Irish NFL fans - Fave teams or just love the sport?

bonger

Hi,

I'm a newbie to NFL. Saw the Superbowl and the last couple of games of last season and really enjoyed them, so I'm interested to see whether it will keep me hooked for the next season.

But what I really want to know is do Irish fans of NFL have their own favourite teams or do they just love the sport?

And if so, who do you follow?

And who is the most popular team in terms of number of fans? (e.g. Man Utd in soccer)

Cheers!

The Sparrow

I think that the best way to get intoo any sport is to have a favourite team. Especially in the NFL because there are so many great players and teams that it is a bit daunting trying to remember them all if you'r new to it.

But if you start off concentrating on one team you at least have a focus on that teams players and personally that helped me to figure out what the hell was going on.

Although having said that, American football confused me anytime that I saw it until I went to see it live. But I was lucky that I did a semester abroad in West Virginia University so I got to watch lots of college games and it all clicked for me. And because the nearest city to WVU was Pittsburgh, I became a Steelers fan.

It really is a great game and if you can get your head around it, the NFL is brilliant. If I were you, I'd definitely try and findt a team to support and stick to that.

Neil3030

Yeah the two go hand in hand - you must enjoy the sport, but following a team will help you learn and understand the sport, which in turn will further your enjoyment. I could watch any two teams play each other, but you get so much more out of getting behind a team. It also adds a bit of added excitement if you've an emotional investment in one team winning over another.

As for what teams Irish people typically follow, it's mixed bag to be honest. Some people go for the more historically prominent teams like the Raiders or Cowboys; some people go for a team because they really like a certain player; some people might pick a team because they've family in that city; some people because that team is the most successful; some people might pick a team from the North East as there is a strong Irish connection with cities like New York or Boston; some people might just like the uniform!!

There can be all kinds of reasons. I was a huge grunge fan so I picked the Seahawks. But as The Sparrow said, picking a team helps you refine your learning of stuff like the positions, players, tactics and so forth. You could easily get bogged down if you tried to learn it on a league basis, but everyone's different I suppose!

bonger

Thanks Sparrow!

Yeah, there are quite a few rules to get my head around alright! Although being a rugby fan I suppose I should be used to it!!

So would Pittsburgh Steelers be one of the better teams? I know that they won the Superbowl last year, but in terms of recent history & success who would be the big teams that most people would support? As in the big 4 (Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea & Arsenal) in the Premier League??

When I started getting into soccer while growing up, I made the big mistake of supporting Aston Villa, and now I'm stuck with them and all those frustrating trophyless years!!!! :mad:

So I'd like to get an idea of who are the big teams and who is most likely to be successful in the coming years, before I pick a team and stick with them!

Cheers!

Neil3030

bonger wrote: »

When I started getting into soccer while growing up, I made the big mistake of supporting Aston Villa, and now I'm stuck ....

Any more statements like the above I'll ban you for life.:mad:

bonger

Thanks for adding that Neil!

I've just looked at the list of recent SuperBowl winners and it seems to be a mixed bag in terms of who wins it.

So who would the teams who would usually be there or thereabouts in the play-off each year?

Neil3030

The thing about American Football is that dynasties are quite the abberation. I don't know how much knowledge regarding the structure of the league itself you acquired, but there are mechanisms in place to ensure the league stays competitive and the same teams don't win every single year (or the same 4 finish in the top 4 or equivalent). I'll give you a run through of two of them but I suggest googling or wikipedia-ing them for more info.

Salaray cap - each team has a limit as to how much wages they can pay each year. It's adjusted annually based on the league's revenues. It's to prevent a Manchester City like free-for-all, with the idea being that a big name, high wage player will need to be compensated for elsewhere in the team. Next year it will be $128m, which may not seem all that restrictive, but when you need to put together a roster of 53 players it starts to make its presence felt.

Draft ordering - the last place team each year get's the default first pick in every round of the draft. So the hottest players coming out of college usually go to the weaker teams.

These are really the main two reasons there's been a mixed bag of winners, with the exceptions being the Steelers and Patriots in recent years.

