R.I.P. NFL Europa

I heard the news today that NFL Europa would be ceasing operations after 17 years of existence. Considered the NFL's "minor league" or "developmental league", NFL Europa has become a place where players looking for a chance to improve themselves and maybe show scouts something that may catch their eye. Take this year for example. I actually knew who Casey Bramlet was before the World Bowl a couple of days ago. However, for those who didn't, and still may not, he is the quarterback of the Hamburg Sea Devils, and a member of the Washington Redskins. He was also the World Bowl MVP this year, with 347 passing yards. He showed everyone something out there, and in the next few years, he could possibly receive more attention. I guess only time will tell.

What interests me is "now what"? What will the NFL do for development now?

Mark Cuban's "league"may be a viable option for the NFL. The league would not be in competition with the NFL, but rather a partner. Because honestly, why bother trying to compete with the NFL? It's a lost cause.

The other possibility could just be another developmental league, this time in the United States, but free of Mark Cuban. I have a solid suggestion for how to organize said league of course.

1. Eight teams, just like NFL Europa, except each division owns one team. Example- the AFC East would collectively hold the rights to a franchise to develop all of their players together. This could enhance the rivalries within the divisions, as well as add more interest to the developmental league for the fans.

2. Center the locations of the new eight franchises in the vicinity of the NFL teams, to create a more regional flavor.

3. Market the development league teams alongside the NFL teams.

Just to make a case here, I'll pick eight citites to put NFL teams in, also listing which division they would be attached to.

AFC EAST- Louisville
AFC NORTH- Des Moines
AFC SOUTH- Norfolk
AFC WEST- Los Angeles

NFC EAST- Long Island
NFC NORTH- Salt Lake City
NFC SOUTH- Oklahoma City
NFC WEST- Portland

So that's just my take on what the NFL should do. I guess we'll see how it plays out, but this seems like a solution that will work in the long term.