Two Tier League?
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Teams wouldn't want a minor league season happening when they are doing offseason workout. Fact is, clubs are still going to want to take their shots on UDFA and 1-2 year players and get them onto the team to learn plays and get time in with their coaches. Having a minor league team using players that could be on their rosters during this important time would hinder them not help them. Every year several UDFA make NFL rosters and stick with teams. Teams are not going to want to see that current crop of players go through a minor league system before they can sign them.
By playing the season in March and April, the rosters could be filled with those that didn't stick with teams during the previous year and by creating a rule where teams couldn't sugn up to 90 players until after the draft, would allow the minor league rosters to fill up with players that didn't end the season on a team or get signed to teams once FA opened.
Perhaps it could be played after roster cuts have been announced that make up the squad? And, with an age limit of, say, 25.
Perhaps it could be played after roster cuts have been announced that make up the squad? And, with an age limit of, say, 25.
The problem with that is that roster cuts don't take place till preseason. By the time NFL-D rosters are set and those teams have had their own offseason, we would be into the regular season for the NFL.
While that could work well for develope mental purposes, the major issues is games having to be played during the actual football season which would likely hurt revenue making ability for minor league teams. Having the season during late winter early Spring would give the NFL something they want and that's a nearly never ending exposure of their brand.
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Actually, I personally would rather see a developmental/minor league team play in the fall...when the "parent clubs" are playing. Just like baseball. That way players that were cut by the NFL teams out of training camp could latch on to a D League team.....and if necessary be "called up" to play during the season.
This concept could allow for the elimination of the "practice/taxi squad". Someone gets hurt....you pluck a replacement from the D league....a guy that is in the middle of playing a season....that you know is in shape.
Or, maybe with this concept you could have a single team affiliated with several parent clubs. With a dozen D League teams each one could have say 3 parent clubs where maybe 10-12 of the players on the D-Legue roster "belong" to one of the parent clubs. I however would not want them to be in the same division.
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Actually, I personally would rather see a developmental/minor league team play in the fall...when the "parent clubs" are playing. Just like baseball. That way players that were cut by the NFL teams out of training camp could latch on to a D League team.....and if necessary be "called up" to play during the season.
This concept could allow for the elimination of the "practice/taxi squad". Someone gets hurt....you pluck a replacement from the D league....a guy that is in the middle of playing a season....that you know is in shape.
Or, maybe with this concept you could have a single team affiliated with several parent clubs. With a dozen D League teams each one could have say 3 parent clubs where maybe 10-12 of the players on the D-Legue roster "belong" to one of the parent clubs. I however would not want them to be in the same division.
Actually, I personally would rather see a developmental/minor league team play in the fall...when the "parent clubs" are playing. Just like baseball.
Possibly... but when do you play that you are not stepping on either an NFL or college broadcast? Either of which the league is loathe to do...
In any case it is just hard to see the economic viability of any plan. Even the NFL Europe league finally succumbed despite the dual potential payoff of player development plus spreading the gospel of the NFL.
The other leagues that have successful, minor-league farm systems, e.g., baseball and hockey, have the advantages of both fewer players and more games (many more games) to help make them viable.
"When you have a shared vision it is a lot easier to make unpopular decisions." - Paul DePodesta "When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less." - Paul Brown Complete 2017 Browns Board Mock: http://thebrownsboard.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=46196 -
Actually, I personally would rather see a developmental/minor league team play in the fall...when the "parent clubs" are playing. Just like baseball.
Possibly... but when do you play that you are not stepping on either an NFL or college broadcast? Either of which the league is loathe to do...
In any case it is just hard to see the economic viability of any plan. Even the NFL Europe league finally succumbed despite the dual potential payoff of player development plus spreading the gospel of the NFL.
The other leagues that have successful, minor-league farm systems, e.g., baseball and hockey, have the advantages of both fewer players and more games (many more games) to help make them viable.
Possibly... but when do you play that you are not stepping on either an NFL or college broadcast? Either of which the league is loathe to do...
