Free Agency: Buyer Beware

[RashanGary]

low flash (non draft) moves like Cullen Jenkins, Colin Cole, Bigby, Tramon, Peprah, Jarrett Bush, Ryan Grant, Donald Lee, Ruvell Martin, Tory Humphrey, kregg Lumpkin and others do tend to make up a decent sized portion of many teams. NE was the masters at finding treasure in other teams trash. That seems to be a strength of TT's as well.

[Fred's Slacks]

You can say its hindsite. Or maybe the teams that do more research and are more selective wind up hitting on a higher percentage. Why is it that a higher percentage of FAs have worked out for teams like the Patriots, Giants, Steelers, and Packers then for the Cardinals, Raiders, Texans and Lions. Are they just luckier? Or are they smarter about the FA's they acquire?

Which all comes back to scouting, like I said. The problem isn't free agency, it is paying the wrong people.

Then I guess we agree. Nobody is saying free agency is a problem. They're just saying you have to be smart about how you use it. Am I repeating myself?

[RashanGary]

You can say its hindsite. Or maybe the teams that do more research and are more selective wind up hitting on a higher percentage. Why is it that a higher percentage of FAs have worked out for teams like the Patriots, Giants, Steelers, and Packers then for the Cardinals, Raiders, Texans and Lions. Are they just luckier? Or are they smarter about the FA's they acquire?

Which all comes back to scouting, like I said. The problem isn't free agency, it is paying the wrong people.

Then I guess we agree. Nobody is saying free agency is a problem. They're just saying you have to be smart about how you use it. Am I repeating myself?

No, you're pretty clear, make a lot of sense, but are speaking to a tard so what you acctually type is not being understood and the arguement goes on endlessly.

[RashanGary]

The Packers currently have 20 of 53 players aquired from means other than free agency or 38% of their team. I would guess they are in normal territory as far as draft/alternative roster content.

They have cap space because they had a talent dearth after several bad drafts leading to Thompsons inheritance of the team. As such, they are pushing forward rather than simply "spending to spend" as Brandt illuded to being smart in his article. The impression of our roster, how it got there and where it's going tends to be skewed by a small but vocal minority here at Packerrats. Often times this small, radical, emotion driven group is inspired by a hero they cannot let go of and as such they fail to see reality. Instead they focus on the fairytale they want to believe in their little heads.

As evident by some recent polls, I'd say Partials opinion is pretty much a stand alone extremist opinion, not shared by many nor convincing to any. Don't, any of you, take his words to heart. They're pretty much meaningless and starting to appraoch tank-like lunicy.

[3irty1]

The Patriots have the luxury of having the same coach since 2000. The only rebuilding he's done was his very first year and that was largely through the draft.

Thompson rebuilt this team through the draft and I imagine that in the next few years he'll be slightly more involved in free agency. That being said the article wasn't about the Brandon Chiller signings of the world. Guys who make lots of money over lots of years before even putting on your team's helmet are of course a risk.

[prsnfoto]

Have I reached your stupidity level yet?

You've been there for at least 2 months now...

Fuckoff. Punkass.

[Fritz]

Harvey wins.

[Partial]

The Packers currently have 20 of 53 players aquired from means other than free agency or 38% of their team. I would guess they are in normal territory as far as draft/alternative roster content.

They have cap space because they had a talent dearth after several bad drafts leading to Thompsons inheritance of the team. As such, they are pushing forward rather than simply "spending to spend" as Brandt illuded to being smart in his article. The impression of our roster, how it got there and where it's going tends to be skewed by a small but vocal minority here at Packerrats. Often times this small, radical, emotion driven group is inspired by a hero they cannot let go of and as such they fail to see reality. Instead they focus on the fairytale they want to believe in their little heads.

As evident by some recent polls, I'd say Partials opinion is pretty much a stand alone extremist opinion, not shared by many nor convincing to any. Don't, any of you, take his words to heart. They're pretty much meaningless and starting to appraoch tank-like lunicy.

