went bankrupt every single time.

Huh? Lame ass faux nfl systems don't work here either big guy. Doesn't mean the real deal isn't great. If you really think rugby will catch on here, you need to lay off the booze.

[89Hen]

You do realize that Tottenham Hotspur is building a new, $1B plus stadium, with some of the design in place so that they can lure NFL games there? The NFL in the UK is a pretty established thing that isn't going away. There'll be a London franchise in 10 years and it will be successful. American football has adapted to safety concerns over the past 100+ years, and it will continue to do so for at least as long as we're all alive.

You do realize that at least 25% of EPL teams are now owned by Americans? So of course they are going to push their agenda, that being what the Brits have given a middle finger to continuously over the years, the failed nfl startup teams in Europe. The world as a whole think this version of "football" is a joke, that is a fact.

You really think we care that ferriners like soccer, rugby and cricket?

[GannonFan]

You do realize that Tottenham Hotspur is building a new, $1B plus stadium, with some of the design in place so that they can lure NFL games there? The NFL in the UK is a pretty established thing that isn't going away. There'll be a London franchise in 10 years and it will be successful. American football has adapted to safety concerns over the past 100+ years, and it will continue to do so for at least as long as we're all alive.

You do realize that at least 25% of EPL teams are now owned by Americans? So of course they are going to push their agenda, that being what the Brits have given a middle finger to continuously over the years, the failed nfl startup teams in Europe. The world as a whole think this version of "football" is a joke, that is a fact.

And yet, the Brits keep showing up in large numbers over and over for NFL games. The football that you bring up that wasn't successful was the WLAF stuff - that was not even a minor league system, it was something less than. And yes, that didn't work (although it did very well in London while the other outposts not so much). But that folded more than a decade ago, and since then the NFL has been widely successful in bringing actual NFL games that matter with actual NFL players and the crowds have responded accordingly.

Oh, and Tottenham is owned by Joe Lewis, a Brit, with no ties or connections to American football. But I'm sure he'll be fine with that when the NFL sells out his stadium in October when the first NFL game played there occurs. Spurs, in a successful season with Champions League games at home, hasn't sold out similarly-sized Wembley yet so far this year.

[andy7171]

Sounds half-gay. Almost like soccer, but not completely gay. Bears play rugby and twinks play soccer, amirite?

I don’t play soccer.


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[WWII]

Played for many years after college. Really loved the game. Not a fan of rugby league, or 7s that much. Of course I was a prop, so 7s wasn't my cup of tea. A lot of great memories from rugby. It took a while to get used to going to a post game party to drink and sing "rugby" songs with the opponents. Turned out it was pretty good!

[css75]

Sounds half-gay. Almost like soccer, but not completely gay. Bears play rugby and twinks play soccer, amirite?

I don’t play soccer.


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I absolutely loathe and hate soccer, but rugby is kinda neat and I really like the sevens.


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[andy7171]

My experiences with rugby/rugby players are from college.
They love to talk shit in the bars saying they are tougher than football players.
They are rarely over 5'10" .
They played high school football.

My thoughts based on that. Give football players two weeks to learn Rugby and how to play. It would be a god damned slaughter on the field. Give the rugby players 3-4 weeks to learn football and how to play. It would be even a worse slaughter on the field.

I realize the pros from out of the country are different and tough as shit. But for the most part, fuck rugby.

[CID1990]

Give football players two weeks to learn Rugby and how to play. It would be a god damned slaughter on the field.

Yeah it’s that mentality (let’s just get us a couple NFL types on the US World Cup team) that keeps getting us curb stomped by the seven nations teams

Our very best can’t beat Tonga

As smart at strategery as we are

[GannonFan]

Give football players two weeks to learn Rugby and how to play. It would be a god damned slaughter on the field.

Yeah it’s that mentality (let’s just get us a couple NFL types on the US World Cup team) that keeps getting us curb stomped by the seven nations teams

Our very best can’t beat Tonga

As smart at strategery as we are

Do you really think our best athletes are being brought up as rugby players? I think the talent pool for rugby players in the US is a pretty small grouping.

[andy7171]

Give football players two weeks to learn Rugby and how to play. It would be a god damned slaughter on the field.

Yeah it’s that mentality (let’s just get us a couple NFL types on the US World Cup team) that keeps getting us curb stomped by the seven nations teams

Our very best can’t beat Tonga

As smart at strategery as we are

Like I said, I was talking about my experience in college. Any rugby player born and raised in the US is a slow short white former HS football player.
Thats all. Tonga, NZ, Australia, all bad asses. But the ones I've come into contact with a drunk pricks who piss people off to show how crazy they want you to think they are.

[CID1990]

Yeah it’s that mentality (let’s just get us a couple NFL types on the US World Cup team) that keeps getting us curb stomped by the seven nations teams

Our very best can’t beat Tonga

As smart at strategery as we are

Do you really think our best athletes are being brought up as rugby players? I think the talent pool for rugby players in the US is a pretty small grouping.

Of course not - that’s not what I’m talking about. But there is a mentality that if we just throw some high talent speedsters on these teams, we can compete with South Africa or Australia.

It works in Sevens but not with full sides.