In any case it is just hard to see the economic viability of any plan. Even the NFL Europe league finally succumbed despite the dual potential payoff of player development plus spreading the gospel of the NFL.
The other leagues that have successful, minor-league farm systems, e.g., baseball and hockey, have the advantages of both fewer players and more games (many more games) to help make them viable.
The reason NFL Europe didn't work was because it was in Europe. The reason the UFL and USFL didn't work is because they tried to directly compete with the NFL. And NFL funded developmental league in the US would likely be successful as long as season were played outside the NFL season or at least corilated in a way with the NFL during the season to make it relevant and interesting for people to watch.
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Possibly... but when do you play that you are not stepping on either an NFL or college broadcast? Either of which the league is loathe to do...
In any case it is just hard to see the economic viability of any plan. Even the NFL Europe league finally succumbed despite the dual potential payoff of player development plus spreading the gospel of the NFL.
The other leagues that have successful, minor-league farm systems, e.g., baseball and hockey, have the advantages of both fewer players and more games (many more games) to help make them viable.
The reason NFL Europe didn't work was because it was in Europe. The reason the UFL and USFL didn't work is because they tried to directly compete with the NFL. And NFL funded developmental league in the US would likely be successful as long as season were played outside the NFL season or at least corilated in a way with the NFL during the season to make it relevant and interesting for people to watch.
The reason NFL Europe didn't work was because it was in Europe. The reason the UFL and USFL didn't work is because they tried to directly compete with the NFL. And NFL funded developmental league in the US would likely be successful as long as season were played outside the NFL season or at least corilated in a way with the NFL during the season to make it relevant and interesting for people to watch.
Something slightly less serious, but still with a vested interest for each team, would definitely be a good thing. Play it over the summer, somehow, and it's all good.
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Actually, I personally would rather see a developmental/minor league team play in the fall...when the "parent clubs" are playing. Just like baseball.
Possibly... but when do you play that you are not stepping on either an NFL or college broadcast? Either of which the league is loathe to do...
In any case it is just hard to see the economic viability of any plan. Even the NFL Europe league finally succumbed despite the dual potential payoff of player development plus spreading the gospel of the NFL.
The other leagues that have successful, minor-league farm systems, e.g., baseball and hockey, have the advantages of both fewer players and more games (many more games) to help make them viable.
Possibly... but when do you play that you are not stepping on either an NFL or college broadcast? Either of which the league is loathe to do...
Wednsday....and since it is a minor league, it doesn't have to have a huge presence on national TV, does it?
In any case it is just hard to see the economic viability of any plan. Even the NFL Europe league finally succumbed despite the dual potential payoff of player development plus spreading the gospel of the NFL.
Well, gee, maybe these minor league ball players would only get paid like the top 1%, instead of like the top 0.1%. A max of a couple of hundred K....and not millions. (and remember, under certain versions of the plan as discussed there would be affilation with the "Major League" Club...which would provide financial support)
The other leagues that have successful, minor-league farm systems, e.g., baseball and hockey, have the advantages of both fewer players and more games (many more games) to help make them viable.
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The reason NFL Europe didn't work was because it was in Europe. The reason the UFL and USFL didn't work is because they tried to directly compete with the NFL. And NFL funded developmental league in the US would likely be successful as long as season were played outside the NFL season or at least corilated in a way with the NFL during the season to make it relevant and interesting for people to watch.
Something slightly less serious, but still with a vested interest for each team, would definitely be a good thing. Play it over the summer, somehow, and it's all good.
Something slightly less serious, but still with a vested interest for each team, would definitely be a good thing. Play it over the summer, somehow, and it's all good.
But NFL owners are not going to want a developmental league that plays it's season during the summer, because they are going to want the players in that leage on their own teams rosters during the time learning systems and plays and getting coaching time from NFL level coaches. Plus that is the one time of the year where rosters are at a full 90 people per team, so anything you can put onto the field in the NFL D league during that time wouldn't look very good. The whole point, at least as the NFL and NCAA cureently stands, is to create a developmental teams where the bottom quarter or so of every NFL roster, and then for the best that are left unsigned, to get more exposer to coaching and more playing time.
