I don't think you can clainm the NBA doesn't do well internationally. Maybe not US NBA games, but the international leagues sponsored by the NBA do extremely well.
The NBA also has a great record of interantional superstars. The Spurs are an international All-Star team without a single true US star beyond an aging Michael Finley. You add Dirk, and between he and Duncan, two of the top five current players are not US natives. Yao might make it 3 of five: Duncan, LeBron, Kobe, Yao, and Dirk being my clear top 5.
The NFL has the problem of requiring more cultural integration to suceed abroad. There are 22 positions and most require ubstationally different skills, especially at the professional level.
Baseball, I think is closer to the NBA, it does well in East Asia and Latin America.
Now it doesn't compete with soccer, but there's more inertia of displacing a global institution than superiority of sport versus sport. If you're raised watching soccer and deriving national pride from it, it's hard to see any good reason to switch.
Another thing is most NBA players do not care in exhibtion competion thry makr millions, and the game means nothing, to them why get hurt? Where as guys from other countries try even harder to beat the Americans.
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How 'bout them Gators! I still have season tickets to my alma mater and life-long favorite college team. IMO Dmac and Brennan are great talents, but Tebow is the kind of player you get to see once in your lifetime. Dmac will be a great running back at the next level, but he disappeared too many times this year to win the Heisman. He absolutely failed to show vs UT this year. That's a defense that Tebow lit up for 60. Likewise the Auburn game.
I'm an admitted SEC snob, but as a Gator fan I say anybody but Georgia. Go Rainbow Warriors! Nothing would complete this season better than for Brennan to lead his boys to a win over the dawgs. They can put that in their BCS peace pipe and smoke it. Split national champs baby!
Kaikillah - your boys are coming across the country to play in the Swamp next year - second game of the season. Can't wait to see them in person, Colt Brennan or no.
On the subject of that other football - what's with the can of fix-it spray that they spray on Soccer players when they get hurt? One minute the player is rolling around on the field like he's had his foot ripped off, then the trainer comes out with the magic spray can, and the next thing you know the guy is up and ready to play again! What are they putting in the spray can and where can I get some? Why don't EMTs carry that stuff?
On the subject of that other football - what's with the can of fix-it spray that they spray on Soccer players when they get hurt? One minute the player is rolling around on the field like he's had his foot ripped off, then the trainer comes out with the magic spray can, and the next thing you know the guy is up and ready to play again! What are they putting in the spray can and where can I get some? Why don't EMTs carry that stuff?
It's freon. It temporarily numbs the injury so you can keep playing (the game only allows for three player substitutions, so you have to make them count). Believe me, you'll know you've been injured the next morning!...
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I can understand your point, but there is not a team anywhere in the world that will beat an NFL team, it has never happened, if world competion played by the Old NBA rules where there were no zones allowed they would not have stood a chance especially when you consider that the new American Basketball team with the absolute best players in the league spanked everyone at the olympic qualifier and that was without any real chemistry, again against teams with years togethr.
Of course no other team will beat an NFL team. American football is only played in one country and, if the NFL Europe and the fate of Atlanta's attempt to include it as an olympic sport in 1996 are any sort of indicators, that's the way it will stay. Wanna see Americans go up against Norwegian cross-country skiers or French petanque players? It'll be ugly too.
Also, your point about the NBA is probably correct. However, it also underscores Foxish's point about outrageous physical gifts vs skill and team play. The way to beat a zone is by being good shooters and passers that play as a team. Thus, the current NBA stars, who are used to either soloing oe-on-one or backing the opposition into the paint, struggle against it. That's the main reason, BTW, that I like college games better than NBA games, despite the arguably superior talent among the pros. Also, I thought the Argentinians looked pretty good in the Olympic qualifiers, considering that they didn't play 6 of their 8 best players (Scola and Delfino will both probably come off the bench).
Having said all that, I still like watching a football game once in a while.
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The NBA also has a great record of interantional superstars. The Spurs are an international All-Star team without a single true US star beyond an aging Michael Finley. You add Dirk, and between he and Duncan, two of the top five current players are not US natives. Yao might make it 3 of five: Duncan, LeBron, Kobe, Yao, and Dirk being my clear top 5.
And don't forget the South African-born, Canadian-raised Steve Nash!
