LSSpam
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I know free agency is exciting. I'm not trying to be flippant (for once). I do understand the enthusiasm.
But bad money will be spent tomorrow. This is a very different free agency than what we're used too. Normally, teams are able to retain capable players they like without too much difficulty. At least this has been the case in the past. Useful players who hit free agency typically do so from atypical circumstances or outrageous contract demands. The net result tends to be a somewhat top heavy free agency where teams compete over a limited amount of actual contributors. This puts a heavy premium on shooting out of the gate, because in most circumstances after the first, say, 3 safeties are off the market, you're not getting a starter. Some years not even a rotation guy.
This is not the case now.
The CBA has changed the field. The flat cap is devastating the middle of many teams rosters. You can't not sign Joe Flacco, who wants a contract based on escalating salaries as we saw during the old CBA. So you let Kruger walk. And Reed. And trade Boldin,
That would not have happened in 2009. Now it's happening all over the NFL.
I encourage fans, and hope the Saints, recognize this changing landscape. There will be a rush out of the gate for players. Bad money will be spent. But the market is flooded with serviceable players, many could be potential starters. This is probably the deepest free agency pool I've seen in the past decade at least.
If we wait a week, maybe we dealing with so called "second tier" players, but we're going to get guys with 90% of the production of the lead dogs for 50% of the cost. It is absolutely the right move to make. Anything else is irresponsible and setting us up for future failure.
It makes no sense to spend $11 million on Wallace if you might could get, say, Greg Jennings for $5 or $6. Everyone wants Paul Kruger and understandably so. But you realize Conner Barwin might be as good and will be significantly cheaper?
I really encourage patience tomorrow. If all goes right, we won't be signing anyone.
But bad money will be spent tomorrow. This is a very different free agency than what we're used too. Normally, teams are able to retain capable players they like without too much difficulty. At least this has been the case in the past. Useful players who hit free agency typically do so from atypical circumstances or outrageous contract demands. The net result tends to be a somewhat top heavy free agency where teams compete over a limited amount of actual contributors. This puts a heavy premium on shooting out of the gate, because in most circumstances after the first, say, 3 safeties are off the market, you're not getting a starter. Some years not even a rotation guy.
This is not the case now.
The CBA has changed the field. The flat cap is devastating the middle of many teams rosters. You can't not sign Joe Flacco, who wants a contract based on escalating salaries as we saw during the old CBA. So you let Kruger walk. And Reed. And trade Boldin,
That would not have happened in 2009. Now it's happening all over the NFL.
I encourage fans, and hope the Saints, recognize this changing landscape. There will be a rush out of the gate for players. Bad money will be spent. But the market is flooded with serviceable players, many could be potential starters. This is probably the deepest free agency pool I've seen in the past decade at least.
If we wait a week, maybe we dealing with so called "second tier" players, but we're going to get guys with 90% of the production of the lead dogs for 50% of the cost. It is absolutely the right move to make. Anything else is irresponsible and setting us up for future failure.
It makes no sense to spend $11 million on Wallace if you might could get, say, Greg Jennings for $5 or $6. Everyone wants Paul Kruger and understandably so. But you realize Conner Barwin might be as good and will be significantly cheaper?
I really encourage patience tomorrow. If all goes right, we won't be signing anyone.