Because of that you would need to have the season during a time of the year where teams have not filled their rosters yet, or at least have it during a time where you can have teams set their rosters below 90 in order to fill the D-League.
Now you could have a developmental league that is actually there during the NFL season, but it comes down to when would those teams play their games during the week. Monday, Thursday, and Sunday are obviously out because the NFL isn't going to want them playing on days where they normall have another game scheduled. They won't do Saturday because they won't want to mess with the NCAA. So that leave Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Friday might be the best bet, but at the same time that interfiers with High School, but you would likely still see better attendense and viewership during Friday Night games thatn Tuesday or Thursday night games.
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Since we have more or less discounted having this league be a true "relegation" type league, I would envision it to be more of a true "minor league" where young players can hone their skills and older players can try to prove they still have something.
E.g. many of the players that do not make rosters after NFL training camps can latch on to these 'minor league' teams. Or, as I said, have this minor league have 10-12 players per team whose contracts are owned by the big club.
A practice squad type player such as a Garret Gilkey could play for this team...who belongs to the Browns.
And you could have a Vince Young play here....like I said, in an effort to show he has something.
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Would teams want their developmental, practice squad players exposed to injury in a second rate league?
How much would players develop given the likely level of competition? of coaching?
It may happen, but I can't see it being economically self-sustaining... even with a TV contract. And I cannot see NFL owners taking a profit cut to sustain a developmental league.
"When you have a shared vision it is a lot easier to make unpopular decisions." - Paul DePodesta "When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less." - Paul Brown Complete 2017 Browns Board Mock: http://thebrownsboard.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=46196 -
Here is about as good as I can get it with the "minor league" teams and their NFL affiliations:
EAST:
Hartford Underwriters affiliated with Pats, Giants, Steelers
Orlando Oranges affiliated with the Bucs, Dolphins, Jags
Louisville Sluggers affiliated with the Bengals, Colts, Rams and Falcons
Chesapeake Bay Aircraft Carriers affiliated with the Ravens, Redskins and Panthers
Columbus Carnations affiliated with the Browns, Lions, and Bills
WEST:
Grand Rapids Groundhogs affiliated with the Jets, Eagles and Packers
Memphis Blues affiliated with the Bears, Titans, Saints and Chiefs
El Paso El Caminos affiliated with the Cardinals, Cowboys and Broncos
Albequerque Antelopes affiliated with the Chargers, 49ers and Packers
Salt Lake City Saddles affiliated with the Seahawks, Raiders, and Vikings
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Would teams want their developmental, practice squad players exposed to injury in a second rate league?
How much would players develop given the likely level of competition? of coaching?
It may happen, but I can't see it being economically self-sustaining... even with a TV contract. And I cannot see NFL owners taking a profit cut to sustain a developmental league.
Would teams want their developmental, practice squad players exposed to injury in a second rate league?
How much would players develop given the likely level of competition? of coaching?
It may happen, but I can't see it being economically self-sustaining... even with a TV contract. And I cannot see NFL owners taking a profit cut to sustain a developmental league.
Those players can get injured just as easily now. The level of competition would be much higher that at the college level. And the coaching would be controlled by the league or the affiliated teams. The UFL had coaches like Marty Schottenheimer, Jim Fassel and Dennis Green. It would not be that bad.
And they could make money because A. they control the revenue stream, and B. the player costs, as noted earlier would be much much less overall.
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Since we have more or less discounted having this league be a true "relegation" type league, I would envision it to be more of a true "minor league" where young players can hone their skills and older players can try to prove they still have something.
E.g. many of the players that do not make rosters after NFL training camps can latch on to these 'minor league' teams. Or, as I said, have this minor league have 10-12 players per team whose contracts are owned by the big club.
