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2012-10-07 2:09 PM

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Master
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Tyler, TX
Subject: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...

I'm the only guy in Texas who doesn't follow football.  

I now work in Sales in an industry in my customers are all men, and they all follow NFL and college football. Inevitably the conversation comes up, and I have no clue who is playing well, who won on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (and they're playing on Thursdays all year now???), who the players are, etc. I can't even pretend to fake my way through football conversations these days.

I used to follow football closely when I was in HS, so I understand the game, but that was 30 years ago and I'm now just an occasional Super Bowl watcher... I vaguely know who the star QBs are, but not much else.

So, what is the best way to have an idea of what is going on without watching games?  Any apps? Websites?  Any super short summaries on TV?  I'd like to be better informed on Monday mornings.  Help!

Brian



2012-10-07 2:20 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
Football for Dummies book at library or store. Tells all about positions and situations. You will understand defenses, offenses and special teams after reading this book. Then looks at the sports page in you rlocal apaper or on the net.
2012-10-07 2:33 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Champion
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Checkin' out the podium girls
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
Sportcenter. Dah,Dah,dum..

60 min and you at least get caught up
2012-10-07 2:51 PM
in reply to: #4444200

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Omaha, NE
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...

pitt83 - 2012-10-07 2:33 PM Sportcenter. Dah,Dah,dum.. 60 min and you at least get caught up

+1

I used to follow one team (the chargers) when i lived in san diego and knew just about everything about every player just by watching the games, reading stories, and listening to the news.  But it's very time consuming and not practical for someone in your situation.

If you watch sportcenter you will get the high level of who did good/bad and know which teams are stinking it up and which ones are doing good.  Most conversation around sports is "how do you thing the cowboys will do this weekend?" type questions.  These questions are easily answered with simple statements like, "if Romo has a night like he did last week, we'll do good/bad"  (using knowledge you gained from sportcenter the weekend prior.

2012-10-07 3:00 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...

Yo famelec, don't fake it.  Embrace the ignorance or go get re-educated.  It won't take long to get up to speed.  In about an hour or two, you'd probably be on par with half the folks out there anyway.  It's easy to spot the folks who talk like they know football, but really don't.

As long as it doesn't affect your relations with customers, don't sweat it.  If it does, just catch some Sportscenter Sunday night after the games.  Good luck Brian.

 

2012-10-07 5:41 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Austin, Texas or Jupiter, Florida
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
There's a good episode of "Big Bang Theory" about this.

I agree with CD. Don't fake it. Football fans are generally pretty happy to teach people who want to learn.



2012-10-07 5:43 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Austin, Texas or Jupiter, Florida
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
Oh yeah, join a Fantasy FB league.

When you have people you have to watch, that always helps keep you focused.
2012-10-07 8:58 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Member
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Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
As a die hard sports fan and avid sportscenter watcher, I would agree with the above recommendation. I watch SC in the morning while I get ready for work. By the time I get to the office I can have a conversation about who won last night's Cricket World Championship (West Indies over Sri Lanka). Now, I couldn't care less about cricket but if the topic comes up at work, I can at least know enough to sound competent.
2012-10-07 11:55 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Expert
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Austin, TX
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
I live in TX also. Here are the only 2 things you need to say about pro ball and you're covered:
"Can you believe how Romo is playing?"
"Do you think the Texans can go the distance this year?"

Personally I'm a Browns fan. That usually kills any pro football talk.

If you want a quick rundown of results, go to espn.com
2012-10-08 8:36 AM
in reply to: #4444186

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Master
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Crab Cake City
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...

I just find it amazing that you live in TX and dont follow football...I thought everyone down there was football crazy!

I would say watch sportscenter and get caught up or do some reading on espn.com or yahoo sports. Not too hard to get by week after week and most shows on ESPN air several times a week.

2012-10-08 9:09 AM
in reply to: #4444186

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Extreme Veteran
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Pauls Valley, OK
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...

I watched NFL through childhood and college.  I haven't watched in years.  Whenever an NFL conversation comes up I say, "I am a Houston Oiler fan.  So, there isn't much of a reason to watch anymore."