Teams with a good coach, strong defense, solid running game and reliable quarterback will always be there or thereabouts. So have a look around and see what team takes your fancy.

Sea Devils

Just to echo all the above sentiments you should obviously follow a team but do some research on it. Look at all the different factors that come into picking a team and go with the one that attracts you the most. You seem to be interested in current succesful teams well the likes of the Steelers,Patriots, Giants, Colts, Chargers would probably fit your bet but look around first.

To answer the popularity question the Patriots/Steelers would probably be the most supported teams but I don't think there's been a offical survey done on it so no one knows. In general for the older fans e.g. people who started following in the 80's with Channel 4 coverage the Niners,Dolphins, Raiders, Bears and Redskins would probably be the most supported but I'm just assuming.

Good luck with it!

alexcorb1991

Carolina panthers cant go wrong(I'm from there);)

There are certain teams though that despite getting the first draft picks still are crap. Detroit lions, the bengals and bills are nearly always always going to be a bad team

But the NFL is not all about supporting just the winning team. For example and true fan or the nfl has a true HATRED for the patriots:mad:

Hazys

OP, its pretty hard to pick a consistent winner in the NFL as there are a very few teams that will be in the running year in year out, which is the main reason the NFL is the most exciting sports league in the world.

A lot of people support one of the teams they see in their first game, they start routing for them in that game it follows on from there.

Have a look at the teams and the cities they represent and choose from there. If you have relatives close or distant in any of those cities could be a factor, might be an excuse to get them to send out some gear to ya/visit and get some free accomendation if going to a game a few years down the line:D.

tallaghtoutlaws

bonger wrote: »

Hi,

I'm a newbie to NFL. Saw the Superbowl and the last couple of games of last season and really enjoyed them, so I'm interested to see whether it will keep me hooked for the next season.

But what I really want to know is do Irish fans of NFL have their own favourite teams or do they just love the sport?

And if so, who do you follow?

And who is the most popular team in terms of number of fans? (e.g. Man Utd in soccer)

Cheers!

OP a friend of mine got into to Football because of me but instead of following the Patiots like me he put all the names in a hat and pulled one out. He pulled out the Cleveland Browns. And the funny thing is he goes to alot of their games now as he live in the US now. Like you never took interest until he actually sat down and watch a few games. This was 8 years ago.

There are so many factors you as all the lads on here have said already. For me I started following the Patriots when I was 11. 19 years ago. The reason my uncle brought me back a Redskins jersey from the states when I was 8 or 9 and didnt really take it up then. Patriots played the Skins on tv when I was 11 I watched it and it turned out I liked the Patriots better Something about them made me bin the redskins jersey for the Patriots. I guess I knew we would be great one day hahahahah

There are so many ways you could do this to be honest. But good luck in your choice.

tallaghtoutlaws

alexcorb1991 wrote: »

Carolina panthers cant go wrong(I'm from there);)

There are certain teams though that despite getting the first draft picks still are crap. Detroit lions, the bengals and bills are nearly always always going to be a bad team

But the NFL is not all about supporting just the winning team. For example and true fan or the nfl has a true HATRED for the patriots:mad:

Be careful now Jealousy gets you nowhere. The Patriots were not always a great team many I have experienced some bad times in my day.

Bruce Buffer

Been a fan of the Steelers ever since they came over here in 97 when I got to meet the team and went to a BBQ for the players

Johnny Drama.

spent 2 summers in boston

Go Pats

bonger

Folks, thanks for all the positive feedback (apart from the weird comments about not being allowed to support a team from another country, which came from somebody using a Swedish footballer's name who claims to "support an actual Irish soccer team" on another thread!!!)

I have an uncle in Atlanta, but I haven't heard too much about the Atlanta Falcons so I'd have to do a bit more research on them before I would commit to take the plunge!!!

Will think long and hard before making my decision but I must say my initial leaning was toward the Pittsburgh Steelers after seeing them win the Superbowl (tempted to be a glory hunter for once!! ), but as some of you have recommended, I'll watch a few games at the start of the season and I'm sure I'll find my team!!

