International Games are Basically NFL Europe
NFL Europe was snuck right back under our noses, and we didn’t even notice. For those who don’t know, NFL Europe was once a developmental league for the NFL. Basically the minor leagues or a farm system for NFL Teams.
Frankfurt Galaxy celebrate as NFL Europe Champions
Roger Goodell’s reign as commissioner will be known for making the game safer and turning American football into a global sensation. What the international fans don’t realize is they are getting the worst version of our sport.
They don’t know any better and the NFL knows that.
These Sunday morning games played all over Europe are comparable to pre-season football or worse. Last week, the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers played a sloppy, uninteresting game that mercifully ended in overtime.
This game will likely have big-time draft order implications with both teams picking in the top 5, maybe even 1 and 2.
It got me thinking, can we just turn the international series into an in-season tournament for the first 4 or 8 picks of the NFL draft? Teams would have to win the games to get the better selection and avoid tanking, but at least it would make it interesting to watch. By week 12, teams are already eliminated from the playoffs, firing coaches and benching players, making the games even more unwatchable.
Give them something to play for. Give owners a reason to keep coaches around and coaches a reason to play the best players rather than seeing the scrub players deep on the depth chart.
Just a thought, could be fun.
The Cardinals are a Good Football Team
I could be late to the party, but I made it a point to watch the Cardinals game on Sunday against the Jets. They are a buttoned-up team that executes at a high level and flies to the football on defense.
Kyler Murray looked like a “game manager” who threw with rhythm, on time, and made all the right decisions. He still took advantage of his elite athleticism but in a controlled manner. The Kyler I remember ran around like a chicken with his head cut off.
The defense was all over the place, led by Budda Baker who is one of the most fun players in the league to watch.
They’re not quite ready to compete with the Lions or other top NFC teams, but they’re frisky and looked like a playoff team on Sunday against the Jets.
Why do the Titans get to Claim the Houston Oilers as part of their History?
In 1995, it was announced that the Houston Oilers would be moving and rebranding, due to the city not approving a deal for a new stadium. By 1999, the team was in a new home with a new name, The Tennessee Titans.
For some reason, the Tennessee Titans claim the Houston Oilers as part of their franchise history. If you look at the Titans franchise records, they’re mostly held by Houston Oilers. The Oilers’ all-time leading passer, Hall of Famer Warren Moon, never threw a single pass as a Tennessee Titan.
Those records, colors, and uniforms should all stay with the city that made them possible. After the 1995 season, the Cleveland Browns were moved to Baltimore and rebranded the Ravens. Baltimore didn’t claim the rich history of the Browns. You won’t find Otto Graham or Jim Brown in the Ravens’ record books.
In fact, outside of the Ravens stadium, you’ll find a statue of Baltimore Colts great Johnny Unitas. Johnny U never played a snap for the Ravens, but he is a Baltimore legend. Although he’s somehow the Indianapolis Colts 2nd all-time leading passer, despite never throwing a pass in Indianapolis.
The Titans are their own brand. When they roll out the Oilers uniforms as a throwback, it’s just a slap in the face to the loyal fans they left behind in Houston. They have forever besmirched the uniform that should be worn by the Texans, who could be honoring the “Luv Ya Blue” Oilers fans. The fans in Houston.
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