NFL in London

National Football League in London

bill belichick

London Balling Podcast

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The NFL is officially returning to London!
That’s right, in 2021, the Atlanta Falcons will pop over the pond to Tottenham for a non-divisional contest in October.
So what does that mean for NFL fans around the world?
Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull break it down in this London Balling Podcast.

Covid 19 was definitely the player of the season in 2020, gashing the league for over 85% of their profits from the previous year.
Virus be damned, the games are back on and Mr. Goodell is promising 100% capacity at the stadiums this season.
It all seems very positive…

Among the hot topics in this edition of the podcast include:

London Games

We have one game in the can for 2021, with a whole host of potential games over the next eight years. Sure, we have to split them with Germany, Mexico and even Canada…but at least the games will be spread across the globe.
Wembley looks to be out of the mix for now, but you would have to expect the stadium to make a push a Khan to help heal the wounds of his downtown Jacksonville implosion.
Tottenham already has a head start on the rest of the world by building a purpose built stadium for the NFL, it’s a matter if other countries are willing to build up to keep up.

Falcons at Tottenham

We know that Atlanta is playing in London in October 2021. Further breadcrumbs reveal that the opponent will be non-divisional, which only leaves 5 teams to choose from.
The Eagles last played in London in 2018, so they would be the least likely to return.
The Lions, Jets and Washington are all fan ‘duds’ when it comes to drawing a crowd, so it would be tough for the NFL to promote such a lack lustre game.
New England Patriots are no longer the massive draw that they once were under the TB12 dynasty, but they are still a much bigger ticket than any of the other bum teams available.
If you only have one game this season, go out swinging.
Bring back a 28-3 iconic Super Bowl game for UK fans to enjoy.
It’s doubtful that any foreign fans will be attending the game, so let’s make Britain ‘New England’ again.
That’s our two cents anyway.

Green Bay for $200

Aaron Rodgers tests out a new career path this week, as he hosts Jeopardy for 2 whole weeks. A huge Jeopardy ‘nerd’, Rodgers will be looking to open up his lexicon and fan base by hosting the nighttime quiz for a fortnight.
Don’t worry Packers fans, he won’t be leaving you…this season.

AB Gone

Antonio Brown is ready to get paid! Again.
After finally winning a ring (thanks to the generosity of TB12), Brown is ready to hit the free market and see what he’s worth.
This ageing and outspoken player might find that the turf is a bit frosty in the league, especially given that he still has some pending lawsuits lined up every month.
While Brown doesn’t exude the same drama that he did in his younger Steelers years, his petulance is far too advanced for a man of his age.
It’s nice to get paid, but if the team can only muster 4 wins in a season, was it worth it?

Sam Darnold

Darnold was traded to the Panthers just after this podcast was recorded.
This will have some big implications for the Jets, and their 2021 Draft.
By all accounts, it looks like that the Panthers got a great deal off the Jets for Sammy D.
New York has a lot to change, so it’s good to get the bad memories out of the way.

London Stuff

London is going to host a game! Will you need a vaccine passport?  Can you visit from the US? What does that mean for you and I?
We will be exploring all of this in the weeks ahead, and letting you know as soon as we do. We are still hopeful that we will be hosting NFL events this season, just watch this space for more info.

Here’s the podcast:

Sad Nachos

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Good food can help make a great football game better. Bad food turns a bad game into a travesty.
So what quantifies as bad nachos, or even sad nachos?
Pretty much everything you’ll find at a UK pub chain.

Nachos have been a struggle menu item for most British restaurants.
To many it’s just a matter of ‘putting cheese on crisps’, which rewards the eater with bland taste, sharp edges and no reminder of home.

The first time a North American orders nachos from a ‘Spoons, you quickly realise what kind of mistake you have made.
Shortly after a server appears with a plate of Doritos that have been microwaved covered in some cheese slices. No extra toppings, flavour, or even good corn chips…just plain old Doritos.
It’s the NFL equivalent to showing up to a game, only to find out it’s a New York Jets practice, with only 3rd string players.

Expats quickly learn what NOT to order on a British menu to avoid tainting the taste of home.
Hot dogs that come in jars in the canned goods aisle? Hard pass.
Cheeseburgers pre-made and sold in a gas station. No thanks.
Asking for ‘lemonade’ and getting a warm can of Sprite. Oh geez.
Nachos could easily stand for ‘No American Cheese, Habaneros Or Salsa’.

