03-03-2018, 11:47 AM
(03-03-2018, 11:24 AM)grampahol Wrote: You need look no further than Cleveland to see how the well oiled trade and free agency machine works year after year . That 0-16 last year and 1-31 record over the past two years is the envy of football fans everywhere ..
Cleveland gets to go to the draft super bowl every season .
Just look how many college players are always saying, GEE I SURE HOPE I GET DRAFTED BY THE BROWNS!
That's a pretty cheap point, really.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have the 4 contenders in the conference title games.
Philly signed two pretty big name WRs and traded for a running back.
Minnesota rebuilt practically an entire offensive line and signed one of the biggest name OL in free agency.
New England won a Super Bowl last year, yet still made a huge FA signing with Gilmore. They also acquired Cooks in a big trade with New Orleans.
Jacksonville spent a ton of money in FA on Bouye and Campbell.
None of them feared free agency and guess what? They also get to draft and retain their own talent as they see fit. It's a multi-faceted game that teams play. The old "look at this shitty team and all their bad free agent signings HAHAHA! We better not try that!" line is tired, and frankly incorrect at this point.
I would in fact argue that it's flat out necessary for a FO to have some aptitude in obtaining outside talent if they want to win a title in this day and age.