I don't think you can clainm the NBA doesn't do well internationally. Maybe not US NBA games, but the international leagues sponsored by the NBA do extremely well.
The NBA also has a great record of interantional superstars. The Spurs are an international All-Star team without a single true US star beyond an aging Michael Finley. You add Dirk, and between he and Duncan, two of the top five current players are not US natives. Yao might make it 3 of five: Duncan, LeBron, Kobe, Yao, and Dirk being my clear top 5.
The NFL has the problem of requiring more cultural integration to suceed abroad. There are 22 positions and most require ubstationally different skills, especially at the professional level.
Baseball, I think is closer to the NBA, it does well in East Asia and Latin America.
Now it doesn't compete with soccer, but there's more inertia of displacing a global institution than superiority of sport versus sport. If you're raised watching soccer and deriving national pride from it, it's hard to see any good reason to switch.
I'm not talking financially, but competitively. I understand that American sports are very much a part of the American sense of identity, so they are very protective of them. However, it's difficult to make the case that American sports leagues and teams are the best in the world when those teams are unable to succeed against the best of what the rest of the world offers. There's a reason why Brazil is the superpower of football. There's a reason why New Zealand is the superpower of rugby. It's because those countries have sent their teams out into the world and won trophy after trophy after trophy. Can the NFL say that? The NBA? MLB? No, they can't. Until they make it over that hump and stop making excuses, they can't expect the global sports market to take them seriously...
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Collegiate & pros here
Pros it is the New Orleans Saints, back in the 80s when I was first getting into football, the colors stood out for me (thou I do like silver & black, just hate the Raiders) & have been a fan since, last year was a great season for me & the team.
College its the Oregon Ducks, knew the season was down the crapper when Dixon went down, just hope they can win the Sun Bowl vs the BCS darlings this year.
Gotta admit college football this year has been allot more fun for me due to all the upsets & wildness that occurred in it. Hope next year it's the same!!
RM
I'm not talking financially, but competitively.
Like I already wrote when the NBA sends its very best, not just good players; like at the qualifiers, they destroy ALL other countries. That is a fact.
Not I, said Simple Simon to the Pieman. We hatesss it (football) to piecesss, Preciousss. And all the other -ball games. Gives us Muay Thai kickboxing in the heavy and superheavy weights and weezus happy, we iz.
The Muay Thai fights that attract the most people to the Arenas in Thailand are actually fought by Children somewhere around 12 years old.
I would like to see that myself.
Aww, hell's yih!!!
Tim Tebow is tha shiznit!
Better ask somebody.
Superman has kryptonite as his weakness, Tim Tebow laughs at Superman for having a weakness.
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you think Tebow has the chops to make it in the NFL? I know its a little early to ask that question. . .Superman has kryptonite as his weakness, Tim Tebow laughs at Superman for having a weakness.Aww, hell's yih!!!
Tim Tebow is tha shiznit!
Better ask somebody.
I....honestly don't know. It's hard to tell; I think he's throwing a lot tighter than he was last year.
IDK if he's going to run all over those NFL defences, but he HAS played a game in highschool with a broke leg, and he broke his hand a game back and didn't tell anybody. He is pretty effin tough.(edit) but he's got more rushing td's than Emmit Smith did in a season, so,.....I think somebody'll give him a job.
And don't forget the South African-born, Canadian-raised Steve Nash!
Nash plays soccer during the summer in NYC, and he has serious skills.
you think Tebow has the chops to make it in the NFL? I know its a little early to ask that question. . .
If he continues to improve as a passer, damn skippy. As I see it he is the best prospect at the position since Elway, he is truly a god among men.
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If he continues to improve as a passer, damn skippy. As I see it he is the best prospect at the position since Elway, he is truly a god among men.
you think Tebow has the chops to make it in the NFL? I know its a little early to ask that question. . .
His skills are sick. He has to demonstrate the ability to fire the ball on the deep out if he wants to throw at the next level though. He has really good touch on the post ball. If he plays QB at the next level, he's going to have to learn to throw the ball away quicker. No NFL GM is going to want to see his multi-million dollar QB breaking himself running over the beasts that play linebacker in the pros. Non-throwing hand or not.
The thing about Tebow is that when he fakes that run, the defense pays attention. The whole defense reacts to it. College defenses cannot handle this kid.