[bandl]

Yeah it’s that mentality (let’s just get us a couple NFL types on the US World Cup team) that keeps getting us curb stomped by the seven nations teams

Our very best can’t beat Tonga

As smart at strategery as we are

But the ones I've come into contact with a drunk pricks who piss people off to show how crazy they want you to think they are.

He's not wrong here...I went to plenty of Rugby parties at JMU/UVA/Tech, etc and they always acted ('acted' being the key word) like they were crazier than anyone else. When in fact all that made them crazy was the fact that they were cool with drinking beers out of their cleats after games.

[CID1990]

But the ones I've come into contact with a drunk pricks who piss people off to show how crazy they want you to think they are.

He's not wrong here...I went to plenty of Rugby parties at JMU/UVA/Tech, etc and they always acted ('acted' being the key word) like they were crazier than anyone else. When in fact all that made them crazy was the fact that they were cool with drinking beers out of their cleats after games.

I’m not disputing that all Americans who play rugby are flapping meat curtain vaginatwats

I spent plenty of time drinking SC and NC collegiate rugby faggots under the table and then threatening to kick their asses

My only real point here is that rugby employs a little more finesse than the US iteration... there are less injuries... exponentially less brain injuries... but more soft tissue injuries, so more blood

Americans could get behind rugby but getting rid of the forward pass would be racists.....

[UNI88]

You do realize that at least 25% of EPL teams are now owned by Americans? So of course they are going to push their agenda, that being what the Brits have given a middle finger to continuously over the years, the failed nfl startup teams in Europe. The world as a whole think this version of "football" is a joke, that is a fact.

And yet, the Brits keep showing up in large numbers over and over for NFL games. The football that you bring up that wasn't successful was the WLAF stuff - that was not even a minor league system, it was something less than. And yes, that didn't work (although it did very well in London while the other outposts not so much). But that folded more than a decade ago, and since then the NFL has been widely successful in bringing actual NFL games that matter with actual NFL players and the crowds have responded accordingly.

Oh, and Tottenham is owned by Joe Lewis, a Brit, with no ties or connections to American football. But I'm sure he'll be fine with that when the NFL sells out his stadium in October when the first NFL game played there occurs. Spurs, in a successful season with Champions League games at home, hasn't sold out similarly-sized Wembley yet so far this year.

I'm not sure about there being a London franchise in 10 years. Huge crowds at 1 or 2 games a year featuring different teams doesn't necessarily translate to huge crowds at 8 games a year every year. The novelty of the game helps to increase demand. Rugby has something similar with All Blacks games at US football stadiums. Take away the novelty and the demand will drop. There still might be enough to sustain a franchise but it's not guaranteed.

Another factor is the travel. The NFL can use bye weeks to help the teams playing in England adjust to the travel now. That will be more difficult if there are 8 games there and pretty much impossible for the home team. The NFLPA will complain up a storm about that one and demand concessions in exchange.

The NFL is definitely interested in a London franchise but they haven't figured out how to make it work yet.

[UNI88]

Football is going to need to adapt to survive...

Probably not

Maybe survive was too strong of a word but football and the NFL are taking a beating and it will impact future viewership even more than it is impacting current viewership. Ask anybody who is involved in Pop Warner, Bill George or other youth football leagues and clubs how their numbers compare to what they had 10-20 years ago. They're down and they're continuing to drop. Because of CTE, parents are afraid to let their children play football. There are also a lot more sports to choose from and kids (or their parents) are choosing to specialize (play 1 sport year-round). Fewer players means less talent in the future and reduced interest in the sport. A lot of kids form an attachment to sports and become fans because they played, enjoyed and understand the sport. The number of people who are going to spend Sunday afternoon and Monday evening watching NFL games is going to be a lot lower in the future.

[bandl]

He's not wrong here...I went to plenty of Rugby parties at JMU/UVA/Tech, etc and they always acted ('acted' being the key word) like they were crazier than anyone else. When in fact all that made them crazy was the fact that they were cool with drinking beers out of their cleats after games.

I’m not disputing that all Americans who play rugby are flapping meat curtain vaginatwats

We're kinda on the same page here!
I didn't read anything else you wrote.

[93henfan]

I’m not disputing that all Americans who play rugby are flapping meat curtain vaginatwats

We're kinda on the same page here!
I didn't read anything else you wrote.

Good, badnl. Don't fall into the rugby trap. You're an American.

[UNI88]

He's not wrong here...I went to plenty of Rugby parties at JMU/UVA/Tech, etc and they always acted ('acted' being the key word) like they were crazier than anyone else. When in fact all that made them crazy was the fact that they were cool with drinking beers out of their cleats after games.

I’m not disputing that all Americans who play rugby are flapping meat curtain vaginatwats

I spent plenty of time drinking SC and NC collegiate rugby faggots under the table and then threatening to kick their asses

My only real point here is that rugby employs a little more finesse than the US iteration... there are less injuries... exponentially less brain injuries... but more soft tissue injuries, so more blood

Americans could get behind rugby but getting rid of the forward pass would be racists.....