A practice squad type player such as a Garret Gilkey could play for this team...who belongs to the Browns.
And you could have a Vince Young play here....like I said, in an effort to show he has something.
Since we have more or less discounted having this league be a true "relegation" type league, I would envision it to be more of a true "minor league" where young players can hone their skills and older players can try to prove they still have something.
E.g. many of the players that do not make rosters after NFL training camps can latch on to these 'minor league' teams. Or, as I said, have this minor league have 10-12 players per team whose contracts are owned by the big club.
A practice squad type player such as a Garret Gilkey could play for this team...who belongs to the Browns.
And you could have a Vince Young play here....like I said, in an effort to show he has something.
Would teams want their developmental, practice squad players exposed to injury in a second rate league?
How much would players develop given the likely level of competition? of coaching?
It may happen, but I can't see it being economically self-sustaining... even with a TV contract. And I cannot see NFL owners taking a profit cut to sustain a developmental league.
Those players can get injured just as easily now. The level of competition would be much higher that at the college level. And the coaching would be controlled by the league or the affiliated teams. The UFL had coaches like Marty Schottenheimer, Jim Fassel and Dennis Green. It would not be that bad.
And they could make money because A. they control the revenue stream, and B. the player costs, as noted earlier would be much much less overall.
One thing we wouldn't see if this minor league played during the same time of year is teams giving up their practice squad players. There is more to the practice squad than just getting to hold onto a guy in a spot where he can get coaching and you can watch his development. They are used during actuall practices as scout team guys, which is important to the teams.
I will also just mention again, that the league has to be profitable in order for it to function. And I mean stand along profitable. The NFL isn't going to want to make another league that bleeds money. That is why I have such a big fear with it taking place in the fall. It would have to not only fight for time against it's big brother, the NFL, but also NCAA football. It would become a 3rd and distant after thought and delute fans with too much football. On top of that players themselves might not like it, becasue they want to play in the NFL, not NFL-D. But if the only way to get signed is to play in NFL-D they have to risk injury that can put them out a whole season. By having the games in March-April that allows these low level players to not only have a chance at the big boy NFL, but the chance to play in NFL-D. And in the off chance they get injured in the spring while playing, they have 6 months to recover before the regular season starts.
Plus on top of that it is during a period in time a lot of football fans are sitting in front of their TV's or Computers desperate for football news. Putting games during that time frame would give us something to watch and follow that matters to our teams and if they timed everything correctly it could litterally lead right into draft weekend.
Something else to make the league exciting for fans would be to create a draft for players, so instead of having teams go on a FA signing spree after the season is over, they would have to wait until after a draft period where teams got far shots at who's contracts they pick up.
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Since we have more or less discounted having this league be a true "relegation" type league, I would envision it to be more of a true "minor league" where young players can hone their skills and older players can try to prove they still have something.
E.g. many of the players that do not make rosters after NFL training camps can latch on to these 'minor league' teams. Or, as I said, have this minor league have 10-12 players per team whose contracts are owned by the big club.
A practice squad type player such as a Garret Gilkey could play for this team...who belongs to the Browns.
And you could have a Vince Young play here....like I said, in an effort to show he has something.
Would teams want their developmental, practice squad players exposed to injury in a second rate league?
How much would players develop given the likely level of competition? of coaching?
It may happen, but I can't see it being economically self-sustaining... even with a TV contract. And I cannot see NFL owners taking a profit cut to sustain a developmental league.
Those players can get injured just as easily now. The level of competition would be much higher that at the college level. And the coaching would be controlled by the league or the affiliated teams. The UFL had coaches like Marty Schottenheimer, Jim Fassel and Dennis Green. It would not be that bad.
And they could make money because A. they control the revenue stream, and B. the player costs, as noted earlier would be much much less overall.
One thing we wouldn't see if this minor league played during the same time of year is teams giving up their practice squad players. There is more to the practice squad than just getting to hold onto a guy in a spot where he can get coaching and you can watch his development. They are used during actuall practices as scout team guys, which is important to the teams.
