NFL to propose a spring developmental league

Check out this report from Jason LaCanfora:

“Troy Vincent, the NFL’s head of football operations, said his department is prepared to make recommendations for a developmental league or in-season academy after years studying the matter. The league will begin the formal process of meeting with the Competition Committee, coaches and NFLPA after the season…

“Vincent’s charge has been to put forth proposals he believes owners ultimately would be willing to support financially and otherwise, as a considerable per-team investment may be necessary. This particularly holds true for a spring league that would consist of players likely with three years’ or less experience.”

Gee, I wonder where Vincent got this idea? It’s terrific.

This article has 11 Comments

  1. He got it from reading Grant Cohn’s blog, voted most insightful and eclectic three years running! Well done, Grant!

  2. You did bring up that passing league idea Grant, but that isn’t what they are proposing here. The spring development league idea has been around forever and it makes too much sense for them not to explore it.

    1. Sorry, I peruse all the blogs, and Grant’s article was the first mention of a developmental league that I saw.

      Many just pointed out that college football is the NFL development league, especially since the Euro league folded.

  3. I think it is a great idea. Too many college systems use gimmick offenses, and an increasing number of players play in a role that will not work in the NFL. Having a developmental league can get these players ready for the real deal.
    I believe the league should expand the draft to at least 10 rounds if they do create a developmental league because it will improve the depth for each team.

  4. An interesting stat I saw regarding the state of the current crop of starting QB’s in today’s NFL. In 1983 the average yards per completed attempt was 7.16, in 2015 the same metric was 7.4x. In spite of all the rule changes to promote the offense, the article went on the say, today’s QBs are not good. The article also provided metrics on QBR and Pass Completion, all showing the poor state of QBs in today’s NFL.

    A developmental league is a good step.

    1. Len – Yes, you are correct, but I think the 7.16 and 7.4 were referring to yards per attempt. The yards per attempt do not factor in sacks either. Ironically, completion percentages now generally are up 8, and sometimes even 10, percent compared to what they were in 1983; yet, with the average per attempt barely above what it was back in 1983, it shows that today’s passing game, despite the higher completion percentage, is not pushing the ball down the field. I believe today there are 2 or 3 QBs with over a 70% completion rate. Carr was #10 in the league before yesterday’s game with a 66.4% completion rate. Several QBs yesterday had over a 65% completion percentage for the game; yet, their average yards per attempt were in the high 5 and low 6 yards per attempt. That says far too many passes are being thrown behind, at, or barely beyond the line of scrimmage. One QB had a 4.8 yards per attempt. 6 completions in 10 attempts for less than 48 yards gained. You can throw that pass offense in my back yard with plenty of lawn going unused!!!

  5. Len, I do not like to rate a QB using the completion percentage, because at times, I would much rather have the QB throw the ball away than take a sack. Essentially, they are getting punished for doing the right thing.

    Alex Smith would rather have taken a sack than hurt his completion percentage, sustained a concussion and lost his job.

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