The NFL announced today that the Patriots will play the Buccaneers next season in London. The...

The NFL announced today that the Patriots will play the Buccaneers next season in London.

The game, which will be the Patriots' first regular-season game outside of the U.S., will be held Oct. 25, 2009.

The game, which technically is hosted by the Buccaneers, will be at Wembley Stadium.

"We are proud to be selected by the NFL to be featured in next year's international game," New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a press release. "We have had a lot of memorable moments in recent years. I am sure our trip to the United Kingdom next year will prove to be an unforgettable experience for our players and coaches, as well as the many fans that will travel to the game. I think it is fitting that New England's first game to be played outside of North America will be in England. I know that the UK is home to some of our most passionate Patriots fans and we look forward to the experience."

Patriots to play in London in '09

7 months ago MaPatsFan Comment 16 comments 0 recs |

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At least you guys are away. Giving teams a “home” game away is absolutely ridiculous, and getting an away game where your fans will dominate the opposition is great.

There’s no reason why the NFL can’t give an away game to both teams. It’s just awful.

by steelguy99 on Dec 1, 2008 1:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hmm... I didn't think of it that way

But you’re right. We get an away game where the fanbase is primarily NE fans. I like it!! Good catch.

Blogger at SBNation's New England Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Dec 1, 2008 1:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Blimy!

At least we have the shortest hop across the pond!

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Dec 1, 2008 1:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

With the exception of Buffalo playing in Canada, which is agreeable to the Bills and doesn’t require a 7-hour flight to another country with a 6-hour time difference, I couldn’t be more against these international games. Canceling the Patriots’ pre-season game in China, of all places, was merely a drop of sanity before the tide of international lunacy was bound to hit. Ludicrous! It’s America’s sport, doing just fine thank you very much, and doesn’t need to be exported anywhere.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 1, 2008 1:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This is where credentials...

…for bloggers would be cool. I’ve never been to England!!

Blogger at SBNation's New England Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Dec 1, 2008 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

while i'm a fan of experimenting

I have to agree a bit. If you want to expand the league into Canada and Mexico, fine, but these worldwide half measures are introducing unfairness into the league, and removing chances for American fans to see the teams.

Maybe Goodell should start the ‘Globetrotters’ version of the NFL team and they can go around world spreading goodwill.

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Dec 1, 2008 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah....

I can see the team now….

Joey Porter, Michael Vick, Bill Romanowski, Ricky Williams, Pacman Jones, Tank Johnson, Matt Jones et al…. an all star team for sure!!!!

by OneMore on Dec 1, 2008 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

dont forget plaxico

by cia1 on Dec 1, 2008 2:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, one slap-happy group

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 1, 2008 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What did Ricky ever do to hurt anyone?

Or are you trying to claim that he’s the ONLY NFL player to ever get high? I’m not so sure he belongs on this list.

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt

by Daniel52 on Dec 1, 2008 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

it's not the pot

It’s the fact he left his team hanging.

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Dec 1, 2008 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So Barry Sanders makes the team as a bad guy?

by Daniel52 on Dec 1, 2008 9:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sanders

had certainly paid his due.

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Dec 2, 2008 8:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the "head case" factor

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Dec 1, 2008 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

from a competitive balance standpoint

I agree it’s horrible. Even if scheduled to take advantage of the bye week to relieve some of the travel pressure and changes to the teams’ routines, it’s still a big adjustment and distraction to the players and management over the course of the season.

As someone who is tired of defending American football to my soccer crazed buddies from across the pond though, I’m glad to see the league making efforts to globalize the game. In terms of talent, the NFL Europe league is a notch below the “majors” over here, and giving our European pals a chance to see full-speed, full-action football seems like a fun opportunity. :)

by jctsai12 on Dec 1, 2008 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs