NFL Football Returns to Los Angeles
Added on Nov 08, 2011 by Scott in
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Okay, that headline is slightly misleading. But there will be an NFL endorsed football game played in Los Angeles next January. In a precedent-setting move, the NFL Players Association has agreed to hold an exhibition game at the Home Depot Center featuring draft-eligible players. The purpose of the event is to provide college players a introductory look at life in the NFL prior to the draft.
Sounds similar to the Senior Bowl, except there’s one significant difference: underclassmen will be allowed to participate alongside seniors, giving NFL scouts and front office personnel an opportunity to evaluate close to 100 prospects in an actual game.
The opposing sides will be coached by Super Bowl XV head coaches Dick Vermeil and Tom Flores. Vermeil believes the experience will prove invaluable to potential rookies.
“The NFL Players Association wants this to be more than just a game, they want it to be a NFL educational experience,” Vermeil said, via ESPN Los Angeles. “This will be these players’ first introduction to the National Football League without the pressure of making a team in training camp. By the time they are drafted and go to training camp they will have an understanding of what’s expected of them, having worked with NFL coaches and players for a week. There won’t be anything like this.”
In addition to the game, current and former NFL players will help run a week’s worth of practices meant to simulate the type of preparation required at the professional level.
The AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will take place on January 21, 2012 at the home of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team. The decision to stage the game in LA isn’t random. It’s no secret the NFL desperately wants a team in the number two television market.
Game tickets are scheduled to go on sale later this week for $15 a pop.
Source: ESPN Los Angeles
