Why are practice squads so stupidly small

[Derinyar]

I do think the answer is setting up a developmental league. I just am not sure that the teams want to put out the money for that. And when do you run it, is it during the season or during the spring. If during the season what day of the week, as I doubt Saturday or Sunday is particularly viable. I still think its a good idea but its not easy.

 

[IrishAnto]

I do think the answer is setting up a developmental league. I just am not sure that the teams want to put out the money for that. And when do you run it, is it during the season or during the spring. If during the season what day of the week, as I doubt Saturday or Sunday is particularly viable. I still think its a good idea but its not easy.

I do believe that’s what the World League was for, however the cost didn’t match the reward so it’s now the ex-World League.

 

[Plankton]

The players union won't agree to have them protected unless they make 5x more than they currently make.

There are probably some practical limitations on the total number of player on a team. They have to share lockers during TC.

It's not just that - it's practice time, effective repetitions and development time with their positional coaches. Logistically, it would be very difficult to make that an effective setup when legitimate game planning is taking place.

 

[Derinyar]

I do believe that’s what the World League was for, however the cost didn’t match the reward so it’s now the ex-World League.

To me one reason it feels like the world league failed is travel. I mean you had teams in Europe and teams on the west coast. That's just painful. I'm thinking you base a spring league near the home team. So the Cowboys have their games maybe even at the new Frisco complex. You don't make it have 15 hours travel time.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

We had 90 guys at camp. We cut 37 to get to 53, we get to bring another 10 back on the PS. Was there really anyone out of the 37 that we cut that would be worthy of a PS spot that didn't get one? Most of the cuts won't ever be good enough to have a real shot at the NFL. I think the size is just fine the way it is. The only real difference I would like to see is to be able to protect 1 or 2 spots. Pay them the league minimum to be protected or their contract rate if a rookie that was drafted. Now as far as game day roster's go, I wish they were all active but i understand the reasoning behind it. The 7 players that are inactive are to account for injuries, so that one team doesn't have 50 healthy players and the other team has 45 healthy players, it about a competitive balance. I say screw that, the team is paying all 53 a game check, they should be able to play in the game.

 

[rockj7]

How much revenue did the Cowboys generate last year? I ask because I doubt money is the issue. Also I am curious how much they generated

 

[IrishAnto]

To me one reason it feels like the world league failed is travel. I mean you had teams in Europe and teams on the west coast. That's just painful. I'm thinking you base a spring league near the home team. So the Cowboys have their games maybe even at the new Frisco complex. You don't make it have 15 hours travel time.

I do agree with your point there, however I can’t see the appetite in the US for a watered down version NFL so your only real option is to have teams overseas, therefore long distance travel would have to be a part of the league.

 

[Reality]

There is a good reason why they limit practice squads to 10 players. Once a player is on a practice squad, the only way another team can get them is to add them to their active roster, which is very difficult to do with players other teams' scouts do not get to see and coaches have no idea of the progress, or lack thereof, the player is making.

If the practice squad was 20, 30, etc. players, then teams could hoard players they don't even need just to keep them off the practice squads of other teams, especially within their division, even when they have no intention of ever adding them to the active roster. Teams could also grab players who have been on the practice squads of the teams of their upcoming opponents to get inside information, player tendencies, etc.

If the active roster was larger than 53, then you might be able to increase the practice squad size because teams could have the ability to grab a couple of players from other teams' practice squads and put them on their active roster. But with teams limited to 53 active roster spots, that greatly limits that option.

As a fan, I have always liked the idea of a minor or development league, but that would be a nightmare for the NFL both legally and public relations wise. The reason is because football players are more likely to get hurt than the other sports that have minor/development leagues such as the NBA and MLB. The NFL is perfectly happy with using college football as their development league because it separates them from the legal responsibility and negative public relations of both player injuries and criminal actions or activities. Since the majority of players who would play in a league like that are young, the odds of those things happening would be quite high.

That said, I do wish all 53 players on the active roster could be eligible to play on game days.

 

[Derinyar]

I do agree with your point there, however I can’t see the appetite in the US for a watered down version NFL so your only real option is to have teams overseas, therefore long distance travel would have to be a part of the league.

If you buy that premise, which I don't, that minor league teams associated with NFL franchises would not have a market in the US then you put how ever many teams you think Europe can support and put an equal number of teams in US cities, and make the teams play exclusively inside division until the final game. IE 6 US teams and 6 European teams and then the winner of both divisions play in what ever championship game you want to call it, and I'd base it in Europe. I still think that if every NFL team had a minor league franchise based in or near its home market you would actually be able to support the use of a smaller stadium, one likely already existing, and have a viable minor leagues. I'd prefer if it were in season, but I don't think that works.