Thanks again folks!

The Sparrow

bonger wrote: »

Will think long and hard before making my decision but I must say my initial leaning was toward the Pittsburgh Steelers after seeing them win the Superbowl (tempted to be a glory hunter for once!! ), but as some of you have recommended, I'll watch a few games at the start of the season and I'm sure I'll find my team!!

Thanks again folks!

Go on... Join the Steeler nation!!:D

The thing about the Steelers is that they have won six Superbowls which is more than anyone else. And they have won twice since 2005. But before that there last Championship was in 1979. So it's not like they are the Man Utd of the NFL that win every year. As others have pointed out, no team can dominate the league for too long (except those damn Patriots;))

It was a quirk of Geography that I ended up supporting Pittsburgh but I am really glad that it worked out that way. In fact I was really lucky because 2005 was my first year following the NFL properly and the Steelers were big underdogs so it was a great story watching them prove everyone wrong and winning the Superbowl.

The other great thing about the Steelers is that they are firmly rooted in Pittsburgh. This is unlike other teams such as the Colts, Ravens or Raiders who have moved cities which I am not a big fan of. The Steelers were founded in 1933 by Art Rooney and they have been in the Rooney family ever since. And the Rooneys were Irish emigrants so there is an Ireland connection too. In fact, Dan Rooney owns the Steelers and he was recently appointed as the American ambassador to Ireland. Hopefully that will mean that we will get a pre-season game here at some stage so you could see the Steelers in the flesh. Dan Rooney was also the driving force behind the Rooney Rule in the NFL which means that minority candidates have to be interviewed for head coaching and senior football operations opportunities.

Pittsburgh is a very working class town and the Steelers reflect those values. They are not the prettiest but their smash mouth style of football takes no prisoners and is great to watch. And there are great rivalries every year with the likes of the Ravens, Browns and Bengals not to mention the Philadelphia Eagles.

And finally as an organisation, the Steelers understand that you have to give a coach time and they have always hired young coaches and given them time to succeed. Case in point is Mike Tomlin who was not well fancied to get the job in 2005. But the Rooney's saw something in him and he has rewarded them with two Championships.

So that is my case for the Steelers...:D

But there are loads of great teams in the NFL and it is a really great sport to be a fan of. And if you do join the Steeler nation, make sure that you get yourself a terrible towel to swing around when you are watching them this year!

themont85

Watch some of these for the history of the NFL. America's game, an episode about each season of the super bowl era teams. Some of them are up on Youtube, I've watched a good few on Sky sports in the past and its great to see the history of each team;

1985 Chicago Bears, part 1-the rest are linked down the side;

Recent one, 2007 Giants;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnfbMSbrlAA

Short clip from the Ravens one for 2000(havent seen the whole episode myself, hopefully sky repeat it soon...)

Sea Devils

FWIW there is also one of the Niner epsiodes up on Youtube. Personally I really hope Sky show the Missing Rings epsiodes some of the stories just break your heart especially the 1998 Vikings or the 90 Bills. It's probably just a personal thing but I found some of those stories more compelling then the likes of the 2007 Giants which was an episode made too soon IMO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3oea1As6C8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nLBj_vrTyU

Hazys

bonger wrote: »

Folks, thanks for all the positive feedback (apart from the weird comments about not being allowed to support a team from another country, which came from somebody using a Swedish footballer's name who claims to "support an actual Irish soccer team" on another thread!!!)

I have an uncle in Atlanta, but I haven't heard too much about the Atlanta Falcons so I'd have to do a bit more research on them before I would commit to take the plunge!!!

Will think long and hard before making my decision but I must say my initial leaning was toward the Pittsburgh Steelers after seeing them win the Superbowl (tempted to be a glory hunter for once!! ), but as some of you have recommended, I'll watch a few games at the start of the season and I'm sure I'll find my team!!

Thanks again folks!

Falcons are a team on the rise. They made the playoffs for the first time in ages last year. They have been a poor team for most of their existence. Their old QB went to jail for 2 years and things we looking even worse for the falcons.

