The New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play a regular-season game at London’s Wembley Stadium on October 25, 2009, the NFL announced on Monday.
The Bucs will be the home team, which means that the cannons at Raymond James Stadium will be firing for only seven regular-season games in 2009.
(The fact that Tampa is hosting the Super Bowl this year might make the pill go down a bit more easily.)
It will mark the second straight sacrifice of a home game by an NFC South team. Earlier this year, the Saints gave up a home game to host the Chargers in London. The move was questioned in some circles (as in, right here) because of the fact that the citizens of New Orleans had lost all eight home games only three years ago.
“Over the past two years, we have seen first-hand the excitement that exists for our sport in the UK,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said of next year’s game. “The games have helped us to deepen our connection with our UK fans as well as create new ones. We are looking forward to another outstanding game in 2009.”
Said Patriots owner Robert Kraft: “We are proud to be selected by the NFL to be featured in next year’s international game. 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.”
There ultimately could be a significant layer of intrigue when these two teams square off; Tampa quarterback Jeff Garcia is in the final year of his contract with the team, and the cap-rich Bucs might enter the offseason bidding for current Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel.
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RobJH, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 1:08 pm
Figures, Goodell would NEVER take a home game away from Kraft and the Patriots.
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Rating: 3.2 / 5 with 9 rating(s)
deddyluger, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 1:09 pm
Super Bowl hosting teams should always be the home team selected for this crap.
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
blackglass3, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 1:12 pm
Should be a good game. I am going to go out on a limb and predict:
Rainy with temps in the mid 50’s.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
db105, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 1:13 pm
Bucs are 6-0 at home and 3-3 on the road. I wonder if this might have an impact for the NFC SOUTH.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
footballnut, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 1:13 pm
Nothing like having a team that has a name based on those that overthrew the king in the new world play in the motherland.
Hmmm…
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
dashoe, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 1:15 pm
No GM in their right mind will want Cassel. I know you want to believe he is a great QB, Florio. It’s the system stupid. Just like if Brady went to any other team in the league, he’d be an average to below average QB.
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Rating: 3.1 / 5 with 15 rating(s)
misterj, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 1:18 pm
Why don’t they ever put those games like Patriots-Colts in London?
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Rating: 3.5 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
Beastie Bills, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 1:21 pm
Matt Cassel sucks. Can you say “Product of a System”?
JP Losman would look good with that OLine and Randy Moss.
Ok, maybe I exaggerated a bit. JP would still be terrible.
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Rating: 3.05 / 5 with 10 rating(s)
ampats, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 1:23 pm
I’m glad its not our home game.I’m not in favor of these overseas games as it takes a toll on the teams travelling, less so east coast teams.Wembley Stadium’s field every year does not seem fit for a NFL team and it would be a shame if a player got hurt because of a lousy field.TB & Giselle will be the toast of London.
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Rating: 2.5 / 5 with 8 rating(s)
ROMO4PRES, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 1:23 pm
Hopefully someone reminds these guys not to carry their guns into the London pubs.
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Rating: 2 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
fuber, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 1:23 pm
No mention of the Glazer ties to Man Utd?
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
neutral_like_sweden, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 1:25 pm
Interesting. Since the teams playing will probably have their bye-weeks the following week, that would mean the Colts-Patriots game won’t be played in the first week of November like it usually is.
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niccav, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 1:26 pm
Should have sent Lions vs Raiders
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
Eaton1247, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 1:32 pm
People can say that Cassel is doing well b/c of the system but dont say Brady is a system quarterback. System QB’s don’t win 3 Superbowls and break records.
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
bucco bruce, a Rookie, on 12/1/08 at 1:33 pm
Plain and simple, this stinks.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
ctfwest, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 1:33 pm
You have to remember that the league asks for teams who want to give up a home game. The Bucs wanted to give up a game last year. So I am not sure why the original post seems to me giving the commissioner a hard time when the Bucs are probably going to get more revenue from this London game then they would if the game was played in Tampa.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
filbertkiwi71, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 1:33 pm
Typical, NFL. Send one west coast team this year and next year send two EST teams.
They should have sent the Broncos next year. Wait for the schedule to come out and then pick the best match up involving the Broncos.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
CaptainFantastik, a Conference Champ, on 12/1/08 at 1:34 pm
Wes Welker thinks he’s in London right now.
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
filbertkiwi71, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 1:35 pm
No doubt there will be a team stupid enough to overpay for Cassel. He isn’t worth squat. The fact that he is doing so well in the Patriots systems reflects badly on Brady. Cassel and Brady are nothing more than system QBs.
