DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum NFL Exec Vincent Wants Developmental League

I would like to see this as well ...... maybe even a league that plays concurrent with the NFL on another day of the week ..... with each team contributing 7-10 players (maybe even a few more advanced practice squad guys) so that a team can see what a guy looks like against other players n a professional setting.

Imagine if you had a 1st round QB, who you didn't feel was quite ready to start for you, but who would benefit from playing on a regular basis. I would think that a player like that would have to have some special rules ...... like he goes to a team that plays your style of offense .... and/or a 3/4 guy plays in a 3/4 defense ..... and the reverse.

NFL executive Troy Vincent: NFL needs a developmental league - CBSSports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-foot...opmental-league

The NFL might be the most popular sport in the country, but it still hasn't been able to do something that the three other major sports have been able to do: Create a developmental league.

Troy Vincent, the NFL's new director of football operations, wants to change that.

"We need to keep the pipeline of talent flowing, and that means for all areas of our game: players, coaches, scouts, game officials. I am responsible to look at whatever the competition committee looks at, and that includes a developmental league," Vincent said this week, via the Associated Press.

A developmental league would put the NFL on par with the the NBA -- which has the D-League -- and Major League Baseball, which has the minors. The NHL also has a minor league system to develop and pull talent from.

"For all this football talent around, we have to create another platform for developing it," Vincent said. "Maybe it's an academy -- what would it look like? Maybe it's a spring league; we'll look to see if there is an appetite for it."

There seems to be an appetite for almost anything NFL-related these days and a spring league seems to make the most sense -- as long it's not on the other side of the world.

The last time the NFL had anything resembling a developmental league was NFL Europe, which folded in 2007. When the league closed up shop that year, NFL Europe consisted of five teams in Germany and one team in the Netherlands.

NFL Europe didn't produce a lot of NFL talent during its 16-year existence, but it was the launching pad for several players like two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner, Super Bowl quarterback Jake Delhomme and Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri.

And we should be the Cleveland Dawgs! I think it is a great idea.

I think that maybe they set up 12 teams, with players from multiples teams distributed throughout. (not all players on the same team) Any player on the roster would be eligible to be assigned to a team. I don't think that these teams should be placed in current NFL cities.

Again, I think that certain players should be placed according to their home team's systems. If a guy is a 3-4 OLB, then the team he goes to should be a 3-4 team. If a team places a WCO QB and WR, then both should play in a WCO system. It would be a tough balancing act, and maybe not every system could be included, but then it would be the next closest match. Maybe allow a team to place their top 3 or 4 players specifically with a team.

People say, :Well, the NFLE didn't produce a bunch of NFL players, and that's true .... but mainly because guys who would struggle to make a practice squad were often sent. A team typically didn't send a 3rd round QB to play. I would like to see a system where such a guy could play.

I was just talking about this the other day with a friend. I think the NFL should make a D-league but go international. Even if it loses money initially it may be worthwhile. Here's my idea.

Each team has a farm team.

8 teams in Europe
8 teams in Africa
8 teams in Asia
8 team is South America

By doing this the NFL would become a global sport. Each league is separate and has its own playoffs and championships. However similar to World Cup/Summer Olympics their would be a global championship between the Four D-league conferences. They would be done on non world cup years to ensure it doesn't try to compete with soccer.

This could be excellent for development and could lead to people in the country of the D-league team they support beginning to follow the NFL time. For instance if I live in London and my home team is the Browns then I would support the Browns. I would be excited to see "my players" move up to the Browns. And likewise I personally as a Browns fan would be interested in the D-League.

That being said this would be a time commitment and a costly project but if it boomed the NFL would become a global sports league watched by all. I say the risk is worth the reward.

they sort of have done this - They had NFLe (Europe) each team would select what 4-6 players to go over there from their camps to develop?

That folded cause the US Dollar went down from the Euro and it just got too expensive an operation.

Then they made the UFL??? I think that is the name...suppose to be our developmental league with some qualified coaching. Our FB Butts was signed by Heckert in Janurary of 2011 we drafted Marecic and anded up cutting Butts (heck is that his name???) who went to the Bears and then the next season replaced Vickers with the Texans. Anyways point is that was to be the developmental league for the NFL - I think Butts was a QB in college.

So this is not a new idea. Problem is in the past there just isn't enough revenue to put out a good product and the expense that it holds. Why Leagues trying to compete with the NFL just would end up failing. Regardless of them getting Herchel Walker and other big names.

jmho

It was Clutts.

I think that maybe an NFL team could increase their roster for the entire season by the number of players they send to their developmental league. That would allow a team to send a rookie QB to play, while still maintaining depth at the NFL level.

I just see a lot of ways to improve on the NFLE example.. I think that there are a lot of ways to make it more useful to a team ... instead of just mining dirt looking for a gem. (Like NFLE essentially was)

Folded because no one went to see American players play in Europe. The NFL should support the current European teams that are already established.

