NEW YORK -- When Troy Vincent mentioned in April the NFLs interest in establishing a developmental league, he couldnt have imagined the response it would get. [url=http://www.officialmetsfanstore.com/mets-jose-bautista-jersey/]Jose Bautista Jersey[/url] . "I got more than 100 proposals," he

NEW YORK -- When Troy Vincent mentioned in April the NFLs interest in establishing a developmental league, he couldnt have imagined the response it would get. Jose Bautista Jersey . "I got more than 100 proposals," he said with a laugh. "I think that shows it is worth a look." And that is what it will get, although the NFL has no timetable for establishing such a league. Why is it likely to get off the ground? Vincent, who recently became the NFLs head of football operations, cites a bunch of reasons, from training coaches and officials to finding players to testing rules. "It would be an opportunity to enhance our game on many levels, to develop the future, preserve and innovate the game," he said. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin would like to see it happen. "Im in favour of anything that increases opportunities for guys to grow and develop," Tomlin said, "and ultimately improve the product of our game for our fans, particularly at some positions." Notably, quarterback. Tomlin is well aware of how former Super Bowl QBs Kurt Warner and Jake Delhomme were helped by their time in the minors. "Quarterbacks often dont come to you ready-made, particularly with the way college football is played now with so many spread offences and half-field reads and so forth," Tomlin said. Tomlin is right that the NFL relies on the college game for developing the skills of potential pro players. That wont change but, as the number of undrafted free agents who populate NFL rosters shows -- 31.4 per cent in 2014 -- there are hundreds of players who would benefit from having a place to showcase themselves if the NFL doesnt come calling. Not since NFL Europe disappeared in 2007 has there been an NFL-affiliated place where players could go to prove themselves worthy of a look by one of the leagues 32 teams. Same thing for officials and coaches. "Thats what NFL Europe was intended to be, a developmental league," said Falcons defensive co-ordinator Mike Nolan, a former head coach in the NFL. "I thought it was great for coaches, I thought it was great for players, I thought it was great for officials. It wasnt my money they were spending on it, but I always thought the time was worth it. " There are dozens of questions accompanying any project: When and where would the league play games? How many teams would be in a developmental league? Who would play and coach? Would television be interested? Marc Ganis, president of SportsCorp, a Chicago-based consulting firm, has a strong relationship with many team owners. He envisions a league being established for spring play, with all of the teams supplying players they want to see more from. "After the NFL season and before the training camps, say March to July," Ganis said. "Its an open time in the sports schedule. The colleges are done and the NBA and NHL playoffs wind down. "A league in the fall is really tough. It is not like baseball, where teams can be calling up players every day from the minors. There would be lots of restrictions on player movement then." This wont be an international venture, either. In fact, it probably would be done regionally, cutting down on travel costs. "I do envision some sort of developmental league, based maybe in Florida or Texas or Arizona," said former NFL general manager Phil Savage, who now is the executive director of the Senior Bowl. "Anywhere from four to six teams; I dont think more than eight. "I see it as tightly managed, with not a ton of travel. And I dont think it would matter the size of the stadiums and crowds, because its a minor league, a place to look at players from the lower end of the roster or players trying to make it into the NFL." Ganis says not to worry about TV interest. "The networks have open time in the spring, and its an NFL product. There would be room on the networks for games on the weekend, and on the cable outlets for weeknights," he said. "Theres really a dearth of major sports on the weekends then. "I think you would see all the networks with cable channels -- CBS, Fox, NBC, and of course NFL Network -- to be interested. And ESPN would likely want in on the mix, although they need it the least." Savage was most intrigued by Vincents suggestion that an academy for training players, coaches and officials could accompany a D-league. But he foresees such an academy being held during the NFL season. "It would be in one centralized location and these players go there and they keep their football life afloat for another few months or another