What the fuck are you talking about? My point is extremely valid. You can't say this free agency is good, but this free agency is bad. FA is FA is FA is FA.

It's all about making smart decisions. If Tom Brady were a FA, I'd throw the biggest contract in football history at him. Would that be a dumb decision? Maybe to you, but I like winning, so hell yeah I'd take him on my team. FA is the open market, and players tend to earn what they're worth in FA.

TO was a high priced FA and I'd say he has worked out very well for the Cowboys. Jared Allen was essentially a free agent and he signed a HUGE contract that many have criticized. Yet the dude has produced and has shown to be a great deal to this point.

The Jets made some big deals this off-season and in contention in the AFC.

Willie Roaf was one of the best free agency signing ever by KC.

Chuck was signed to what everyone thought was a ridiculously high deal and he has been a stud.

It's all about evaluating talent.. period. It doesn't matter how you acquire the talent, its about how much talent you can acquire and make work in the framework of a team. Saying anything less is completely ignorant. There is not a doubt in my mind that TT missed out of some of the higher priced FA who turned out to be a bargin and could have put our team over the top last year.

[prsnfoto]

Another smart, knowledgable person speaking on the subject that had so many (including Brett Favre) up in arms. Anyone with half a brain, there is still time to change sides.

Yes Randy Moss turned out to be a horrible pickup last year, Faneca sucks balls , as does Jared Allen and the worst FA signing in recent memory has to be Charles Woodsen that guy is comepletely washed up, Micheal Turner has only what 65 yards rushing this year, even Chad Pennington was a bum with the Dolphins having won 1 game this year. Have I reached your stupidity level yet?

Jared Allen wasn't a FA pickup. The Vikings traded a lot of picks for him. Some work. Most don't. I think that was the point of the article. Look, I'd love for more Charles Woodson signings, but I'm cool with being cautious when it comes to big name UFAs. It allows us to resign our own guys (Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant, Aaron Kampman, Al Harris, Donald Driver, etc.; hopefully, Greg Jennings and Nick Collins soon).

I don't dispute that and my anger isn't directed at you it is at THE #1 TT cocksucker JH who had to take a potshot at Brett, the vast majority don't work out but that doesn't mean ya don't at least try some now and then. The money issue is kinda mute too, since signing your own is just as big a gamble Rodgers,Barnett and Jennnings(if extended) could also be 100 million in mistakes. Based on their performance this year the Packers overpaid Barnett and the Bears overpaid Briggs THEIR own. At this point I agree with the path they are taking but there is a time and place for FA like when you got an aging QB and 5o trillion dollars, Ron Wolf would have taken that shot and yes it probably would have set them back a couple years, but I kinda think they are sill a couple years if not more away anyways. Because as of now the Oline is a long way away and he has missed on the Dline except Pickett(FA) and Kampman those problems are not gonna get fixed overnight.

[Fritz]

The Packers currently have 20 of 53 players aquired from means other than free agency or 38% of their team. I would guess they are in normal territory as far as draft/alternative roster content.

They have cap space because they had a talent dearth after several bad drafts leading to Thompsons inheritance of the team. As such, they are pushing forward rather than simply "spending to spend" as Brandt illuded to being smart in his article. The impression of our roster, how it got there and where it's going tends to be skewed by a small but vocal minority here at Packerrats. Often times this small, radical, emotion driven group is inspired by a hero they cannot let go of and as such they fail to see reality. Instead they focus on the fairytale they want to believe in their little heads.

As evident by some recent polls, I'd say Partials opinion is pretty much a stand alone extremist opinion, not shared by many nor convincing to any. Don't, any of you, take his words to heart. They're pretty much meaningless and starting to appraoch tank-like lunicy.

What the fuck are you talking about? My point is extremely valid. You can't say this free agency is good, but this free agency is bad. FA is FA is FA is FA.

