[vincesanity82]

With NFL Europa being flushed down the thing that sits next to the bidet, an indoor football source tells us that former Broncos quarterback John Elway plans to push for the Arena Football League to become the new NFL developmental league.

To get there, the word is that Elway, co-owner and CEO of the Colorado Crush, first plans to target AFL Commissioner David Baker for removal, due to the fact that plenty of the teams are consistently losing money. Per the source, Elway and Baker don't see eye-to-eye on anything. Last year, Elway and Philadelphia Soul co-owner Ron Jaworski were instrumental in pushing through the scuttling of the league's signature "ironman" rule, which limited substitutions and required most guys to play both ways, on offense and on defense. (As a practical matter, this new rule better prepares players for a potential jump to the NFL by having them focus on only one position.)

If/when Elway can get Baker out of the way, we're told that the next step will be to renegotiate the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the owners and the players, locking them out if necessary after the expiration of the current deal in 2010. The goal will be to get the wages more in line with the pay scale provided by NFL Europa. Currently, the AFL has a rookie minimum of $1,500 per game plus housing. Stars like quarterback Tony Graziani are making $15,000 per game, plus housing.

If/when the wage scale is changed, Elway is expected to work with other AFL owners who also own NFL teams to position the AFL to become a developmental league, with a new name that would include the NFL brand (e.g., NFL Indoors or NFL Arena Football or something to that effect).

But we still think that a developmental league that plays in the spring hurts the guys who otherwise would be participating in his NFL team's offseason program. So we believe that the final step in Elway's expected power play should be to move the AFL to an August launch, taking advantage of the anticipation for "real" football by dropping some games in the run-up to the commencement of the NFL regular season. If/when the two leagues are ever linked up, the NFL should look for more ways to cross-market the indoor version of the sport, by for example dropping the AFL championship into the weekend before the Super Bowl, and possibly by playing the AFL title game in the same city where the Super Bowl will be held, using the AFL event as the official kickoff to the week before the NFL championship game.

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[Gotham Dark Knight]

The problem is, its not really football per say...can you really develop the players there?

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

The problem is, its not really football per say...can you really develop the players there?

your right in the aspect that its not NFL Football, however, I do think you can still somewhat develop players there..I personally dont see the interest in arena ball though beyond that..

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

The problem is, its not really football per say...can you really develop the players there?

Well, most of those guys do play Ironman ball, so they should be in good condition. And it's close enough to NFL football to where you could work on blocking stances, route running and things like that - the basics. Nothing too advanced would work, because I've yet to see too many AFL teams run pull-blocking schemes or zone blitzes.

[azrael492]

From what I read, they are cutting out the 'ironman' ball. They are going to have specialized positions like the NFL, so a player can be developed there.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by azrael492

From what I read, they are cutting out the 'ironman' ball. They are going to have specialized positions like the NFL, so a player can be developed there.

Oh. Well, so much for my conditioning theory. How are they going to match NFL positions - aren't there only like 7 players on the field instead of 11?

[azrael492]

I don't know if they got that far yet in there planning. Elway has a few good ideas. It will be interesting to see if he can get it done.

[Gman84]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

The problem is, its not really football per say...can you really develop the players there?

IMO, no. The CFL might actually be a better tool or buying a few semi pro leagues and upgrading them. The rules and style of AFL mean players have to adjust too much between the two leagues. The AFL will always be a place former NFL players go if they can't make it in the big league rather than vice versa.

[Pepsi One]

yea this is a joke, so is Elway and the Arena Football League, its just a home for criminals and ex-XFL members to play!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Pepsi One

yea this is a joke, so is Elway and the Arena Football League, its just a home for criminals and ex-XFL members to play!

As oppose to the NFL which harbors no crimminals?...

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Pepsi One

yea this is a joke, so is Elway and the Arena Football League, its just a home for criminals and ex-XFL members to play!

Joke? Nah, I think Elway, Bon Jovi and others have done a fantastic job promoting this league. It's been around for a while but with the ESPN contract they seem to be getting more attention. They seem to be growing at a steady rate while remaining financially solvent. Now all they need are a few big-name college guys who aren't quite right for the NFL - a Chris Leak, maybe - to draw in even more fans.

[Gman84]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

As oppose to the NFL which harbors no crimminals?...

The NFL just keeps 'em in one place, Cincinnati

[alex83]

i think that Arena football is a good place to develop players for certain positions, most notably Wide Recievers...but i think thats about it, i dont think that a QB or RB can develop their skills when they are being charged down by 2 or 3 guys as opposed to 8 or 9 in some situations. to me it seems more like gloryfied practice squads playing each other in college football conditions e.g. stadiums with big crowds and a average national fan base

in terms of Elway promoting it i think its just the AFL trying to grasp at any great ex-NFL player and say "heres a bag of money, go promote our younger, lesser football league" to which Elway said "okie dockie"

ive got no problem with the AFL, i think its a good league, however i dont think it should be seen as having any connection with the NFL as its not close to being the same...in terms of the football heirachy it should go NFL-CFL-AFL

[bears9]

Originally Posted by alex83

i think that Arena football is a good place to develop players for certain positions, most notably Wide Recievers...but i think thats about it, i dont think that a QB or RB can develop their skills when they are being charged down by 2 or 3 guys as opposed to 8 or 9 in some situations. to me it seems more like gloryfied practice squads playing each other in college football conditions e.g. stadiums with big crowds and a average national fan base

in terms of Elway promoting it i think its just the AFL trying to grasp at any great ex-NFL player and say "heres a bag of money, go promote our younger, lesser football league" to which Elway said "okie dockie"

ive got no problem with the AFL, i think its a good league, however i dont think it should be seen as having any connection with the NFL as its not close to being the same...in terms of the football heirachy it should go NFL-CFL-AFL

i love AFL i have mayed a thread on the playoffs if you guys want to talk more AFL

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

The problem is, its not really football per say...can you really develop the players there?

I watched it the first time yesterday. Probably will turn it on again tonight but I couldnt get used to the short field and I dont see how it could possible develop NFL players there. Except to get the quarterback used to getting killed behind a weak o-line. Graziano had a bad day.