NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Troy Vincent said that his department is "prepared to make recommendations for a developmental league or in-season academy after years studying the matter," according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSPORTS.com. The league will "begin the formal process of meeting with the Competition Committee, coaches and NFLPA after the season." With the support of "numerous owners and prominent coaches the issue has gained significant momentum this year." It was a "focal point of Vincent's work" and has been a "special project" for former coach Tom Coughlin, who joined the league office this year. This project is "deeply supported" by Pro Football HOFer John Madden, who "continues to consult for the league on such matters." Vincent's charge has been to "put forth proposals he believes owners ultimately would be willing to support financially and otherwise, as a considerable per-team investment may be necessary." This particularly holds true for a spring league that would "consist of players likely with three years' or less experience." A venture of that magnitude would also "require substantial negotiations with the NFLPA." The union has said that it has "not met formally with the league about any developmental projects." It also has "seemed lukewarm, at best, to a spring league." Vincent has done "exhaustive studies of creating an in-season academy that would train a valuable talent base ... that would run from final cuts until November." He has consulted with "existing academies like IMG and is considering options of having more than one official NFL in-season academy around the country" (CBSSPORTS.com, 11/27). La Canfora added team owners "like the Joneses and the Rooneys strongly support the effort, as do Super Bowl-winning coaches like John Harbaugh and Sean Payton” (“The NFL Today,” CBS, 11/27).
