Can someone explain what T.T. is doing...

[HarveyWallbangers]

Who did NO sign this offseason (not trying to make a point, just can't remember right now)

TE Eric Johnson (who a lot of us wanted) and LB Brian Simmons. Johnson should replace Campbell. Simmons will likely earn a starting LB spot.

Horn has left for Atlanta. Either draftee Devery Henderson or FA acquisition Terrence Copper will take his spot.

Pretty much the rest of their starters from last year return.

[HarveyWallbangers]

that defense isnt anything special. it was servicable for a while but not a long term answer. they also got rid of joe horn. for all we know, NO could just be a one year wonder with a good coach.

What's your point?

[b bulldog]

Colston and Bush will give them very solid weapons to go alongside Brees. They will be more than a one year wonder but they are not an elite team imo.

[HarveyWallbangers]

B, so there was just one team last year helped immensely by FA signings? Or were there more? I know people who don't mind holding off are talking about Wash and Minny, and those who do are talking about NO, but who else is there for examples on each side?

There were more. Most teams have some FAs. Ideally, you build from the draft, but even the Steelers have dipped into the FA pool to get a James Farrior.

My point is that it's just as silly to think that it's a great plan not to sign any FAs as it is to think that it's a great plan to sign a bunch of FAs. You have to use all methods to acquire players. Some FAs work. Some FAs do. You have to trust your scouts to determine which FAs will help your team and then go out and get them. It's either a failure of your scouting department not to find any FAs that would help or a failure of your GM not to acquire those FAs that would help.

[b bulldog]

IMO, the best plan is to build a strong foundation via the draft and than sprinkle in some needed players via UFA. TT did this last season, this year he hasn't yet.

[Bretsky]

B, so there was just one team last year helped immensely by FA signings? Or were there more? I know people who don't mind holding off are talking about Wash and Minny, and those who do are talking about NO, but who else is there for examples on each side?

There were more. Most teams have some FAs. Ideally, you build from the draft, but even the Steelers have dipped into the FA pool to get a James Farrior.

My point is that it's just as silly to think that it's a great plan not to sign any FAs as it is to think that it's a great plan to sign a bunch of FAs. You have to use all methods to acquire players. Some FAs work. Some FAs do. You have to trust your scouts to determine which FAs will help your team and then go out and get them. It's either a failure of your scouting department not to find any FAs that would help or a failure of your GM not to acquire those FAs that would help.

exactly

[MJZiggy]

There were more. Most teams have some FAs. Ideally, you build from the draft, but even the Steelers have dipped into the FA pool to get a James Farrior.

I know that, but everyone keeps tossing the same three or four teams around to prove their points. I was looking for some fresh ideas.

My point is that it's just as silly to think that it's a great plan not to sign any FAs as it is to think that it's a great plan to sign a bunch of FAs. You have to use all methods to acquire players. Some FAs work. Some FAs do. You have to trust your scouts to determine which FAs will help your team and then go out and get them. It's either a failure of your scouting department not to find any FAs that would help or a failure of your GM not to acquire those FAs that would help.

I don't think that anyone's saying it's a great plan not to acquire any FAs. Free agency is far from over, though and I know you're gonna say the best ones are gone, but if it's the scouting department's job to determine which FAs will help, maybe they've done that and they just aren't the guys with the big names. There were over 400 guys on the market at the beginning of the season. Most aren't worth the money, but a few will be and are possibly still on the market somewhere. If they've done their jobs, when the time is right and it works out, they will sign someone.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't think that anyone's saying it's a great plan not to acquire any FAs.

No, there are people that act like not signing a single FA is alright. They have no worries about this offseason. They have no worries that most of the useful FAs are gone.

Without researching extensively and off the top of my head, it looks like for last year's playoff teams:

Jets had 3 starting OL, starting DT, starting LB, and starting CB that were FA acquisitions.

Kansas City had starting QB, starting WR, both starting CBs, starting S, starting LB, and both starting DTs that were FA acquisitions.

Dallas had both starting WR, three starting OL, starting NT, starting LB, and starting CB that were FA acquisitions.

Philadelphia, San Diego and Baltimore was mostly built from within.

Chicago mostly built from within, but did have four starting OL, Muhammad, Desmond Clark, and Thomas Jones that were acquired from other teams.

What I think it shows is that you have to draft well, but you can use FAs to build a winner. You can also be a loser with tons of FAs. You can be a winner with few FAs. You can be a loser with few FAs.

There's no blueprint--although drafting well is THE most important thing.

A lot of teams don't have the glaring 5 or 6 needs that we have.

[MJZiggy]

Did any of the teams in your post have seasons with no FA acquisitions? Or none that worked out? Like I said before, I'm not trying to make a point, I am asking questions. I personally have no worries right now. I know we have holes, but I also know that I was reading all summer about people that TT brought in. Some did well others not so much. I know he drafted very well last year. I know some of his picks were starters. I know a couple that were in the running for ROY. I also know that we had a few kids on IR. I know there's a reason he's a GM and I am not. I'm pretty sure he' a better GM than quite a few teams have (cause their teams suck. Yes, Millen, I'm talking to you and your buddy up in Minny too.). I'm sitting back and having a good time watching the Bears implode and waiting to see what TT's gonna do 'cause I know he'll do something. Eventually...

[HarveyWallbangers]

Plenty of teams have done nothing, and it hasn't worked out. See the Arizona Cardinals for many years. Plenty of teams have overspent on every FA out there, and it hasn't worked out. See the Washington Redskins.

[MJZiggy]

See the Arizona Cardinals for many years.

Hah!! That's what I wanted! A different team. (Then again they picked up one of the most coveted agents on the market last year and blew chunks with him, finding out that "they were exactly who we thought they were" in the process.) The entertainment never ends!

[Green Bud Packer]

and blew chunks with him,

chunks is my dog and and if i find out denny green is messing with him again he is in big trouble.

[swede]

and blew chunks with him,

chunks is my dog and and if i find out denny green is messing with him again he is in big trouble.

Crown his ass!

[Partial]

and blew chunks with him,

chunks is my dog and and if i find out denny green is messing with him again he is in big trouble.

Crown his ass!

I think thats part of the problem!!

[swede]

I was thinking of joining the "Anti-TT crowd", it's always more fun to bitch, but so far he hasn't paid any stupid money in the FA grab. That's part of doing a good GM job, but it is boring to the fans.

FA and the adding new talent process is only about 30% complete. many of us need to take a chill pill and see how he develops the roster.

Sorry, but it's true. It's a weak FQA crop and the ones that signed got stupid money. Waiting does make sense.

I'll agree except for the fact that Griffith seemed like the right kid for the right money at a position of need.

That bothered me until it came to light that Oakland had some coaching connections from Atlanta that probably sold him on signing with them.

We must be about 45 days away from the draft. I simply have to get used to the fact that that may be the next time we add somebody to the roster.