But all is changing now they took a gamble by drafting QB Matt Ryan from Boston College with the 3rd pick in last years draft but it looks like he's the man (his first pass as a pro was a 60yrd touchdown). Since the Falcons are set at QB for the next 5/6 years, it looks like theyll only get better.

kev_s88

Support the Jaguars....simple as

Oat23

Da Bears for life, I've been to one game in the 10 years SUPPORTING Da best team in the NFL and it was bloody fantastic.
Support DA BEARS!!...WE WILL RETURN TO SUPERBOWL GLORY...IN CUTLER WE TRUST!!

PS: Ibrahimovic91, You are a twat, please leave this forum. Thank you.

Hyndsy85

I've been watching NFl for about 4/5 years now and i still cant really make my mind up over who to support. I tell people the patriots because i like teams who throw the ball around as i find their offensive style more entertaining. Plus im going to the patriots vs buccs game in london this year boo ya.

However i also have a fondness for the Browns and Falcons.

Also i cannot stand the steelers or bears

Stab*City

Ravens!!!

Neil3030

Troll banned.

All Troll's posts erased, in addition to any posts referencing same.

Sorry to anyone whose 'thanks' count this may influence.

Neil.

fisgon

Hyndsy85 wrote: »

I've been watching NFl for about 4/5 years now and i still cant really make my mind up over who to support. I tell people the patriots because i like teams who throw the ball around as i find their offensive style more entertaining. Plus im going to the patriots vs buccs game in london this year boo ya.

However i also have a fondness for the Browns and Falcons.

Also i cannot stand the steelers or bears

I'm pretty much the same, been watching on and off for years and have about four favourite teams.....(is this cheating, or just inability to commit?).....though I'm leaning towards the Vikings now, what with Jared Allen and AP and the Williams boys, and the purple, funnily enough. I'd say there are lots of unusual and apparently irrelevant reasons why people choose teams.

I also like to see Green Bay do well, just because of the story behind them, the history, and the fact that they are pretty much the only NFL franchise who are not based in a large city. I'd be like Chorley in Lancashire (pop: 10000) having a premiership football team, and then actually winning it, a great story. Yet i know that the Packers and the Vikes are in the same division and so it doesn't make sense to follow them both, but i can't help it.

My advice is to take your time, watch as many games as you can, and try to also decide who you hate, which is fun too......for me it's the Bears, the Patriots and the Cowboys. Hate them...hate them....hate them....

miami365

I'm a Miami Dolphins fan, though I've relations in Florida it was more cause of watching Dan Marino when they showed him on Channel 4 all them years ago.

UhOh

alexcorb1991 wrote: »

For example and true fan or the nfl has a true HATRED for the patriots:mad:

I wouldnt say that. I've been an NFL fan since 1991 & it's my favourite sport, I'm a Broncos fan & I love watching the Patriots play especially with Tom Brady. They were a joy to watch in the 2007 season

I started watching in 91 after playing Madden on the Mega Drive. I always did well when I played with Denver in it, so I decided to watch a Broncos game on Channel 4 one night. Turns out it was the Oilers/Broncos playoff game which ended with the Drive Part 2, I was hooked on the Broncos & John Elway from then on

tallaghtoutlaws

UhOh wrote: »

I wouldnt say that. I've been an NFL fan since 1991 & it's my favourite sport, I'm a Broncos fan & I love watching the Patriots play especially with Tom Brady. They were a joy to watch in the 2007 season

New Age fans and jealousy gets people nowhere. Its funny been in many stadiums in the US and when you ask folk WHY they hate the Patriots they cant give you an honest answer other than the usual crap of spygate, oh and Patriots fans are cocky. But like all MA fans and NY fans who support the Red Sox or Yankees success brings an air of arrogance and jealousy throughout NY and MA sports teams. Most people that hate the Patriots, hate them because of the the 3 Superbowls. The others becuase they are Rivals to the Pats. So the new found hatred outside rivalry happened in the last 10 years and is most definitely jealousy if you ask me. Other than that the other hatred is age old rivalry which is normal in every sport.

