They Ought to Have a D League

[texaspackerbacker]

First of all, the NCAA shouldn't have objections if the 3 year thing was kept. A D league definitely would NOT be designed to replace college football. While development would be a part of it, it wouldn't be the primary thing either. If you had a couple of players a year per team come up through the ranks, that would be fine. It would be a way for the NFL team to stockpile more than the current practice squads, and I do think people would pay a little bit to watch, assuming the teams were linked to the local NFL team. I know I would. A key element to this would be having the parent team retain rights to at least a large part of the players - as they basically do not with practice squads now.

[pbmax]

First of all, the NCAA shouldn't have objections if the 3 year thing was kept. A D league definitely would NOT be designed to replace college football. While development would be a part of it, it wouldn't be the primary thing either. If you had a couple of players a year per team come up through the ranks, that would be fine. It would be a way for the NFL team to stockpile more than the current practice squads, and I do think people would pay a little bit to watch, assuming the teams were linked to the local NFL team. I know I would. A key element to this would be having the parent team retain rights to at least a large part of the players - as they basically do not with practice squads now.

They currently don't want to expand rosters past 63. There is literally no appetite for it even though many teams each year would benefit when they have a run of injuries.

They would only actually expand rosters if the thing could make money and the way to make money would be to take talent that does not want to go to college and put them in a professional league.

[Cheesehead Craig]

yet thousands of people show up for college games every week and high school games

and thousands show up up AA and AAA baseball games, but no one will show up for football ?

and it wouldn't be that big of a money pit, you wouldn't be paying these guys a half million dollars, you'd be paying them 1 or 2 thousand a week (for maybe 16 weeks) for maybe 40 guys. i bet with traveling and renting out local high school stadiums you could have a team for less then 1 or 2 million a year

and you really don't think people will show up? people are showing up by the hundreds to see 2 or 3 packers scrubs show up and schools, just because they're accosiated with the packers

every other sport in the world has figured out how to do developmental leagues, but the nfl

and if college is worried about losing players, maybe they should start paying for them. its almost like saying, "oh we could free the slaves", but the cotton industry would really suffer and the plantation owners would lose a ton of money"

High school and College are the NFLs D Leagues already. The NFL doesn't have to pay a dime to have their players already get developed. So again, why fix something that's not broke?

People coming to a meet and greet for a known Packer name does not equate to the tens of thousands that would be needed each game for each week to make some awful D-League team full of absolute nobodies to just break even on salaries. There's no way there's enough interest and money from the fans to make it financially worthwhile, and that's what matters to the league, the money.

Look at how fans even hate having to pay for and watch pre-season. The casual fan hates those games. They are full of scrubs anyways. You think a league full of the worst of them is remotely financially viable? Dream on.

I think you're way off on your estimate of cost for the team. Travel, hotel, and food costs are massive, NFL teams travel with anywhere from 120-160 total people. I'd think these guys could likely get by with 85-95. But your total budget won't even cover these items.

I just think the NFL is already on the down slide. Granted, it's from an unbelievable high point. But the ratings are dropping, the participation in youth is dropping, the game is changing to where people think it's too wussified and are losing interest. it's just too late in the game to start up a D league. Not when there's already an extremely comparable thing already in existence that's free.

[bobblehead]

with the violence of the game, and the small window of production that most players have, a d league wouldn't accomplish much imo. probably only get a handful of players that would ever make it to the nfl and then they'd be one-and-done most likely. costs would outweigh the benefit.

Not true. Many NFL europe players made it onto NFL rosters and excelled. I think Cullen Jenkins was one.

Most notably James Harrison couldn't make a team out of college. He played in NFLe and later was defensive player of the year.

[bobblehead]

and if college is worried about losing players, maybe they should start paying for them. its almost like saying, "oh we could free the slaves", but the cotton industry would really suffer and the plantation owners would lose a ton of money"

I believe that pretty much WAS the argument from the south.

[gbgary]

Should be in place of college. Dump the 3 years after HS graduation requirement.

oh i know. there's no incentive for them to do it though with the college system in place. maybe expand the practice squads and set it up that other teams can't cherry pick a certain number of guys. set it up so these practice squad guys can get more attention in the off season than the 53.

[red]

Not true. Many NFL europe players made it onto NFL rosters and excelled. I think Cullen Jenkins was one.

Most notably James Harrison couldn't make a team out of college. He played in NFLe and later was defensive player of the year.

Where did Kurt warner go after Green Bay cut him, wasn't that NFL Europe?

[Joemailman]

Where did Kurt warner go after Green Bay cut him, wasn't that NFL Europe?

Arena Football League.

[texaspackerbacker]

I say again, the key to the whole thing is to have teams directly tied, probably wholly owned by the parent teams.

[wist43]

You mean like Defense Summer Camp??

Packers would be the nerds that get picked on and have to have mommy come pick them up.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Not true. Many NFL europe players made it onto NFL rosters and excelled. I think Cullen Jenkins was one.

Most notably James Harrison couldn't make a team out of college. He played in NFLe and later was defensive player of the year.

James Harrison lasted 10 whole days in NFLe before he was cut. Not the best example.

[pbmax]

Packers had a couple of Guards play in NFLe didn't they?

[Joemailman]

Packers had a couple of Guards play in NFLe didn't they?

Marco Rivera did.

[Zool]

D league sounds like a justice league porn parody.

[Cheesehead Craig]

D league sounds like a justice league porn parody.

So long as the cheerleaders all are as hot as Gal Gadot.