Re: Big Spending doesn't pay in Free Agency <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Big spending doesn't pay in free agencyBy Adam Schefter(Feb. 28, 2007) -- Thanks to the millions of dollars that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and Browns owner Randy Lerner spent at this time last year, NFL teams have been provided an easy-to-use handbook on how the free agent process works.Or, more aptly, how it doesn't.Neither Edgerrin James, Terrell Owens, Steve Hutchinson, Charles Woodson or LaVar Arrington -- just some of the headliners from last year's free-agent class -- helped their new teams to a single playoff win this past season.And it goes beyond the free-agent class of 2006. More than a decade's worth of spending sprees -- many stemming from the mints in Washington and Cleveland -- has demonstrated one lesson as much as any other: Free agency is intended to accessorize a roster, not customize it.The Cards spent big on Edgerrin James but finished with the same 5-11 record as in 2005.Indianapolis added a kicker, the most clutch kicker in postseason history, and Adam Vinatieri kicked Baltimore out of the playoffs and Indianapolis on to the AFC Championship Game.But beyond Vinatieri, none of the other five previous Super Bowl champions -- Pittsburgh, New England and Tampa Bay -- used a newly-acquired free agent to make the difference in the standings or in a season.In fact, New England's big free-agent splash last offseason was wide receiver Reche Caldwell, who, like his new team, dropped the ball when it looked like they were ready to move on to Miami and a game versus the Chicago Bears.The last big-dollar, big-name, three-down free agent to catapult his new team to a world championship was tight end Shannon Sharpe, who provided leadership off the field and big plays on it. But more often than not, it's pay for lack of plays.Now, sometimes there is free-agent gold. Just last offseason, the New Orleans Saints struck it when they signed quarterback Drew Brees. Philadelphia did the same with Jeff Garcia. But for every Brees and Garcia, there is a Scott Mitchell and a Drew Bledsoe.And with the new free-agent signing period about to kick off, and with players such as cornerback Nate Clements and linebacker Adalius Thomas about to cash in, and with owners about to open their checkbooks in an even grander fashion than they've done in the past, they would be well advised to recognize how wasteful their spending habits often can be.Unintentionally, millions already have been spent -- on research and lack of development.</div>
Re: Big Spending doesn't pay in Free Agency Free Agency is definitely the way to go, but you can't just sign the best players on the market like Snyder does. You have to sign the players that the coaches really like and the players that actually fit in (like Randle El, not Lloyd). The only time the draft really works is if you have a lot of draft picks. Having two or three first day picks will not do. If you want to build through the draft, you have to trade for more picks.
Re: Big Spending doesn't pay in Free Agency <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ Mar 1 2007, 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Free Agency is definitely the way to go, but you can't just sign the best players on the market like Snyder does. You have to sign the players that the coaches really like and the players that actually fit in (like Randle El, not Lloyd). The only time the draft really works is if you have a lot of draft picks. Having two or three first day picks will not do. If you want to build through the draft, you have to trade for more picks.</div>It's funny that the Redskin fan thinks Free Agency actually works. Even Randle El, your specific example, has been a monumental disappointment with the Redskins with almost 250 yards less receiving then he had with the Steelers, yet was given a 30 million dollar contract for 32 receptions last season. :whistling: The only time the draft really works? Good drafting works all the time, just look at the past Super Bowl Champs.2006 - Indianapolis Colts 20/22 starters were Drafted (Gary Brackett, Anthony McFarland (Trade))2005 - Pittsburgh Steelers 20/22 starters were Drafted (Kimo von Oelhoffen, James Farrior)2004 - New England Patriots 19/22 starters were Drafted (Corey Dillon (Trade), Rosevelt Colvin, Rodney Harrison) The majority of each of these teams (and the core of each team) is drafted talent.
Re: Big Spending doesn't pay in Free Agency I'd rather my team sign 5 Tully Banta-Cain caliber players for smaller contracts, than 1 Nate Clements.
Re: Big Spending doesn't pay in Free Agency <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Mar 1 2007, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'd rather my team sign 5 Tully Banta-Cain caliber players for smaller contracts, than 1 Nate Clements.</div>Well if the Niners sign AD, you can have one. Niners were interested in him but they've lost it since it seems AD will be holdin a brand new Niners jersey in Santa Clara soon. Oh and yeah Snyder is a retard, even Skins fans think so (Look at my sig).
Re: Big Spending doesn't pay in Free Agency Capt. Comeback is a Vikings fan...Venom, Randle El was anything but a disappointment. I'm not gonna look up stats, but he had like 20 rushes, like 40 catches for 3 TD, 1 passing TD, and 1 PR TD.
Re: Big Spending doesn't pay in Free Agency We got Patten like two years ago.Lloyd didn't fit in at all.Archuleta... ^^
Re: Big Spending doesn't pay in Free Agency <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ Mar 1 2007, 07:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>We got Patten like two years ago.Lloyd didn't fit in at all.Archuleta... ^^</div>Oh I know that, but they payed him too much to not do shit. You would think a NFL organization would do a little research about fittin players in before they give them very huge contracts.
Re: Big Spending doesn't pay in Free Agency Talk about overpaying... let's see how much you guys give Clements. Dockery signed with Bills for like $50 and 30 SB
Re: Big Spending doesn't pay in Free Agency The Bears built their offensive line thru FA, w/ big spending
