So, in the offseason thread, I have renounced my fan ties to the Cincinnati Bengals, and have declared myself a fan free agent. I think you're allowed to do this if you've suffered at least a decade in NFL purgatory, which I certainly have.

The question is, who do I root for now? Here are my rules

1) No teams in the AFC North. To matter who I root for, I will hate Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Its in my genes...I just can't change it. Switching to Cleveland is too convenient.

2) No teams that are awesome right now. I don't want this to look like bandwagon jumping (many Ohioians have jumped on the Colts, for example). A playoff team is fine, but no NFL top-tier teams. I think this eliminates Indy, New England, NY Football Giants, Cowboys and the Chargers.

3) New team should have some likeable players, be fun to watch, maybe have some history, and most importantly, real hope that they aren't going to suck forever.

I am currently *leaning* towards Carolina, with Arizona, Jacksonville, Miami and Detroit also in the running. I can totally be convinced to something else though, if one can present a compelling argument.

Convince me. Why should I like your team?

Well, I don't know if you consider Green Bay to be top tier - they did get farther in the playoffs than the Colts or Cowboys, and should do well this year.

I think you would have to be a masochist to root for Detroit.

Well, I don't know if you consider Green Bay to be top tier - they did get farther in the playoffs than the Colts or Cowboys, and should do well this year.

I think you would have to be a masochist to root for Detroit.

I wouldn't, because of the unvcertainity at QB. I dont think people really know how good Aaron Rogers is going to be, and Brett Farve is a big question mark. If he plays again, does he play like 2007, or 2005? If Rogers don't pain out, then they're in trouble.

They do have an amazing history, and AJ Hawk, who might have been my favorite Buckeye ever though.

The Washington Redskins:

We hate the Baltimore Ravens.
We're not top tier, but we've been making the playoffs.
Likeable players: Chris Cooley, Mike Sellers, Clinton Portis, London Fletcher, and Rock Cartwright.
Fun To Watch: Maybe, all our games are close.
History: 3 Super Bowls, the greatest rivalry in the NFL, Joe Gibbs, The Hogs, etc.
Real Hope They Aren't Going To Suck Before: An owner who will spend money to make sure of that fact, an exciting new coach, a promising QB, a damn good defense

the bucaneers!
i love their stadium :rockon:

btw. if you do something like that in european football just because your team is bad, you'll never be taken serious again :)

St. Louis Rams

You can hate Pittsburgh all you like. Will Witherspoons' tackle on Willie Parker broke Parkers ankle last year, which pretty much . .. .. .. .ed up the Steelers' 1-2 punch in the running game...

We're definately not top tier, but hey, we're in the NFC west, so there's still some hope for us.

Likable players: Torry Holt, Steven Jackson, O.J. Atogwe

Fun to watch: We once were the "Greatest Show on Turf", and Marc Bulger likes to throw it a lot...

History: 2 Superbowl appearances in the last 8 years, winning 1. Nice rivalries with the 49ers and the Seahawks.

Real hope: When healthy we have a pro bowl QB, WR, RB and LT, which should see some pretty nice offense (if the other parts of the OL ever get fixed).

Bottom line: When healthy: Nice, explosive offense, crappy defense. Seems just like the Bengals, you'll feel right at home. And the front office isn't too bright either, just like in Cincy...

I think the vikes are gonna be pretty strong this upcoming season

St. Louis Rams

You can hate Pittsburgh all you like. Will Witherspoons' tackle on Willie Parker broke Parkers ankle last year, which pretty much . .. .. .. .ed up the Steelers' 1-2 punch in the running game...

We're definately not top tier, but hey, we're in the NFC west, so there's still some hope for us.

Likable players: Torry Holt, Steven Jackson, O.J. Atogwe

Fun to watch: We once were the "Greatest Show on Turf", and Marc Bulger likes to throw it a lot...

History: 2 Superbowl appearances in the last 8 years, winning 1. Nice rivalries with the 49ers and the Seahawks.

Real hope: When healthy we have a pro bowl QB, WR, RB and LT, which should see some pretty nice offense (if the other parts of the OL ever get fixed).