UhOh

Sea Devils wrote: »

Personally I really hope Sky show the Missing Rings epsiodes some of the stories just break your heart especially the 1998 Vikings or the 90 Bills.

the Missing Rings episodes were great, hopefully they get a DVD release soon aswell. I really loved the 69 Vikings episode. Probably one of my favourites of any of the America's Game episodes

Sea Devils

Lothaar wrote: »

Niners for me.

And yes, I'm still hanging onto the glory days.
Cardinals because Larry and Anquan are unbelievable to watch.
.

Hang on how can you possibly appreciate a division rival?:eek:

the Missing Rings episodes were great, hopefully they get a DVD release soon aswell. I really loved the 69 Vikings episode. Probably one of my favourites of any of the America's Game episodes

I loved that episode as well. Joe Kapp comes across as a character. He was one of the few Quarterbacks to pass for seven Touchdowns in a game iirc

tallaghtoutlaws

UhOh wrote: »

the Missing Rings episodes were great, hopefully they get a DVD release soon aswell. I really loved the 69 Vikings episode. Probably one of my favourites of any of the America's Game episodes

Never understood why they dont release box sets on all these episodes on dvd.

UhOh

Sea Devils wrote: »

Joe Kapp was one of the few Quarterbacks to pass for seven Touchdowns in a game iirc

he was the last QB to pass for 7 TD's in a game aswell.

I was hoping they'd do another series of the Missing Rings but I believe NFL Films is doing some kind of AFL series this year for the 50th anniversary. Hopefully we'll get another batch of Missing Rings episodes next year & extended to include franchises who did win the Super Bowl, just not in that era, like the 77 Broncos for example.
Some episodes I think would make great viewing would be, mid-late 80s Browns episode, 72 Redskins, 77 Broncos, 80 Eagles, late 70s Oilers, early 70s Rams, mid 90s Chiefs....

UhOh

tallaghtoutlaws wrote: »

Never understood why they dont release box sets on all these episodes on dvd.

what? just the Missing Rings or the Super Bowl Champions? I have the complete AG boxset of Super Bowl 1-40 on DVD from the US, I believe the 08 Steelers episode is due to be released in a special Steelers, the Story of Six Championships boxset in November. No word on the 06 Colts, 07 Giants or Missing Rings though

tallaghtoutlaws

UhOh wrote: »

what? just the Missing Rings or the Super Bowl Champions? I have the complete AG boxset of Super Bowl 1-40 on DVD from the US, I believe the 08 Steelers episode is due to be released in a special Steelers, the Story of Six Championships boxset in November. No word on the 06 Colts, 07 Giants or Missing Rings though

Im talking everything but the Superbowl ones I have the complete set myself. Missing rings was never put on dvd I have them all downloaded to my hard drive. And then there is other NFL films shows that never made dvd either.

Sea Devils

UhOh wrote: »

Some episodes I think would make great viewing would be, mid-late 80s Browns episode, 72 Redskins, 77 Broncos, 80 Eagles, late 70s Oilers, early 70s Rams, mid 90s Chiefs....

I'd love to see a story on the 03 Panthers or a Kardiac kids episode. Even the 1981 Bengals would make interesting viewing.

UhOh

tallaghtoutlaws wrote: »

I have them all downloaded to my hard drive. And then there is other NFL films shows that never made dvd either.

yeah I had all the Missing Rings episodes & all the NFL Top 10 episodes(including the new ones) on my lap top hard drive until last week when it went t*ts up. All gone now, it cant be retrieved

Just out of curiousity, where'd you get them from? The place I got them off has disabled my account :mad:

tallaghtoutlaws

UhOh wrote: »

yeah I had all the Missing Rings episodes & all the NFL Top 10 episodes(including the new ones) on my lap top hard drive until last week when it went t*ts up. All gone now, it cant be retrieved

Just out of curiousity, where'd you get them from? The place I got them off has disabled my account :mad:

Buddy of mine and me invested in a HDD Box for his TV and he records them all in the US. Works like Sky+ but at least with this one you can actually take recordings off it.