It sounds like a good idea.. but I have injury concerns for signed players. If you are making a monetary investment, you do not want to risk that investment to coaches outside your control, especially in game situations.

Players develop by playing ..... especially players learning a new system.

I think that th benefits outweigh any risks ...... especially if a team sends a 3rd or 4th round QB to play. There is little chance that such a player is going to become a great starting QB in the current system, Russell Wilson aside .... but he might if he gets to work and develop over time, and in a professional system.

I guess I can't see a 1st round QB being sent to play in a Developmental League..

Other positions, sure,,

You risk a player any time he plays ....... and maybe he gets a better chance at long term success by playing in a middle type league like this to get the offense and his mechanics down to an art.

That's a difference there ..... I see this as a tool for developing players, not a marketing arm of the NFL. As far as injuries ..... guys get hurt in training camp. There are risks everywhere. I would rather be actively developing a guy to be a starter, injury risk or no.

Oh I understand your stance, just saying I'm not sure they would go for it..

Quote:

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I would rather be actively developing a guy to be a starter, injury risk or no.

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Says the guy not putting out millions of dollars.

Quote:

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I see this as a tool for developing players, not a marketing arm of the NFL.

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And I'm saying I don't see the NFL doing it if it can't make money.. and semi pro or D league football just has never taken off. I suppose if the NFL carried it and marketed it, I guess there is a chance.

I would think it would have it's best chance for success if you put it in midsize markets which are close to but don't have NFL football.. places like Raleigh (not because I want one), Columbia, SC, Tulsa, OK, Orlando, FL, Portland, OR, Omaha, NE, San Antonio, TX, Las Vegas, NV.. and of course other non-NFL cities like Los Angeles..

I think that it can make them money, actually. If you can take a 3rd round QB, who realistically stands little chance of being a quality starter in the current system, and increase his odds of actually becoming a solid starter by 30-40%, then it's highly worthwhile.

We should just go beat up Canada and make them change their league to the NFL format.
Joking?

There already is a developmental league, it's called NCAA football. NFL teams get ready-made stars who have been playing for at least 3 years after high school, unlike in the other sports. Plus, the NFL doesn't have to spend a penny for it. They have the perfect setup right now with the way college football is structured.

I believe that would depend on how they set it up.

I believe that a D league would be much like Baseball at least the extent you have guys in the minors who simply aren't good enough to make the rosters in MLB.

Where I feel it would be different is the the case of things like top pitchers rehabilitation. I don't believe that you would have good QB's playing in a D league.

I would see it more for later round draft picks and UDFA's. Those who greatly outshine the competition may get a shot.

I also like the suggestion you made about the kind of cities they should use. I lived close to Dayton OH. for a very long time. It's the home of the Dayton Dragons minor league baseball team. It has sold out more consecutive games than any pro sports franchise with I believe it's around 1000 games.

There were players on that team who went on to be very good players for the Reds and it was a far less expensive, closer alternative to going to Cincy to see the Reds. Good for the local economy too.

Face it.....baseball is the model. They have run a full minor league system for maybe close to a century now. They don't just do 1 team with shared players, they do it 4 teams deep....A ball has low A and A.



Football needs to pony up, and run a minor league system of sorts. Each team needs 1 developmental team. Have the 7 round draft, then go another 10 rounds for the raw prospects.




But the NFL would have to come to some conclusion it wouldn't harm the colleges. The college system has been pretty solid for the NFL for a long time.

Didn't we do this at least once already? Did Barcelona or anybody develop any NFL success? It was for coaches as well, if I remember correctly. College is like farm clubs it seems. When the NFL gets too big, then it will collapse under its own weight. A developmental squad could be needed mostly because so many are coming to the draft early with time remaining. Truly bad in NBA especially.

I would offer the following.

8 teams with 7 players from each team, e.g. the practice squad.

Teams are located in towns that are without an NFL franchise, or have to have a dome. e.g Syracuse, San Antonio, etc.

The play in February, through the first part of May, or until the first full time OTA's begin.

Rules are a bit tighter to prevent injury.

At least there would be something after the superbowl other than waiting for the draft.

They could easily support 8-12 minor league football teams in the US by putting them in cities too small for an NFL team but who want football. NCAA is great but what about good football players who are not smart enough to go to college?

Maybe one team allocated per conference and let those 4 teams support it jointly.

j/c…


The concept of a NFL farm system is beyond silly. It's a horrible business model. The players have an extremely short shelf life, due in large part to the physical nature of the game. The NCAA is the farm system. Current/past "farm systems" were NFL Europe, CFL and to a smaller extent the Arena League. There's a reason owners don't bother with such an idea. The injury factor and financial investment is too great.

Furthermore, any agent worth his salt would add language into their players contract that they could not be optioned to the "minors." The NFL being such a violent sport, why would anyone risk their financial future playing in a developmental league in which they could suffer a career ending injury in meaningless competition?