season," Savage said. "And maybe they show enough to play in the developmental league the next spring. Or maybe they get discovered for the NFL." One major caveat would be the status of the players. Would they be NFL Players Association members? What sort of medical coverage would they have? What would their salaries be? Savage believes the league, the union and the American Football Coaches Association -- the organization for college coaches -- could work out a strategy that would lead to a developmental league by the end of the decade, perhaps much sooner. "I think it could be a really neat thing and can help a lot of players," he said. Rams coach Jeff Fisher, co-chairman of the NFLs influential competition committee, agrees. "Theres been discussions over the last couple years. I dont know what direction its going, but I think we have a need for it," Fisher said. "I think it would be beneficial from a young players standpoint. ... if you have to make an outside roster move to get somebody thats in shape that you can evaluate on film." Vincent, naturally, is in a position to help bring a league, and an academy, into existence. "If it is something sustainable and it is good for the sport, and we can make it work," Vincent said, "its worth pursuing." Mike Piazza Jersey . A top pitching prospect, one who the ball club is pinning some of its future hopes, takes the spot of a veteran who once was viewed as a future ace but who, to this point, hasnt realized his potential and may never. Darryl Strawberry Jersey . -- Without Carey Price, the run for a first Stanley Cup in 21 years got steeper and longer for the Montreal Canadiens. http://www.officialmetsfanstore.com/mets-david-wright-jersey/ . PETERSBURG, Fla.Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger injured his right shoulder in the third quarter against the Houston Texans on Sunday.The rookie quarterback left the game when driven to the ground by J.J. Watt. On the series prior to the injury, Mettenberger threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Wright. Jake Locker replaced him and threw an interception on his first play.Titans cornerback Johnathan Joseph injured his Achilles tendon in the third quarter and didnt return, but said after the game that he was OK. The Titans said wide receiver Justin Hunter has a lacerated spleen and will spend the night in a Houston hospital.Giants right tackle Geoff Schwartz, playing in place of starter Justin Pugh, injured his left ankle and left on a cart against Jacksonville. His replacement, James Brewer, also left with a concussion. Running back Rashad Jennings went down with an ankle injury.Coach Tom Coughlin said X-rays were negative on Schwartzs ankle, but he does have tendon damage. Giants linebacker Terrell Manning (ankle) and defensive end Robert Ayers (pectoral) also left the game. Jaguars defensive end Andre Branch reinjured a groin muscle that kept him out the previous four games.Cleveland Browns receiver Miles Austin will remain in a Buffalo hospital overnight after sustaining a kidney injury during a 26-10 loss to the Bills.The Browns issued the update four hours after the game Sunday. Its unclear when Austin was hurt in a game he had seven catches for a team-leading 86 yards.Browns tight end Gary Barnidge did not return after hurting his ribs in the first quuarter. Amed Rosario Jersey. Center Nick McDonald did not return after hurting his ankle in the first quarter.Packers cornerback Sam Shields left the game against New England because of a concussion. He got hurt early in the second quarter on a play in which Patriots running back Brandon Bolden gained 12 yards.Shields, who was not in on the tackle, stayed down for a few moments on one knee before getting up briefly. Shields went down again before the next play, then jogged off the field accompanied by trainers.Arizona safety Tyrann Mathieu left the Cardinals loss at the Falcons with a broken thumb. Running back Andre Ellington left after aggravating a hip injury.Rams guard Rodger Saffold aggravated a nagging left shoulder injury in the second half and did not return, but expects to play next week at Washington. Raiders tight end Brian Leonhardt (concussion) was hurt on a kickoff return in the first quarter and did not return. Offensive lineman Menelik Watson (ankle) was sidelined in the second quarter.In other injury news:—Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel left in the third quarter of the loss to the Saints with a triceps problem.—Colts cornerback Vontae Davis left in the third quarter of their victory over the Redskins with a concussion.—Baltimore wide receiver Marlon Brown landed hard on his back after making a first-down catch in the first quarter and left with a concussion against San Diego. 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