# NFL--Time to pick a new team? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 26, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996 "2004-04-26T01:49:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/1 "2004-04-26T01:49:58Z")
So, I’m moving again, as all the followers of my escapades know (Hi to both of you). And in reading the draft coverage, I’m just left feeling “Eh.” I ask you, football fans, is it time to move on? See, I’m a Saints fan, or was when I lived in New Orleans, but I don’t feel a connection to that city anymore. In fact, I pretty much hate it. And I live in Atlanta now, but as a Saints fan, I just CAN’T switch to the Falcons. That’d be like going over to the Dark Side. But, again, I feel no tie to New Orleans. So I’m moving to North Carolina. They’ve got a pretty good team up there and I’ve always kinda liked the Panthers. And I really like Delhomme, I think he’s a good guy and a decent QB. BUT they just went to the Super Bowl and I don’t wanna be a bandwagon jumper. But I hafta have a local team to root for (so I can root for the Broncos, Packers, or Niners when my local team doesn’t make the playoffs 😃 ). What say you? ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/2 "2004-04-26T02:04:26Z")
Just switch to the Broncos full time. It’s not crossing over the darkside, it’s definitely not joining a bandwagon, _and_ you’re required to hate the Raiders! Nothing is more fun than hating the Raiders, imo. Sometimes it’s all that keeps me going.\* I think it’s a great package deal. \*[sub]Of course that’s sarcasm. The belief that Elway _will_ come back is what truly keeps me going.[/sub] 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/3 "2004-04-26T02:25:28Z")
> [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > \*[sub]Of course that’s sarcasm. The belief that Elway _will_ come back is what truly keeps me going.[/sub] 😉 Elway looks like he’s about 100 years old in that antacid commercial he’s been doing. Time for Denver fans to wake up and smell the coffee: Shanahan is an evil sonofabitch and your team is destined to go nowhere for a long time. At least you still have the Avs. For **GMRyujin** , as much as it pains me to say so, the Panthers are a good young team that looks like they well could be a force for a while. You can jump on their bandwagon (with the rest of Carolina) or maybe go with some team from your youth. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/4 "2004-04-26T03:49:21Z")
> [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > Just switch to the Broncos full time. It’s not crossing over the darkside, it’s definitely not joining a bandwagon, _and_ you’re required to hate the Raiders! Nothing is more fun than hating the Raiders, imo. Sometimes it’s all that keeps me going.\* I think it’s a great package deal. I was a fan of the Broncos til Elway, who is a God Who Walks The Earth, retired, but now the only one I really like there is Shanahan, mostly cause he’s an evil genius. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/5 "2004-04-26T04:25:37Z")
If you like the Panthers anyway, I think you’re practically forced to swith your allegiance to them. It’s the only way you’ll get to see your team’s game every week (unless you have Direct TV, of course). Besides, speaking as a Giants fan, they get mad props for being coached by John Fox (and for being a run-first, defense-oriented team). ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/6 "2004-04-26T05:10:38Z")
> [@GMRyujin](#): > > I was a fan of the Broncos til Elway, who is a God Who Walks The Earth, retired, but now the only one I really like there is Shanahan, mostly cause he’s an evil genius. Did you see the arena football commercial with Elway and Jon Bon Jovi? Their respective teams were playing each other in Bon Jovi’s house and Elway’s team was losing, so he suited up (in number 7 of course _sniff_) an orchestrated a win. It was a very cruel, even painful commercial. I wasn’t amused. I was sad. LOL. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/7 "2004-04-26T05:20:39Z")
Of course! John Fox! The guy who looks like the next door neighbor who’d come over and help you fix your car if you had the hood up. He looks just like a coach should. Guess it’s time to start following the Panthers. Thanks guys. And I love that commercial. I can’t believe we haven’t heard any Aikman-esque rumors about Elway coming out of retirement. I’m torn, because I loved to watch him play, but old players trying to play that last year as so freakin’ pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/8 "2004-04-26T05:26:56Z")
Actually, I’m nearly convinced that the Panthers are gonna suck this year, so I think you get a bandwagon bye. I was going to suggest that you come over to the Pewter side, but you’re no longer geographically compatible… ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/9 "2004-04-26T15:37:10Z")
I’d suggest you cheer for Washington, but I can’t. Nobody else should be forced to live with the heartbreak we’ve had to deal with the last few years, and nobody else should have to cheer for a team run by Dan Snyder. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/10 "2004-04-26T15:53:40Z")