Bottom line: When healthy: Nice, explosive offense, crappy defense. Seems just like the Bengals, you'll feel right at home. And the front office isn't too bright either, just like in Cincy...

Wow, you're really right. The similarities are erie...maybe what I really want is something *different* from the Bengals. Cincinnati and St.Louis are almost the same team, only your players aren't in jail...

The Detroit Lions.

What could be more exciting than knowing that every year with your first round pick, you will be taking the best receiver available! Just look at the likable receivers they've nabbed in recent years, from Roy Williams to Calvin Johnson.

You also know that if one of the players starts to perform too well and gets to the pro bowl, you'll know his tenure as a Lion is just about up. It happened to Shaun Rogers and Pro Bowl wideout Roy Williams is likely gone after this upcoming season.

The incompetent management is also there for you, as only the lowly lions can make the case for being the MOST Incompetent franchise over the past 8 years. You'll get a GM paid as if he were one of the best, when in fact he is probably the worst. You'll get the crazy overpaying of players like Cory Redding and Jeff Backus. And last but not least, you'll get an owner you doesn't really care if the team wins or losses, as long as he makes money.

In summary, you'll feel right at home with the Detroit Lions.

DOLPHINS! That way you start out at the bottom rung, and things can only
get better ;) .

The Detroit Lions.

What could be more exciting than knowing that every year with your first round pick, you will be taking the best receiver available! Just look at the likable receivers they've nabbed in recent years, from Roy Williams to Calvin Johnson.

You also know that if one of the players starts to perform too well and gets to the pro bowl, you'll know his tenure as a Lion is just about up. It happened to Shaun Rogers and Pro Bowl wideout Roy Williams is likely gone after this upcoming season.

The incompetent management is also there for you, as only the lowly lions can make the case for being the MOST Incompetent franchise over the past 8 years. You'll get a GM paid as if he were one of the best, when in fact he is probably the worst. You'll get the crazy overpaying of players like Cory Redding and Jeff Backus. And last but not least, you'll get an owner you doesn't really care if the team wins or losses, as long as he makes money.

In summary, you'll feel right at home with the Detroit Lions.

I've debating the Lions because...
a) Jon Kitna is a compelling sports story I think, and I have fond memories of his tenure as a Bengal
b) Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams are both pretty good. Its not really fair to compare CJ with somebody like Carlos Rogers.
c) I am 90% sure that Matt Millin will get killed by an angry Lion's fan lynch mob in the next 3 years, and then they get can get back on track. Even Mike Brown changed a few things when he could see the pitchforks from his house.

I hope.

Da bears.

You get to say da bears.

It's fun to watch Devin Hester run back Kicks.

The defense will most likely be a monster again next year.

Whomps a bear's fan.

Now, I know this is an American football thread (where I usually am too nonplussed to comment) but this seems just a bit too mental.

Support your local team. Or don't. Don't spend a decade supporting one team and then just go "ah, these are bobbins, I'm going to support someone a thousand miles away." Is this really acceptable in the US? I don't want to have a go at anyone here, it's just that this is totally alien to me.

Now, I know this is an American football thread (where I usually am too nonplussed to comment) but this seems just a bit too mental.

Support your local team. Or don't. Don't spend a decade supporting one team and then just go "ah, these are bobbins, I'm going to support someone a thousand miles away." Is this really acceptable in the US? I don't want to have a go at anyone here, it's just that this is totally alien to me.

Its typically frowned upon. Cincinnati isn't exactly my local team. There are actually 4 pro football teams roughly the same distance from me. I picked the Bengals when I was maybe 7 years old, for totally arbitrary reasons, and supported them.

I think I ought to be granted an exception, because professional sports teams in Ohio tend to be very bad, no matter what. Cleveland is the most cursed sports city in America...and all that heartbreak kind of builds up and bleeds into each other, and I just can't take it. There isn't even any hope for the Cincinnati Bengals. They are not going to be good again in the near future.

The Denver Broncos

Reason 1: They are always at least pretty good, and often enough they are awesome.

Reason 2: They just came off a crap year so you won't be a bandwagon jumper

Reason 3: A lot of people think Jay Cutler is going to be molded into something really good.

