Picking an NFL team to cheer for... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

alltherage · 07-29-2010, 11:01 AM

I have really started liking NFL the more I watch it, and each year I learn more and more. Its an epic, intense game, and I love the personalities, the clashes, etc etc. Most of my buddys are Cowboys fans, so I probably know the most about them.

I am trying to pick an NFL team. I dont want to go with the Cowboys... partly because I dont want to join just because of the influence of my friends. Partly because I dont know if I really connect with any of the players or the situation... I'm just not attracted to them as a team.

I think I have likely picked a team, but I also know that as a total n00b I can probably expect lots of challenges and will probably look like a fool as I scramble to defend my team, my choice, etc etc. Whats the best way to deal with this? Do buttloads of research? Concede that I'm a n00b?

Has anyone taken "the plunge"? What team did you choose, why did you choose them, etc. Obviously there is no NFL in Calgary.. so picking a team is tough.

I've thought about just drawing one of the bottom 5 teams out of a hat... that way I can cheer for them until they get better... but as a new fan that would be really hard to stay excited about. I dont want to pick an immediate Bowl Favorite, because I dont want to be "that bandwagon jumper".

Any ideas? Again, how did you choose, after you chose did you feel like you wanted to switch? I didnt "choose" the Flames, I fell in love with the team's game, players, etc being my home town. I've been waiting to "fall in love" with an NFL team for about 3-4 seasons and none of them have totally grabbed me... so I've decided I will choose before the 2010-11 Season kicks off.

Discuss!

You Need a Thneed · 07-29-2010, 11:05 AM

L.A. Rams.

Frank MetaMusil · 07-29-2010, 11:06 AM

Go with the Bengals this year.....Ochocinco, Terell, and Pacman.

Papi34 · 07-29-2010, 11:08 AM

I was born in Boston and my dad was a huge Patriots fan thus the team of choice for myself.. NFL was big in my house so from day one I was a pats fan.. If I was a new fan of the NFL I would choose a team middle of the road like the dolphins or broncos or ravens that way you dont get accused of being a band wagon jumper but still have a half decent team to watch every sunday and be excited about.

If i gave you advice obviously id say follow the patriots haha but seriously if your a guy who loves offense they are an exciting team with Brady Welker and Moss but if you love defense take the Vikings cus you get a good offensive team as well... Or go the easy route take the Seahawks cus they are closest in proximity suck right now but have had awesome drafts and redirection and should improve soon

habernac · 07-29-2010, 11:09 AM

I started watching the NFL in the early 80's. My sister picked the 49ers, which seemed like a good pick at the time. And for some reason, I picked the Patriots. I have no idea why. They were terrible. I think it was Steve Grogan.

And then suddenly, they drafted Beldsoe and got half decent. Then they got Brady...

Don't worry about defending your team. I've been getting crap for the last decade as most people think I just jumped on the bandwagon. It happens, don't worry about it.

Luder · 07-29-2010, 11:09 AM

3 years ago, some online buddies needed an extra guy for their NFL Pool, I told them I didn't know a thing about the NFL but Ill help fill up the fantasy league. I ended up getting Vince Young as my QB, and for whatever reason, just followed the Titans since. To my fiance's shagrin, I've ordered Titans gear from shopNFL.com and plan on getting Sunday Ticket this season. Each year, I just seem to get into it, that much more.

alltherage · 07-29-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

L.A. Rams.

I prefer the LA Raiders

flames_1987 · 07-29-2010, 11:14 AM

Love how this has taken on a favourite team origin thread. I remember when I got hooked, AFC Championship Colts Vs Steelers when Harbaugh almost made that hail mary at the end of the game. Ever since then started cheering for them got lucky when the drafted Peyton and now have watched the team blow up and become hugely popular.

Tough to pick a favourite team like the Pats and Colts that get a ton of "bandwagon" titles thrown at them. I'd pick someone right in between right now, San Fran perhaps?

Jesse834 · 07-29-2010, 11:15 AM

My pick would be the Houston Texans they were the youngest team in the NFL last year, I believe their on the verge of becoming an elite team in the NFL.

Clever_Iggy · 07-29-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alltherage

I prefer the LA Raiders

Join the dark side of the league and cheer for the Raiders. Every other fan hates them and expectations could never be lower. Plus, you can't be accused of being a bandwagon jumper because (a) they're currently terrible and (b) no one jumps on the Raiders bandwagon.

JiriHrdina · 07-29-2010, 11:20 AM

NFL is the one sport that I don't have a team that I cheer for with a lot of passion. There are some teams I don't much care for (Redskins, Cowboys, Raiders) and some teams I like quite a bit....but not one team that I root hard for.

And I kinda like it that way.

I enjoy spending a Sunday watching a pile of games without the emotional ups and downs that you usually go through in sports. I can just sit back and enjoy the games.

burn_baby_burn · 07-29-2010, 11:21 AM

Being a fan for me is something that just happens. When I started getting into the NFL in jr. high I didn't really have a team. I just liked the sport. For a while I kind of liked the Saints. Then I kind of liked the Patriots ( they were like 2-14 and I like cheering for the underdog). It wasn't till I attended my first NFL game in Kansas City on December 27th 1992 that I became a die hard Chiefs fan. It was the atmosphere of Arrowhead Stadium that attracted me to the Chiefs.

