h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Oh, I see what you meant. Yes, you did say "efficiency" after all. Hmmm, I guess you're right, the right info for that isn't there. (I'm just going to keep sitting here re-stating the obvious ... Americans like me, eh? ). At any rate, I'm sure someone must keep that stat, but it's hard to find all of those things without paying for them, actually. Or just getting lucky and hearing them on a broadcast game (for which, in a way, we pay for with our time by watching all the advertisements).

- JD

Well, I'm an American, so I *need* you to restate the obvious. We're pretty dim.

I found that NFL.com keeps red zone efficiency stats in their game summaries, so I tried to go through all the Broncos' games one by one to see how they look (although I'd have to do the same with a few sample teams to see how they compare... yuck). Then I got to their 4th or 5th game, and they were listed as 5-13 in the red zone (and did NOT score 5 touchdows). Below that was their 4th down efficiency, which was something like 480%.

Must have been a pretty wild game...

I wish Miami could score in the red zone more times than they've been there

Hi I'm PatsFanUK. 33yrs old, married, 1 Rugrat (2 half yr old daughter), UK based (Essex/Suffolk Border) New England Patriots Fan.

Been following Pats since 1984 (don't mention SB20!). Still on a hight since SB36! Been lucky enough to visit Foxboro once (so far) and see the Pats play (1998).

Have been to Tampa Bay twice (vs 49ers & Lions), whilst on holiday in Florida (1989 & 1993). Couldn't be converted to a Bucs fan though!

Used to be a season ticket holder for the London/England Monarchs, RIP. Will be going to the World Bowl this year, just because it is in the UK!

Follow the BSL and the Ipswich Cardinals. Also used to play WR for the Essex Gladiators & Colchester Gladiators until my knees gave up. I would like to get more involved in the BSL/Cardinals, but, I can't trust myself to not play again!

Ah.. I see you found us then PatsFanUK...

Bit quiet around here today (dunno where everyone has gone!) but feel free to berate and generally take the p**s out of our, perhaps, misguided allegiances...

On the question of playing again... I tried it two years ago with the Bristol Aztecs (my former team)... unfortunately 7 intervening years of drinking, eating and no excercise left me ill-prepared for the rigours on senior football.. after a season of being unable to walk and nursing numerous ailments... I've knocked it on the head for good...

Anyway, nice to see you're here.... going away now before I mention SB XX... oops!

Good to have you here, PatsFanUK.

I'm sure that if you contact the Cardinals they would more than appreciate any help you could give them, as would any other team in the BSL. Especially if you feel you can contribute as a coach or something like that. And if you cant' trust yourself not to start playing again, this is the time for it, cause they should be in pre-season training now, and that would let you find out if it's a hard as you think it is to totally quit.

Nice to meet you TVRHOG. I remember all too well how hard training is even for the BSL as it is now. Got the bad knees and bent fingers to prove it. Most of my injuries seemed to happen in training during my playing days....

Very sure that I would want to play again at the moment, even watching the Cardinals from the stands is difficult. Did not attend many BSL games for a couple of years after I quit because I knew that I would get the painkillers out and play again!!

Maybe I will offer my help to them in some coaching capacity or other within the next couple of seasons. Would be good to get more involved again....

I know all too well about the training injuries being worse than most game injuries. At least for me. During games, I've so far come away with a slightly twisted ankle, and that's about it. We've had a couple of guys on the teams, though that have broken their arm and leg during games.
Two seasons ago, one of our gunners made a great play where he took out both his would-be blocker and the punt returner. However, in the process he also broke his leg in two places and tore most of the ligaments in his ankle.
Then, last season, one of our Safties was in on a short-yardage play and someone landed on his arm so he broke that in two places as well.

But I guess that's just part of the game...

I can add a broken collarbone and 3 concussions of my own to the list... along with all the general knock and bruises we RB's get every game... 20-30 carries along with blocking duties leads to a very sore FF, especially at 5-9 182 and against the London O's...

Ouch, I can imagine that.

I just remembered soemthing worse that happened to me during a game than the twisted ankle.
My worst injury was probably a block in the back (my own fault) during an INT. It was a muddy game, but I had managed to keep doing my job and still keeping relatively upright, so I still had a white jersey while everyone else were brown, covered in mud.
Anyways, during this INT one of the guys from the other team, can't remember if it was Yorkshire Rams or Staffordshire Surge, toppled me over "just to get me dirty", only he pushed me over on the only solid-ish part of the pitch, and I bruised my ribs. Couldn't walk, sit or lie down for about two weeks without it hurting. That was pretty damn bad.

Then I fell prey to our "pre-season wake-up call" that our leading LB gives the O-line every year. Five consecutive plays, he works his way from Right Tackle to Left tackle, blitzing straight through each of the O-line guys. Last season, I managed to get my hand in the way as he was about to charge into the Left Guard, and that resulted in me not being able to move my left wrist for about two weeks, and it took a couple of months to get it back to full functionality again.

The O's. Always a treat. One of the best hits I have ever seen in Britball was by an Olympians (as they were then) safety against my brother. He used to play WR as well, when we were Essex Gladiators at Chelmsford. He caught a pass near the sidelines and ran for a extra 20yards only for a O's safety to totally wipe him out! He went flying out of bounds + and extra 7 yards - sideways! He was still seeing stars two days later....

Ever beaten the Olympians/Os PatsFan... I haven't... played 'em 4 times at youth and senior with the score becomingmore lop sided in each succeeding game... last time, 2 years ago, we lost 68-0...

Just after I stopped playing the first time (95/96) the Aztecs went on a bit of a roll, winning division 2 and making the playoffs in division 1 (typical that I missed out!!). During that time, they played the O's well... led at halftime and only lost to a late score...

I dunno if this is the closest anyone has been, or indeed if they've been beaten lately... have they?

Don't think so. Played them several times can't remember ever beating them. I remember getting close the 1st season we were 'Essex', but never winning. Can't remember the Cardinals ever beating them either. Last time they played each other the Cardinals actually seemed to take a weakened side on purpose.... Go figure.

Thinking about it I'm sure someone came damm close last season, can't think who it was though....

I have that feeling as well... still, until the supposed 'route to NFL Europe' through the O's and their coaching links is broken, all the best players will go there... I suspect it's up to other teams to progress their coaching programme and player development to provide viable candidates for the Claymores in order to catch up on a competitive basis... and people think the Premiership is boring!!

'boring' in terms of a wide open title race I mean (Man U/Arsenal)..

See your point. Everyone jockeys for position under the O's. The gap has becomming smaller each year recently though. One day soon someone will get them! Sussex / PA or even Aztecs

Hasn't there been some NFLE candidates from E.Kilbride Pirates and others from North of the border??

They can't rely on 'Scoops' [I'm retired, the final in Glasgow you say, oh no didn't mention retirement did I, you must be mistaken] & Rob Hart forever...

Anyone going to the World Bowl in June???

Aztecs... 0-10 last year and a much needed drop to division 2... to illustrate their problems, they tried to recruit me earlier this year... they must be desperate...

Not going to the World Bowl... would love to though... little short on cash right now to be splashing out on trips to Scotland

Short on 'cash' myself. Uncle Visa is very accomodating though.... I'm sure it has to be paid off sometime...

Actually, going with my brother, got flights from Stanstead £57 the pair. Cheaper than driving or train....

... you mentioned the PA Knights... who's that WR who plays, or at least used to play for them... Jon something or other?

Trying to think who you mean???......

No. Can't think of him....