How can CFL teams own rights on NFL players?

[argolio]

A public draft would be a waste of time. Keep it the way it is.

[argos1873]

A public draft would be a waste of time. Keep it the way it is.

I was going to respond to Invader, but you nailed it. A draft is a waste of time for so many reasons.

[Tau Ceti]

Dusting off an old topic after reading some Manziel news.

I think I understand the purpose and mechanics of the neg list but just have two questions for the better informed.

Is adding a name simply first come, first served?

Can a team add anyone at any contract stage in the NFL or does the player have to be non-contracted elsewhere?

[AngeloV]

Dusting off an old topic after reading some Manziel news.

I think I understand the purpose and mechanics of the neg list but just have two questions for the better informed.

Is adding a name simply first come, first served?

Can a team add anyone at any contract stage in the NFL or does the player have to be non-contracted elsewhere?

They can add any player that's not on another CFL team's neg list. TBH, the neg list was created to stop richer teams from having the ability to sign all the top available players, and that was a long time ago when there was no salary cap. Now that there is a cap, there really is no reason for a neg list. All players that are not part of the annual Canadian draft should be instant free agents.

[Tau Ceti]

They can add any player that's not on another CFL team's neg list. TBH, the neg list was created to stop richer teams from having the ability to sign all the top available players, and that was a long time ago when there was no salary cap. Now that there is a cap, there really is no reason for a neg list. All players that are not part of the annual Canadian draft should be instant free agents.

Hm. The process disempowers a player like Manziel, as he can't shop himself around, but I suppose it eliminates bidding wars that might occur (even within the cap). It just seems really arbitrary to me that sending a fax off to the league before someone else does is enough to give you the rights to a potential franchise player.