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Rating: 3.25 / 5 with 8 rating(s)
TCLARK, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 1:36 pm
dashoe says:
December 1st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
No GM in their right mind will want Cassel. I know you want to believe he is a great QB, Florio. It’s the system stupid. Just like if Brady went to any other team in the league, he’d be an average to below average QB.
Hey RETARD. What “SYSTEM” do they use? It’s a copy cat league. Any success of any type is instanly copied. Heck the wildcat was introduced in week three. By week eight every team in the NFL has used a form of it. If it works it WILL be COPIED. So after eight years of film no team has figuerd out this “MAGIC SYSTEM” that has turned a 6th and a 7th round QB into (former) the best QB in the league and the (latter)into a starting caliber QB? Use your brain.Oh wait.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
Pewter Pirates, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 1:36 pm
Though it sucks to lose a home game (and the fact that the Bucs have one of, if not the NFL’s best gameday atmoshpere in Raymond James Stadium), I’m wondering if the reason the NFL decided to sacrifice a Bucs’ home game is because of the Buccaneers’ own success at home in terms of leading the NFL year after year in home profits/revenue.
Whatever the reason, it sucks to lose a home game but it’s great to be representing the NFL abroad. The Bucs went to Japan to kickoff the 2003 season after winning the Super Bowl and now hopefully we’ll be traveling out of the country representing the NFL as the NFL’s defending Super Bowl Champions for a second time.
The real question that should be asked by Buccaneers fans is how in the hell do we get scheduled to play at Carolina for a Monday Night game when we won the division last year? Now that’s some Tom Foolery.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Bucco Brewski, a Rookie, on 12/1/08 at 1:38 pm
I would think they would want a team with more individual stars than the Bucs. Not a single 1st ballot guy last season.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
tomskiffington, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 1:41 pm
“Over the past two years, we have seen first-hand the excitement that exists for our sport in the UK,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said of next year’s game. “The games have helped us to deepen our connection with our UK fans as well as create new ones. We are looking forward to another outstanding game in 2009.”
someone should remind goodell that the NFL has existing fans in the united states and that he should stop dicking them over in order to ‘deepen their pockets..ahem..connections’ with potential european fans.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
giants33, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 1:45 pm
OH COME ON. Pass.
Actually I might just go in my Eli jersey and start some fights.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
dcarde1, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 1:47 pm
Yea, you have to throw in there the fact that the Glazers a little club named Manchester United. They are probably really happy that they got the London game even though they are losing a home game. In the grand scheme of things, showcasing Bucs in London would bring in more money than revenue from one home game. Put that aside.. yea great game on paper. But be warned, Bucs may make this thing look um.. un-sexy. Do not expect Saints-Chargers next year.
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Rating: Not yet rated
clintdogg, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 1:52 pm
More teams need to get their hands on this miracle system that makes bad QBs look good with no name WRs, and average at best RBs.
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Rating: 4.2 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
albaNY Hawker, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 1:59 pm
Maybe you hit on the ultimate solution to this Webley game problem, if the league doen’t go to a 17-game schedule - have the SB host city be the home team the following season. Home fans may be a little more forgiving about losing a home game if they have a real chance to attend the Super Bowl and its related activities.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
wingnut, a Hall of Famer, on 12/1/08 at 2:01 pm
To bad Patriots*** HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
See ya would’nt want to be ya!
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
svnrdr, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 2:03 pm
GREAT….Just in time for Europe to witness the TOTAL collapse of the patriots.
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
dashoe, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 2:04 pm
TCLARK says:
December 1st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Hey RETARD. What “SYSTEM” do they use? It’s a copy cat league. Any success of any type is instanly copied. Heck the wildcat was introduced in week three. By week eight every team in the NFL has used a form of it. If it works it WILL be COPIED. So after eight years of film no team has figuerd out this “MAGIC SYSTEM” that has turned a 6th and a 7th round QB into (former) the best QB in the league and the (latter)into a starting caliber QB? Use your brain.Oh wait.
___________________________________________________________________
HAHA!! You’re just pissed ’cause Cassel has outed Brady as a desposible QB. Cassel has is putting up “Brady-Like” numbers and the guy hasn’t started a game since highschool. Cassel is Brady’s worst nightmare.
Truth is, Cassel is better than Brady was in his first year as a starter and will most likely give the “Golden Boy” a run for his job next year.
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Rating: 2.5 / 5 with 8 rating(s)
snccoach, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 2:06 pm
Jon Gruden says, “I f***’n can’t believe we f***’n got picked to play in f***’n London. Now I f***’n have to be on a plane for eight f***’n hours. This is f***’n gonna ruin my f***’n 20 hours of f***’n film study a f***’n day.”
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
DJSlyBri, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 2:11 pm
My guess is that the Bucs agreed because of Glazer’s ownership of Man U. In fact, I would not be surprised if they lobbied for it.