Go ahead and adopt the Panthers. You could do a lot worse, and their colors are cool. Black and blue. It befits their owner, Jerry Richardson. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/11 "2004-04-26T16:02:23Z")
Hey, just do what I did when I was about 10 years old: pick your team based on the best helmet design. I’ve been a Rams fan for 35 years. Had some good years, had some bad years, had some good years again. It’s been an interesting ride. Oh yeah, I live in NYC. Screw local team loyalty. (I mean, have you seen the Jets’ and Giants’ helmets?) ---
**Author:** ![Consumer\_Sovereignty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Consumer\_Sovereignty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Consumer_Sovereignty)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/12 "2004-04-26T16:12:23Z")
Casual Packers fan here (since '98). And I live halfway around the world! I don’t think I’ll be switching anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/13 "2004-04-26T16:24:27Z")
> [@](#): > > . . . nobody else should have to cheer for a team run by Dan Snyder. I feel bad for you. Did you notice that he already traded away his 2nd round pick next year . . . for a 3rd rounder this year! He gave away a little equity in the fifth round to make this deal, too. My God but he’s impatient. ---
**Author:** ![Blackdragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@Blackdragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackdragon)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/14 "2004-04-26T16:31:27Z")
Consider the Steelers. Great history. Great ownership. Great coach. And, I predict them to be a playoff team (possible sleeper Super Bowl Champs). I live in Washington, DC and have been suprised to find almost as many Steelers bars as there are Redskins. I don’t know about NC, but they seem to be a good team to cheer no matter where you are. Good luck! P.S. Do not pick the following teams, as they are evil: Raiders, Ravens, Browns, 49ers, Cowboys, Bengals, Chargers, oh… I’m forgeting a few. ---
**Author:** ![Chastain86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Chastain86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chastain86)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/15 "2004-04-26T16:36:30Z")
Moving represents a new beginning. Hence, you should back the team that’s most recently entered the league. Plus, I have to admit…even though I’m a Rams fan, I still dig those new Texans unis. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/16 "2004-04-26T20:42:20Z")
Q. What do the Steeler colors have in common with bats’ piss? A. A shining shaft of gold when all else is black… (apologies to M. Python) JOIN US. RESISTANCE IS FUTILE… The Steelers- favorites of robots and cyborgs everywhere ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecc23a/32.png) [@Uncle\_Dragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Dragon)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/17 "2004-04-26T23:30:10Z")
Life long Packer fan checking in. Here you have a team with a storied past, long stretches of mediocrity, and currently just enough talent (or lack thereof) to be able to turn every game into a nail-biter, no matter how good or bad the opponent. Plus, you get to hate da Bears, and despise the Vilkings. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/18 "2004-04-27T00:47:43Z")
I have a tough time answering. I only picked the Steelers because it is no fun to watch a game unless you have someone to root for and Dad was always a Steeler fan. Dad has passed now, but they seem a part of football for me. I can’t imagine switching. Still, if you no longer feel connected, maybe it is time to switch. ---
**Author:** ![Vanderbilt\_Higgins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/dbc845/32.png) [@Vanderbilt\_Higgins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vanderbilt_Higgins)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/19 "2004-04-27T01:00:57Z")
Sniff. The Falcons aren’t _that_ bad. Granted, we’ve never strung two winning seasons together, but we’ve got good, enthusiastic ownership, a promising young offense, a rabid fanbase, and a new coach who isn’t Dan Reeves. Plus, most folks 'round these parts consider our quarterback to be kinda fun to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-time-to-pick-a-new-team/241996/20 "2004-04-27T02:34:53Z")
> [@Vanderbilt Higgins](#): > > The Falcons aren’t _that_ bad. Granted, we’ve never strung two winning seasons together, but we’ve got good, enthusiastic ownership, a promising young offense, a rabid fanbase, and a new coach who isn’t Dan Reeves. Plus, most folks 'round these parts consider our quarterback to be kinda fun to watch. Did you see who I used to root for? If I wanted a basketcase, I’d stick with the team I have… 😉 Looks like the Panthers are it, then. And I agree, it’s not fun unless you have a team to root for.