03-05-2016, 02:40 AM
(03-05-2016, 12:05 AM)jowczarski Wrote: RoyleRedlegs: I get you. Let's go hypothetical; wild. Let's say they decide to gamble on having no injuries, and allow just $1 million for the injury pool. Let's just say they decide to forego team policy and not roll over any of the money for next year...meaning that Dre, Zeit, Gio, Hill, Hewitt, Whit, Burkhead and Shawn Williams will not get extension and get to this point as UFAs. That also means no extension for Eifert, who would play 2017 under his fifth year option. They cut Maualuga/Hawk and Peko for an extra $7 million. Let's say that.
So, that would add about $20 million to the pool for free agency this year. So let's say they re-sign Marvin Jones, Iloka and Adam Jones - the top dollar guys (Sanu would have to walk).
So...what's the big splash, go for it all type move?
RB: Matt Forte or Doug Martin? That means trading Jeremy Hill or Gio? Are either of those impact acquisitions to really go nuts? If somehow each replicates their best seasons they're about as effective as both Hill and Bernard combined, statistically. Is that an upgrade worth tens of millions?
WR: Jones is the top target on the market with Jeffery tagged. Technically a big "splash."
TE: Not needed in this offense, but for s** and giggles, let's say they sign an aging Antonio Gates or Vernon Davis, or another young tight end like Ladarius Webb...what does that do w/ Green, Eifert and Jones now back?
OL: Alex Mack? Does a 30-year old center get you to the Super Bowl?
RT: Bring back Andre Smith? Does old and hurt Jake Long or Okung over Ogbuehi send 'em over the top?
DE: Mario Williams? (31). Charles Johnson? (29, two years of declining production). Bruce Irvin?
If so, this means Michael Johnson is what? Your base only run stopping DE at $6 million per? OK...but this is a situation that may become
untenable going into 2017, creating potential cap issues...Also risk alienating Dunlap, the younger, better DE who is making less $$.
DT: Malik Jackson to play next to Geno? Ngata? Fairley? Raji?
Can you allot nearly $20-25 million to two d-tackles? Atkins is making the big money of his deal this year and next?
DE/OLB: Greg Hardy? JPP? Aldon Smith? Hali? (32)
Not to mention questionable production, huge character concerns in a locker room that gets along.
LB: Jerrell Freeman? Trevathan?
Now, I'll agree here -- but can these guys play the middle of a 4-3 for three downs? I dunno. But you're right, this is probably the area where
a splash would be nice.
CB: No need for a corner if Jones is back.
I'm not knocking the premise or the frustration. I guess what I'm saying is that I think "big splashes" in FA are overrated and more often than not underwhelming. Denver did it in 2014 and it paid off in 2015. Now, they are paying the piper. But, they won - it's worth it. But honestly, are Talib/Ware/Ward out there in this class? And honestly, does this team need that?
I don't know what the answer is. I could care less what the team does or doesn't do, to be honest, but I get it -- free agency is fun. Big names are fun. And, occasionally, they're impactful.
I do think that this team could use that impact middle linebacker and more QB pressure opposite Dunlap - but when you break down this season, could you say that that made the difference? At least in 2015, it was the starting quarterback getting hurt. Not a single playoff team wins if that happens to them. The previous four, I can't say - I wasn't here every year.
But let's say you empty all that cash to re-sign those guys or empty the bank for say, Trevathan and Mario Williams and Alex Mack. Then you don't win. Now, you've got just as many free agents, two other disgruntled defensive ends who were team guys, and no extra cash to help extend the tight end...end up really getting backed into a corner in 2017. I know, I know...but as someone who covered the Packers for years and watched teams who throw money at free agents (Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Miami, Dallas, Washington, etc.) implode year after year after year...I can't help but think it's not the worst strategy...
First, let me clarify I am not, nor have I ever been a proponent of blowing the FA wad so to speak.
But to let two 26 year old players in the prime of their careers walk over an overblown injury pool and dead money pool (we have no dead money) and some other silliness...is about as spinning tires as you can be.
I don't want the moon. I don't want a crazy signing. Antwan Odom level? Good not great.
Just fill a hole instead of relying on the draft and no one getting hurt.
It doesn't have to be a superstar.
If Jones and Iloka do walk, fill another spot in FA without just signing a retread from some team hoping you catch lightning in a bottle...again.