It's all about making smart decisions. If Tom Brady were a FA, I'd throw the biggest contract in football history at him. Would that be a dumb decision? Maybe to you, but I like winning, so hell yeah I'd take him on my team. FA is the open market, and players tend to earn what they're worth in FA.

TO was a high priced FA and I'd say he has worked out very well for the Cowboys. Jared Allen was essentially a free agent and he signed a HUGE contract that many have criticized. Yet the dude has produced and has shown to be a great deal to this point.

The Jets made some big deals this off-season and in contention in the AFC.

Willie Roaf was one of the best free agency signing ever by KC.

Chuck was signed to what everyone thought was a ridiculously high deal and he has been a stud.

It's all about evaluating talent.. period. It doesn't matter how you acquire the talent, its about how much talent you can acquire and make work in the framework of a team. Saying anything less is completely ignorant. There is not a doubt in my mind that TT missed out of some of the higher priced FA who turned out to be a bargin and could have put our team over the top last year.

Partial, I'm not here to get into the middle of your squabble with JH, but please at least use facts if you're going to throw examples around.

Jared Allen was NOT "essentially a free agent," unless you're trying to say that giving up a first round and two third round picks is "essentially a free agent." If you're making that claim, can you please explain how giving up a first and two thirds is "free"?

[Lurker64]

Tell that to the Patriots who rode smart free agency decisions to becoming a dynasty...

I don't think there is such a thing as "smart free agency". It's like gambling at a casino, there are some obviously stupid bets you can make, and then there are a bunch of other bets you could make. Some of those other bets you'll win and some of them you'll lose. It doesn't mean that the ones that work out were smart and the ones that don't were dumb. It's the same way with free agency, there are some obviously dumb free agency moves (e.g. Giving Adam Archuleta the biggest deal ever for a safety to bring him into a system where he'll be asked to be a coverage safety), but most of them are in somewhat muddy territory where nobody's quite sure how they'll work out but the teams in question are hopeful. I don't know if it's fair to call the ones that work out "smart" and the ones that don't "dumb". Free Agency moves are good or bad depending on whether they work out or not, but there's a fair degree of guesswork and hope involved in all of them.

[3irty1]

The Packers currently have 20 of 53 players aquired from means other than free agency or 38% of their team. I would guess they are in normal territory as far as draft/alternative roster content.

They have cap space because they had a talent dearth after several bad drafts leading to Thompsons inheritance of the team. As such, they are pushing forward rather than simply "spending to spend" as Brandt illuded to being smart in his article. The impression of our roster, how it got there and where it's going tends to be skewed by a small but vocal minority here at Packerrats. Often times this small, radical, emotion driven group is inspired by a hero they cannot let go of and as such they fail to see reality. Instead they focus on the fairytale they want to believe in their little heads.

As evident by some recent polls, I'd say Partials opinion is pretty much a stand alone extremist opinion, not shared by many nor convincing to any. Don't, any of you, take his words to heart. They're pretty much meaningless and starting to appraoch tank-like lunicy.

What the fuck are you talking about? My point is extremely valid. You can't say this free agency is good, but this free agency is bad. FA is FA is FA is FA.

It's all about making smart decisions. If Tom Brady were a FA, I'd throw the biggest contract in football history at him. Would that be a dumb decision? Maybe to you, but I like winning, so hell yeah I'd take him on my team. FA is the open market, and players tend to earn what they're worth in FA.

TO was a high priced FA and I'd say he has worked out very well for the Cowboys. Jared Allen was essentially a free agent and he signed a HUGE contract that many have criticized. Yet the dude has produced and has shown to be a great deal to this point.

The Jets made some big deals this off-season and in contention in the AFC.

Willie Roaf was one of the best free agency signing ever by KC.

Chuck was signed to what everyone thought was a ridiculously high deal and he has been a stud.

It's all about evaluating talent.. period. It doesn't matter how you acquire the talent, its about how much talent you can acquire and make work in the framework of a team. Saying anything less is completely ignorant. There is not a doubt in my mind that TT missed out of some of the higher priced FA who turned out to be a bargin and could have put our team over the top last year.

