Time May Be Right For Return Of NFL Spring Football

Jan 25, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Team Irvin cornerback Brent Grimes of the Miami Dolphins (21) reacts during the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

What could beat football in the fall and winter than football year round?  In truth this is something the sports has only caught glimpses over the years.  It began to an extent in the mid-1970s when the World Football League began playing their games in July but didn’t really gain steam until a decade later when the United States Football League began to popularize it.

Unfortunately a series of poor business decisions including plans for a move to playing fall games caused the league to fold.  Then in 1991 the NFL experimented with the World League of American Football, later becoming NFL Europe.  The intent of it was to extend the brand of American football across the globe but also to form a sort of developmental league for players who may not have been able to make rosters in the pros.

For a time it worked out in a big way.  A string of talented players who got noticed in that league went on to have productive NFL careers including Kurt Warner, Jake Delhomme, Brent Grimes, Dante Hall, David Akers, Brad Johnson, James Harrison, and Adam Vinatieri.  The problem was limited television coverage and other factors started costing the league $30 million a year.

That coupled with a dry spell of talent coming from overseas resulted in NFL Europe folding in 2007.

Since that time it’s fair to say football has gained a much steadier footing on the international stage, while it’s bigger than ever in the U.S.  Fans are complaining more and more every year about the lack of football to watch during the down months between March and July.  Doesn’t logic suggest that maybe the time is right to re-insert the spring football idea?  Some voices have cried out that college football, due to its own trends and desires, has become a poor developmental system for the pros given the rampant takeover of spread offenses and so many players exhibiting poor fundamentals when declaring for the draft.

Many believe spring football can become that NFL minor league, allowing teams to build their own “farm systems” similar to the MLB and NHL where they can properly develop more young players than just an eight-man practice squad each year.  It could lead to a greater wealth of talent being available and result in cleaner, more competitive games.

Granted, there are plenty of hoops that need jumping through before the idea is even entertained.  However, one mention of the possibility that it could bring in more money if handled right and it’s hard not seeing the NFL jump on board.