Why hasn't anyone ever suggested a spring practice/week...

[Reality Man]

in some area like Miami and you would have a bunch of different programs who could practice against each other to see where they are in relation to their competition. Don't they do that in the NFL.

Maybe do it for a couple of days. Let's keep UM out of it.

How about PSU, South Carolina, Syracuse & West Virginia and they go up to NJ for the weekend and scrimmage.

That would be interesting. Just think of the fans that would come out. The players would love to scrimmage against different quality teams. It's regional and not too cost prohibitive. You could bring up a limited number of guys.

In fact...the 2nd string would play against the other teams 2nd string. Just an informal practice/competition and none of these teams would play each other during the season except potentially in a bowl game.

Thoughts?



RM

 

[ArrowheadBlue]

for the same reason no one thought of a signing day party. JH has 20/20 vision while the rest of the world wears bifocals (stole from Butch Cassady).

 

[klemman]

I think that from a marketing standpoint and exposure to recruits, the Spring Practice in Florida or whatever area you want to focus on is a great idea and I give Harbaugh full credit. But there is a trade off. It is taking away Spring Break from the players.

It's probably true that players would rather scrimmage against other competition, but not a the expense of a true Spring Break. They'll do it because they have to, not because they want to.

Typically in Spring practice the coaches are working on developing younger players and implementing the offensive and defensive schemes. Difficult to do if you are traveling between locations and scrimmaging against different teams. Remember, there is a limit on how much time/days that the coaches have available for Spring Practice.

Finally, inter squad scrimmages would certainly up the intensity (a good thing) but as a result could increase the risk for injury.

It makes sense for Harbaugh to do it this year, and maybe even in another 3-5 years, but not an annual thing.

Before I get hammered from my friends who might "seem" to think that this is another anti-Harbaugh fear of Michigan post, it's just a comment on the issue at hand. After all, Reality Man did end his OP with "Thoughts?"