Comments on: NFL needs developmental league, for plenty of reasons

By: uflaron

uflaron — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 02:19:42 +0000

The ideal scenario might be a 4 team division in the United States and a 4 team division in Europe, with the #1 seed from each division playing in a championship game.

The World League of American Football (which later became NFL Europe) suffered a significant decline in attendance when the NFL removed American teams from the league. Europeans seemed much more interested in the league when European teams were playing American teams.

By: uflaron

uflaron — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 02:14:44 +0000

I think a “developmental” NFL Spring league should be different from the NCAA in that it is not strictly younger players. An NFL D-league should have a mix of younger players that could not make NFL rosters and older players that also got squeezed off of NFL rosters. The reason being, younger players can learn more from playing with and against veterans (not just other younger players).

By: morganwick

morganwick — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 00:48:48 +0000

Here’s an idea… start a developmental league, and repeal the restrictions on when people can come into the league. If the NCAA gets pissed, ask them how serious they really are about that “student-athlete” thing. You’d think they’d love a chance to get rid of the players only using their schools as a pipeline to the NFL.

I wonder if the USFL and UFL might consider an evevtual merger?

By: nflr92

nflr92 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:09:51 +0000

Also a good place to try things like rule changes and new safety measures – like leather helmets.

__________________________________

You had me…..and then you lost me.

By: thepftpaperchase

thepftpaperchase — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:36:47 +0000

Great idea, Mike. Why don’t you approach NBC to partner with the NFL? I’m sure they’d want to jump on board immediately. LOL.

The UFL and New USFL have already approached the NFL, and got nowhere (at least, so far). Maybe if the UFL hadn’t lost so much money (admittedly $120M in its first three years and no word on how much more this past season), somebody would follow through.

By: nathanbetz91

nathanbetz91 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:32:33 +0000

And they need one of those teams i’m Iowa instead of putting 3 in Texas

By: granadafan

granadafan — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:56:48 +0000

Those saying that the NCAA is the development league are not correct. There is a time limit (5 years or so) and then they’re done at age 22-23. They’re still in their prime physically and athletically. That’s why a development league is needed. The league would provide another avenue for those players, uh, less academically inclined and stop making a mockery of some Universities as academic institutions *cough* SEC *cough* as they admit players barely able to read (See Claiborne, Morris).

By: cliverush

cliverush — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:27:18 +0000

This is a dream that will not happen. The about of money and resources involved plus the need for a market that does not exist make it a task near impossible to accomplish. The league tried Europe and failed. That market had money and willing fans but the product was so inferior even the Euro’s understood that there is only one NFL. If you want to develop better players make them attend class in college. If you want better Refs have them work the training camps.

By: FinFan68

FinFan68 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:50:00 +0000

An official developmental league won’t happen. The NCAA would fight it and the NFLPA would make CBA demands that would make the venture unprofitable. The age/durability issues mean that only a small percentage of players would ever “get called up” to the NFL.

By: bucrightoff

bucrightoff — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:48:47 +0000

The CFL has never been stronger than it is now here in Canada. Perfect time for the NFL to partner up and make the CFL its developmental league.

By: mousetrap08

mousetrap08 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:32:25 +0000

I think the USFL is suppose to start in the spring of 2014 for this reason.

By: jgedgar70

jgedgar70 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:28:26 +0000

I like the idea. An 8-team league (with each team supplied players by 4 NFL teams), 2 divisions, 10 games and a championship, played March-May. Place the 8 teams in cities that don’t have any major pro teams but have a decent college stadium (Syracuse, Waco and Little Rock come to mind). Of course, these players won’t be paid very much, so it wouldn’t be that hard to keep the league from losing money.

As much as we all love football, we would watch.

By: albertmn

albertmn — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:23:46 +0000

There are actually plans to revive the USFL as a spring league in 2014 with the intent of being a minor league and not a direct competitor. I just ran across this within the last week. A quick internet search can yield you more info, including some of the former NFL players that are involved.

By: dlions18

dlions18 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:18:11 +0000

There are 32 teams with 53 rosters spots each. That equates to 1696 players in the NFL. The people who are talented enough are already there or will get their opportunity. A developemental league would give average players false hope that they will one day make it to the NFL when they need to get on with their life and get a real job. Its sad when someone falls short of their dreams but thats reality.

By: tsimpson50

tsimpson50 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:03:28 +0000

Great idea! A developmental league for minority coaches. Perhaps look at the ratios of non minority to minority and reverse it… We could do that with the players also. And while they are at it, use all female refs!
That being said, great idea, just think it should be about the most qualified candidates and athletes regardless of color of skin or gender…

By: thejohnsmith1122

thejohnsmith1122 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:41:50 +0000

The biggest reason for NOT having a developmental league or being affiliated in any way is: MORE CONCUSSIONS AND INJURIES = MORE LAW SUITS.

Like someone else said, the NFL is already getting this free from the college ranks, free of any liability. Also, if a player can’t learn a new system when they’re 21-24, it’s less likely they can learn one when they’re 28. Unless both amataur and pro level utilizes the same system, which will then be counter productive since the coaches can’t develop their own system.

