http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/ ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:05:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799326 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:17:47 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799326 I would love to see the NFL eventually use the UFL as a farm system.
People who claim College football is the farm may not have noticed, but the failure rate for draft picks has been epic, and with so many teams running niche offenses its only going to get worse.
the NFL needs the UFL so they can up the talent pool. They need QB’s to know how to play from under center, not just shotgun. They need linemen who can pass AND run block.
32 UFL teams 1 NFL partner for each. Expand the combined roster of each to somewhere around 95 players.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799325 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:49:00 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799325 The UFL is pretty darn close to NFL quality. There is a big difference in the NFL between starters and backups. Most UFL players fall between there. Inevitably, some guys will go from the UFL to become stars in the NFL. Just like has happened in CFL and AFL(arena). UFL talent overall is much better than any other non-NFL league that’s ever existed since the old AFL. They do need more marketing and TV, but they said from the start they will grow slowly and steadily with quality and value instead of trying to get too big too quick and tanking. It’s a fun league and I enjoy it every bit as much as NFL. But they are a much better value. I can watch every game for free. I can go to a game for $15. Hell yeah! UFL > NFL in bang for buck any day.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799324 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:37:51 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799324 texasPHINSfan says: “The first thing they need to work on is television contracts.”
Amen, PHIN.
Still get my TV the old-fashioned way — I pull it in off the air for free. I have no intention of adding a cable or satellite bill to the monthly budget.
I’d be interested in watching the UFL — heck, I watched the Arena League before it disappeared back to the depths of cable TV. There are independent stations in just about every major market. The My[channel number here] “network” comes to mind. We’ve also got the independents KTLA and KCAL here in Los Angeles, and I’m positive that there are similar stations around the country. If the UFL were to offer its content to stations like this at reasonable prices, they would greatly expand their viewership.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799323 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:05:53 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799323 I think Goodell has already stated the league preference for having a minor (developmental) league in the spring.
Also, as a fan I’d have an issue with being a fan of a UFL team in those circumstances. What if my team is 8-2 and heading for the championship game only to see my QB get “called up” to the NFL? One can say it’s no different than baseball, but I think the fewer amount of games, higher cost of attending them and higher probability of call-ups are all small but important factors in enjoying it less.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799322 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:50:56 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799322 15,000 people came and watched the Mountain Lions play. Regardless its great for these “inbetween” cities to get some football. Its great for the pop warner kids that cant afford to go to NFL games. And it employees more people in the football industry. Tired of the “elite” trying to cannibilize this leaugue.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799321 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:42:24 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799321 The first thing they need to work on is television contracts.
I don’t get HDnet or any of its subsidaries or affiliates, and apparently if you don’t get that channel(s), you’re not watching the games.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799320 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:41:54 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799320 If they would schedule a game on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday……they would get a huge national audience…….until the lockout, then they can have Sunday and Monday too!
I need football every night!!!!!

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799319 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:41:26 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799319 Cuban says that the UFL talent level “is off the charts” and that it’s “pretty much hand-in-hand with anything you’re gonna get from the NFL.”
At first glance, Cuban sounds like he’s on crack, but then I remembered that currently, the Omaha Nighthawks quarterback situation is in better shape than the Bills, Cardinals, Raiders, and Browns.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799318 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:35:21 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799318 @ Old School
You made a excellent point – if the NFL is going to go to a 18 game schedule – then they best need to partner up with UFL.
The only issue I see, player rights?
There are 32 teams and only 5 UFL teams.
If you look at the Browns – Holmgren is not going to shair players with another team – he would want his own minor league team to pull prospects from and/or to demote players to.
How do you fill 27 markets with teams, the rosters, the pay scale, the draft (do you have one NFL draft or a NFL draft and a UFL draft, or just extend the NFL draft) – etc. etc.
But that would certainly be interesting – if each team had a minor league team like baseball?

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799317 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:32:04 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799317 If the Players Union was smart they would join up with the UFL and add player-owned teams when the contract ends. Then they could get the whole pie.
The NFL owners are playing with fire right now.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799316 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:56:34 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799316 Unless there is a lockout and it is lengthy, I think they should relegate themselves to being the NFL’s minor league.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799315 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:44:25 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799315 Maybe the UFL should have the same rules as the late 80′s NFL so there isn’t pass interference calls on every play and roughing the passer if you cough on the quarterback. Bring back the smash mouth style and i will gladly become a UFL fan

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799314 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:34:10 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799314 if they want to take someone on, take on the NCAA. Go after the players who have no business claiming to be a “student athlete”.
That’s how you become the NFL’s minor league.
No need to pretend to pay the players, pay them to suit up and actually play the game and skip the illusion that they’re there to get a college degree.
A steady paycheck with the opportunity to jump to the big league, mid season will draw plenty of talent.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799313 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:31:02 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799313 They only way for this league to survive is too make itself a minor league affiliate to the NFL.
Each team from the AFC should pair up with a team in the NFC to affiliate itself with an UFL team. Say the Packers and Broncos [my to fav teams] team up to help form their teams. The fans from both franchises would be interested in the team since they would have players they would want to know as they soon could be playing on the Varsity squad.
The only problem I would see is who would coach and hand out playing time. Both franchises would want their players to get the playing time but something could get worked out here.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799312 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:28:34 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799312 Remember Arena football?
The league was pretty profitable in small markets before big money got into the system and tried to expand too fast – crashing the league completely.
So, no, I don’t think the UFL needs more national marketing. What they need is to focus on the regional level and continue building upon a stable league foundation. And if there’s a lockout next season, the UFL is in prime position to become a household name (with some luck).