Edit: I have never wanted to switch. The Chiefs have been the laughing stock of the NFL for three straight seasons. It is the darkest time in their history and I couldn't be more excited. My wife thinks I'm crazy to waste three hours every Sunday watching them get the crap kicked out of them. But I wouldn't trade being a Chiefs fan for anything in the world.

alltherage · 07-29-2010, 11:24 AM

See I have thought about picking a team in the middle too. There is some criteria however that I have come up with... and bear with me some of it might not really make sense:

I want to pick an NFC team. This is because I want a team that has a high likelyhood of playing my friend's teams, and because FOX tends to pick up more NFC games and I prefer their coverage.

There are teams I have veto'd: Cowboys (not joining my friends team just because.), Minni (purple and yellow? No. Hate the logo. Hate the Favre thing.), Saints (just won the title, not jumping their wagon), Eagles (dont like philly fans.), Skins (not a mcnabb fan), Bucks (I will never cheer for any team from TB), Detroit (they've been the s forever, dont look to be going anywhere IMO).

Teams I have an affinity for: Da Bears (dont like Cutler too much though), Green Bay, The Broncos (AFC), The Cheifs (Sweet colors!! But AFC again.) Now like I said earlier I would prefer NFC, and honestly I am not a huge fan of Cutler. So I have been leaning towards Green Bay. I like Rodgers, I like the organisation and how it is owned by the community. I also like how they didnt put up with any sh** from Favre during his supidity. I also like that they have some championship history there, but not since 1996 so they are probably due soon.

After typeing that out, I feel like maybe I am leaning more towards Green Bay than I thought. Anyone feel like presenting cases for or against? I am really open and on the fence still.

burn_baby_burn · 07-29-2010, 11:30 AM

If your going to become a true fan, who cares what network carries your teams games? Get NFL Sunday Ticket, cause you don't want to miss a down of your favorite teams games or you will die.

alltherage · 07-29-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

NFL is the one sport that I don't have a team that I cheer for with a lot of passion. There are some teams I don't much care for (Redskins, Cowboys, Raiders) and some teams I like quite a bit....but not one team that I root hard for.

And I kinda like it that way.

I enjoy spending a Sunday watching a pile of games without the emotional ups and downs that you usually go through in sports. I can just sit back and enjoy the games.

Ya I have to agree.. I am a fan of the sport regardless of a team, and I love watching every Sunday as well, even without one. But I want a team!

alltherage · 07-29-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

If your going to become a true fan, who cares what network carries your teams games? Get NFL Sunday Ticket, cause you don't want to miss a down of your favorite teams games or you will die.

Again more so that I would like to have rivalries with friend's teams. The coverage thing is nice though, having your preferred broadcaster pick up your team is nice.

Frank MetaMusil · 07-29-2010, 11:34 AM

Had to put this in here:

valo403 · 07-29-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alltherage

See I have thought about picking a team in the middle too. There is some criteria however that I have come up with... and bear with me some of it might not really make sense:

I want to pick an NFC team. This is because I want a team that has a high likelyhood of playing my friend's teams, and because FOX tends to pick up more NFC games and I prefer their coverage.

There are teams I have veto'd: Cowboys (not joining my friends team just because.), Minni (purple and yellow? No. Hate the logo. Hate the Favre thing.), Saints (just won the title, not jumping their wagon), Eagles (dont like philly fans.), Skins (not a mcnabb fan), Bucks (I will never cheer for any team from TB), Detroit (they've been the s forever, dont look to be going anywhere IMO).

Teams I have an affinity for: Da Bears (dont like Cutler too much though), Green Bay, The Broncos (AFC), The Cheifs (Sweet colors!! But AFC again.) Now like I said earlier I would prefer NFC, and honestly I am not a huge fan of Cutler. So I have been leaning towards Green Bay. I like Rodgers, I like the organisation and how it is owned by the community. I also like how they didnt put up with any sh** from Favre during his supidity. I also like that they have some championship history there, but not since 1996 so they are probably due soon.

After typeing that out, I feel like maybe I am leaning more towards Green Bay than I thought. Anyone feel like presenting cases for or against? I am really open and on the fence still.

Ask yourself how you feel about having this associated with your favorite team:

alltherage · 07-29-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

Ask yourself how you feel about having this associated with your favorite team:

Hahahaha wow... that's nasty. Every team has a fool like this though. Thankfully it is balanced out by smokin hot cheerleaders!

Edit: Mind you if I was picking a team based on the cheerleaders... it would NOT be the Packers hahahahhaa. I woul have to say the Cowboys or Bucks have some of the hottest cheerleaders.

nik- · 07-29-2010, 11:46 AM

I am a Bills fan as a result of family and former proximity. Things we're interesting when I was 12. Not so much now.

I don't get to riled up about the games though, luckily. NFL is my chill out sport, unlike hockey which I'm far too passionate about.