Superman has kryptonite as his weakness, Tim Tebow laughs at Superman for having a weakness.Actually, I think Tebow does have a weakness....its called Glen Dorsey.
I think one game does not define Dorsey as a weakness as much as a complication.
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I think one game does not define Dorsey as a weakness as much as a complication.Superman has kryptonite as his weakness, Tim Tebow laughs at Superman for having a weakness.Actually, I think Tebow does have a weakness....its called Glen Dorsey.
Yeah, I was just kidding. I can't help but talk up LSU. GO TIGERS!
Tebow had a great season. It'll be interesting to see if he can do a repeat next year. I'd even go so far as to say that if he has a great season next year, and if Florida gets close to or wins the National Championship, then Tebow might just consider foregoing his senior year and enter the draft early.
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Actually, I think Tebow does have a weakness....its called Glen Dorsey.
Uh oh, here we go...
Dorsey sacked Tebow one time in the game this year - the play-by-play is here. Actually, it was just half a sack since he shared it statistically with Pittman. Tebow ran for 67 yards and a TD, and threw for 158 yards and 2 TDs.
Sorry buddy, Tebow's only weakness to date has been a lack of ability to inspire our defense to play better.
I've been pretty disappointed with Dorsey's inability to overcome injuries all season. If I were a GM, I'd give him a long hard look before drafting him.
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I've been pretty disappointed with Dorsey's inability to overcome injuries all season. If I were a GM, I'd give him a long hard look before drafting him.
Yeah, I keep wondering about his injury problem. The last I read, he was still pretty high up in draft speculation though. I guess the scouts aren't as concerned.
Hey zombie, what's that hand waving thing they're doing in the stands in Death Valley these days? I've been wondering that all season.
Damned if I know. Youngsters these days are a weird bunch. Why they can't just do the Wave or something is beyond me. I'll have to ask my sister-in-law. She goes there, and might be able to shed some light.
Tebow best since Elway? Seriously? Aikman, Favre, Brady, Peyton, and Romo have all come since Elway. Lets give Tebow some leeway to grow.
Anyway, the real college superstar is Armanti Edwards. When he gets Heisman votes next year, you'll see a real change in the college football power structure.
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I love Liverpool Football Club.
I enjoy watching England play rugby.
And I have a mild interest in the Packers.
But the only live American Football game I saw, BC vs Rutgers, I never saw the ball until they all stopped moving and someone stood up with it. Need the TV replays for that game.
As for cricket, I'm not sure its even a sport, I think its a form of torture?
Cheers
P.S. I pray my son doesn't end up supporting Man U.
Tebow best since Elway? Seriously? Aikman, Favre, Brady, Peyton, and Romo have all come since Elway. Lets give Tebow some leeway to grow.
I said best PROSPECT since Elway, none of those guys you mentioned have the tools Tebow has, in fact no one since Elway.
I said best PROSPECT since Elway, none of those guys you mentioned have the tools Tebow has, in fact no one since Elway.Tebow best since Elway? Seriously? Aikman, Favre, Brady, Peyton, and Romo have all come since Elway. Lets give Tebow some leeway to grow.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say most, if not all have a better set of skills than the Tebow. Legs and a strong arm aint everything.
Why Jeff George never stuck in the league no matter how many tries he got.
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Colts fan here.
I've also been playing fantasy football for the last 10 years... it really jacked up my enthusiasm for watching teams when I am really wanted my players to do well and score me some points. :)
I'm still a Vikings and Steelers fan since I was a boy.
I am torn seeing if the Pats go undefeated since the Colts got so close last year... but it would be kind of cool if they do it. Of course the Colts will beat them in the playoffs again this year.
:fingers crossed:
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Tebow best since Elway? Seriously? Aikman, Favre, Brady, Peyton, and Romo have all come since Elway. Lets give Tebow some leeway to grow.
Anyway, the real college superstar is Armanti Edwards. When he gets Heisman votes next year, you'll see a real change in the college football power structure.
How many of them won a Heisman Trophy in their sophomore year?
How many of them had more rushing touchdowns than Emmit Smith?
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say most, if not all have a better set of skills than the Tebow. Legs and a strong arm aint everything.
Why Jeff George never stuck in the league no matter how many tries he got.