I will also just mention again, that the league has to be profitable in order for it to function. And I mean stand along profitable. The NFL isn't going to want to make another league that bleeds money. That is why I have such a big fear with it taking place in the fall. It would have to not only fight for time against it's big brother, the NFL, but also NCAA football. It would become a 3rd and distant after thought and delute fans with too much football. On top of that players themselves might not like it, becasue they want to play in the NFL, not NFL-D. But if the only way to get signed is to play in NFL-D they have to risk injury that can put them out a whole season. By having the games in March-April that allows these low level players to not only have a chance at the big boy NFL, but the chance to play in NFL-D. And in the off chance they get injured in the spring while playing, they have 6 months to recover before the regular season starts.
Plus on top of that it is during a period in time a lot of football fans are sitting in front of their TV's or Computers desperate for football news. Putting games during that time frame would give us something to watch and follow that matters to our teams and if they timed everything correctly it could litterally lead right into draft weekend.
Something else to make the league exciting for fans would be to create a draft for players, so instead of having teams go on a FA signing spree after the season is over, they would have to wait until after a draft period where teams got far shots at who's contracts they pick up.
One thing we wouldn't see if this minor league played during the same time of year is teams giving up their practice squad players. There is more to the practice squad than just getting to hold onto a guy in a spot where he can get coaching and you can watch his development. They are used during actuall practices as scout team guys, which is important to the teams.
I will also just mention again, that the league has to be profitable in order for it to function. And I mean stand along profitable. The NFL isn't going to want to make another league that bleeds money. That is why I have such a big fear with it taking place in the fall. It would have to not only fight for time against it's big brother, the NFL, but also NCAA football. It would become a 3rd and distant after thought and delute fans with too much football. On top of that players themselves might not like it, becasue they want to play in the NFL, not NFL-D. But if the only way to get signed is to play in NFL-D they have to risk injury that can put them out a whole season. By having the games in March-April that allows these low level players to not only have a chance at the big boy NFL, but the chance to play in NFL-D. And in the off chance they get injured in the spring while playing, they have 6 months to recover before the regular season starts.
Plus on top of that it is during a period in time a lot of football fans are sitting in front of their TV's or Computers desperate for football news. Putting games during that time frame would give us something to watch and follow that matters to our teams and if they timed everything correctly it could litterally lead right into draft weekend.
Something else to make the league exciting for fans would be to create a draft for players, so instead of having teams go on a FA signing spree after the season is over, they would have to wait until after a draft period where teams got far shots at who's contracts they pick up.
Well, again, it is supposed to be a "minor league". How much competition with MLB are the AAA games that are played around the country. This league may not even have a national TV contract, but just a variety of local TV contracts. If a team were in Salt Lake, then it would get local revenue and sponorships that could be sufficient.
And if putting MAC or WAC games on TV can be profitable for like ESPN, why not this?
And having it in the spring is not really sensical. The point is to fill the rosters of these teams with players who did not make the NFL rosters....and to have them playing and staying in football shape in case they need to be brought up. OK, so maybe each NFL team has a practice squad of 6-8 players that stays with the parent club. What about the other 20 players that get cut that don't make the PS? What about those veterans...like a Vince Young that could use a chance to show what they can do instead of just being out on the street. If they play in the spring, they cannot make the jump to the big club. They can't be "called up" so to speak.
And, no, I don't think the league would absolutely have to stand on its own financially. NFL teams make enough money that they could support a D league. It wouldn't cost
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Actually, I personally would rather see a developmental/minor league team play in the fall...when the "parent clubs" are playing. Just like baseball. That way players that were cut by the NFL teams out of training camp could latch on to a D League team.....and if necessary be "called up" to play during the season.
This concept could allow for the elimination of the "practice/taxi squad". Someone gets hurt....you pluck a replacement from the D league....a guy that is in the middle of playing a season....that you know is in shape.
