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Reports: NFL will propose formal developmental league in 2017

C

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Might work if they do it right. Set the spring league up to mirror the real league. Teams will play where the big teams play, and will carry the names of the big teams. Thus, it will be the Steelers vs the Ravens, Bengals, and Browns. This will automatically cause the local fans to have some interest. No one wants to watch Memphis play Columbus in a minor league game. Because the guys playing may be suiting up for the big Steelers, I'll have an interest. 8 game season, starting the first weekend in March. Playoffs in May. 3 division games, 3 conference games, and 2 interconference games. You don't want to ban graybeards, but there should be a limit to how many guys over a certain age can be on a roster.
 
That's what college football does. They need to stop screwing with the NFL game. Every year it's a bunch of new rules and regulations added to the buttload they already have.
 
b b but there's TOO MUCH football already!!!!!!!!

That's what everybody says...won't this just drive down the ratings even more?
 
Steelr4evr said:
That's what college football does. They need to stop screwing with the NFL game. Every year it's a bunch of new rules and regulations added to the buttload they already have.
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THAT and more money $$$$$$$. This "new" developmental league is a great idea BUT, who is going to watch it??? So many here say all they watch are STEELERS games (I'm one of them). Viewership will be a low fraction of NFL viewership. It will be a money drain league but know it is a nessecary item. Kind of like OIL for your car, you need it. If this "developmental" league gets started and NO referee amendment then they will lose even more viewership. Full time ref's working both leagues and simplify the rule book, then maybe viewership will start to return. One last thing, BRING in a reputable commissioner, 2-strike disciplinary rule, purge out politics / causes / display of personal note, HOLD ACCOUNTABLE each and every person affiliated to the NFL (including cheaters).





Salute the nation
 
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What if it was like minor league baseball? Teams farmed for the franchises. Would you watch a minor league team full of Steeler potentials? Mind you, don't know how it would work (32 minor league teams). That was the problem with NFL Europe, all the players were spread around, you couldn't follow one team, but all the teams Steeler sanctioned players were on.


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Ike Kelly said:
What if it was like minor league baseball? Teams farmed for the franchises. Would you watch a minor league team full of Steeler potentials? Mind you, don't know how it would work (32 minor league teams). That was the problem with NFL Europe, all the players were spread around, you couldn't follow one team, but all the teams Steeler sanctioned players were on.


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These are all good IDEAS but afraid things will get very watered down and with the current NFL rules / game I see an even less desirable watch ability. I'm in favore of said league but it'd NFL money being lost and that won't last for long as greedy as they are. 32-team farm clubs would be a BIG chunk of coin to finance. If the salaries of players wasn't attractive enough then even less talent available. Maybe they install a rule of minimum 2-years in this league befor you can be called up and ONLY drafting out of this league. THAT would kill college ball as we know it but definately add to the talent of the NFL. No easy answer.



Salute the nation
 
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Drink IRON City said:
These are all good IDEAS but afraid things will get very watered down and with the current NFL rules / game I see an even less desirable watch ability. I'm in favore of said league but it'd NFL money being lost and that won't last for long as greedy as they are. 32-team farm clubs would be a BIG chunk of coin to finance. If the salaries of players wasn't attractive enough then even less talent available. Maybe they install a rule of minimum 2-years in this league befor you can be called up and ONLY drafting out of this league. THAT would kill college ball as we know it but definately add to the talent of the NFL. No easy answer.


Salute the nation
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I don't think that would fly ( I definitly wouldn't like it) but they COULD expand the draft three more rounds that go directly to this developmental league
 
And how much will this little experiment in marketing cost to watch ? Will a hotdog and a beer still cost me my lunch money for the week, will local games be blacked out if they don't sell out, will some games be required to be played in a foreign market and will owners be free to explore new markets if they are not making enough profit ?

I see more of the same just different names.
 
There was supposed to have been a league this past spring for this specific purpose. It lost a backer at the last minute and they never started training camp. Not sure if they will restart that one up. It's headquarters were to be in Lakewood Ranch, FL. They were going to have all of the training camps at one location there. Was looking forward to it until it died at the last second.
 
The perception is the NFL will own the clubs. I was specifying if the development league was set up like the minor leagues in baseball. You have owners of minor clubs, but the franchise purchases sanctioning rights. No overhead for them to pay for. That would be the responsibility for the owners of the D clubs and the league they play in. NFL franchises would put money into their own "club", not all of them like they did equally in NFL Europe. After thinking about it, I do see another hurdle...locations. All the D clubs would be in warmer climes for ease of logistics.


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I'd imagine it would be a league for 10-12 teams. They couldn't ever field 32 more teams. That would be way too much. No enough talent for that either.
 
Ike Kelly said:
What if it was like minor league baseball? Teams farmed for the franchises. Would you watch a minor league team full of Steeler potentials? Mind you, don't know how it would work (32 minor league teams). That was the problem with NFL Europe, all the players were spread around, you couldn't follow one team, but all the teams Steeler sanctioned players were on.


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The NFL found some players from NFL Europe. I suppose if the allocated players were limited to two teams, fans could follow them better.

I also think the NFL should sponsor some high school teams in Europe to spread the game and obtain new fans. International players enhanced the NBA, but in order for that to happen, you're going to need a solid high school football program.
 
Coach said:
The NFL found some players from NFL Europe. I suppose if the allocated players were limited to two teams, fans could follow them better.

I also think the NFL should sponsor some high school teams in Europe to spread the game and obtain new fans. International players enhanced the NBA, but in order for that to happen, you're going to need a solid high school football program.
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NFL cannot even delve into High school athletics. A player would lose collegiate eligibility if given any form of professional assistance to either them or the program they are with. There is also the 3 year from HS graduation class rule to be eligible to play.


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I just don't see it as being very successful no matter how you spin it. I see a lot of the same things that contributed to NFL Europe only closer in miles. Really, how many of those games did you actually watch and exactly how many player did you follow other than just hearing their names mentioned?????? If you answered more than 5 for either question then you are in the ELITE EXCEPTION to the typical fan. Networks aren't going to broadcast these games like the NFL. OH they may try and shove it down your throat but when the TV revenue just isn't there, the broadcast(s) will shrivel up faster than Spike in a public shower house..............(lol)



Salute the nation
 
Drink IRON City said:
will shrivel up faster than Spike in a public shower house..............(lol)
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huh? who shrivels in a hot shower?


So what you're really saying is that, unlike me, your pee-pee gets hard when you shower with a room full of men?

To each his own

Not that's there's anything wrong with that
 
Ike Kelly said:
NFL cannot even delve into High school athletics. A player would lose collegiate eligibility if given any form of professional assistance to either them or the program they are with. There is also the 3 year from HS graduation class rule to be eligible to play.


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I don't see how that's so different from what the colleges give their athletes now.
 
there definitly better be shrinkage in public showers, else GTFO in a hurry
 
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