They all do, but a lot of guys would be pretty effective with Aikman's supporting cast. But Vince Young and Michael Vick have shown you do not need to be a good passer to play in the NFL, Tebow is better at throwing the ball than either of those guys at his age. As for George, when he played for the Falcons he actually put up some good numbers.
Tebow best since Elway? Seriously? Aikman, Favre, Brady, Peyton, and Romo have all come since Elway. Lets give Tebow some leeway to grow.
Anyway, the real college superstar is Armanti Edwards. When he gets Heisman votes next year, you'll see a real change in the college football power structure.
How many of them won a Heisman Trophy in their sophomore year?
How many of them had more rushing touchdowns than Emmit Smith?
None.
None.And yet I still stand by my comments. Yours is a better case for him being the next Barry Sanders on that criteria. The Heisman just can't be taken seriously as anything more than recognition for a great college football season on a respected team. Tebow is an awesome college player, but his pro skillset has little to do with college success or teh Heisman.
The dual threat QB hasn't taken off regardless of talent. Vick and Young have done okay, but the verdict is out. The same will be true with Tebow. Mobility is great, duality is of questionable worth to playing championship level football at the NFL level.
Aikman's strength was accuracy. Many would have excelled with his cast, but he was the right fit because of the accuracy.
And that's the catch in the NFL: quick release, accuracy, and reads are more important than any other physical gifts.
And that's the catch in the NFL: quick release, accuracy, and reads are more important than any other physical gifts.
Your absolutley right about that. I just think that for a first year starter in a fairly complex offense, he already showed he can excel. Not to mention Tim Tebow, plays for a coach who is an excellent teacher, but in the end only time will tell. Oh and one more thing, the Giants blow and are making me sick. I wish they had drafted Rothlisberger.
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I am first and foremost a college hoops fan, true to my Alma Mater - The UNC Tar Heels.
I also enjoy pro football, though my Carolina Panthers have been less-than-stellar.
I refuse to support college football until they dump the BCS nonsense and have a legitimate playoff for the national championship.
Pro basketball is about as legitimate as pro wrestling.
As for international sports, I love watching rugby and sumo wrestling when the opportunities present themselves.
Buffalo Bills!!!! The first one who says Super Bowl is a dead man!!!
:)))
I like football... (proper football mind you, not what you USA types call that overly-complicated game resembling rugby only played by softies covered in padding, lycra and helmets -admittedly some of them have rather nice bottoms though... ahem..) But 'American Football' (as the rest of the world calls it) leaves me cold -too much stopping and talking and ad breaks and shiny-glossy-commercial-brightness! And whats with the cheesy sounding names of the teams?! :P
*backs out of thread slowly* ;)
Wohoo! 16-0 Baby!
5 records broken in one evening, how about them Pats?
I'd cheer my Illinois team going into the Rose Bowl, but I still remember the Rose Bowl Disaster versus UCLA. Go Illini! Don't make fools of yourselves in the Rose Bowl again! (That's a rallying cry)
Well, I love that football is almost over; yeah! can start dreaming my Lions will actually do good next year; a fantasy I know hehe.
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....only played by softies covered in padding, lycra and helmets -
Tell you what, we'll let just one of your "proper football" players try to stand up against a lineman (without pads or helemt) from our football. We'll see who wins.
Oh yeah....Geaux Tigers!!!! LSU is on the road to #1 (again).
....only played by softies covered in padding, lycra and helmets -Tell you what, we'll let just one of your "proper football" players try to stand up against a lineman (without pads or helemt) from our football. We'll see who wins.
I'll volunteer (as the lineman)! Give me that Beckham guy to run over...
I'd cheer my Illinois team going into the Rose Bowl, but I still remember the Rose Bowl Disaster versus UCLA. Go Illini! Don't make fools of yourselves in the Rose Bowl again! (That's a rallying cry)
::sigh::
My Gators lost. Boo hoo hoo!I'd cheer my Illinois team going into the Rose Bowl, but I still remember the Rose Bowl Disaster versus UCLA. Go Illini! Don't make fools of yourselves in the Rose Bowl again! (That's a rallying cry)::sigh::
*ahem*
"Hail to the victors valiant!"oh, yeah...App State. *sigh* It could have been such a good year...
ah, well. GO BLUE!!
(sorry Heathy) :)