If they plan to keep this London game going every year, then I can’t wait until they try to take a home game from teams like the Steelers, Eagles, Packers, Broncos, Chiefs, and Redskins. That will be some real fun, because those cities will go ape you-know-what.
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CD_Ridge, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 2:16 pm
Whew! Glad my team is not going to the London.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Chris from MD, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 2:19 pm
So, how do I get a hold of tickets to go? A friend of mines favorite team is the Pats, mine is the Bucs, and we love London. Anyone help me out here?
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TCLARK, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 2:31 pm
dashoe says
Why would I be mad? Most teams would kill for one decent QB. We have the best thats ever played and another that can hold his own. I think it’s talking out you ass when you make a retarted comment about a “Magic” system that transforms “average at best”( as some say it)into a Hall of Fame QB. And 31 other teams can’t figure it out? If your a teenager I appologise. If not, I stand by my original statement. If you really know football, magic systems are not part of real X’s and O’s.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
PatFan09, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 2:41 pm
No knowledgeable and objective football fan would say that Tom Brady is a system quarterback. That’s just Patriot-hater talk. System quarterbacks don’t take chances, don’t throw down the field, don’t call their own plays, and need their coaches to tell them what to do. None of the above applies to Tom Brady. And they definitely don’t break NFL records or win league MVPs.
There is no team in the NFL that would be worse with Tom Brady at quarterback. And there is no team in the NFL, maybe with the exception of the Colts, that wouldn’t be a lot better with Tom Brady as their quarterback. Those are not my opinions, those are facts. And there’s no point disputing facts.
Anyway, back to the topic. I don’t have a problem with my team going to London next year. I would think every team would end up going sometime. At least it wouldn’t become a regular thing, like what the Buffalo Bills are doing in Toronto over the next few years.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
Pea Tear Griffin, a Hall of Famer, on 12/1/08 at 2:42 pm
lol, Patriots in London. Last time they were there, they kicked the sh*t outta the London Silly Nannies.
Brady just better hope Jay Leno is not there.
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
PFTiswhatitis, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 3:00 pm
Just curious, do Tampa season tix holders get reimbursed for the lost home game or do they just get SCREWED?
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Slow Joe, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 3:18 pm
I BETTER get a discount on my season tickets next year. Dammit. And, GET OFF MY LAWN!
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lusdawg, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 3:24 pm
Would someone please explain to me what a “system” QB is? Doesn’t every QB play in some sort of “system”? All QB’s who have ever played the game have played in a “system”, no? So, by that logic, all QB’s are average-to-below-average. Good logic.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Ghosty, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 3:33 pm
Whoever said Cassel is putting up “Brady Numbers” might want to actually know a few things about football first. Brady went 11-5 and won a Superbowl first year he started and last year threw 50 TDs to 8 INTs. I don’t think Cassel is putting up those numbers.
Anyone whose worst QB season was 9-7 is not a system QB, especially when he had seasons with Reche Caldwell as his # WR target.
And if it’s just a system, then how come other teams can’t seem to emulate its success?
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
PatriotReign, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 3:40 pm
When a QB wins 3 Superbowls, 2 superbowl MVPs and throws 50 TDs in a season, maybe it is time to bury the “system QB” garbage?
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
KEEP THE GAME HERE IN THE STATES!!! LIKE THOSE BRITTS CARE ABOUT OUT FOOTBALL THEY HAVE SOCCER!!!
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
brasho, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 4:01 pm
Actually, I’ve heard from a few places that the Bucs are the most popular team in the UK. With Manchester United being owned by Bucs ownership and the Buccaneers biggest fan site, Bucpower.com being owned and operated by the UK’s own Paul Stewart (I think that was his name), this should be close to a home game for the Bucs. Especially if there are any Brits out there who are put off by the New England Patriots (who symbolize the US forces during the Revolutionary War fought against England). Other than the crappy travel schedule, this could work out well for the Bucs.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
J Buc, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 4:09 pm
London, Tampa, doesn’t matter if Monte Kiffen isn’t with Tampa next season, the pats are going to bet the hell of my bucs.
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Rating: Not yet rated
yorkshirephoenix, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 4:59 pm
I’m afraid the Bucs are no where near the most popular team in England, with most fans over here supporting the traditional big name teams like the Cowboys, Giants, 49ERs or Dolphins, so it will likily be as much of a “home” game for Tampa as it will be a “home” game for the Patriots.
While I’m happy that I don’t have to get an eight hour flight to see my Bucs play, I’m certainly not happy we have to forfeit a home game for this to be possible. I’d much rather someone else had to make the trip across the pond.
At least the England World Cup qualifiers are being played at Wembley the week before the game, so the pitch isn’t ripped to pieces like it was last time.
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