Reason 4: They have a lot of rivalries, or at least a lot of people hate them, which makes for more fun sports watching (wtf is the point when your team is just completely benign and everyone is neutral toward them)

Reason 5: They are different than the Bengels.

Reason 6: They also feature the color orange, thus lessening the transitional confusion as your eyes strain to learn to recognize new colors (ok maybe this reason is a bit of a stretch :mischief: )

Reason 7: Fifty is a fan of them, and Fifty has never and will never steer you wrong on anything.

And the biggest most overriding reason of all:

http://www.kevo.com/thumbs/t/25/front-750_750.jpg

JOHN ELWAY!!

There are so many reasons that the mere fact that John Elway was a Bronco should make you a Bronco fan, it is almost unfair to other teams. He is indisputably the coolest football player ever. Why?

1. He is one of the best quarterbacks ever.
2. He is smart as hell (econ degree from Stanford)
3. He looks like a horse and he played for a team that's mascot is horse.
4. He's ugly in general. Great quarterbacks should be ugly (which is why Tom Brady is not a great quarterback and never will be unless someone pours acid on his face or something).
5. Instead of sitting on his ass being a jerk for his post-retirement life, he owns like 23503252 car dealerships.
6. According to those commercials for the Vortex football, he is the furthest throwing quarterback ever. Remember what impressed you about quarterbacks when you were a little boy before you actually knew anything about football? That's right: how far they can throw. Go back to your kiddish roots.
7. He won them some Superbowls, so the team in general has a legit legacy.
8. He's so freaking good at everything that when he was drafted by the Colts, he just told them to trade him or go to hell because he didn't want to play with them. If they had said no, he would have just become a professional baseball player. HE DOESN'T TAKE NO GUFF FROM NOBODY.
9. FIFTY LOVES HIM.

I would say the Dolphins, but Fifty made a pretty compelling case for the Broncos.


But you know what's going to happen. The Bengals are going 12-4 next year :p

3) New team should have some likeable players, be fun to watch, maybe have some history, and most importantly, real hope that they aren't going to suck forever.

Broncos and Jags.

I am now 100% a jags fan, before the season I wasnt. Difference from me and all BW jumpers is I never get off (*).

Broncos: Have potential. Brandon Marshall can do very well as a receiver. Jay Cutler is getting better all the time. Champ Bailey is THE best CB in the NFL. Jason Elam singlehandedly won at least 3 games for us last season (that scramble was amazing.). We had MAJOR injury problems last year (Walker, Henry especially), but have potential. We have history: 6 super bowls, 2 victories, JOHN ELWAY, TERRELL DAVIS, etc.

We are in the AFC West, where EVERY division game is intense and very hard. and from 2002-2005, each team won the division once, showing that they ALL have a chance.

Also, fifty tells you to join us and support them. Go for it.

Here's one you might want to consider: the New Orleans Saints.

No bandwagon, because they've only won 2 playoff games in their 40-plus year history. Fun to watch--Drew Brees, Reggie Bush (marquee players), Marques Colston (seventh round draft pick who made the team and became one of the league's top rookies), carrying the hopes of a devastated city.

Hope for the future--their one glaring weakness was their secondary, and that's being addressed in free agency.

Now, you should be rooting for the other black and gold team, but you already said they were out of the question.

Personally, there needs to be some sort of connection with the team and my history to find it interesting. Where you might have lived in the past, your families teams, favorite teams of friends. Something to make it interesting and make you emotionally invested, as opposed to something like trying to pick a new car. That way when you win it really means something.

My best advice would be: don't give up on your hometown team! The more you lose, the sweeter it is when you win.

Support your local team.

Difficult for me, considering Rotterdam doesn't have an NFL team... :(


@Downtown: Change is over-rated, really... ;)

Now, I know this is an American football thread (where I usually am too nonplussed to comment) but this seems just a bit too mental.

Support your local team. Or don't. Don't spend a decade supporting one team and then just go "ah, these are bobbins, I'm going to support someone a thousand miles away." Is this really acceptable in the US? I don't want to have a go at anyone here, it's just that this is totally alien to me.

