Sojourner

It is Wednesday so I have a feeling you're wrong. (Sorry.)

Maybe so, but you have to take into account the expenditure on a new stadium, facilities and training ground for an NFL team as there's no way they will continue to rent/hire locations on a week to week basis. London is already having a fiasco with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC trying to secure new football grounds. I think it was the same for West Ham too but they secured the Olympic Stadium? I just think financially they would be looking at posting losses unless, like I said it comes to them having sustained success from the get-go. Look at Khan, he owns Fulham FC and not since the mid 90's have they been this unsuccessful both in terms of domestic records and financially revenue. I used to play for the Inverness Blitz, granted it was only one season back in 2000. There isn't just the BUAFL, you also have the BAFANL (leads to Brit Bowl, which if you follow football in London or the UK you should know as they have produced teams with the most championship wins and appearances: Blitz, O's and I cannot remember the other team). Accross the board in most teams which play in both the BAFANL and the BUAFL, they are two and sometimes three-way players - defensive, offense and ST. Here's a tidbit - the majority of BAFANL teams have players in the age range of 25-35. EDIT: My point about Khan was because, realistically, he's the only owner looking to move/secure his NFL franchise in London.

Is it a definitive case of "one or the other"? If so, it has to be Hughes. Without hesitation.

You are correct. They usually, if not always, have them scheduled for a 13:00ET kickoff. I've been to three of them in the past whilst I've been in the UK at the same time. Giants/Fish, Saints/Chargers and 9ers/Broncos. They are a poor attempt at recreating the atmosphere of a teams home stadium. Also, what is never taken into consideration is the fact that these games draw people from all over Europe. On all occasions the grouping around my seats (once at the 50, once in the endzone and the other in club) were all different nationalities. German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, French, Croatian... You name it. There is no home team in any of the games I've attended. It's an event that people get to showcase the team they live and breathe, or if they choose: just follow lol. In fact, a large draw of the club seating was from Players families as the facilities on offer are all private and complementary (well, the buffet and up to 5 beers). There's no way a franchise would succeed long term there, it wouldn't pull in the numbers from the UK crowd alone. It's a big marketing event for European broadcasters to draw these crowds from all over. I think that's why, in part, they've made it into three games this season: to test the numbers. Only way a franchise would ever evoke long term profit in London would be if the team sustained success right from the get go. Continental Europe would be a better bet IMO... Netherlands or Germany where they are still, to this day, bat-s#*! crazy about the NFL.

It is more a case of a visual reminder come Sundays that maybe for just one season after so many years we finally got somewhere and weren't as disappointing as has been accustomed. No chance of converting the wife I am afraid. I have tried, to no avail, since we first met; 9 years ago. Our team just hasn't done enough in over a decade and a half for me to be able to change her any time soon. Usually the conversation draws a halt after "Do you really want our daughter to be ridiculed when she grows up?!?!". I am sure you are well aware Steeler fans (in fact most) can be brutal to opposing teams' supporters - casual or fanatic. I do thank you Hammer for sharing the optimism and proof that it can be done.

So back in June my wife and I had a little girl which makes our family total up to four. My wife relatives are all Western PA / Steeler Country born or raised and are entrenched in the Steeler way of life... Needless to say our first born has had the Steelers pushed onto him and now roots for them come Sunday. Seeing as I am sick of the fact I have to see my little girl in Steelers baby gear (occasionally, if I get my say in dressing her it is Bills baby gear) we, well I rather, have come to the conclusion that only a bet can sort this one out... Whichever team finishes with the better record after week 17 will be the only team she can wear gear of, plus we make the attempt of weaning her to root for them down the road. Do you think our daughters chances favor to the Steelers or our beloved Bills? Go Bills!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uACvFAm6JSM

Most definitely. The article even states that. The quote aspect was highlighting more even with a change of running back committee, I still think we favor the pass with Orton under center. More so with B(ed)&B(reakfast) actually.

Looking at the candidates for this week I will be disgusted if Sammy doesn't come away with it. Bingo. Posted that in the game thread that he proved every single clutch aspect during that final drive. Even more so with getting that left hand on the poorly thrown ball.

I found this interesting: Could change be good for Bills' backfield? Yeah, yeah. I know it's Rodak.

THEIR SECONDARY IS . SAMMY BALLS OUT YET AGAIN. BILLS WIN 27-13.

I pin it on the shoulders of both poor play calling and poor/mediocre QB play. Second last drive, when the 1st down made it 2nd & 6 and down by only one score with nearly 5 minutes on the clock we throw on consecutive downs then punt. Follow that up with our final drive when there was 1:20 left on the clock, with it stopped at roughly mid-field and we try and get it all in 2-3 plays instead of keeping them honest by running the ball.

Boggles the mind! For the most part, yes. but we could have ran the ball down that team's throats way better. I mean if EJ is worse than Fitzy why did we turn it into a game where EJ was forced to throw 40+ times?! Let's also not forget the totally suspect and BS no call of PI/Illegal Contact during the attempt to Woody that sealed the deal...

Meltdown in the process!

An Apple a day prevents the board from play.

Brown is a baller. Loved the pick for a developmental player to get a few reps here or there. But the way he's played? He deserves all the playing time he gets. And Rivers? Two year deal he signed. Quick! Switch him to safety!

Happens once in a while with Spiller. Last season it was Trufant up in Toronto. The worst I remember is Harvin getting chased down by Chris Owens against the Falcons a few years back. EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ2-00vkJdg The funny thing was that the Vikings failed to pick up 3 yards on four downs and subsequently handed the ball back to ATL on the 3.

I know... Which is why I agreed that they underachieved. The Vikes put on a show at getting to the QB as did the Pats* (well Ninkovich).

Wow. Given the amount of one on ones I've been seeing Henderson and Richardson have, I was under the premise that we were man to man. More likely than not I am wrong though. Thanks for that.

I cannot remember which game it was this season, maybe the Texans game, but he was the lead blocker on two runs in a second quarter drive and got outright owned by a safety on both plays which resulted in both runs going for losses. I do concur that more often than not the problems we've seen are due to assignments across the whole line or designated blockers. Do you think a switch to zonal blocking would be more beneficial? On a related to above, I was surprised at the lack of max' protection run yesterday when Zimmer/Edwards were dialing up the blitzes big time. Testament to Orton's toughness after the licks he was taking after virtually every time he let the ball go.

And how many times in the past have we been on the 17% or < side? Too many...

The same Frank that has been blown back or put on his backside by both DB's and LB's this season?

My fear is that if Boobie and Brown struggle that they lean on Fred once he's healthy. I would like to think they ease him back into the rotation, especially as he's our definitive #1 but given some of the incompetence by the coaching staff it would not surprise me. In essence, I don't want the epitome of our leadership to be out with another injury if we struggle with the B's. Agreed.

You are absolutely correct that they definitely underachieved after the outing the Vikes put on yesterday, as well as the Pats*. The Lions line is nothing short or abysmal and very sporadic in protection as well. Not as badly as the Bills but poor nonetheless.

My point was in terms of all around play against the run and pass throughout seven weeks it is marginal. I did not outright state the Lions have the better line, just that it is close to call. It is rather strange given the fact a lot of the time Hughes is a stand up end when it's a definite passing down. Maybe it was due to the pressure of whom he had to eventually replace there in Mathis or Freeney? I think with the Bills he has had the chance to make a name for himself with some stud DT's and an All-Pro pass rusher in Mario on the other side. The one aspect of Hughes game that should get him a pay day is his hustle.