I think saying that ALL Americans who play rugby are flapping meat curtain vaginatwats might be a little strong. I knew plenty of rugby players, football players and wrestlers while at UNI and all of them had a few vaginatwats on the team, rugby no more so than the other two. Rugby players as individuals and as a group did do crazier things (frequently involving public nudity) than football players and wrestlers. That might have been because they didn't have scholarships to lose. Rugby players also didn't have as many vaginatwats with a sense of entitlement because they were high school stars and on scholarship.

Andy isn't wrong about the size and athleticism of rugby players but I did know some that had DI football size but lacked some other attribute (speed, athletic ability, desire) to play football at that level. Drinking wise, rugby players at UNI could drink just as much as football players.

CID is right that you can't take a bunch of American football players and create a stud rugby team. It's a different sport. I wonder how well O-Linemen would do with the constant running without time between plays to catch your breath. Andy's lacrosse experience would help him with that but others would struggle and not be able to adapt. The forwards on the University of Iowa's club team would play 7's. If I remember correctly they called themselves the Thirsty Whales and it was hilarious to watch. They didn't take themselves too seriously and had a lot of fun.

[89Hen]

Probably not

Maybe survive was too strong of a word but football and the NFL are taking a beating and it will impact future viewership even more than it is impacting current viewership. Ask anybody who is involved in Pop Warner, Bill George or other youth football leagues and clubs how their numbers compare to what they had 10-20 years ago. They're down and they're continuing to drop. Because of CTE, parents are afraid to let their children play football. There are also a lot more sports to choose from and kids (or their parents) are choosing to specialize (play 1 sport year-round). Fewer players means less talent in the future and reduced interest in the sport. A lot of kids form an attachment to sports and become fans because they played, enjoyed and understand the sport. The number of people who are going to spend Sunday afternoon and Monday evening watching NFL games is going to be a lot lower in the future.

NFL is my favorite pro sport to follow and I never played anything other than pick-up games as a kid or intramural flag in college. I have no numbers, but I'm guessing fewer kids play organized football than baseball, basketball or soccer in the US, even going back to the 70's.

As for CTE... you're promoting rugby as an alternative? 89Jr's HS team are perennial national champs at rugby and I can't believe they actually still play with the number of concussions I've heard from parents. I'm not saying there are more concussions in rugby, but there are TONS.

[UNI88]

Maybe survive was too strong of a word but football and the NFL are taking a beating and it will impact future viewership even more than it is impacting current viewership. Ask anybody who is involved in Pop Warner, Bill George or other youth football leagues and clubs how their numbers compare to what they had 10-20 years ago. They're down and they're continuing to drop. Because of CTE, parents are afraid to let their children play football. There are also a lot more sports to choose from and kids (or their parents) are choosing to specialize (play 1 sport year-round). Fewer players means less talent in the future and reduced interest in the sport. A lot of kids form an attachment to sports and become fans because they played, enjoyed and understand the sport. The number of people who are going to spend Sunday afternoon and Monday evening watching NFL games is going to be a lot lower in the future.

NFL is my favorite pro sport to follow and I never played anything other than pick-up games as a kid or intramural flag in college. I have no numbers, but I'm guessing fewer kids play organized football than baseball, basketball or soccer in the US, even going back to the 70's.

As for CTE... you're promoting rugby as an alternative? 89Jr's HS team are perennial national champs at rugby and I can't believe they actually still play with the number of concussions I've heard from parents. I'm not saying there are more concussions in rugby, but there are TONS.

I said that "a lot of kids form an attachment to sports" not all kids. I used CTE as one of the reasons that football is losing young participants not as a reason to promote rugby as an alternative. Rugby is a violent sport and injuries are common. Reading comprehension is important.

Rugby tackling techniques do tend to be better than traditional football techniques that's why Pete Carroll and others have adopted them and similar techniques (head's up). They're trying to stay ahead of the curve and keep the sport relevant.

[BlueHen86]

My younger son plays for Carnegie Mellon's club team. He loves it. I've been to a few games. I enjoy it but haven't quite mastered the rules yet.
Lot's of injuries in the last game I attended. Three separate ambulance visits, two boys spent the night in the hospital and one needed surgery on his ankle. The rest of the games I attended were uneventful.

[89Hen]

NFL is my favorite pro sport to follow and I never played anything other than pick-up games as a kid or intramural flag in college. I have no numbers, but I'm guessing fewer kids play organized football than baseball, basketball or soccer in the US, even going back to the 70's.

As for CTE... you're promoting rugby as an alternative? 89Jr's HS team are perennial national champs at rugby and I can't believe they actually still play with the number of concussions I've heard from parents. I'm not saying there are more concussions in rugby, but there are TONS.

I said that "a lot of kids form an attachment to sports" not all kids. I used CTE as one of the reasons that football is losing young participants not as a reason to promote rugby as an alternative. Rugby is a violent sport and injuries are common. Reading comprehension is important.

Rugby tackling techniques do tend to be better than traditional football techniques that's why Pete Carroll and others have adopted them and similar techniques (head's up). They're trying to stay ahead of the curve and keep the sport relevant.

My point was that it's always been that fewer kids play organized football than several other sports, but the NFL is still the king of viewership in the US.