An interesting article in today's New York Times (registration required) describes the NFL's attempt to market itself in China by training Chinese athletes to become place-kickers.

The NFL is betting it can latch onto China's massive, untapped football fan base -- or at least try to cultivate one -- by training two soccer players and a rugby standout to kick at the University of Oregon.

Ultimately the league hopes for a payoff like the NBA received when Chinese center Yao Ming joined the Houston Rockets, bringing a nation of basketball fans along for the ride.

"I think it will take another generation for football to find someone like that in China," one of the Chinese kickers-in-training, Ding Long, said.

-- John Dudley