Its typically frowned upon. Cincinnati isn't exactly my local team. There are actually 4 pro football teams roughly the same distance from me. I picked the Bengals when I was maybe 7 years old, for totally arbitrary reasons, and supported them.

I think I ought to be granted an exception, because professional sports teams in Ohio tend to be very bad, no matter what. Cleveland is the most cursed sports city in America...and all that heartbreak kind of builds up and bleeds into each other, and I just can't take it. There isn't even any hope for the Cincinnati Bengals. They are not going to be good again in the near future.

I think it is different in America. Shift over here and you will be taunted and shunned but all fans. Acceptable reasons for shifting to a new team would be after five years of living in a new town or if a member of your immediate family is involved with a club. The fact that the team is rubbish just doesnt cut it.

...The fact that the team is rubbish just doesnt cut it.
:lol: no doubt!

downtown,
dude, you're a Bungles...er...Bengals fan :mischief: that, in and of itself, is (or should be) a badge of honor :p you've endured decades of futility...and to simply wash your hands of it is...well...the cheap way out imho.

of course, i'm a philly fan and have endured decades of futility my damn self :D however, never, and i repeat, never would i even think of jumping ship...ever.

of course, i'm a philly fan and have endured decades of futility my damn self :D however, never, and i repeat, never would i even think of jumping ship...ever.

That's because you lot compensate by taking sadistic pleasure in keelhauling
the poor slobs that play for the Philly teams... :p

Pick the Broncos! Fifty is right. I'm a Broncos fan myself.

That's because you lot compensate by taking sadistic pleasure in keelhauling
the poor slobs that play for the Philly teams... :p
:lol: we're a strange bunch for sure :lol: but loyal (to a fault!). philly fans imo, while ridiculed, are misunderstood :crazyeye:

That's nothing. I'm a . .. .. .. .ing ucbs fan.

wow, a broncos fan from Costa Rica and Toronto, and i dont THINK fifty is coloradan either, but I could be wrong. We seem to be a widespread fan base (and STILL don't have the Nashville Predators problem. They have thousands of fans, who live NOWHERE near Nashville, and dont go to the games.)

Still, endure at least in part. Pick a second team, but dont just say "i Hate the Bengals." Its been too long for that. I could never hate Toronto Maple Leafs because we suck, or the Saints for failing forever.

cubbie,

you cleverly left out jordan's bulls & the '86 super bowl title. we spent the whole decade of the '90s wondering if any other team or teams would ever win a friggin' nba title :p

Another way to approach it--who's your favorite college team? Follow their alumni and base your NFL loyalties on them.

OSU are rather spread out in the NFL, tbh. and he DID say NO ravens, so now Troy Smith.

wow, a broncos fan from Costa Rica and Toronto, and i dont THINK fifty is coloradan either, but I could be wrong.

Well I was born in Colorado, lived there until I was 4. However, that has nothing to do with my fanship. ITS ALL ABOUT ELWAY!

I know your a Bengals fan (yuck) and I know you said it couldn't be a team from the AFC North, but you have to consider the Steelers, because lets face it, we win ... a lot and the rest of the AFC North does not.

cubbie,

you cleverly left out jordan's bulls & the '86 super bowl title. we spent the whole decade of the '90s wondering if any other team or teams would ever win a friggin' nba title :p

So I hate the nba and I wasn't born yet for the 86 title.

I know your a Bengals fan (yuck) and I know you said it couldn't be a team from the AFC North, but you have to consider the Steelers, because lets face it, we win ... a lot and the rest of the AFC North does not.

But you're also inbred toothless yinzers, so that disqualifies you from consideration.

And you drink Iron City. Seriously. wtf is up with that.

I'm a Carolina fan. I'm pretty unsure of the direction we're going. We unloaded a guy, Kris Jenkins, who after leaving said he "gave up on the coaching staff" years ago. Granted Jenkins always showed up out of shape to camp, had 2 season ending injuries that caused him to only play in 2-3 games over the span of 2 years and was on the trading block the last two seasons. He probably had a lot of reasons to gripe. Still, our coaching staff drives a lot of us nuts. Fox is too conservative for his own good. It makes for some pretty dull football. Plus, being in the Cincy area, unless you have Sunday Ticket you'll have a hard time ever seeing our games.

