New Football League ?

[Redskins247]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

I enjoyed watching the game last night. Ol’ ball coach was hobbling around giving Atlanta all the fun ‘n gun they could handle. Really enjoyed it. Read an article that said it had higher ratings on CBS than the NBA games on. LOL.

I would really love to see this expand in a partnership with the NFL so each NFL team has a farm team like in baseball. People would really buy into it then.

This! I think it would be such a win for the NFL...it can only improve the NFL so why not embrace it. A win/win for players and coaches coming up. I think a lot of players will get a chance or even a second chance in the NFL based on their play in this league.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Redskins247

This! I think it would be such a win for the NFL...it can only improve the NFL so why not embrace it. A win/win for players and coaches coming up. I think a lot of players will get a chance or even a second chance in the NFL based on their play in this league.

The reason the NFL wont do it is because they already have a farm system (college) that develops NFL talent free of charge. The owners aren't going to pay for something they already get for free.

I watched more of the AAF than I thought I would and enjoyed it. I will keep watching.

[metalskins]

I only got to see a half, but really enjoyed what I saw. I would watch this over the NBA any day of the week.

[Buffalo Bob]

Originally Posted by metalskins

I only got to see a half, but really enjoyed what I saw. I would watch this over the NBA any day of the week.

Same here, like with college basketball, I don't start watching until getting close to the end of the regular season.

[sandtrapjack]

Originally Posted by irish

The reason the NFL wont do it is because they already have a farm system (college) that develops NFL talent free of charge. The owners aren't going to pay for something they already get for free.

I watched more of the AAF than I thought I would and enjoyed it. I will keep watching.

This. NFL already tried their version of a farm system in NFL Europe. Right now, the only affiliation with AAL is NFL Network showing a few games.

But do not think for a minute that any AAL player extended an offer to attend an NFL training camp, that said player would respectfully decline because they are in the AAL.

I liked what I saw last weekend. But this league is going to have a substantial player turnover. Because some will go to NFL camps, some might make NFL rosters, some might get injured in camp.

Then we get the XFL (redux) starting next year. Talent pool going to be thin.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

This. NFL already tried their version of a farm system in NFL Europe. Right now, the only affiliation with AAL is NFL Network showing a few games.

But do not think for a minute that any AAL player extended an offer to attend an NFL training camp, that said player would respectfully decline because they are in the AAL.

I liked what I saw last weekend. But this league is going to have a substantial player turnover. Because some will go to NFL camps, some might make NFL rosters, some might get injured in camp.

Then we get the XFL (redux) starting next year. Talent pool going to be thin.

Yeah but a US based farm system, especially if each team was tied to an NFL team, would yield so much more interest and money.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by irish

The reason the NFL wont do it is because they already have a farm system (college) that develops NFL talent free of charge. The owners aren't going to pay for something they already get for free.

I watched more of the AAF than I thought I would and enjoyed it. I will keep watching.

I disagree that there would be any long term cost to owners. Yes there would be an up front cost, but as much interest as there would be for tickets, merch and advertising, this would be a gold mine for the NFL to tap into. They are always looking to pad profits and find new revenue streams.

And I’m not convinced the NCAA is a great farm system. So many players come out and are not prepared for the pro game, I see this as being a level between collegiate and pro to refine and rehabilitate injured players. This could help prevent player skill drop off. When a player gets hurt, they get put on DL and you bring up a temporary replacement who has been playing in the semi-pro league and is ready to go. With the limits put on teams by the CBa, back ups don’t get the reps they need to be competitive.

[irish]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

I disagree that there would be any long term cost to owners. Yes there would be an up front cost, but as much interest as there would be for tickets, merch and advertising, this would be a gold mine for the NFL to tap into. They are always looking to pad profits and find new revenue streams.

And I’m not convinced the NCAA is a great farm system. So many players come out and are not prepared for the pro game, I see this as being a level between collegiate and pro to refine and rehabilitate injured players. This could help prevent player skill drop off. When a player gets hurt, they get put on DL and you bring up a temporary replacement who has been playing in the semi-pro league and is ready to go. With the limits put on teams by the CBa, back ups don’t get the reps they need to be competitive.

Of course there would be long term cost. If each team had only one farm team they have to pay salary for 50+ players, all the coaching and training staff, and travel costs. Doubling what they pay now. If it was set up like minor league baseball then the local ownership group would handle all the stadium operations. The money would only come from any television revenue these games would bring in and I'm not sure the networks would drop college football for the NFL minor league.

I agree with you, college isn't a very good farm system. The colleges are focused on winning rather than player development. In minor league baseball and hockey the players are assets to the team and are trying to be developed for the big team. This type of farm system would be a much better deal for the players than college.