For my idea of minor leagues I think you see if the position coaches can fill the HC/Coordinators jobs and the assistants step up to the vacant jobs. There by you get a more team specific focus and actual training in the teams scheme, which is the big failing of NFL Europe, that players weren't playing in a teams system so it was still a projection to their scheme. It probably won't happen, as the NFL seems very happy with the NCAA minor leagues.

 

[Crown Royal]

I hate the idea of dressing all 53 players on Sunday. It seems to me that the players would be hard for that, any injury would mean that you're liable to get caught if your friend player. As it is now, you're protected because they may just not dressed for that game.

 

[Crown Royal]

If I can dress all 53 on Sunday, and my sixth linebacker gets hurt on a special teams play, why wouldn't I cut him this week until he heals up a month from now.

 

[Crown Royal]

Selfishly, I also like the level of complexity it adds to the game. It should be easy to win. It shouldnt be easy for you to have a great team and go out there and stop players. More constraints, the more chance there is to even the playing field and make strategy that much more important.

 

[Craig]

Id like the 53 to all be active but other than that i think the current setup is fine.

 

[xwalker]

It's not just that - it's practice time, effective repetitions and development time with their positional coaches. Logistically, it would be very difficult to make that an effective setup when legitimate game planning is taking place.

Exactly. Practical limitations.

 

[conner01]

If I can dress all 53 on Sunday, and my sixth linebacker gets hurt on a special teams play, why wouldn't I cut him this week until he heals up a month from now.

you could cut him, then another team could sign him. But if they don't he's coming right back to you and you have to pay him an injury settlement
There really is no logical reason why all 53 can't play

 

[jazzcat22]

IIRC they increased the roster for injured players. And revised the IR rules.
Years ago teams could move players on and off the IR at will. A player has a sore hand, put him on the IR and keep him. Sign a player you like, see what he can do. If he does not play well, bring back the IR guy. Or swap them, you like him, but have an injury, like poked in the eye. Bring back a guy on IR.
It was not uncommon for a team to have a list of guys on IR longer than the current PS lists and then some.

So the NFL, increases the roster, at the time to 51. Then changed the IR rules, once on IR, they are on it for the season. The extra players were for those injuries that would heal in a month, so they had a player that could step in. so the strategy here is, who you keep at what position. Then when the player is ready to return, he could at any time. This let the team protect the player, no release him, and also did not allow the team to stash 10 players to recall at any time.

I think they have a good set up now for the most part.

The PS was created, and was originally only 6 players. Then to 8, now 10. I think this is a good number. but would like to see them allowed to protect 2 to 4 players. As to matching offers, not complete protection as they can't go to any team. just designate to match.

So what I would like to see:
up to 53 players now, so essentially 7 players as a mini IR list if be. Would be nice to increase to 55, and 47 active game day.
IR for the year, with a designated to return player. But I would like to see this increased to 2 players.
PUP & NFI list, but I think they could relax the rules on this some too, kind of like a short term IR, but limit those numbers and time.
10 man PS. be able to match offers on 2 designated players. Would not mind seeing 12, or increase the roster to 55 and allow 2 players each week to be included as to an active roster on game day.

 

[xwalker]

If you buy that premise, which I don't, that minor league teams associated with NFL franchises would not have a market in the US then you put how ever many teams you think Europe can support and put an equal number of teams in US cities, and make the teams play exclusively inside division until the final game. IE 6 US teams and 6 European teams and then the winner of both divisions play in what ever championship game you want to call it, and I'd base it in Europe. I still think that if every NFL team had a minor league franchise based in or near its home market you would actually be able to support the use of a smaller stadium, one likely already existing, and have a viable minor leagues. I'd prefer if it were in season, but I don't think that works.

For my idea of minor leagues I think you see if the position coaches can fill the HC/Coordinators jobs and the assistants step up to the vacant jobs. There by you get a more team specific focus and actual training in the teams scheme, which is the big failing of NFL Europe, that players weren't playing in a teams system so it was still a projection to their scheme. It probably won't happen, as the NFL seems very happy with the NCAA minor leagues.

The thing that has been missing from all of the alternates leagues, IMO, is a connection to the NFL teams. Ideally, if each NFL team had a minor league team it would be really cool. I would watch those games if the Cowboys minor league team consisted of players that might be promoted to the NFL club at some point.