2012-10-08 1:22 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Elite
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Minnetonka
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
Honesty is the best policy.  Just say, "Oh I don't watch football, but I was wondering, Do you like McCormic, or Alexander better?"
2012-10-08 1:29 PM
in reply to: #4445313

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...

Play one season of fantasy football, and you will know more that you even need.  Scores, players, stats...

I'm glad I'm out, I reclaimed some of my life back by not managing a team(s).  But I'm starting to lose touch of players and where they went, etc.

2012-10-08 1:46 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
Just say vague and general things that can be construed in many ways.

Did you SEE the Cowboys defense the other night?

The quarterback sucks, I dont care what anybody says.

How many turnovers did he have yesterday? I didn't see.

What I wouldn't give to be THAT guy for one day.
2012-10-08 2:22 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Pro
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Pittsburgh, my heart is in Glasgow
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
Wrong kind of football, but abstract the concept and on ye go.
(From "The IT Crowd")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWJIQm9qH-w

and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f27IqVo5-Oc
2012-10-08 2:37 PM
in reply to: #4445365

Iron Donkey
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, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...

mr2tony - 2012-10-08 1:46 PM Just say vague and general things that can be construed in many ways. Did you SEE the Cowboys defense the other night? The quarterback sucks, I dont care what anybody says. How many turnovers did he have yesterday? I didn't see. What I wouldn't give to be THAT guy for one day.

All that is needed to know:
The Cowboys suck.
Da' Bears. Still. Suck.
Referees suck.

That should cover it.



2012-10-08 3:30 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Veteran
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St. Paul
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
Just say "I can't believe how drunk those Packer fans were"

or

"Detroit is starting to turn back into Detroit"

You'll always be right.
2012-10-09 11:25 AM
in reply to: #4444186

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Expert
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Boise, ID
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
There is a free app for iPhone from the NFL that lists all the scores for the weekend and will give you recaps and summaries of the games. I don't get to watch many games, got better stuff to do most weekends but I like to catch up a bit using this app. 
2012-10-09 6:49 PM
in reply to: #4444186

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...

Pick one team and follow them.

Listen to sports talk radio on the way to work - it will give you the local hot-topics.

Fantasy football:  seems like too big an investment of time, but if you throw yourself into it, you would probably get to know everything about everyone in the entire NFL

2012-10-09 9:42 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Pro
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Hailey, ID
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
If it's truly important to your work and you care about your work...I don't know..maybe watch some football? If not, suck it up and be honest and say you don't watch.
2012-10-10 7:42 AM
in reply to: #4445414

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Champion
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the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...

phoenixazul - 2012-10-08 3:22 PM Wrong kind of football, but abstract the concept and on ye go. (From "The IT Crowd") https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWJIQm9qH-wand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f27IqVo5-Oc

i'm so glad you posted this, it is the first thing i thought of when i saw this thread.  i love when i find people that love the IT crowd!!



2012-10-10 3:05 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Pro
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Twin Cities
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
Find a site that does "expert picks", and read their one paragraph or so summary for each game. Bleacher Report has a good one, IMO.
2012-10-10 6:44 PM
in reply to: #4448776

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...

If they are talking NFL, say you can't stand pro and only follow college.

If they are talking college, say you don't follow NCAA and only follow pro...

If you can't tell the difference, you probably need even more help than first thought.

OR, just say "glad they got rid of the replacement refs" and let them do all the talking.

OR, ask "what do you think of Tebow" - they will know what you mean.

2012-10-11 3:43 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Expert
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Johns Creek, Georgia
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
Just keep saying "dude, did you see that interception Tony Romo threw" and that will establish conversation and laughs....unfortunately as a Cowboy fan it doesn't get old, he just keeps throwing interceptions.
2012-10-11 8:20 PM
in reply to: #4444186

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Pro
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Husker Nation
Subject: RE: Need tips for faking my way through football conversations...
Here's your CFB rundown:

Geno Smith
Notre Dame and K State probably aren't legit contenders for the title
Penn State fiasco
Jerry Sandusky
Alabama
SEC
A few significant upsets last weekend
Oregon looks legit
WVU doesn't have the defense it needs to make it through unscathed

That should get you through most general conversations. If they start going into specifics about a team or player, mention how you didn't catch his/their last game because you were doing (insert incredibly selfless act here) instead, but you wish you could have seen it.
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