But you're also inbred toothless yinzers, so that disqualifies you from consideration.

Jerry Springer was mayor of Cincy.

game, set, match Pittsburgh.

Still, our coaching staff drives a lot of us nuts.

You said that right! they kept D. Morgan long after ALL the fans knew he was injury prone, then last year they drafted a WR that was said to be a younger version of Keyshawn Johnson....then dumped Keyshawn before they ever even entered a lockeroom together...(everyone knows a rookie WR can't be relied on to be the #1 or even #2 WR, it takes atleast 2-3 years before they are consistent producers.) They let Witherspoon go....

Go ahead, you all talk among yourselves...I'm getting veclemt. :cry:

You said that right! they kept D. Morgan long after ALL the fans knew he was injury prone, then last year they drafted a WR that was said to be a younger version of Keyshawn Johnson....then dumped Keyshawn before they ever even entered a lockeroom together...(everyone knows a rookie WR can't be relied on to be the #1 or even #2 WR, it takes atleast 2-3 years before they are consistent producers.) They let Witherspoon go....

Go ahead, you all talk among yourselves...I'm getting veclemt. :cry:

We have had pretty sorry luck with QBs and RBs the last couple of years too.

Become a all blacks fan, buy some all blacks gear. When people go "who are they" say "The greatest rugby team ever! you know like football but without the pads!"

And people will think your forigen and exotic.

How about the New Poland Roughriders?

How about the New Poland Roughriders?

hm... are they the New Poland Roughriders or the New Poland Roughriders? :crazyeye:

No one has more fun losing than a bunch of Saints fans... Plus you'll be supporting New Orleans. Oh, and as an tOSU fan, you might find it fun to see your team win in the Superdome once or twice. ;)

PS Maybe the Saints will have another great season next year, who knows?

WHO DAT?

No one has more fun losing than a bunch of Saints fans... Plus you'll be supporting New Orleans. Oh, and as an tOSU fan, you might find it fun to see your team win in the Superdome once or twice. ;)

PS Maybe the Saints will have another great season next year, who knows?

WHO DAT?

Sure the Buckeyes lost their last trip to the Superdome, but they won the trip before that in the 99 Sugar Bowl. So yeah, we've seen our team win there.

But you forget the best argument: transitioning from WHO DEY! to WHO DAT!

So, in the offseason thread, I have renounced my fan ties to the Cincinnati Bengals, and have declared myself a fan free agent. I think you're allowed to do this if you've suffered at least a decade in NFL purgatory, which I certainly have.

The question is, who do I root for now? Here are my rules

1) No teams in the AFC North. To matter who I root for, I will hate Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Its in my genes...I just can't change it. Switching to Cleveland is too convenient.

2) No teams that are awesome right now. I don't want this to look like bandwagon jumping (many Ohioians have jumped on the Colts, for example). A playoff team is fine, but no NFL top-tier teams. I think this eliminates Indy, New England, NY Football Giants, Cowboys and the Chargers.

3) New team should have some likeable players, be fun to watch, maybe have some history, and most importantly, real hope that they aren't going to suck forever.

I am currently *leaning* towards Carolina, with Arizona, Jacksonville, Miami and Detroit also in the running. I can totally be convinced to something else though, if one can present a compelling argument.

Convince me. Why should I like your team?

I'm a Miami Dolphins fan.

Root for your team and don't look back.

Giants.

Ten char

Giants.

Ten char

And deal with the inevitable hangover from the Superbowl? Be seen as a total bandwagon jumper? Have to watch Eli Manning play in the regular season? Deal with some of the league's most annoying players?

Deal with some of the league's most annoying players?


Last time I checked Terrell Owens and Roy Williams were playing for the Dallas Cowboys...

Am I missing something here? ;)

Sure the Buckeyes lost their last trip to the Superdome, but they won the trip before that in the 99 Sugar Bowl. So yeah, we've seen our team win there.

But you forget the best argument: transitioning from WHO DEY! to WHO DAT!

Any difference?

Originally Posted by downtown
So, in the offseason thread, I have renounced my fan ties to the Cincinnati Bengals, and have declared myself a fan free agent. I think you're allowed to do this if you've suffered at least a decade in NFL purgatory, which I certainly have.

