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Reading the thread about the Jaguars' new logo got me to thinking back on the fact that 20 years ago this year, there were five cities fighting for two NFL expansion teams.
St. Louis
Baltimore
Memphis
Charlotte
Jacksonville
Of course, growing up in Memphis at that time, this was the biggest sports story we had seen.
I can't help but wonder....what if Memphis had been awarded one of the five teams instead of Jacksonville?
If I remember correctly, Charlotte was pretty much a lock to get one of the two teams, but Jacksonville was a surprise. I was only 13 at the time, so I may be wrong on that.
But what if the two new NFL teams were the Carolina Panthers and the Memphis Hound Dogs....which yes, was a God awful name back then, and looks even worse now.
It's safe to say that, with a team in Memphis, Bud Adams never moves the Oilers to Nashville. Would he have looked to fill the new void in Los Angeles after the Rams and Raiders left the area? Would he have looked at Jacksonville?
How would the NFL look today if another city besides Jacksonville had been awarded a franchise...?
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#1
Posted 14 March 2013 - 08:52 AM
RedRebelBlue
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#2
Posted 17 March 2013 - 11:30 PM
volimhtown
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So sayeth the shepherd...
Hard to believe it's been 20 years. Damn I'm getting old!!
My Dad lived in Jacksonville at the time and yes if memory serves me right, it was a bit of an upset that they got the team.
It's hard to believe now but I do know that those two cities were specifically targeted by the NFL to compete and try to piggy-back off the success of SEC football. The franchises in Tampa, New Orleans, and Atlanta had failed miserably (not surprisingly) to generate any sort of ground swell of interest in the heart of "football country" so the NFL decided to saturate that market even further by awarding those two cities the franchises. Although they deny it, there was also no mistake made by the NFL in how they handled the expansion draft. Those two teams were immediately relevant and "the rest is history" as they say. While those franchises weren't able to sustain that success (especially in the case of the Jags) they started with, the NFL was more than successful in accomplishing their goals and that probably remains one of the best decisions the league ever made.
My Dad lived in Jacksonville at the time and yes if memory serves me right, it was a bit of an upset that they got the team.
It's hard to believe now but I do know that those two cities were specifically targeted by the NFL to compete and try to piggy-back off the success of SEC football. The franchises in Tampa, New Orleans, and Atlanta had failed miserably (not surprisingly) to generate any sort of ground swell of interest in the heart of "football country" so the NFL decided to saturate that market even further by awarding those two cities the franchises. Although they deny it, there was also no mistake made by the NFL in how they handled the expansion draft. Those two teams were immediately relevant and "the rest is history" as they say. While those franchises weren't able to sustain that success (especially in the case of the Jags) they started with, the NFL was more than successful in accomplishing their goals and that probably remains one of the best decisions the league ever made.
Phyllis-But it is a big deal. You almost killed Stanley.
Dwight-Yeah right! I filled him full of butter and sugar for 50 years and forced him not to exercise!
Dwight-Yeah right! I filled him full of butter and sugar for 50 years and forced him not to exercise!
#3
Posted 19 March 2013 - 07:45 AM
JL 103
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Isn't it funny that all those cities have a franchise except Memphis. Poor Memphis.
#4
Posted 19 March 2013 - 08:31 AM
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JL 103, on 19 March 2013 - 07:45 AM, said:
Isn't it funny that all those cities have a franchise except Memphis. Poor Memphis.
Nah...Memphis ended up just fine. They got the NBA, and are absolutely in love with their Grizzlies.
Memphis has ALWAYS been a basketball town.
#5
Posted 19 March 2013 - 10:29 AM
JL 103
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RedRebelBlue, on 19 March 2013 - 08:31 AM, said:
Nah...Memphis ended up just fine. They got the NBA, and are absolutely in love with their Grizzlies.
Memphis has ALWAYS been a basketball town.
And that's why Nashville has the NFL franchise.
#6
Posted 19 March 2013 - 02:52 PM
GoldenRebel
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Yea I've never understood why memphis people love basketball so much. Its kind if disturbing.
#7
Posted 19 March 2013 - 03:06 PM
JL 103
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GoldenRebel, on 19 March 2013 - 02:52 PM, said:
Yea I've never understood why memphis people love basketball so much. Its kind if disturbing.
It's one of a few things they are good at. The other things are Blues and barbecue.
#8
Posted 22 March 2013 - 03:13 PM
StallingsBaldSpot
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JL 103, on 19 March 2013 - 03:06 PM, said:
It's one of a few things they are good at. The other things are Blues and barbecue.
And rap music and murders
#9
Posted 23 March 2013 - 03:47 PM
JL 103
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StallingsBaldSpot, on 22 March 2013 - 03:13 PM, said:
And rap music and murders
Oh I forgot Three Six Mafia. My bad
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