Ex-Cowboys dominate UFL draft

[HoleInTheRoof]

Will the be able to put nicknames on their jerseys like the XFL? Gimmicks are about the only chance this league has to survive playing fall ball alongside the big boys.

I hope not. I abhored that "Hehateme" guy on account of that stupid name.

 

[AbeBeta]

Yep. If they want it to succeed they should give us junkies an offseason fix.

how'd that work for NFLE?

That shizzle was unwatchabizzle

 

[Big Dakota]

how'd that work for NFLE?

That shizzle was unwatchabizzle

This will be as well.

 

[Jon88]

how'd that work for NFLE?

That shizzle was unwatchabizzle

That was terrible football. It being played in Europe didn't help. The fans just didn't have the same kind of knowledge about the game as we do here.

 

[AbeBeta]

That was terrible football. It being played in Europe didn't help. The fans just didn't have the same kind of knowledge about the game as we do here.

So the football was worse because they played in Europe? Come on. The football was worse because there is not enough talent to have a 2nd league. Even with the NFL sponsoring it and making it a developmental league... it still sucked.

 

[Jon88]

So the football was worse because they played in Europe? Come on. The football was worse because there is not enough talent to have a 2nd league. Even with the NFL sponsoring it and making it a developmental league... it still sucked.

It said it being played in Europe didn't help. There wasn't much atmosphere at all. Re-read the post.

 

[Alexander]

That was terrible football. It being played in Europe didn't help. The fans just didn't have the same kind of knowledge about the game as we do here.

That is true, the appeal just was not there and eventually the idea behind the league changed. It became less about having a developmental message than it was simply to promote the NFL brand abroad. Once it dwindled down to a bunch of teams in Germany, it was decidedly awful.

The main reason it was terrible football because near the end teams weren't sending their best talent and the coaching staffs in place were subpar.

If a feeder system is going to work, it needs quality coaching and a commitment from each team that they will allocate talent. When it used to be the WLAF, you saw it was a breeding ground for QBs. Brad Johnson, Kurt Warner and Jake Delhomme all got their starts there.

Near the end, the coaching there was about as bad as the talent that was sent. This league could work, there is some good talent in the coaching ranks. The potential is endless if it is done right. I think a lot of fans in smaller markets here in the states would support a minors system. Some minor league baseball operations have thrived. It is all about being committed.

 

[Jon88]

I think teams sent talent there that they didn't expect to make the team. I can remember hearing complaints from players that they were tired during training camp.

 

[Alexander]

Will the be able to put nicknames on their jerseys like the XFL? Gimmicks are about the only chance this league has to survive playing fall ball alongside the big boys.

The XFL was dismal. Gimmicks don't sell. Quality football does. Talent and coaching both have to be there. The XFL didn't have either. It was like watching pro wrestling with football gear. I watched the first game and that was it for me.

 

[Alexander]

I think teams sent talent there that they didn't expect to make the team. I can remember hearing complaints from players that they were tired during training camp.

That's why a league like this almost has to be concurrent or close to the NFL schedule. I know that's not a popular thought as it would be competing for viewers and attention with the NFL but it wouldn't work having a spring/summer league that could send fresh players to compete in the fall.

There are not many players who could play 12 months a year. We had a few WRs and DBs that went (Duane Hawthorne comes to mind) that had a tough time in camp because they were beat up.

 

[Alexander]

Not sure if this is something to be proud of, alot of the guys we have drafted or picked up arent even in the league anymore.

Or it could be something to reflect positively also. Just think. Back about six-seven years ago, this quality of player would have been taking trips to Sea World as full-fledged Dallas Cowboys.

 

[Jon88]

That's why a league like this almost has to be concurrent or close to the NFL schedule. I know that's not a popular thought as it would be competing for viewers and attention with the NFL but it wouldn't work having a spring/summer league that could send fresh players to compete in the fall.

There are not many players who could play 12 months a year. We had a few WRs and DBs that went (Duane Hawthorne comes to mind) that had a tough time in camp because they were beat up.

So I guess that's why they have a concurrent schedule to the NFL. I would certainly prefer this over Arena "Football."

And Duan Hawhtorne, the biggest memory that sticks out to me is him getting torched play after play by Jake Delhomme against New Orleans.

 

[Jon88]

Or it could be something to reflect positively also. Just think. Back about six-seven years ago, this quality of player would have been taking trips to Sea World as full-fledged Dallas Cowboys.

Good one. That team was awful.

 

[AbeBeta]

It said it being played in Europe didn't help. There wasn't much atmosphere at all. Re-read the post.

Not really true if you watched games. Fans had a good time at the games I saw. Whether or not they fully understood the game is not relevant. Often you'd hear more noise at those games than at a Cowboys game.

Of course, if the players their felt they needed the "right atmosphere" to perform well and possibly earn a spot on an NFL roster then that says a ton about the quality of the talent.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

The XFL was dismal. Gimmicks don't sell. Quality football does. Talent and coaching both have to be there. The XFL didn't have either. It was like watching pro wrestling with football gear. I watched the first game and that was it for me.

It was dismal indeed, which is about what I expect from this league.

 

[Jon88]

Not really true if you watched games. Fans had a good time at the games I saw. Whether or not they fully understood the game is not relevant. Often you'd hear more noise at those games than at a Cowboys game.

Of course, if the players their felt they needed the "right atmosphere" to perform well and possibly earn a spot on an NFL roster then that says a ton about the quality of the talent.

You never heard much noise at Texas Stadium, I'll agree. I never said anything about what the players felt they needed. Again, making up something that was not there. Overall, it was lack of talent and not a good atmosphere.

 

[AbeBeta]

The XFL was dismal. Gimmicks don't sell. Quality football does. Talent and coaching both have to be there. The XFL didn't have either. It was like watching pro wrestling with football gear. I watched the first game and that was it for me.

The one piece that is interesting about this league is that there is good coaching. Fassel, Cottrell, Hassell, and Green are solid coaches -- they've got some decent assistants... at least compared to what you saw in the other leagues.

The coaching piece may not put butts in the seats, but smart players will know that these guys hold for them the key to an NFL job. I guarantee that if a guy has one of these coaches telling teams he can play in the NFL that he'll get a serious look.