NFL in London

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Top 10 NFL Drafts of the Past 30 Years

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With the NFL draft looming on the horizon, it’s time to look at some of the best NFL Drafts from the past thirty years.
The Draft is an exciting time for football fans as they eagerly await to see which players their favourite teams will select. Over the past 3 decades, there have been some remarkable drafts that have produced many stars and legends of the game.
Here we will take a look at the top 10 NFL drafts of the past 30 years, as this one isn’t going to crack any ‘top lists.’

  1. 1996 NFL Draft

    This draft produced some of the greatest players in NFL history. The top three picks in this draft were all future Hall of Famers: Keyshawn Johnson, Kevin Hardy, and Jonathan Ogden. Other notable players in this draft include Ray Lewis, Eddie George, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, and Zach Thomas. The 1996 Draft had some of the top players across every position. Those were the days.

  2. 2011 NFL Draft

    The 2011 draft was one of the deepest in NFL history, producing many future stars who are still playing today. Cam Newton was the first overall pick, and he went on to win the NFL MVP award in 2015. Other notable players in this draft include Von Miller, A.J. Green, Julio Jones, J.J. Watt, Richard Sherman, and Colin Kaepernick.

  3. 1989 NFL Draft

    The 1989 draft produced three players who would go on to win the NFL MVP award: Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, and Deion Sanders. Other notable players in this draft include Derrick Thomas, Steve Atwater, and Mark Carrier. Check out some of the pictures of the 1989 Draft, and the fashion choices alone should let you know that it was totally different era.

  4. 1991 NFL Draft

    The 1991 draft produced many future Hall of Famers, including Brett Favre, Aeneas Williams, and Herman Moore. Other notable players in this draft include Ricky Watters, Ted Washington, and Mike Croel. Hard to believe that this draft was over 32 years ago.

  5. 2012 NFL Draft

    The 2012 draft produced many top QB stars of the future, including Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson. Other notable players in this draft include Luke Kuechly, Fletcher Cox, and Bobby Wagner. Despite being 10 years ago, there are still a few players from this draft playing in the league.

  6. 1998 NFL Draft

    The 1998 draft produced two future Hall of Famers in Peyton Manning and Randy Moss. Other notable players in this draft include Charles Woodson, Fred Taylor, and Hines Ward. This was more of the ‘grit-iron’ generation of tough as nails players.

  7. 2017 NFL Draft

    The 2017 draft produced many impact players, including the first overall pick, Myles Garrett. Other notable players in this draft include Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, and Alvin Kamara. This Draft is also known as the ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda,’, as many pundits and fans lament of what could have been had players signed elsewhere.

  8. 2001 NFL Draft

    The 2001 draft produced many Pro Bowl players, including LaDainian Tomlinson, Steve Hutchinson, and Richard Seymour. Other notable players in this draft include Michael Vick, Drew Brees, and Reggie Wayne. This could have been known as the HOF class, as many of the players in this group were record-setters.

  9. 2004 NFL Draft

    The 2004 draft produced three future Hall of Famers in Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger. Other notable players in this draft include Larry Fitzgerald, Vince Wilfork, and Jared Allen. 2004 brought us a whack load of great QBs, which beckons when another draft like this could happen?

  10. 1999 NFL Draft

    The 1999 draft produced five future Hall of Famers, including Edgerrin James, Champ Bailey, and Torry Holt. Other notable players in this draft include Ricky Williams, Donovan McNabb, and Jevon Kearse.

The NFL draft is a significant event in the April calendar of football, and it has produced many great players over the years. The drafts listed above were some of the best of the past 30 years, producing numerous stars and legends of the game. As football fans, we look forward to seeing what the future holds for the NFL draft and the next generation of players who will make their mark on the league.

Who will be the star of the future in the 2023 NFL Draft?

 

London Franchise

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Will the NFL be looking to add a London franchise? What’s involved in making a team work over here?

The National Football League (NFL) is a massive American sports league with a global reach, and there has been much speculation about the possibility of a franchise in London. While this idea may sound exciting, there are several reasons why it would be difficult for the NFL to establish a successful franchise in London.

NFL Europe

One of the primary reasons is the failure of NFL Europe, a developmental league that operated from 1991 to 2007. Despite the NFL’s efforts to promote American football in Europe, the league was never able to gain the same level of popularity as it did in the United States. The lack of success of NFL Europe suggests that there may not be enough interest in American football in London to support a full-fledged franchise.

