Should the NFL have a minor league?

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6987472?MSNHPHMA
In addition to an obvious shortage of competent parole officers, the NFL seems to be lacking in developmental toughness.

This issue became even more acute when it was announced that -- after 16 glorious seasons -- the league was putting an end to NFL Europa. According to inside sources, NFL owners were tired of spending big airfare money for in-person scouting missions and compensating a few ex-patriots who were hired to coach European fans on the proper times to cheer, boo and start riots.
The end of NFL Europa is a shame. How can the world not be diminished by the termination of a franchise known as the Rhein Fire? And the developmental angle also is tough to chew on. Through the league's allocation program, several prospects became good enough to play on special teams back in the NFL.

Anyway, with shipping players to Europe no longer an option, many NFL officials reportedly are interested in creating a real-life minor league here in the United States. That's great news because Americans never can be exposed to enough football..........

Why doesn't Europe fund & support their own teams?

"singersp" wrote:

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Why doesn't Europe fund & support their own teams?

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because their European of course
:P

well there was no tv coverage here in europe, and people just don't care
there was a debt of 32M so the plug went out
But i don't think the nfl needs a minor league, there's college right?
and with the CFL and the AFL i think that is just fine

edit: and that part about coaching the european fans??? never heard or saw any of that

"singersp" wrote:

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Why doesn't Europe fund & support their own teams?

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That's what I were saying. It will never be a real big sport over here, but they could make a league. We do have a league in Denmark, and I think the game is played at some level throughout Europe

I've wondered why the NFL never really had a minor league system in the mold of MLB.
I always figured it was too costly and not enough talent to go around.

It will be interesting to see if they can form and keep a minor league for football.

His comment about us "not" having enough football is wrong.
I'm not aware of anyone watching or even caring about NFL Europe and interest faded quickly with a couple of the other leagues that were formed (USFL, XFL).

If the NFL does things right, a minor league could be very successful here . . . and it would be nice if they can put the teams into new markets that don't have an NFL team now.

The difference between the NFL and MLB is the fact you have to at least go to college prior to going to the NFL.
In baseball, prospects are signed right out of high school.

College is a good "minor league" for football if the coaches train their players for the NFL.
Unfortunately, that's not the case in most colleges.
Realstically there could be a minor league that may help players develop prior to going to the NFL.
Maybe that new league that's developing would be better off as such.
Instead of competing with the NFL, they should work with the NFL and develop players to play in the NFL.
Not a bad idea.

"cogitans" wrote:

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"singersp" wrote:

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Why doesn't Europe fund & support their own teams?

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That's what I were saying. It will never be a real big sport over here, but they could make a league. We do have a league in Denmark, and I think the game is played at some level throughout Europe

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the only thing the amatures have is the Champions league here in europe i don't recall anybody talking about an international league

"sleepagent" wrote:

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I've wondered why the NFL never really had a minor league system in the mold of MLB.
I always figured it was too costly and not enough talent to go around.

It will be interesting to see if they can form and keep a minor league for football.

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There's no way the NFL will have a minor-league system any time soon.
There are many many many factors against it, not the least of which is - when would they play?
They can't play on Fridays or Saturdays - there are long-standing agreements with the NFL and Congress concerning not competing with HS or college football.
And they'd NEVER schedule something for Sundays or Mondays, as that would compete with their own product for ratings and attendance.
Tues, Weds, Thurs?
Not bloody likely, either, IMHO.
It just doesn't make financial (and that's the important part for the NFL) sense.

And the NFL, in essence, does have a minor-league system, as others have pointed out - that's what college football is.
Doesn't cost them a dime, either.

=Z=

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a few ex-patriots who were hired to coach European fans on the proper times to cheer, boo and start riots.

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Nice way to play to stereotypes there, wanker. ::)