If it were to actually work, the only players you'd have in the system would be UDFA's desperately trying to make a squad. Nothing anyone would be excited to see or pay to watch. It's not by accident a farm system hasn't been installed, it's a goofy idea and more importantly, unprofitable.

Using baseball as benchmark is comparing apple to oranges and is without merit.

Agreed. Furthermore, I don't think the product needs anymore exposure. As someone mentioned in another thread, the NFL is teetering on over exposure as it is.....do we really want a NFL D league on Friday nights?

We already have the NCAA, CFL, and the AFL.....plenty of farm systems already in place.

You said everything I wanted to say but unlike me, you found a way to say it very well.

That idea is dead on arrivial every time. Not gona happen.

I Think a developmental league would be great especially if they're thinking about adding more games to the schedule. Start it in July or so and then wrap it up right around October.

Each team plays about every other week. Gives teams enough time to call someone up through the first half of the season...

I would do a developmental league with 16 teams.

Match up teams like this an:

AFC North team with a NFC North team, like Cle/GB, Cin/Det, Pit/Chi, Balt/Min and keep going like that.

AFC South NFC South
AFC East NFC East
AFC West NFC West

Each team would contribute 26 players, all games would be played on Wednesday. Players could be brought up and down to your parent team all season just like baseball, basketball, and hockey.

And UNLV

I've been banging this drum for years.

Couple of thoughts.

First, for the owners to get on board, the league has to be a money maker or at the very least, not bleed money. The golden goose for the NFL is the television revenue that annually makes millions for billionaires. The true strength of the NFL is the fan base. Last nights draft drew a 6.8 rating. By contrast, the second round NBA games drew less than 3. A rabid fan base drives television eyeballs and that draws revenue.

Second, ideally there would be a 1 to 1 relationship between the minor league team and the parent NFL club. Primary reason for that is teams could stock that team based on team concept and philosophy that is run by the parent club. The D league started off sharing teams but is truly starting to gain traction as the teams move more and more to a 1to1 relationship with the parent club.

Along the same lines, the teams would need to be geographically located within a reasonable (less than 75-100 miles) distance to the parent affiliate. Think of the Browns affiliate as the Akron Dawgs playing at the University of Akron stadium. Take a look at MLB and the shift to their minor league affiliates being located in close proximity to the major league club. Our own Tribe now has teams in Akron, Lake County, Youngstown and Columbus and they have done very well in annual attendance rankings. Fans want to be close enough to see what future players look like.

The league should also be a spring league where it can help fans get their football fix at a time when the parent club isn't playing. The players should be aged 20 to 26 with a possible exemption for QBs. Players could be allocated via a draft of players not on an NFL roster the prior year as well as geographic affiliations for players below D-1. The league could also sponsor several regional football academies for players 18 and 19 who, for whatever reason, can't get into colleges. They would be eligible for the draft after two seasons at the academy or age 20.

Seasons can be shorter such as 10 regular season games with playoffs and a championship ending before training camps open. AFC affiliated teams play AFC teams and the same for the NFC. No cross over until the championship game ala old AFL vs NFL meeting in the early Super Bowls. Players could then participate in training camp and if not added to the parent club roster, would remain on the minor league roster for the next year.

Teams could also utilize mid major or what used to be 1-AA stadiums that can accommodate 25-50k in attendance. Games should be on Saturdays early enough to accommodate a family atmosphere both economically and environment wise. Cater to the families at a reasonable price and build the next generation of fans. For example, the Browns team could play in either Kent State or University of Akron. Just about every NFL team has a potential partner location within the desired geographic reagion. In my opinion, the universities would welcome the chance at off season revenues for the use of the facilities. With the close geographic locations to the parent club and facilities, the minor league club would also have the ability to train and practice at the NFL level club facilities so it would lower the need to provide those services and facilities from scratch.

The NHL and MLB have two way contracts to use as a model for moving players up or down from one level to the other but unlike those leagues you wouldn't have the constant moving due to the difference in season positioning, spring vs fall.

Finally, cable companies and regional sports networks constantly look for solid programming. This league, with geographic and team to team fan affiliation would draw the eyes needed to make it economically viable. Make the league fan/family friendly and you have a viable league that feeds the parent clubs, develops talent and serves as a testing ground for new rules and potential changes to the game.

I truly believe the reason the NFL hasn't already done this is they have always had a feeder system in the NCAA for free. However, the recent challenges to the NCAA from unions and the continued fish bowl scrutiny on rules and guidelines at the NCAA level could very well push some new thinking. It already exists in the MLB and NHL with the NBA not far behind. Those leagues have demonstrated that team affiliation with a geographic focus works economically as well as developmentally.

Remember when the UFL was getting some buzz for being an independent football league that didn't compete with the NFL? Remember when they quickly became a developmental league for the NFL?

Anyone remember that? *crickets chirp* Exactly. You don't hear anything about the United Football League now.

Different scenario. Slap the NFL shield on it and it's a whole different ball game....literally. It's not the level of football that ends up on the field, it's the affiliation with the parent NFL team that is important.