Practice squad rules
 

Now I know that a player who was drafted must clear waivers (a 24-hour period) without being claimed by another team to be eligible to be signed to the PS. Is the same true for UDRFA's?

On a side note I think it sucks NFL Europe has been disbanded because it was a good way to stash up to 6 additional prospects. The NFL needs to come up with a farm system.

Because of the differences between Canadien and Arena League I don't think that would be a viable option, that is if you could convince them to take on players designated for assignment in the first place.

I know there's alot of semi-pro teams out there but the league's are mostly a loose confederation based on regionality. I just wonder why the NFL has never really pursued a minor league system besides Europe.

I realize college ball is our farm system but the overly authoratarian NCAA seems like a pain to deal with.

Re: Practice squad rules
 

I don't believe there is any difference between UDFAs and draft picks, all players on the preseason roster must clear waivers before they can either be signed to a practice squad or hit the street. The only people not subject to waivers are tenured vets, I believe 4 accrued seasons, and this is only if they are released before the trading deadline.

Re: Practice squad rules
 

Unfortunately our guys almost NEVER clear waivers, so if you have any UDRFA binkies be assured they will eventually be a member of the Jets or Colts PS because that's where alot of guys wind up.

I think the whole system sucks personally, and that's why a minor league system should be in place so teams can keep the players they draft and sign instead of allowing other teams to steal them.

Re: Practice squad rules
 

I would love a minor league system. it would have to have a few exrta rules so teams can't just can't stash players midseason. It would make a killing and you oculd expand the Draft for a couple years to help fiil up the rosters

Re: Practice squad rules
 

Exactly. I'm sure theres alot of kids coming out college who if they could still earn a living doing what they love for 30-60 grand or so and keeping the dream alive they would do it.

I beleive it would get plenty of fan support considering the NFL has the most sports fans by a wide margin. Can you imagine a Patriots farm team in Manchester or Providence or Worcester or Hartford or Springfield et all? I know I'd go to some games.

Baseball has a good model to take a look at. You draft a guy in the late rounds and instead of taking a chance with a guy on the bubble, he goes to the minors for seasoning instead of getting claimed by another team.

I just keep thinking about last year with the Garrett Mills situation. Obviously, BB wanted to keep him but Brad Childress decided to take him. Mills had no say in the matter. He might as well have been a loaf of bread on a shelf in a grocery store. Childress got him after BB was restricted from going to the store for 24 hours. In retaliation BB took one of his players. I forget the LB's name (who I beleive was released shortly after), but I'm sure he would rather have kept Garrett.

The current system has a negative impact on the original team and potentially the player himself if he's taken for a week of brain-picking for an upcoming opponent then released.

I'm not sure of the rules regarding other teams signing guys off another teams PS but it seems to me that's a decision left up to the player on wether or not to sign. If anyone out there can give me some specifics on the Practice Squad rules it would be appreciated.