[antiRepublicrat]

I just don't understand why the NFL wants this rule. Why don't they let the freedom of competition decide wether someone is able to play in the NFL.

It's sort of the apprentice/journeyman/master setup that has sadly disappeared from society. They didn't necessarily want players with the most raw talent, but seasoned and mature players who have learned to play on a team at two separate levels. This lowering of the bar to entry could be one source of all of the problems and indiscretions we've been having with athletes in recent years.

[cport]

One trend I have noticed (especially in the QB position) is that the NFL has been using the Arena and World league as "Class AAA" farm teams. The right amount of seasoning for a rookie with little or no pressure is achieved. Look at the progress and success of Delhomme and the Rams QB, both arena and world league products. I don't see this as an opening of the floodgates for players to come out early, as the teams are worried about another Ryan Leaf or Brain Bosworth.

[John O]

They didn't necessarily want players with the most raw talent, but seasoned and mature players who have learned to play on a team at two separate levels.

This is crucially important. Football is far more a team game than basketball is.

In Bball someone like Michael Jordan can dominate the opposing team almost by himself.

In football, Brett Favre, while being the best QB in the game ever (IMHO), is just one guy versus eleven. If he didn't have good team mates he'd get creamed. You can insert Barry Sanders or Randy Moss if you choose. Story remains the same. If you can't play as a team, you lose.