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NFL International Series provides chance at redemption for Los Angeles Rams

By Mary Coyne

Oct 1, 2016; London, United Kingdom; General view of Twickenham Stadium. The venue will play host to the NFL international Series game between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 23, 2016. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; London, United Kingdom; General view of Twickenham Stadium. The venue will play host to the NFL international Series game between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 23, 2016. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Next week, the NFL International Series will showcase the Los Angeles Rams.

It must have been a very long flight last night.

After the Rams’ frustrating 31-28 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the team had to board a plane and head to London for their match up against the NY Giants this week.

Eight hours to sit and relive their defensive meltdown and failed fourth-and-goal attempt at the end of the first half.

Bummer.

Long plane rides are a drag. I don’t care where you’re going, and I bet the Rams agree.

I wonder if they also agree that this whole “International Series” promoted by Roger Goodell is absurd.

Isn’t it typical of America to try and force our traditions and values on another country – all in the name of making more money?

In 2007, when the NFL decided it needed to expand and strengthen its reach internationally, they began to host American football games outside the United States.

They called it the NFL International Series, and with it came the hope of eventually fielding a franchise team(s) in Europe.

To date, all games have been held at Wembley Stadium.

But beginning this season with the Rams/Giants game this weekend, the series expands to Twickenham Stadium outside of London. This will be followed by the Raiders/Texans game at Estadio Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on November 21st.

Yeah, I’m annoyed just typing it.

Didn’t the NFL already test the waters with NFL Europa?

From 1991 to 2007, the NFL Europa acted as a development league for younger players.

But it failed it to produce any profit or players, so it folded.

Why would it be any different now?

Let’s face it, football is the main sport across the pond, but not American football — international football (soccer).

English fans are passionate about the game, and their English Premier League commands ALL the attention — not only in the UK, but most of Europe.

I think the NFL is green with envy over the popularity and profitability of the Premiere League and wants a piece of the pie – but it’s not going to happen.

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International Football is nonstop action and the slow pace and stoppage in our game would be too big of an adjustment for those British fans.

I can’t really blame them.

Yes, attendance in London for these NFL games have been decent, but could that enthusiasm be sustained for an entire season? I doubt it.

It feels more like curiosity than passion for these British fans. Asking them to cough up the cash for tickets and travel on a weekly basis would be a tough task.

In England, soccer will ALWAYS come first.

And let’s not even get into the annoyance for the players and fans in the U.S. that these games abroad pose: scheduling issues, jet lag, early morning broadcasts….

It just doesn’t make sense to me.

But, being the loyal fan that I am, I’ll be up with a big ole cup of coffee at the crack of dawn next Sunday to watch the Rams play the Giants at Twickenham Stadium.

Next: Trojans Lose Another Player To Injury

I mean, I’ve got to see how my fantasy players do, right?

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