There was quite a debate on ESPN Radio this afternoon between the ever-worldly Jason Smith and Len Pasquarelli regarding the relative wisdom of the NFL scheduling a regular season game in London next Autumn.

Smith insisted that such an event would prove alarming to fans of the Giants or Dolphins because both teams would have to contend with “an 18 hour delay.”

Persons unfamiliar with the world beyond the Connecticut/New York border may or may not be interested to know the United Kingdom is 5 hours ahead of the Eastern U.S.

Pasquarelli (above) was openly skeptical, sniffing that while the NFL “might sell a few more t-shirts”, crossover dreams in Europe were farfetched because “this isn’t soccer or basketball.”

You’d think a supposedly learned analyst like Pasquarelli might’ve taken the time to check out just how heavily the NFL has been exposed on terestrial and satellite TV in the UK over the past 20 years. While American football is by no means considered a mainstream sport, there’s far more NFL coverage in the UK papers, websites, TV sports news, etc. than any other U.S. pastime.

I’ll make the following prediction : if said game takes place at the new Wembley between the Jints and Fins, not only will every ticket be sold, but the resulting media splash will dwarf any hoops coverage on the continent, up to and including Michael Jordan’s retirement or the Dirkster’s playoff run last June.

If the Dolphins can’t hire a younger Schottenheimer, will they opt for a junior Shula? Josh Rosen writes, “saying that I prefer Jim Mora Jr. to Chan Gailey is one of the most depressing statements ever.” But I disagree. “Good evening, Ms. Marlowe, I’m here from the escort agency,” is one of the most depressing statements ever.