Playoffs

Another reason why a London-based NFL franchise may not work is the unpredictability of wild card game hosting. The NFL currently holds a series of wild card games at various locations throughout the United States. While these games are hugely popular and attract large crowds, it is uncertain whether London would be a suitable location for such events. The logistical challenges of transporting players, equipment, and staff across the Atlantic would be significant, and there is no guarantee that London would be able to provide a suitable venue for these games.

Differences

Another obstacle that the NFL would face in London is the UK tax laws. The NFL would have to pay taxes on all of its earnings in the UK, which could significantly reduce the profitability of a London-based franchise. The NFL would also have to navigate the complexities of UK tax law, which can be challenging for businesses not familiar with the system.

There are also several cultural differences between the US and the UK that could make it difficult for the NFL to establish a successful franchise in London. American football is a relatively niche sport in the UK, and there is already a well-established football (soccer) culture in the country. The NFL would have to compete with this established culture to attract fans and sponsors.

Time Zones

Furthermore, the differences in time zones between the US and the UK could also pose a problem. Many NFL games are played on Sundays, which would mean that games in London would be taking place in the early afternoon in the US. This could be problematic for American fans who are used to watching games in the evening.

Costs

In addition to these challenges, the NFL would also have to contend with the cost of operating a franchise in London. The cost of living in London is much higher than in many US cities, and the cost of renting or buying a stadium in the city could be prohibitively expensive. The NFL would also have to cover the cost of transporting players and staff to and from London for games and other events.

Recruitment

Finally, there is the issue of player recruitment. American football is a sport that is primarily played in the United States, and the vast majority of NFL players are American. If the NFL were to establish a franchise in London, it would need to recruit players from the UK and Europe. While there are talented players in these regions, the level of competition is not as high as it is in the US. This could make it difficult for a London-based franchise to compete with established NFL teams.

In conclusion, while the idea of a London-based NFL franchise may sound exciting, there are several reasons why it would be difficult for the NFL to establish a successful franchise in the city. The failure of NFL Europe, the unpredictability of wild card game hosting, UK tax laws, cultural differences, time zone differences, operating costs, and player recruitment are all significant obstacles that the NFL would have to overcome. While it is not impossible for the NFL to establish a franchise in London, it would require a significant investment of time, money, and effort, and there is no guarantee of success. Ultimately, the NFL will need to carefully consider these challenges before making a decision about whether to pursue a team in the United Kingdom as it looks to expand its foothold on the game worldwide. 

This was a guest article from one of our partners

Scoff Season Podcast

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Bleh, the off-season blues have hit us all as Wade & Ryan try to make news from clues in this Scoff Season Podcast.

As the intoxication from the 2022 season wears off, we’re left with a hangover supplemented by some XFL, Six nations, and what the USFL might do.

Real NFL fans know that this time of year is when the drama happens. Some sort of juicy retirement, trade, or signing will get ours hearts racing again, hoping for a new season of what’s to be.

The boys yakkity-yak about this stuff in the podcast, so make sure that you wet your ears with the juice right here.

Other stuff the guys chat about in the podcast includes:

AX-FL

The Rock may have not cooked his league enough, as the XFL is raw-dogging the ratings and having fans more opt to choose pickle ball repeats than primetime football.

Maybe the league hasn’t titty-twisted fans interest yet, or maybe the focus is on the wrong side of lens.

Orlando Guardians could be a Real Housewives locker-room drama, as the shizzle has hit bizzle for another time this week.
Previously coach Terrell Buckley went viral for tossing his team under the bus for not wanting to play and give it all. It was a pretty damning way to start the season.
Then QB Quenten Dormandy, (who replaced Paxton Lynch), was dropped by the team after it was found out he send the playbook to an opposing team.

You can’t make this kind of drama up! The real show should be on the behind the scenes of the shiesse show that is being a ‘not NFL’ player.
Something has to spice up the league.

Who they, Where they?

There are so many expensive pieces in the NFL to move as egos and salaries bloat the franchises. It’s going to be only so many good bodies a lockeroom will hold when one guy costs a quarter of the team’s season salary.

Just like Epstein island, you can only bury the young kids for so long before you got to pay them. Burrow, Mahomes, Watson, Jones, Lamar and more are going to want their 50 mill a year, and that factory can only make so many touchdowns on its own.

This off season should see a slew of jocks shuffle off to new teams and totally make their budgets, rosters and momentum take a massive steer.

