is there a minor league for the nfl and if not would it be a good way to improve the game?

Question

They could send guys to actually have some big game experience that they wouldnt normally play the first year or two.

That would help improve the quality of the game.

Answer 1

There in no minor league for football. There used to be NFL Europe, who then switched its name to NFL Europa, and then closed its doors. The Europe tems consisted mostly of local NFL players who were sent from their own teams to gain experience. It was awful to watch. Many penalites and sloppy plays. But there were some great players to come out of the league.

Some may arguee that arena football is a version of a minor league. It's really not - they are 2 totally seperate games, although sometimes (rarely) a player can make a transition into the NFL, but no superstar yet.

Then there is the Canadian Football League. Similar game, but still different. Plus our neighbors to the north are hesitant to take NFL players after the whole Ricky Willims in CFL experiment.

Minor league for the NFL is college. Coaches need to be teaching the fundamentals of the game at this level, but often times they don't.

In preseason, the stars ususally sit, and it gives a chance for rookies and inexperienced guys to play and even try to earn a roster spot.

Sadly, if you'll notice the first 3 weeks of the regular season, you'll see sloppy play and poor tackling.

Answer 2

They had NFL Europa, but it folded after last season. It was a summer "minor league." It helped some players get more experience.

David has a point about Arena Football and Canadian Football as being unofficial minor leagues, but there have been some great players to come out of these leagues. Kurt Warner played several years in the Arena League before becoming a Super Bowl MVP w/ the Rams. Both Warren Moon and Doug Flutie got their start in the CFL before they made it into the NFL (however, for Moon, it was a more of a racial thing, than a talent thing).

College Football is like a minor league for the NFL. A lot of these guys are ready to play at the highest level when they come out. That's also why there's the rule that the players must be at least 3 years out of high school before they are eligible for the NFL. That eliminates inexperienced players.

Ultimately, football is a much different sport than baseball, especially considering there are 146 less games in the regular season. There really isn't a lot of time for these guys to spend in minor leagues, and there are over 50 guys on an active roster.

Furhtermore, the quality of the game does not need much improvement.

Answer 3

NFL Europa is basically the minor league.

Although the Arena Football League, and the Canadian Football League could be considered minor leagues to the NFL.

Answer 4

There was NFL Europe, but it recently folded, so right now there is no "minor league" system in the NFL. I believe it should be. You have 32 NFL teams, your minor league system can be comprised of 8 teams, with each team being affiliated with an NFL Division (AFC North, NFC South, etc). Players who aren't going to get much playing time could be sent there to develop their games.

Answer 5

Yes it is called the NCAA. Along with that there was the NFL Europe the past several years but now that is gone. In reality that is exactly what the NCAA is, a NFL farm system.