I agree. In the end it doesn't matter how you get the players. I would argue that a top 5 draft pick is more of a risk than a proven big name FA. To get a real deal in FA often means that an NFL team misevaluated its own talent. Its much more likely to get a real "deal" in the draft.

[CaliforniaCheez]

Tell that to the Patriots who rode smart free agency decisions to becoming a dynasty...

I don't think there is such a thing as "smart free agency". It's like gambling at a casino, there are some obviously stupid bets you can make.....

Like all bets you gamble on those that have better odds.

Teams with more holes tend to make more free agent signings hoping to improve. Some teams are always bad and for good players it is a bad move to sign there (Oakland, Cincinatti, Detroit) but okay for marginal players.

Pickett was signed for the price of Flanagan lost. Woodson had injury problems in Oakland but we all know Ahmad Carroll had to be replaced. That gamble paid well.

Ted Thompson has done little in free agency and the downside like stupid signings of Marqund Manuel and Oakland signing Javon Walker show how ba a gamble some of those players are.

It is like a casino and occaisionally you get lucky but in the long run it is a losing bet (like the vikings).

Brandt's article just restates much of what we already know. The casino has odds in their favor and the more you play the more likely you will lose.

Yet every March there are posting screaming about Ted Thompson sitting on his hands and a pile of money.

[Partial]

The Packers currently have 20 of 53 players aquired from means other than free agency or 38% of their team. I would guess they are in normal territory as far as draft/alternative roster content.

They have cap space because they had a talent dearth after several bad drafts leading to Thompsons inheritance of the team. As such, they are pushing forward rather than simply "spending to spend" as Brandt illuded to being smart in his article. The impression of our roster, how it got there and where it's going tends to be skewed by a small but vocal minority here at Packerrats. Often times this small, radical, emotion driven group is inspired by a hero they cannot let go of and as such they fail to see reality. Instead they focus on the fairytale they want to believe in their little heads.

As evident by some recent polls, I'd say Partials opinion is pretty much a stand alone extremist opinion, not shared by many nor convincing to any. Don't, any of you, take his words to heart. They're pretty much meaningless and starting to appraoch tank-like lunicy.

What the fuck are you talking about? My point is extremely valid. You can't say this free agency is good, but this free agency is bad. FA is FA is FA is FA.

It's all about making smart decisions. If Tom Brady were a FA, I'd throw the biggest contract in football history at him. Would that be a dumb decision? Maybe to you, but I like winning, so hell yeah I'd take him on my team. FA is the open market, and players tend to earn what they're worth in FA.

TO was a high priced FA and I'd say he has worked out very well for the Cowboys. Jared Allen was essentially a free agent and he signed a HUGE contract that many have criticized. Yet the dude has produced and has shown to be a great deal to this point.

The Jets made some big deals this off-season and in contention in the AFC.

Willie Roaf was one of the best free agency signing ever by KC.

Chuck was signed to what everyone thought was a ridiculously high deal and he has been a stud.

It's all about evaluating talent.. period. It doesn't matter how you acquire the talent, its about how much talent you can acquire and make work in the framework of a team. Saying anything less is completely ignorant. There is not a doubt in my mind that TT missed out of some of the higher priced FA who turned out to be a bargin and could have put our team over the top last year.

Partial, I'm not here to get into the middle of your squabble with JH, but please at least use facts if you're going to throw examples around.

Jared Allen was NOT "essentially a free agent," unless you're trying to say that giving up a first round and two third round picks is "essentially a free agent." If you're making that claim, can you please explain how giving up a first and two thirds is "free"?

I lump in any sort of player addition from the outside in the same boat. Say they traded for jared allen for only a 1st round pick and a small salary... still a risk. Not a lot different imo.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I lump in any sort of player addition from the outside in the same boat. Say they traded for jared allen for only a 1st round pick and a small salary... still a risk. Not a lot different imo.

So, Ryan Grant counts as a FA acquisition in your mind?