Going ‘all in’ Rams and Cardinals style looks as appetising as buying a Hummer, as franchises are looking to lean and mean for years, not wither on the vine.

Bear What

So what are the Bears going to do with their number one pick?

Are the going to boot Justin Fields in the butt, and find a new beginning with their new coaching team? Will they look at the massive running numbers he put up despite a horrible O line and everything else around him? Will they trade the pick and try to milk it for everything they can get?

Teams are QB slutting right now, as they know that there are a few gems in the 2023 draft that might be able to change their destiny.

Word on the street a the mo is that the Bears are looking for 3 number ones over the next 3 years. Are they trying to cash in a lottery ticket that’s too big?

What if the one that gets away this year is the next Mahomes, or that Fields turns out to be a bust?

Some many bear-abilities.

Make sure that you check out all of our socials, and that you follow and subscribe. We’re going to have a whack more content out soon, so check this space for all of the latest news.

We will also be doing some profiles on the upcoming NFL Draft, and the 2023 London Games.

Make sure that you listen to our Scoff Season Podcast here.

Super Bowl 57

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After 20 something weeks of exciting play, it’s finally time for the big game, as we make our predictions for Super Bowl 57 in Arizona.

It is a Super Bowl of historics, not only featuring two brothers playing each other, but also the first time that two black quarterbacks have faced each other in the big game.
It does feel that we are on the precipice of the new dynasty of heroes to emerge.

To make your life easier, Wade and Ryan have compiled all of their thoughts on the big game in this easy to listen to podcast.
All you have to do is sit back, kick your feet up, and listen to two Canadians in London try to figure out the big game.

Here’s the link to the podcast:

Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) vs 1-.5 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) + 51

It’s the teams with the best two records in football, as it feels right that these two are battling it out on the final game after both teams showcased dynamic play throughout the season.
The Chiefs come into the big game as another underdog, a role they seemed to have thrived in during the playoffs.
Mahomes was able to shake off the curse of Burrows, but he wasn’t able to shake off an ankle injury, which will have all eyes on his mobility on Sunday.
The wide receiver corps is a bit a broken toy syndrome, with all of them in the workshop trying to cobble together their bodies before giving it there all.
Kansas City was even more short-handed against the Bengals, and were somehow able to thrive on the back of their D, and the stellar play of Chris Jones.
Patrick Mahomes is the best player in the league right now, it just depends on whether the rest of his team will play at the top of their game.
Philadelphia Eagles are technically in a ‘rebuilding’ year in 2022, but oh look at them go.
Philly was able to do what most teams failed to this season, make incremental gains to be a bit better than they were last year.
Their O line is top notch, boasting the best protection in the league.
Philly’s D is also humming, notching up 70 sacks, spread out amongst a dynamic team of pass rushers.
The only thing that seems to have dropped as of late is QB Jalen Hurts.
Hurts started the season on fire, but a mid-season injury seemed to take not only a bit of a spring our his step, but also the deep-ball out of his game.
If it turns into a shoot-out, the Eagles are going to need to find ways to get that ball DEEP, because this is where Mahomes thrives.
Ryan is picking the Chiefs in this one, as his AFC faithfulness believes that Mahomes and Kelce are just too good to be stopped.
He likes this one to go down to the wire, but that the red, white and yellow will be hoisting the Lombardy Trophy.
Wade is going with the Eagles, as the strength of their D, the protection from their O line, and the various running options at their disposal makes them too much to cover for a spread out D.
He thinks that the game will be close, but could actually see it get out of hand in an Eagles blow out if the Chiefs can’t keep their composure.
Ryan-Chiefs 27 Eagles 23
Wade-Eagles 26 Chiefs 23

Prop Bets

Here are a few prop and fun bets that we are looking at for Sunday.
-Mahomes UNDER 290.5 yards passing
-Gainwell OVER 19.5 receiving yards
-NO missed PATs -380
-First sack-Josh Sweat +1000
-Boston Scott-Anytime Touchdown -550
-Gatorade poured over winning coach will be BLUE +400

Super Bowl Trivia

How much do you know about the Super Bowl heading into Sunday?
Ready to take on our tough SuperBowl Quiz?
Just click here to play along!
That’s it for us for this week! Have fun on Sunday and enjoy the game!

Playoffs and London Games

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And then there were 8 teams left as we head into the divisional round, as we look at our Playoffs and London Games and all the news ahead.

It’s been a wild and upheaving few weeks in the NFL, and we’re now building up to the final four, as the league gets bumpy in the Divisional Round.