So how does someone learn to just not give a crap about cooking?
Follow the lead of this guy, who apparently is the only one with some kind of cooking acumen at this network.
His nachos recipe looks more like a cry for help or a sign of suicide rather than a cooking segment.

Our man Weber is a microwave kind of guy, and you get the impression that this is not only his ONLY recipe, but that he probably eats this every night sitting in his tight-whiteys watching late night runs of the dating show ‘Studs.’
This is the nacho recipe for the everyman.

If you’re looking for a way NOT to make nachos, or the spirit animal of the sad divorcee, than this is the video for you.

There are some good nachos in the UK by the way. we just have yet to taste them.
If you have any recommendations for the best nachos in the UK, make sure to give us a holler.
We’ll all be eating crap nachos and watching the games together soon.

Flee Agents

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What a wild and crazy week in free agency!
The Patriots throw money at every problem, Trubisky is gone from the Bears-but so is Kyle Fuller, Corey Davis, Marvin Jones, even JuJu got a deal.
All is discussed in our Flee Agents podcast.

Wade & Ryan look at all the frenetic action taking place last week in the league. With so many moves, shakes and potential shakedowns going on, there is a lot to discuss.
Although there were hundreds of pieces moved last week alone, the guys will look at some of the big trades, and what kind of implications that they might have in the 2021 season.

The guys also chat about some of the not so pretty hot topics that have been bouncing across the food court of the league. Some of this stuff is all rumour, and we hope that you look at it that way as no one has gone to jail..yet.

Our big Flee Agent topics in this episode include.

JuJu

Juju is back on the Steelers, and he promises no logo dancing! Actually, he doesn’t promise anything, but not as much is as expected. Juju probably thought the free agent pool would be a clear and crystal body of warmth and support. Instead the pool called him a ‘jackass’ and told him to stop peeing on his chances at future success.
Juju returning to Pittsburgh is like the hot girl in your small town who announces she is ‘going to Hollywood’, only to be spotted working at an Arby’s at the town over 6 months later.
He talks a big talk, but he might be shell of Claypool in 2021.

Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton is the starter for the Chicago Bears! This is something that might have been appealing in 2018, but not so much now. Dalton went from unappreciated in Cincy, to unblocked in Dallas. For a guy who seems pretty darn nice, he hasn’t had a pretty nice ride.
Maybe things will turn around in Chicago?
Given that Bears fans are warming fires and sharpening sticks for Pace and Nagy, that doesn’t seem bloody likely.
Dalton may indeed be the goat here…scape-goat.

Hunter Henry

Bill Belichick loves him a sweet tight end. Robert Kraft probably does as well, we have no idea.
Billy B blew a load on TE’s by adding Hunter and Jonnu to reclaim the glory days of Gronk and A Hern.
Of course, you still need someone to THROW the ball, which Cam Newton has struggled on last year,
Henry was a great touchdown catcher in LA, but being the star of the Pats is a different story.
3 years for $37.5 million? Hope you catch a lot of balls Hunter.

Mitchell Trubisky

Ding dong the Mitch is dead, the wicked Mitch, the wicked Mitch is dead!
Ok, so he isn’t dead, and he isn’t wicked, but he is gone…from Chicago.
Mitch didn’t asked to be moved up the draft and forced into the Bears, but sometimes that’s how life goes.
Buffalo saw something in Mitch and decided ‘what the heck, throw him on the bench.’
Trubisky offers the Bills another running option at QB, even if that option is about as accurate as a millennial.
This could be good for Mitch, and even better for Bears fans to watch him on the bench in the AFC.

DeShaun Watson

Let’s address the naked man on the massage table, shall we?
Firstly these are accusations.
Nothing has been proven, no one has been charged, but a man’s life hangs in the balance.
Let’s not forget that a young man who challenged his lot in life being manipulated by nefarious billionaires, now finds that they system is against him.
Robert Kraft was in a similar situation with actual evidence, and that disappeared faster that you can say ‘Ambassador Woody Johnson.’
Before everyone goes out and torches DeShaun in the media, let’s just see what other information comes out first.
Besides, it’s early off-season, there are plenty of more meltdowns to come.

Make sure you follow us on social media, as we will have big news coming out this summer!

