Chase Young or Three First Round Picks?

[Number44]

Originally Posted by AnonEmouse

I suspect RR is worried about us replicating the Rams and going SB or bust so wasn't going to go all out in FA, especially with a thin crop. But I agree that we've been too cautious. We needed to strengthen at least at CB, FS, 2 or 3 LB spots, TE, WR and OL, particularly TE and OL. For me, if they decided to go all out on D we'd have at least picked up the likes of Boston, Littleton, Schobel and Jones, leaving the draft to pick up O. Instead we made a 70% effort to sign Cooper, 90% effort for Hooper and missed out on the best LB and DB prospects. So we have depth, and maybe there is a lot to be said for the impact of character and culture across the whole team. But I agree we missed out on 2-3 ideal guys at least and I'm not sure why. As said, we can't carry across cap space so what are we going to do with so much spare sloshing around this year? Who's coming up in FA next year to warrant avoiding expensive multi year contracts this year? Are we looking to make a few pre/post draft trades that eat up cap?

I like the idea of playing our cards close to our chest, but we're in danger of telling the rest of the league we don't actually have a hand if we're not careful.

70% effort on Cooper? We reportedly offered him $110 million over 5 years. More than any team in the league, including Dallas. So you're saying we should have offered $145 million? Really? Frankly, I think our offer was too much as it was, and I'm glad he didn't take it. I do like the idea of only offering big money to the very best out there in free agency, and not overpay for talent that isn't quite star quality. Otherwise, minor improvements to our roster with veteran role players with some upside at little cost or risk doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.

By the way, unused cap space can be carried forward. You are wrong about that.

I disagree with your apparent overall viewpoint that we should outbid every team on every player. Heck, we've overpaid for has-been players for years. That's been part of our problem under Bruce Allen. The "win the off-season" approach failed miserably. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what Rivera and Smith can do, and I'm willing to give them the chance to do it.