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799311 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:22:53 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799311 Goliath is going to hit themselves in the head with a rock when they lock out/strike and take the matter to the courts. The UFL will only need to step over the dead carcass.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799310 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:20:42 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799310 The league is too small right now and has already dropped teams from some cities and added teams in others. I remember the USFL and I liked watching those teams play. The same talent arguments were made back then but the USFL had guys like Reggie White, Jim Kelley, Herschel Walker, Steve Young, etc… and coaches (Jim Mora, etc.) got their professional reputations in that league. It moved teams around and even combined teams but it failed because it tried to take on the NFL. The UFL would be better served to fill in the void between the SuperBowl and the start of the NFL season when NFL fans are literally starving for football. The issue is “drafting” players from college forces a later season (head to head with the NFL) or those players wouldn’t play until the following spring.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799309 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:06:57 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799309 “NYCGatorOX says:
September 29, 2010 10:14 AM
How about we just relegate the Bills and Jags to the UFL in toto?”
I don’t know toto, why not?

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799308 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:04:42 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799308 They can’t be the minor league ncaa is the minor league, I don’t want to see this sport watered down like baseball has been so the owners get a bigger wallet

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799307 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:01:55 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799307 “the only thing that can possibly “take on” the NFL is college football. If the UFL wants to truly make a statement do not have all of the DUMB penalties the NFL has, dont make the QB untouchable, and allow TD celebrations! dont be a jounior No Fun League!”
With all due respect, I feel TD celebrations have gotten WAY out of hand. It’s stupid and childish attention grabbing. That’s it! Jim Brown even called it “Buffoonery”. Personally, I get enjoyment and excitement out of seeing the player score, not from what he does afterwards. I miss the days when a player would just spike the ball, perhaps slap a high-five or two, and then trot back to the sideline. A reporter once asked Barry Sanders if he ever felt like doing something unusual or flashy after scoring a TD to put an exclamation point on it. Barry’s response was “Why not a period?” Amen.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799306 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:52:13 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799306 Donald Trump and USFL anyone? Better tread carefully here.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799305 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:22:25 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799305 “For now, though, the UFL needs to get noticed.”
yeah they should actually advertise their league, maybe pay for a 30second spot on a major TV network, show a commercial, put a billboard
its unbelievable the lack of marketing they have

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799304 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:21:09 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799304 It’s a bit early for the UFL to talk about going head-to-head. That’s what the USFL wanted to do. I watched the weekend games and the product is good, not NFL of course, but good. Build that product in the cities they’re in then worry about taking on the NFL.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799303 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:18:55 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799303 the only thing that can possibly “take on” the NFL is college football. If the UFL wants to truly make a statement do not have all of the DUMB penalties the NFL has, dont make the QB untouchable, and allow TD celebrations! dont be a jounior No Fun League!

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799302 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:18:14 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799302 Mark Cuban is too smart to believe that the UFL is comparable talent wise to the NFL.
Of course, he wasn’t too smart to believe that a team led by a 150 year old Jason Kidd could win the NBA title. So, there’s that.
The UFL is only viable as a long term proposition if it works WITH the NFL. Their strategy of loading up with name talent and focusing on markets without NFL teams will get them started, but they don’t want to wake the giant.
Ask the USFL how that tends to work out.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799301 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:17:54 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799301 The XFL had the same choice. They chose to compete with the NFL – and were crushed.
If Cuban and the rest of the UFL-ers were smart, they’d have no problem being the NFL’s minor leagues.

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799300 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:14:24 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799300 How about we just relegate the Bills and Jags to the UFL in toto?

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799299 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:07:46 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799299 The UFL doesn’t need to do anything until the NFL gets their labor situation under control. The UFL is sitting on a potential goldmine next season. If there is a lockout, there will be a large number of NFL players in need of a paycheck. Hello UFL!!

]]> http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/29/ufl-needs-to-figure-out-whether-it-wants-to-compete-with-or-complement-nfl/#comment-799298 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:05:17 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbcprofootballtalk/?p=81746#comment-799298 It seems to me if the NFL is going to do away with much of the OTA’s and preseason games, a developemental league would be a good fit – see baseball minor league system.
Short of that, NFL teams may pick their rosters by throwing darts at a board with the names of players they have rights to. The drafty is already a crap shoot.

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