Meme Marchness

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What a wild week this was in the NFL!
Does anyone else have the cold sweats?
To celebrate, we have compiled a collection of some of the greatest memes from the week in what we call Meme Marchness.

We will of course go into bigger discussion about some of these topics in our podcast, and throughout the week. Some of the hot topics we will be touching on include:

DeShaun Watson

It’s all starting to crumble for Watson, as his exploits at massage parlours makes him the perfect Patriot. The reports that are starting to emerge are troubling, and could potentially spell the end of a career for DeShaun.
Like anything in life, you can rush to hasty decisions without all of the facts-something we don’t have yet.
A truly unfortunate situation for everyone.

Patriots

Speaking of blowing the wad, New England has splashed some cash this week unlike any other time in their history. Bill Belichick got Cam for a nifty deal, then splashed out on enough tight ends to last him 5 years. New England is in a tough division, and we shall see if Belichick still has a magic touch, or if he is truly out of touch.

Trubisky

Ding dong, Mitch is dead. Well, not really. But Mitchell Trubisky is no longer a Bear, as he has shuffled off to Buffalo. After being flogged by Chicago relentlessly since being selected, Mitch should look forward to going to Western New York where the fans are recognised as the nicest in the league.
These good feels might even help Mitch get his confidence back.

Here are a selection of memes for you to giggle yourself over.

Free Agent Fiesta

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Dak signs a massive Dallas contract, Tom Brady rejigs his contract to give more money to the team, and Drew Brees finally retires.
The 2021 NFL season is about to begin, so it’s time for a Free Agents Fiesta podcast!

This week, Wade & Ryan look at some of the top news in the league, as well as offering some insight into where they think some of the biggest players in the league might end up.
So many players available, and so many teams with gaping holes in their teams.

Just think, a year ago we had NO IDEA that Tom Brady would sign with the Bucs, bring in Gronk, then march his way to winning a Super Bowl. But then here we are.
What are some of the other big signings this offseason that could resonate to the start of the new NFL season?
Let’s have a look, shall we?

Cam Newton

After a tough season with the Patriots, Cam is back! And Boston is feeling it!
Cam Newton finished last year ranked 22nd amongst active quarterbacks, and only had 8 passing touchdowns.
Without the Pats, Cam would be looking for backup work this season, as his inaugural start with New England was less than stellar.
Luckily for him, Bill Belichick is cashing in his faith chips with Cam, and will most likely reward him with…a backup role.
The Patriots will be looking to either draft or trade for a QB this season, and having the 3rd highest amount of Cap Space would hurt either.
Ready to ride the pines Cam?

Chiefs

Kansas City has been struggling with cap space all year, and it all had to come to a close when the Chiefs released Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher.
Fisher famously ruined himself prior to the Superbowl, so it’s not a massive loss for the team.
The Chiefs will need to find some guys to block for Mahomes lest he go the way of Joe Burrow this season.
The road ahead gets a lot tougher when you’re pinching pennies.

Bear Necessities

What a pickle the Bears find themselves in. With two less than average QBs on the roster, an expensive defence, and a wicked wide receiver who doesn’t want a tag. What’s a team to do?
Knowing the Bears, they will probably mess it up-giving away too much for too little, and getting nothing in return.
Chicago will need to be patient in the post season, let every other team scramble for what they think are the best/last players, then move in for an inexpensive & smart move.
Stop bum rushing the plays, and let them come to you.

Cap Space

Covid totally crushed the cap space for this season, so teams are going to have to get innovative if they want to stretch their dollars.
Jacksonville once again is Mr. Moneybags, with a luscious $73.6 million to spend on fancy pants players.
Interesting the next two teams on the list the NY Jets and New England Patriots. With both teams boasting just under $70 million in space, they should be able to target some of the top talent to broaden their squads.
But does anyone want to come to New England anymore?

London NFL Games

The good news is that the UK should have crossed the threshold of vaccinations by the end of the summer, allowing life to get back to normal. Hooray!
The bad news is that we won’t be able to let anyone in for a year or so.
While the world battles covid, new variants, and the logistics of vaccination passports, the real question is ‘will anyone be able to enter the UK’?
Sadly thus far it looks like the answer is ‘computer says no.’
Jaguars coach Urban Meyer is confident that they will play at least 1 regular season game here this year.
Hopefully we will all know more soon.

Have a listen to the latest podcast. Then rinse, repeat and listen again.