The problem is that trying to start a league with 32 teams is just too much. They could try combining 4 NFL teams per 1 minor league team but then the schemes could not be specific to each NFL team's schemes.

There is an alternate league in the works that has some good ideas. They want to make it a complimentary league to the NFL but I don't remember the specifics.

 

[Crown Royal]

you could cut him, then another team could sign him. But if they don't he's coming right back to you and you have to pay him an injury settlement
There really is no logical reason why all 53 can't play

Sorry. I guess I have a moral dilemma with cutting human being who got injured on behalf of my team and making them unemployed. Luckily, my guess is that the NFLPA would agree.

 

[IrishAnto]

If you buy that premise, which I don't, that minor league teams associated with NFL franchises would not have a market in the US then you put how ever many teams you think Europe can support and put an equal number of teams in US cities, and make the teams play exclusively inside division until the final game. IE 6 US teams and 6 European teams and then the winner of both divisions play in what ever championship game you want to call it, and I'd base it in Europe. I still think that if every NFL team had a minor league franchise based in or near its home market you would actually be able to support the use of a smaller stadium, one likely already existing, and have a viable minor leagues. I'd prefer if it were in season, but I don't think that works.

For my idea of minor leagues I think you see if the position coaches can fill the HC/Coordinators jobs and the assistants step up to the vacant jobs. There by you get a more team specific focus and actual training in the teams scheme, which is the big failing of NFL Europe, that players weren't playing in a teams system so it was still a projection to their scheme. It probably won't happen, as the NFL seems very happy with the NCAA minor leagues.

Not a bad idea, however there is a fundamental flaw with “feeder” teams which is one of roster turnover.

I can remember when the World league was up and running that it was harder to get behind a team when the best players would be siphoned off to the NFL nearly every year.

How would you feel if a Tony Romo or Dez Bryant would leave after one or maybe if you were lucky two seasons to be replaced by unknowns?

That was always a problem with that league.

 

[xwalker]

IIRC they increased the roster for injured players. And revised the IR rules.
Years ago teams could move players on and off the IR at will. A player has a sore hand, put him on the IR and keep him. Sign a player you like, see what he can do. If he does not play well, bring back the IR guy. Or swap them, you like him, but have an injury, like poked in the eye. Bring back a guy on IR.
It was not uncommon for a team to have a list of guys on IR longer than the current PS lists and then some.

So the NFL, increases the roster, at the time to 51. Then changed the IR rules, once on IR, they are on it for the season. The extra players were for those injuries that would heal in a month, so they had a player that could step in. so the strategy here is, who you keep at what position. Then when the player is ready to return, he could at any time. This let the team protect the player, no release him, and also did not allow the team to stash 10 players to recall at any time.

I think they have a good set up now for the most part.

The PS was created, and was originally only 6 players. Then to 8, now 10. I think this is a good number. but would like to see them allowed to protect 2 to 4 players. As to matching offers, not complete protection as they can't go to any team. just designate to match.

So what I would like to see:
up to 53 players now, so essentially 7 players as a mini IR list if be. Would be nice to increase to 55, and 47 active game day.
IR for the year, with a designated to return player. But I would like to see this increased to 2 players.
PUP & NFI list, but I think they could relax the rules on this some too, kind of like a short term IR, but limit those numbers and time.
10 man PS. be able to match offers on 2 designated players. Would not mind seeing 12, or increase the roster to 55 and allow 2 players each week to be included as to an active roster on game day.

I agree with some of your thoughts.

I would really like to see a short term IR, especially for the 1st four weeks or so of the season. The other option would be just and expanded roster size for the 1st four weeks. It is just such a scramble for team to figure out their roster on cut day, but withing a few weeks everything always sorts itself out.

The current rules seems to cause a lot of extra work and movement of players. Teams have 90 players that they spent a lot of time coaching in their specific schemes and then some of those player inevitably have to go to other teams before the current team really knows what they can do or what the players they kept can or can't do in real games.

The 53 man limit just seems a little small these days. Even just expanding to 55 would be helpful.

I like having the limit on game day which is currently 46; although, 7 inactive players seems a bit more than needed.

Obviously, having the practice squad be protected would be great, but the player union will only agree that if those players get full rookie salaries which is 5x the practice squad salary.

I would just put a right of 1st refusal on the practice squad. The team that has the player on their PS would have the option to sign that player to their 53 and would get a week to determine who they were going to cut to make room.