NFL Developmental league....Thoughts???

ArcticKnight · #1 11-24-2007, 02:39 AM

I know how baseball prepares it players that are not ready for MLB (AAA, AA, A, College, etc), and I know how hockey does (IHL, AHL, etc), but I'm not sure what happens to a drafted NFL player that is not yet ready for the NFL.

I realize there are arena league and Canadian Football League options, but these don't provide for a direct affiliation by NFL team like MLB and the NHL does.

So (and I apologize if this is a stupid question), but why hasn't it been looked at that the Canadian Football League and NFL form some form of affiliation?

For example, the British Columbia Lions could serve as a farm-like team for the Chargers, Seahawks, 49ers and Raiders. The Toronto team could serve the Bills, Jets, Pats, etc. Could this type of relationship make the CFL stronger and more interesting, and also give NFL teams a chance to develop talent other than through a practice roster?

It might mean the CFL would need to tweak a few rules (and maybe start the season sooner), but it could aslo create a US audience for pro-football in the summer season, when much of the CFL is played.

The only reason I can think that this would not work well is becuase there might be no need for a transitional league between NCAA and the NFL? You either make it right away or fall off the radar, in most cases? Is that the case? I'm just wondering. Help me out folks...

Thoughts? Thanks

Golden_Rhino · #2 11-24-2007, 02:42 AM

AFIK this has been discussed in the past. It would be tough because the NFL would want the CFL to change its rules, and the rules are what make the CFL unique.

I've always thought that having the developmental team in the same city as the NFL team would make sense. They could play their games before the "big boys".

BobJoeJim · #3 11-24-2007, 02:46 AM

There is NFL Europe. Teams don't have direct NFL affiliations, but the individual players do.

MikeyPatriot · #4 11-24-2007, 02:51 AM

NFL Europe was dissolved.

Golden_Rhino · #5 11-24-2007, 02:55 AM

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NFL Europe was dissolved.

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Is anyone here old enough to remember when it first started out as the WLAF (World League of American Football). Montreal had a team called the Machine. It was horrifically bad to watch. Not XFL bad, but pretty close.

smbruin22 · #6 11-24-2007, 02:59 AM

i don't think people here in canada would want minor league NFL ball.... CFL players are not as talented as NFL players (some are as fast, but most are smaller), but basically the big field makes the game completely different (tons of other differences but that and the 3 down system are probably the two biggest differences).

it's interesting that you mention cfl mostly in the summer. some truth to that although the championship game is on sunday... but i think the CFL should move exclusively to spring/summer regardless of whether the NFL comes to toronto (and i think it will. i think it's almost a gentlemen's agreement already)

ArcticKnight · #7 11-24-2007, 02:53 AM

[ QUOTE ]
There is NFL Europe. Teams don't have direct NFL affiliations, but the individual players do.

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I thought that shut down.

doubLe a tom · #8 11-24-2007, 02:57 AM

Theres also the Arena Football League and the AFL2.

One of the reasons I dont think an NFL-D league would work is because football players shelf-lives are too short imo. Its not worth it for a team to develope a player in a minor league system for a few years to have them come up and play for a limited time in the pros. College football is basically the NFL-D league...

Triumph36 · #9 11-24-2007, 03:00 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Theres also the Arena Football League and the AFL2.

One of the reasons I dont think an NFL-D league would work is because football players shelf-lives are too short imo. Its not worth it for a team to develope a player in a minor league system for a few years to have them come up and play for a limited time in the pros. College football is basically the NFL-D league...

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah this is an excellent point, and aside from a few guys who come out of nowhere late in their careers, it's a pretty efficient market in football - it's fairly rare for an undrafted player to have a huge impact.

rwperu34 · #10 11-24-2007, 12:44 PM

I've always wondered why they don't have a full on 32 team minor league system. They could play the games on Wedensday night. There'd be plenty of support locally, much like minor league baseball. As for the efficency of the market, I hear quite often that so and so was signed this week from his local grocery store. The other negative is, guys on your practice squad can be signed away by any other team. Most players are going to improve over time. It sucks when a team has to cut its third round pick of that year because he's not ready and they don't have a spot on the roster.

I'd think it would be worth it just for the development of the QB. There's so much attrition at that positioin, there aren't enough QBs to go around. Part of that problem is, there are only 32 starting spots, so only 32 guys get to gain experience after college. A minor league system would let 32 more get game experience. The quality of play would be better than NCAA, but not as good as the NFL. They can play by NFL rules so there's no issue there. They'd run their parent teams playbook, so that would help out. Do you think Brady Quinn would be getting better playing in a league that has better talent than the NCAA or taking snaps with the second team in practice? He'd also be a huge draw.