Playoffs

The 49ers were first through the gate, with a solid thumping of the Seahawks in a dismal day for Geno. Brock was Purdy indeed, relying on a solid San Fran team to push them through to a next round match-up with the Cowboys

For anyone who has ever blown a Charger, you know how much that really sucks. Well imagine blowing 27 Chargers all at once (not PornHub dirty minds).
San Diego Angeles got rocked by Trevor and the Jags who took the Staley out of the situation for a sweet win, and a next round date with the Chiefs.

Buffalo survived a tight contest against Miami, eeking out a last minute win to seal their move to the next round. The Bills didn’t look great, but they got it done and now face a fierce Bengals squad.

Daniel Jones and the Giants have had a Cinderella story to get them this far, with big ole Dabol and his winning smile cheering on the G Men to victory.
Minnesota went out like a turd that didn’t even a double flush, although Kirk Cousins chains hung a little lower after another disappointing run.

Joe Burrow and the Boys faced a tough Ravens D in the Wildcard Weekend, and were able to stomp out JT Huntley, and a Ravens squad that sorely lacked Lamar and many other options.
Cincy is started to chili cook in the AFC again, and they have to face Bills squad they were smacking around until the Hamlin incident.
A great game lies ahead.

TB12 was actually TB14 on Sunday, as Dak and ‘dem Boyz were able to rout the Bucs on their home pirate ship.
Dallas actually looked good, which was quite impressive after some recent hiccups.
The Bucs looked flat, with everyone playing like it was their last game of the season, and not in an inspired way.
How far can Dallas go now?

London Games

Good news NFL in London fans, the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Jacksonville Jaguars will all host London contests in 2023.

The Bills and Titans will both host home games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Northeast London, while the Jags will make it a Wembley affair in Northwest London.

Germany gets two games in 2023, with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs all playing. Given how amazing the German fans were in 2022, it’s well deserved that they get to host two for the world.

No dates have yet been announced, nor has the opponents for these games been either, as the league typically reveals these in the early spring.
We of course will do our own due diligence to guess who those matches might be, and we’ll let you know that soon too.

Info from Tottenham Stadium is here.

https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2023/january/nfl-announces-designated-teams-for-2023-international-games/

Tom and Aaron

Now that Tommy and Aaron are out of the playoffs, the buzz and gossip is what is going to happen to these two in the offseason?
Will they stay in their respective teams? Move on to warmer playing fields? Retire? Host a dating show together where they both travel the world meeting gorgeous women?
All sound possible.

Tom Brady
As for Tommy Boy, the oddsmakers have his first possible destination is lovely Las Vegas at +350.
Carr is out, and Sin City might be TB12’s playpen if the price is right, and the Raiders have any money left.
Miami is the second choice at +450, which seems a bit given the fine the Dolphins were given for trying to mix themselves up a little Tommy Boy cocktail a few years ago. If Tua’s multiple concussions are a sign (and they should be), Miami might need a good QB for that flight of speedsters they have at receivers.
San Francisky is frisky in third at +500. Depending on what Purdy is able to accomplish for the Niners this year, they might be in need to bring in an old stud to mentor Trey Lance while he mends.
Staying in Tampa is a fifth option at +750. Hey, they won the Super Bowl a few years ago, so if the Glasers pony up some money to build the team he needs, who knows?
Last but not least is retirement at +600.
Actually last is the Jets at +900, but c’mon!

Aaron Rodgers
Aaron is a bit of oddball, because his journey could be sent on a tangent if he goes on a bad trip during the offseason.
A sea of supple influencers awaits A-A-Ron, so he knows who might appear on his feed and take him off a  road that doesn’t involve the NFL.
Oddsballs have Rodgers first choice being back in Green Bay at +200.
The 49ers are next on this Cali boy’s destination, with him pipping Tom with +450.
Las Vegas is also in the cards for AR, as the house has him coming in at +575.
Retirement looms even closer for Rodgers, who might want to gameshow his way to the bonus round of life, and end it all. His NFL career, not his life.
Ending his life would be signing with the Jets at +1200, or the Colts at +1500.
Might as well put a bell on his neck and give him a goat for company as you put them out to pasture.

As for us, we think Brady goes to the 49ers, and Rodgers goes to Vegas.
The goat and the old horse still got a little bit of kicking left to do.

That’s it for our Playoffs and London Games, make sure you like and follow!

Make sure you check out our social pages, and have a listen to the podcast.