why don't other countries like the greatest sport in the world? (football)

[eliteandy]

For about 5-10 minutes maybe, after which they'd all be standing on the 22 sucking in air like they'd just run a marathon trying to keep up with the pace of the game.

I would pay good money to see a charity rugby union match between professional rugby players & NFL players. It would have to be rugby because yea let's face it, it's a waaaaaaaaaaay easier learning curve than learning 'merkin football.

Digimon, you really don't put your head to the outside when putting in a tackle?

Anyway, it really is a fucking shame we're not big on American football. At least then there'd be something half decent to watch on the sports channels instead of soccer soccer soccer.

You should really visit a training camp. I take my son to Washingtons almost every year. Where they practice without gear. I assure you, they can keep up in rugby!

 

[BBR100]

I love football but there are 50+ players on a team + practice roster + players on IR.

It's become overanalyzed and overspecialized.

You can't generalize and say "football players" are the most athletic. They all have their specialties.

A lineman certainly can't be considered the most athletic

 

[RottenWillow]

rugby players are not as a strong, not as fast, and don't get hit as hard. they'd get eaten for lunch by any linebacker and lots of safeties

uh, you're joking right? OF COURSE they aren't hit as hard. They aren't wearing full body armor like NFL players. Not as strong or fast I think is best accounted for by the likelihood of far less performance enhancing drug use.

 

[ledhead]

uh, you're joking right? OF COURSE they aren't hit as hard. They aren't wearing full body armor like NFL players. Not as strong or fast I think is best accounted for by the likelihood of far less performance enhancing drug use.

Actually, being hit by someone wearing full body armor would be a worse impact opposed
to someone with no protective equipment. When asked what it was like playing running
back in the NFL(Emitt Smith) replied"like being in a car crash 20 times in one day".

When i played Pop Warner football in the early eighties we were taught to hit with the
crown of our helmets. I seen more people get knocked the fuck out because some maniac
came running full speed with his helmet aimed at the opponents head. That's why hitting
with the crown of your helmet is outlawed.

The helmets they wear are hard plastic that can do severe damage to knees, arms, and
especially heads that's why the concussion rate in the NFL is so high.

As for the performance enhancing drugs all that does is enhance their ability to do more
bodily harm. I rather get hit by a 190 lb rugby player without gear on, then a 260 lb
raving maniac that runs a 4.3 forty juiced-up with 40lbs of gear on coming at me like a freight train. I curl up in a fetal position.

 

[billfred]

For about 5-10 minutes maybe, after which they'd all be standing on the 22 sucking in air like they'd just run a marathon trying to keep up with the pace of the game.

I would pay good money to see a charity rugby union match between professional rugby players & NFL players. It would have to be rugby because yea let's face it, it's a waaaaaaaaaaay easier learning curve than learning 'merkin football.

Digimon, you really don't put your head to the outside when putting in a tackle?

Anyway, it really is a fucking shame we're not big on American football. At least then there'd be something half decent to watch on the sports channels instead of soccer soccer soccer.

^^ This

Very few american football players have the conditioning to play rugby. Most are too big to be in constant motion like that.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

I read that there's only about 12 minutes (an NBA quarter, in which every second is played) of actual playtime in an NFL football game. When that's stretched out over the course of 3 hours I'm sure many people figure they can find much better uses of their time.

 

[stosstruppe]

I read that there's only about 12 minutes (an NBA quarter, in which every second is played) of actual playtime in an NFL football game. When that's stretched out over the course of 3 hours

Seriously, that's the ratio of live play to "dead ball"?

 

[dabuffguy]

Nope ... the argument was about the "highest level of athleticism"

The "mixed" component of MMA that is demonstrated by the likes of GSP who would rank "world class" in several disciplines to include wrestling, BJJ, boxing, kickboxing, etc ... qualifies as the highest level of athleticism far exceeding the skill set of playing one position in one sport.

Yeah, just check out such extreme athletecism coming from the likes of Tim Sylvia, Cabbage Correira and Tank Abbot. True athletes there, LMAO!!!


But, yes I do appreciate the athletecism of most MMA fighters, and GSP was a great example.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

Seriously, that's the ratio of live play to "dead ball"?

It was a little off the cuff stat thrown out in a story for a playoff game this past year.

 

[stosstruppe]

It was a little off the cuff stat thrown out in a story for a playoff game this past year.

Well... suppose it's easier to drink beer & talk shit with your mates over a 3 hour NFL game than a 90min rugby match.