There were 256 players drafted last month, and not all of them will make NFL rosters in the fall. There are about 250 veteran players who were under contract in 2008 but are still looking for work. Build two teams that become the ambassadors of the NFL and sell the game around the world while NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith figure out the next collective bargaining agreement. A worldwide barnstorming tour could be a win-win for everyone
send out second and third best talent to promote the sport? I dont know if aged vets or never really could make it rookies are the NFLs best selling pieces
eh, it's not a bad idea to promote the sport worldwide without disrupting the nfl schedule. however, his notion that a bunch of teams are going to sign a bunch of these guys for the 2nd half of the nfl season would not happen. it's very difficult and basically pointless to sign a guy that late in the season when he doesn't know the scheme or the playbook. nfl teams have depth charts and practice squads for a reason. the only time a team would even think about doing something like that is if all of their players at that position had gotten hurt and they had absolutely no one left (like the broncos had to do last year at running back). but to think a bunch of these guys are going to catch on with nfl teams in week 10 is ludicrous.
You're not really sending out second and third rate talent. You're sending out the players that want to play that aren't on rosters. Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, Marvin Harrison, Trent Green, Shaun Alexander... They'd basically be ambassadors to the game. There would only be two teams and they would play exhibition games around the world. I think that's the direction Kirwan is trying to go with this article. I think they could grow the game if people are watching Shaun Alexander play opposed to some player you've never heard of.
They could sign a player in Week 8 and that player could contribute. It happens now with players of less talent and some of them contribute... That would be interesting to see if one of these "Ambassador Teams" could beat the Raiders or Lions... Get that on the Preseason Schedule...:icon_lol:
As a European fan, I like the idea but I don't really see it happening. Too many top players would decline, preferring to stay close to the phone instead of traveling around the world like a retiree.
there aren't a lot of signings mid-way through the season where teams are bringing in players who are not familiar with their scheme and playbook. If teams bring players in due to injuries, etc., that late in the season, it's typically someone off of their practice squad or maybe someone they cut during training camp or preseason who is at least familiar with their system. It's very rare that a team would have such an emergency that they would need to bring in someone completely from the outside.
if i was a former i don't think i would like this idea. i'd rather work out at home. wonder what the pay would be. if the pay were good, then we could talk. teams sign players through out the season and if a team needed a wr and they see marvin harrison in game shape and performing good against other players with nfl talent, a teams not going to worry about him not being able to learn a playbook. these guys are all veterans with experience. it wouldn't be difficult for themto learn the playbook. panthers lose stevesmith week 13 on their way to the playoffs. you'd rather sign a practice squad player over marvin harrison because of a playbook?
It's not a bad concept. It beats sending meaningful games out of the country, and it could give some place a chance to shine and possible make a roster that they wouldn't have normally had.
two years ago, we call it NFL Europe... I don't think it will draw much attention here. We're still pissed about Godell pulled the plug on the NFLE. Does he think he can give us some crappy games and we'll be happy again?