Or, maybe with this concept you could have a single team affiliated with several parent clubs. With a dozen D League teams each one could have say 3 parent clubs where maybe 10-12 of the players on the D-Legue roster "belong" to one of the parent clubs. I however would not want them to be in the same division.
Actually, I personally would rather see a developmental/minor league team play in the fall...when the "parent clubs" are playing. Just like baseball. That way players that were cut by the NFL teams out of training camp could latch on to a D League team.....and if necessary be "called up" to play during the season.
This concept could allow for the elimination of the "practice/taxi squad". Someone gets hurt....you pluck a replacement from the D league....a guy that is in the middle of playing a season....that you know is in shape.
Or, maybe with this concept you could have a single team affiliated with several parent clubs. With a dozen D League teams each one could have say 3 parent clubs where maybe 10-12 of the players on the D-Legue roster "belong" to one of the parent clubs. I however would not want them to be in the same division.
This is what I'd like to see, a farm league with one team per each NFL team. This would allow NFL teams to send players down to the dev league if they need to be there, or send a late round pick into the dev league before bringing him up to the NFL. It allows teams to stash depth in case of injuries on their farm team. I'm not in favor of dev teams that are shared by all NFl teams in a single conference.
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Here is about as good as I can get it with the "minor league" teams and their NFL affiliations:
EAST:
Hartford Underwriters affiliated with Pats, Giants, Steelers
Orlando Oranges affiliated with the Bucs, Dolphins, Jags
Louisville Sluggers affiliated with the Bengals, Colts, Rams and Falcons
Chesapeake Bay Aircraft Carriers affiliated with the Ravens, Redskins and Panthers
Columbus Carnations affiliated with the Browns, Lions, and Bills
WEST:
Grand Rapids Groundhogs affiliated with the Jets, Eagles and Packers
Memphis Blues affiliated with the Bears, Titans, Saints and Chiefs
El Paso El Caminos affiliated with the Cardinals, Cowboys and Broncos
Albequerque Antelopes affiliated with the Chargers, 49ers and Packers
Salt Lake City Saddles affiliated with the Seahawks, Raiders, and Vikings
Here is about as good as I can get it with the "minor league" teams and their NFL affiliations:
EAST:
Hartford Underwriters affiliated with Pats, Giants, Steelers
Orlando Oranges affiliated with the Bucs, Dolphins, Jags
Louisville Sluggers affiliated with the Bengals, Colts, Rams and Falcons
Chesapeake Bay Aircraft Carriers affiliated with the Ravens, Redskins and Panthers
Columbus Carnations affiliated with the Browns, Lions, and Bills
WEST:
Grand Rapids Groundhogs affiliated with the Jets, Eagles and Packers
Memphis Blues affiliated with the Bears, Titans, Saints and Chiefs
El Paso El Caminos affiliated with the Cardinals, Cowboys and Broncos
Albequerque Antelopes affiliated with the Chargers, 49ers and Packers
Salt Lake City Saddles affiliated with the Seahawks, Raiders, and Vikings
Did anybody like my names?
I did leave a few cities off that could have teams:
Portland Pioneers
Sacramento Bees (named after their newspaper)
San Antonio Caballeros
Birmingham Vulcans
Oklahoma City Tornados
Las Vegas Vice
Omaha Steaks
Witchita Warlocks
Milwaukee Brown Deer
Knoxville Knockers
Raleigh Rollers
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columbus carnations???? wtf lol.
memphis and el paso were the best of the original post.
milwaukee brown deer? lol liked most others of the second helping
XxDaBuckeyexX said:
columbus carnations???? wtf lol.
memphis and el paso were the best of the original post.
milwaukee brown deer? lol liked most others of the second helping
I thought about Columbus Cardinals since that is the Ohio state bird, but there is already a Cardinals in the NFL, so I went with the Ohio State flower instead.
I put down Milwaukee Brown Deer because there is a of Milwaukee called Brown Deer
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