By: firstand4ever

firstand4ever — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:25:18 +0000

I love the idea. I have always rooted for leagues like the UFL,NFL Europe, CFL and even XFL to succeed.

A developmental league in the spring would be great. There are so many talented football players and coaches without jobs. A business model of placing teams in non NFL markets would be great testing tools for potential expansion down the road.

I would love to see an 8 team league in markets like LA, San Antonio, Portland etc, Maybe the developmental league could be the return/testing ground for franchises in London and Toronto.

By: hodag54501

hodag54501 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:09:40 +0000

Here’s what I’ve proposed before: the league has an eight-team spring-summer schedule. The eight-team league would be composed of one team from each divsion. “The NFC North Knights” as an example. The teams would supply players from their practice and injured reserve squads(cleared to play) along with free agents of all types. Coaching staffs could be selected from candidates of all types: former NFL coaches, college coaches of all levels, etc. looking for some exposure. The league would play up to 10 games with a championship. The games could be rotated through the home stadiums of the teams in each division, with one team serving as the ‘host’ city. As an example, Minnesota could be the host city and play at the MetroDump, then rotate games to Green Bay, Chicago and Detroit.
The teams wouldn’t like it, as it would take players away from off-season programs, but isn’t it better to have people play than watch or be practice dummies?
The reason the NFL doesn’t want it is cost. But for the fans, it breaks up the longest off-season of any of the major pro sports, and if it can develop players, why not?

By: mrbullgator

mrbullgator — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:03:13 +0000

Yeah they obviously need a developmental league just look at all the rookies who come in and struggle for years….College football is the minors. Must be another slow news day

By: freshnsoclean

freshnsoclean — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:01:54 +0000

Too much talent out there doesn’t get a fair shot. A lot of kids don’t know anything else but football and hit the streets and have legal problems. We’ve seen it all over. This would only help the NFL and struggling athletes looking to make a comeback. Heck, I wouldn’t mind even some older retired players. I’ll watch Jeff George at age 50 throw the ball again, wouldn’t you? lol

By: johngaltwho

johngaltwho — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:53:57 +0000

The NCAA would never allow the NFL to have a true alternative to college football as a path to the NFL for players. The whole myth of college education for elite athletes is used to fund a massive system of profits for schools, networks, and coaches. Players of course receive no direct financial benefit, risk injury, and in most cases, do not actually receive an education. Their classes meet minimum requirements and they receive all the “help” they need to remain “academically eligible”. Imagine if a high school kid could play/work in a league with full time coaching, with a focus on skills, fitness and nutrition without the mirage of the classroom – nope, not gonna happen.

By: wallio

wallio — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:53:22 +0000

I always thought that this is what the practice squads were for. Teams have a separate roster, and guys get called up. Regardless, a D-League WOULD be profitable, NFL Europe didn’t work because Europeans could give two $**ts about football (cough London, cough) But a Spring League In AMERICA with 16 teams (two pro teams per little guy to split costs) playing a 10 game season with games on NFL Network and 1-2 per week on the big Networks? That would print money.

As for the whole “NFL is still racist” tripe, two black coaches just lost their jobs in the last 3 years, so until last Sunday the ratio was higher. And last I checked nearly 40% of players were black. Racist indeed…..

By: justwannawinna

justwannawinna — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:46:07 +0000

It sounds good if the teams would buy a league like the CFL or UFL but it has to be made profitable, thus meaning it runs in the offseason rather than during to avoid competition.
Also it would be great for those “bust” players to show why they were considered good and allow development of young guys not ready to start. Then of course the details of the handling of the NFL d league would come into question. And coaches as well.

By: cowboysfaninpatriotsland

cowboysfaninpatriotsland — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:44:12 +0000

The new USFL starts playing in the spring of 2014. The league will be a spring league and not compete with the NFL (No Trump). Their desire is to fill that role of a developmental league for the NFL. I don’t believe the NFL will have a stake in the league. Players will be free to jump to the NFL if an opportunity presents itself (Not like the UFL buyout).

By: Beezo-Doo-doo-Zippity-Bop-bop-bop

Beezo-Doo-doo-Zippity-Bop-bop-bop — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:42:40 +0000

The NFL is reserved for the best of the best. You either have it or you don’t. Players careers are short enough that no team would want a young player accumulating the wear and tear while being coached by inferior personnel riding a learning curve. I bet they will leave it the way it is.

By: steelerdeathstar

steelerdeathstar — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:20:36 +0000

A sound idea all the way around for the development of players, coaches, and officials. Maybe there would be more well-prepared, experienced QB’s, something the NFL always seems to be looking for?

By: srl

srl — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:08:22 +0000

They have a developmental league, it’s called the NCAA.

By: kane337

kane337 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:54:23 +0000

I agree.

By: Christian

Christian — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:51:04 +0000

I agree, and will add this: a minor league for football should be done in-season in satellite markets, like baseball, and use the same playbooks as it’s sponsor team, so that if a player in the NFL is hurt, they can call up a minor leaguer who knows the system.

By: beckzhere

beckzhere — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:46:58 +0000

I agree 100%.