The question is, who do I root for now? Here are my rules

1) No teams in the AFC North. To matter who I root for, I will hate Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Its in my genes...I just can't change it. Switching to Cleveland is too convenient.

2) No teams that are awesome right now. I don't want this to look like bandwagon jumping (many Ohioians have jumped on the Colts, for example). A playoff team is fine, but no NFL top-tier teams. I think this eliminates Indy, New England, NY Football Giants, Cowboys and the Chargers.

3) New team should have some likeable players, be fun to watch, maybe have some history, and most importantly, real hope that they aren't going to suck forever.

I am currently *leaning* towards Carolina, with Arizona, Jacksonville, Miami and Detroit also in the running. I can totally be convinced to something else though, if one can present a compelling argument.

Convince me. Why should I like your team?


*playing steelers music in the background* Fine, we didn't want you ANYWAY!!! *continues dancing the polka*

Buffalo is the way to go! The Bills are turning it around.
They seem to have a competent GM now, and the offensive coordinator's name is Turk! Who couldn't root for a team with a guy named Turk!?:p
But seriously they seem to be turning it around. They have Trent Edwards:king:, as a rookie, he beat Losman's 3 years in every stat but Touchdowns, and he didn't even play all 16 games! Marshawn Lynch, second best RB rookie season on the Bills, and these two can only get better. Don't for get about Paul Posluszney (The Poz), he's the new Teddy Bruschi, the new superpowered LB, who can save schools of dolphins from hungry sharks bare-handed!!:eek::eek:, but seriously, he was on pace to be one of the better MLB's in the NFL before he got placed on IR from a broken arm:(. OL wasn't that bad last year, and they're fixing the DL. Weren't too exciting last year, but with the new off. coordinator, I think they will be exciting. They have one of the best special teams units in the NFL, and the Bills are the second best team in the AFC East, behind only the cheating Patriots:cringe:.
Don't forget about the fan that dresses like Elvis. Also, Buffalo is only a few hours away from Ohio, so you could go to a few games too.
Team Website
And while your here, enjoy some great homemade pizza in the many pizza places.:goodjob:
The Bills Are Going To The Playoffs!!!!!!

So, in the offseason thread, I have renounced my fan ties to the Cincinnati Bengals, and have declared myself a fan free agent. I think you're allowed to do this if you've suffered at least a decade in NFL purgatory, which I certainly have.

The question is, who do I root for now? Here are my rules

1) No teams in the AFC North. To matter who I root for, I will hate Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Its in my genes...I just can't change it. Switching to Cleveland is too convenient.

2) No teams that are awesome right now. I don't want this to look like bandwagon jumping (many Ohioians have jumped on the Colts, for example). A playoff team is fine, but no NFL top-tier teams. I think this eliminates Indy, New England, NY Football Giants, Cowboys and the Chargers.

3) New team should have some likeable players, be fun to watch, maybe have some history, and most importantly, real hope that they aren't going to suck forever.

I am currently *leaning* towards Carolina, with Arizona, Jacksonville, Miami and Detroit also in the running. I can totally be convinced to something else though, if one can present a compelling argument.

Convince me. Why should I like your team?

Ok, so my team is the Ravens... :p

Miami Dolphins. Gotta love underdogs. :)

Last time I checked Terrell Owens and Roy Williams were playing for the Dallas Cowboys...

Am I missing something here? ;)

If there is a higher power, you'll only be half right and 31 will be whiffing on tackles and blowing coverages for the Eagles next year :p

Owens is not that annoying anymore (for now). The most annoying thing attached to the Cowboys is the media's complete infatuation with ANYTHING happening around them.

The ONE good thing about the 5-11 years was that no one cared who the hell Quincy Carter or Clint Stoerner were dating.

If there is a higher power, you'll only be half right and 31 will be whiffing on tackles and blowing coverages for the Eagles next year :p



IMHO, that would indeed be addition by substraction... :lol:

Ok, so my team is the Ravens... :p

Miami Dolphins. Gotta love underdogs. :)


Yes, oh yes... welcome to the Dolphin Club lady Chief :cool: .