Big spending doesn't pay in free agency

[woodbuck27]

http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10028966

Big spending doesn't pay in free agency


By Adam Schefter
NFL Analyst


(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.

[KYPack]

We have a nearby example, The Vikes, for this lesson.

Several of the Vikes recent free agent classes looked golden, but essentially, they haven't improved that team even a little.

A FA CAN help, I'd say Vinateri and Brees were some of the best FA's to come along recently. But you can't count on much from high priced FA.

NO totally revitalized their D with guys picked up off the scrap heap.

I'd like to see our guy improve dramatically in that area. NE did the same thing in the early part of the decade. TT needs to add vet FA's in the right spots, & I don't mean Earl Little, Matt O'Dwyer and those kinda bums either.

[Packnut]

FA

Free Agency is nothing more than a tool and like any tool, it's as good or as bad as the person using it.

[retailguy]

Re: FA

Free Agency is nothing more than a tool and like any tool, it's as good or as bad as the person using it.

Then, perhaps, maybe someone should give Ted some lessons.

[Zool]

Maybe Sherman could give him the lessons?

[retailguy]

Maybe Sherman could give him the lessons?

Good One. But someone sure needs to. Sherman could certainly help with the PR issues, and learning to "speak the truth".

[MJZiggy]

I was thinking Snyder, but...well...

[Partial]

Re: FA

Free Agency is nothing more than a tool and like any tool, it's as good or as bad as the person using it.

Then, perhaps, maybe someone should give Ted some lessons.

I would reckon that Woodson and Pickett were excellent pickups.

[Packnut]

Re: FA

Free Agency is nothing more than a tool and like any tool, it's as good or as bad as the person using it.

Then, perhaps, maybe someone should give Ted some lessons.

I would reckon that Woodson and Pickett were excellent pickups.

I would agree. Let's also look at the flip side-Manuel was a bust. I don't think it's asking to much for him to fix the mistake. he has the money and guys like Grant and Hamlin are out there. Only an idiot would not agree that both would be a HUMONGOUS upgrade ove Manuel.

[MJZiggy]

And how do you know he hasn't been in contact with both?

[retailguy]

Re: FA

Free Agency is nothing more than a tool and like any tool, it's as good or as bad as the person using it.

Then, perhaps, maybe someone should give Ted some lessons.

I would reckon that Woodson and Pickett were excellent pickups.

Things are a bit different this year, P. Presumably the "core" is there and spots can be filled via Free Agency.

This is the same crap that happened in Seattle. I was there. I watched it. Seattle had some holes, but FEW holes, for about THREE years. There were few attempts to patch them.

I'm not looking to be the next Washington or the next Minnesota. That being said, there are a few holes that could be patched with relatively young players at fair prices.

Pointing to Woodson and Pickett is the same thing as pointing to Joe Johnson & Cleditus Hunt. You can't single out individual players. That's not reasonable in EITHER direction.

[retailguy]

And how do you know he hasn't been in contact with both?

And here is the issue. Do we deserve to know? I suppose not, but all this 007 secrecy is stupid. Just stupid.

[Packnut]

TT

And how do you know he hasn't been in contact with both?

It's in MCGINN's latest column towards the bottom. He has'nt contacted Hamlin's agent.

[Partial]

Re: FA

Free Agency is nothing more than a tool and like any tool, it's as good or as bad as the person using it.

Then, perhaps, maybe someone should give Ted some lessons.

I would reckon that Woodson and Pickett were excellent pickups.

Things are a bit different this year, P. Presumably the "core" is there and spots can be filled via Free Agency.

This is the same crap that happened in Seattle. I was there. I watched it. Seattle had some holes, but FEW holes, for about THREE years. There were few attempts to patch them.

I'm not looking to be the next Washington or the next Minnesota. That being said, there are a few holes that could be patched with relatively young players at fair prices.

Pointing to Woodson and Pickett is the same thing as pointing to Joe Johnson & Cleditus Hunt. You can't single out individual players. That's not reasonable in EITHER direction.

Right, all I am saying is thus far his free agency track record as general manager is not too bad. 66% . Definitely above league average I would say.

Likewise, I don't blame Sherman for the Hunt and Johnson. You've gotta do what you've gotta do. If it wasn't Sherman, someone else would have made the same mistake. It just comes down to a player getting money and not knowing how to handle himself.

[MJZiggy]

What other GM in the league is announcing to the AP and local media every time they make a phone call? I mean it would be seriously nice if TT would call Mad up every time he did anything to have him post it for us, but doing that might just get us into some bidding wars...