RashanGary
12-29-2007, 11:40 PM
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=701663
The more you hear Ted Thompson speak, the more you realize he really does have a plan. It's open ended and adaptable, but it's a plan that uses wisdom, skill and intelligence to build the strongest possible roster. There are qualities about each market in the NFL: the draft, UFA, RFA, fringe markets. With each market comes pitfalls and benefits.
UFA is over priced, but you pick what you want, bid for it and win or lose based on yoru bid. If you are going to over pay, you might as well get someone you need, right? Ted has this figured out.
The draft only has so many good players. Might as well take as many good ones as you can, right? It's not as easily done. Ted has examples of desperation failing over and over.
RFA and "get mine early" are discount rates compared to UFA. Ted Thompson seems to aggressively approach expriing contracts in a way that locks guys up before they see the UFA market. Corey Williams is one guy who might make it, but he's the excpetion more than the rule with Ted Thompson and it seems Williams and his agent were the ones that broke of talks.
Then there are the fringe markets and outside chances. Ted takes a bunch of flyers and hopes one or two stick. There is no real cost, just take a look at as many as you can.
He plays each market differently, but with each one he seems to have his approach adjusted in a way that takes advantage of what each has to offer. I really do think we have a great GM. It's been fun to watch this team, but I really do think it can get better. Brett's probably coming back. There should be no real suprises. This team might just be getting started, not peaking.
The more you hear Ted Thompson speak, the more you realize he really does have a plan. It's open ended and adaptable, but it's a plan that uses wisdom, skill and intelligence to build the strongest possible roster. There are qualities about each market in the NFL: the draft, UFA, RFA, fringe markets. With each market comes pitfalls and benefits.
UFA is over priced, but you pick what you want, bid for it and win or lose based on yoru bid. If you are going to over pay, you might as well get someone you need, right? Ted has this figured out.
The draft only has so many good players. Might as well take as many good ones as you can, right? It's not as easily done. Ted has examples of desperation failing over and over.
RFA and "get mine early" are discount rates compared to UFA. Ted Thompson seems to aggressively approach expriing contracts in a way that locks guys up before they see the UFA market. Corey Williams is one guy who might make it, but he's the excpetion more than the rule with Ted Thompson and it seems Williams and his agent were the ones that broke of talks.
Then there are the fringe markets and outside chances. Ted takes a bunch of flyers and hopes one or two stick. There is no real cost, just take a look at as many as you can.
He plays each market differently, but with each one he seems to have his approach adjusted in a way that takes advantage of what each has to offer. I really do think we have a great GM. It's been fun to watch this team, but I really do think it can get better. Brett's probably coming back. There should be no real suprises. This team might just be getting started, not peaking.