Browns the new Redskins

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

Until someone actually employs this strategy succesfully I am going to remain dubious. Last year when the punditry was picking SF as a contender in the NFC, I had seen that movie too many times as a Redskins fan to take them seriously. The last team I can remember succesfully buying a championship was the 94 49ers, who were a historically great team that just needed to get past the historically greater Cowboys. Hasn't worked since then to my knowledge.

that 49er team added a no. of players, but I can't remember, did they pay big $ for them? That was also in the very early years of unrestricted free agency & the good teams like the 49ers still had their core intact.

I agree though, I can't think of any team that's paid that kind of money for free agents in one year & been successful. The difference between what the Jets are doing & what the pats did last year is the high salaires iMO. Yes, the Pats got Moss, Stallworth et al, but they didn't spend huge sums on them. Just as Banks points out, the salaries also impact team chemistry, as we know as skins fans.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

that 49er team added a no. of players, but I can't remember, did they pay big $ for them? That was also in the very early years of unrestricted free agency & the good teams like the 49ers still had their core intact.

I agree though, I can't think of any team that's paid that kind of money for free agents in one year & been successful. The difference between what the Jets are doing & what the pats did last year is the high salaires iMO. Yes, the Pats got Moss, Stallworth et al, but they didn't spend huge sums on them. Just as Banks points out, the salaries also impact team chemistry, as we know as skins fans.

pats got:
ad thomas (BIG money)
randy moss (SUPER cheap - 3mill)
donte stallworth (fairly cheap)
wes welker (somewhat cheap)
kyle brady (not that cheap for a TE that didn't play much)
D edwards (cheap)
j gaffney (cheap)
other less important players (super cheap to ultra cheap)

still, that's a TON of FA adds, even if they got good values, that's the whole point - maximize production/talent per dollar, and there's no arguing they did that. now, they didn't win the superbowl, but they had plenty of chances - no arguing they bought 16-0 though.

the eagles had it work for a year after TO and kearse came in that FA class, the long term benefits may actually be negative, but it almost got them a super bowl.


I think it works for the browns and dolphins, but that just means the browns make the playoffs (10-6 +/- 2) and the dolphins win 5 games (+/-2). the browns went with big money big talent, and the dolphins went the economy route (which is smarter for them, since big money would just be wasted there with the lackluster talent and lack of youth).

[SKINSnCANES]

Originally Posted by That Guy

pats got:
ad thomas (BIG money)
randy moss (SUPER cheap - 3mill)
donte stallworth (fairly cheap)
wes welker (somewhat cheap)
kyle brady (not that cheap for a TE that didn't play much)
D edwards (cheap)
j gaffney (cheap)
other less important players (super cheap to ultra cheap)

still, that's a TON of FA adds, even if they got good values, that's the whole point - maximize production/talent per dollar, and there's no arguing they did that. now, they didn't win the superbowl, but they had plenty of chances - no arguing they bought 16-0 though.

the eagles had it work for a year after TO and kearse came in that FA class, the long term benefits may actually be negative, but it almost got them a super bowl.


I think it works for the browns and dolphins, but that just means the browns make the playoffs (10-6 +/- 2) and the dolphins win 5 games (+/-2). the browns went with big money big talent, and the dolphins went the economy route (which is smarter for them, since big money would just be wasted there with the lackluster talent and lack of youth).

man I wasnt even thinking about the patriots, they definitly added a ton of key pieces through free agency, great post! They built through the draft and got key free agent signings...You have the luxury of singing 35 year olds for a year or two when thats the only piece you need ina puzzzle ya know

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by That Guy

pats got:
ad thomas (BIG money)
randy moss (SUPER cheap - 3mill)
donte stallworth (fairly cheap)
wes welker (somewhat cheap)
kyle brady (not that cheap for a TE that didn't play much)
D edwards (cheap)
j gaffney (cheap)
other less important players (super cheap to ultra cheap)

still, that's a TON of FA adds, even if they got good values, that's the whole point - maximize production/talent per dollar, and there's no arguing they did that. now, they didn't win the superbowl, but they had plenty of chances - no arguing they bought 16-0 though.

the eagles had it work for a year after TO and kearse came in that FA class, the long term benefits may actually be negative, but it almost got them a super bowl.


I think it works for the browns and dolphins, but that just means the browns make the playoffs (10-6 +/- 2) and the dolphins win 5 games (+/-2). the browns went with big money big talent, and the dolphins went the economy route (which is smarter for them, since big money would just be wasted there with the lackluster talent and lack of youth).

I think you could argue that had the pats paid all those guys big $, or at least substantial deals, like the Skins of 2000 or the jets of today, that it would'n't have worked. Plus, the Pats were already a really good team, they just needed a few pieces to put them over the top.

[SKINSnCANES]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

I think you could argue that had the pats paid all those guys big $, or at least substantial deals, like the Skins of 2000 or the jets of today, that it would'n't have worked. Plus, the Pats were already a really good team, they just needed a few pieces to put them over the top.

What do you mean by it wouldnt work if they paid the players big deals?

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

I think you could argue that had the pats paid all those guys big $, or at least substantial deals, like the Skins of 2000 or the jets of today, that it would'n't have worked. Plus, the Pats were already a really good team, they just needed a few pieces to put them over the top.

if you've got cap space and talent available to sign at fair market, why not use it? i mean, randy moss was only 3 times cheaper than he should have been.

the only trick is picking the right people to give money to. you can't hit 50% and win with the FA approach. which is why, although some of our signings were good, enough were bad (enough) to destroy any possible success with that way of doing business. if you can't hit 90%-100% of big money deals, it's probably going to cost you wins (due to less available cap for worthwhile players, wasted roster spots, possible locker room issues, etc).