Wanted: A Team To Support

Whisper it quietly, but I have a bit of a problem. And no, before you offer me medical advice, it is not one that requires the attention of a doctor. It is far more serious than that.

As a recent convert to the exciting world of the NFL, I spent the 2007 season (my "rookie" year) completely engrossed in the action. In these summer months, I still need to get my fix—NFL.com is my homepage and Bleacher Report gets frequent attention.

Honestly, I think I may be more tired of seeing Brett Favre than Aaron Rodgers is now. But here comes the problem—when someone asks me which team I support, my answer just doesn’t really work. Looking at the floor and shuffling my feet awkwardly, I can only mumble “erm...Adrian Peterson?”

You can, of course, all see the problem here. Who supports a player not a team?! Also, to be honest, who is not a fan of Adrian Peterson? But does anyone cheer a four-yard carry from him like they would a solid tackle from their own team? Thought not.

It is quite frankly a ludicrous situation. I need to find a team to support, but as an Englishman living in (surprisingly) England, I have no obvious ties to any team. That is where I hope you, the reader, can help out. Maybe you can help me find my NFL team.

Before you rush to offer your suggestions, may I just admit to a few passing flings I have had with a couple of teams. Call them my pre-draft workouts.

Firstly, considering my love for Adrian Peterson, I have given the Minnesota Vikings a good look. But the problem for me is this: With the additions of Jared Allen and Bernard Berrian in the offseason, the team looks Super Bowl ready now (that is, if Tarvaris Jackson can perform—or they get a famous QB who wears No. 4).

You may say that is not a problem—it is always great to support a successful team—but to me it feels a bit like cheating. I am a rather masochistic fan—I like to feel the pain of defeat before the triumph of victory. I don’t want to celebrate that imaginary ring too early in my career.

Which makes my other pre-draft workout all the more surprising—the New York Giants.

Like all good affairs, this was born from money. In the middle of last season, studying the form, I really fancied the G-Men for the Super Bowl. I had a £20 free bet, and Ladbrokes offered 14/1.

From there began a tail of anguish, heartbreak, and conflicting emotions for different players (McQuarters' late interception against the Cowboys—hero; Tynes against the Packers—villain) before that final game-winning kick at Lambeau Field. £280 in my pocket, but it made me feel dirty to think that my support could be bought so cheaply.

Winning the Super Bowl was another kick in the nuts—I could have won near £1,000 if I had bet that they would take it to the house. I will admit I cheered like a banshee (do banshees cheer, or just scream?) when Tyree made that catch, but is that enough? Everyone in this country seems to be a Giants or Dolphins fan—I need to be different.

So there you go.

My history with support in the NFL is complete. I will be at the Chargers/Saints game at Wembley this year. I know the difference between Jake Long and Chris Long, and my Madden 08 superstar is in the Hall of Fame—my Combine workout is not that bad. I must be worth a late-round pick by someone, right?

Your votes can decide which team I support—I am at your mercy. But if this article only gets about three comments well, Adrian Peterson can always do with another fan—right?