Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has once again made waves with his quotes. This time, though, the football world might want to seriously consider the suggestion. On3 analyst JD PicKell discussed Coach Prime’s spring ball idea and then some.
JD PicKell Examines Deion Sanders’ Bold Offer
Never one to accept the status quo, Syracuse Fran Brown saw an opportunity that he wanted to capitalize on by announcing his desire to play a spring game against another team.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders proposed the idea of two teams practicing and playing a scrimmage in front of fans. The intriguing approach caught the attention of On3’s JD PicKell.
The former Cornell running back turned analyst opined regarding what the game could mean for the sport.
“So, if I am reading the tea leaves here, Syracuse would be playing Colorado in Colorado’s spring game. This is an idea that has been floated by other coaches,” PicKell said. “I have been long on the train that I did not want to see that. Spring is about staying healthy, first and foremost, and also getting a high volume of reps.
“Since that stance, we’ve seen spring games slowly fall off the face of the planet. So, if you’re telling me my two options are no spring game or watching Colorado and Syracuse, I’m taking Colorado and Syracuse every single day of the week,” the analyst continued.
PicKell doesn’t mince words here and initially provides a paradoxical statement. Yet, with the changing landscape, he managed to alter his thought pattern. Teams claim that the elimination of the spring games centers around health.
Although this may be true, another danger exists. In the age of NIL and buckets of money, keeping the cameras off potential transfer targets doesn’t hurt.
Is Deion Sanders Setting A New Standard For Spring Football?
With at least 13 teams canceling their spring games already, Brown and Sanders have a mammoth opportunity. What better optics exist than two teams that will not play for the foreseeable future meeting in Boulder on a Saturday afternoon in the spring?
When elite teams like Alabama and Ohio State decide to run from the camera, Brown and Sanders want the exact opposite. This proposed showcase game would find its way onto primetime—no pun intended—television, where it would see a substantial audience.
Granted, the game wouldn’t count, but the ability to experience in-game pressure and decision-making without affecting win-loss records cannot go understated.
Imagine developing a play-calling approach for the red zone, midfield, or deep in your own territory. While coaches arrive with these traits, they are vague outlines and do not use this current roster against an opposing defense. It’s pretty much something akin to how different countries engage in training maneuvers in friendly exercises.
Entering any potential spring game immediately benefits Brown and Syracuse right off the bat. According to 247 Sports, the Orange rank 60th in recruiting this cycle. Under those circumstances, they would benefit from getting more national exposure.
Plus, as an upper-middle ACC program, Syracuse must find out what they have, talent-wise, and who they have in regard to depth. The score would not matter.
The Orange went 10-3 last season behind the 21st-best scoring offense in the FBS. Now that QB Kyle McCord heads to the NFL Draft, they will need to try to continue their upward trajectory.
Meanwhile, Sanders and the “Buffs” get to also test their defense against an offense-minded head coach.
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Fran Brown jumped at the chance to possibly play Colorado. He sees the landscape of the game in full evolution and doesn’t want to get left behind. Now, most coaches will buck the approach because they don’t want to expose their players to poaching.
That says more about their insecurity than Brown’s confidence. JD PicKell sees the potential future of the game. Once again, Deion Sanders moved the conversation forward.
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