Sucks about the hard drive I have mine on two seperate hard drives external ones just in case.

Ten yard torrents does them also not sure which ones though havent really looked as I have them already

bobby wade

tallaghtoutlaws wrote: »

Im talking everything but the Superbowl ones I have the complete set myself. Missing rings was never put on dvd I have them all downloaded to my hard drive. And then there is other NFL films shows that never made dvd either.

couldn't you then copy them to dvd? cough cough

tallaghtoutlaws

bobby wade wrote: »

couldn't you then copy them to dvd? cough cough

:D Yeah but I like to also buy the DVD collection. Copies are dont look good on the DVD shelf haha I always like to get the originals also. The Superbowl collection I have came in a commertive box and is very stylish.

I started to like the NFL when I bought my first Madden game. Would've been one of the the early 2000s games. Anyway, the I had a basic understanding of the sport and had a knowledge of some of the big teams. Anyway, in the 'Superstar' mode I was signed up by the Jags. I started to like the team immediately when I found that they played in green (my favourite colour) and since then I've kept an eye on them. I'm not as interested in the NFL as I am in 'Soccer', GAA and Basketball so I don't really have a religious following of one team. I usually just root for the underdog in most of the games that I watch. Just a casual interest for me...

Xavi6

I think I must be the only Irish Chiefs fan!

Madden got me into NFL first then it was Gary Imlach's Saturday morning Blitz show on Channel 4. At first I didn't have a team and the likes of the Raiders and Dolphins seemed cool at the time but neither really appealed to me so I looked for something a bit different. That something was Marcus Allen and Derrick Thomas (RIP ). I followed them for a few weeks and decided to go with it.

I find sport nowhere near as interesting unless you have a vested interest in one of the participants. We're in a rebuilding phase at the moment and it's quite exciting. Hopefully a return to the playoffs is only a season or two away.

Hynzie

tallaghtoutlaws wrote: »

:D Yeah but I like to also buy the DVD collection. Copies are dont look good on the DVD shelf haha I always like to get the originals also. The Superbowl collection I have came in a commertive box and is very stylish.

I have the same thing. Its really cool with the case and booklet you get. Best 200 dollars i ever spent!!

Steelers Fan

I became a NFL and Steelers fan about 5 years ago, through having a bet on a Monday Night game. I'd lost a fortune on the weekends soccer, and needed a winning bet. I knew nothing about NFL, did some research on teh game online, and backed the steelers because of Big Ben at Quarterback. Stayed up until 5am watching the game, and they won, and I got my loss's back:D

I now make a nice 2nd income by backing on games.

AlphaMike

I remember when I was a kid getting a mug with a small easter egg in it. The mug had a Miami Dolphins logo on it and I suppose that started me off. Dan Marino was a legend!

Lost interest though as I was probably too young to understand the rules and found it too long to keep an interest in it. Plus soccer, GAA, golf and rugby dominated the 90's, 00's for me!

My brother in law has been following the NFL for the last 3 yrs and the Colts were his team. I've been drawn back to it now and I'm now contemplating going to the States to catch a couple of games!!

I've decided to pick a new team to support and I prefer an underdog team rather than the usual successful teams with the glittering history so the team I'll be cheering on from now on is.......The Philadelphia Eagles!!!!!:)

Looking forward to September when it all kicks off!:D

NTMK

I've supported the 49ers since cause i've family in Seattle

Peyton Manning

I support Tom Brady, simple as :P

damnyanks

The game itself is great. Shame about hte never ending breaks for ad's etc.

soggy cornflake

Eagles all the way...

Juan Pablo

Used to wath the NFL in the mid/late 90's when C4 used to show the football. Around '97 I opted for the NY Jets as my team, partly because they had a few players worth watching an partly because of my Man City mentality to pick the underdog team in a city (some Rag mates of mine were Giants fans). Stopped watching up until about 2 years ago when I started making a few $$ of my mates NFL picks (he's big into the football) which got me into watching the games on a Sunday. Did the fantasy last year, I'm well and truley hooked now! And still a Jets fan!