Prisco Article: Cap room + need = crazy deals for 'crap' players

[DefenseRules]

I thought that a few parts of his article were very interesting.

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10026630

...when one NFC personnel director was asked for his take on the looming free-agency period, he asked that his name not be used if he were to give his honest assessment. I agreed, and here's what he said.

"It will be crap players getting big money."

That's what happens when there is a perfect storm for those free agents on the market. One part of the storm has teams flush with cap room. The other has teams desperate to fill needs. Combine the two together and you get outrageous sums of money being thrown around to players who shouldn't be getting it.

With a couple days before the start of free-agency, word is trickling in about some of the deals that may have already been worked out.

There's talk San Diego Chargers guard Kris Dielman already has a deal with a team that will pay him a $12 million signing bonus. Same for Bengals guard Eric Steinbach.

We've heard that Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas is seeking a signing bonus in the $17 million to $18 million range.

Did every owner suddenly morph into that little free-spending dude in Washington who asks all to call him Mr. Snyder?

Funny money, indeed.

Thomas want's how much for a signing bonus?
If Thomas is seeking that much coin there is no way the Pats will even look in his direction, IMO.

I thought that this was an interesting read. The personnel people that Prisco spoke with seem to feel that this is a weak Free agent class. I doubt highly that the Pats will break the bank for any of them if that's true.

Thoughts?

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

wow....................................................... Big wow............................

 

[salty]

Thomas want's how much for a signing bonus?
If Thomas is seeking that much coin there is no way the Pats will even look in his direction, IMO.

I thought that this was an interesting read. The personnel people that Prisco spoke with seem to feel that this is a weak Free agent class. I doubt highly that the Pats will break the bank for any of them if that's true.

I removed "sign Thomas" from my signature line after reading yesterday that it would not be unreasonable to see him get an $18 million signing bonus. The guy is the best fit possible in this defense because of his versatility, but that type of money is just insane.

I also took off "sign Drew Bennett," though I'm still holding out a little hope for that one.

Bottom line is the Patriots won't be going after the big name free agents, as this is a particularly bad year to do it. I just hope they aren't regulated to the bottom barrel losers they've been fishing for the past few years. We need a few decent acquisitions.

 

[solman]

I removed "sign Thomas" from my signature line after reading yesterday that it would not be unreasonable to see him get an $18 million signing bonus. The guy is the best fit possible in this defense because of his versatility, but that type of money is just insane.

If we could get him for $8M/yr average and a $18M signing bonus, I think that would be a good for us. Sadly, I think he will get a whole lot more.

Remember, the cap is $109M going on $116M going on a lot more. I think he could easily be good enough to justify 6% of our cap, and you're absolutely right about the fit.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

People get upset when we won't make splashy FA signings or lavish big extensions on our own overvalued FA's. There is a method to our madness. This time too will pass, and we will be in position to sign players who are worth the money other teams don't have anymore because they made stupid deals when they were flush. And in the meantime we'll make do with a few football players added here and there and still win our division.

 

[unoriginal]

I removed "sign Thomas" from my signature line after reading yesterday that it would not be unreasonable to see him get an $18 million signing bonus. The guy is the best fit possible in this defense because of his versatility, but that type of money is just insane.

I also took off "sign Drew Bennett," though I'm still holding out a little hope for that one.

Bottom line is the Patriots won't be going after the big name free agents, as this is a particularly bad year to do it. I just hope they aren't regulated to the bottom barrel losers they've been fishing for the past few years. We need a few decent acquisitions.

Welcome to the Dark Side. Let the force flow through you!

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Welcome to the Dark Side. Let the force flow through you!

The force is strong with this one.

 

[DefenseRules]

And yet another article saying that this is a weak free agent market.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-02-28-sw-free-agency_x.htm?csp=34

Weak talent makes NFL free agency a buyer-beware market
By Chris Colston, USA TODAY

Free agency — it probably won't provide a quick fix, and it won't guarantee a spot in the Super Bowl. But when the market officially opens March 2, teams can begin filling needs and solidifying their depth for the 2007 season.
There's just one problem: This year's free agent crop is among the weakest in years.

Is this year's free agent class really that weak?

 

[DefenseRules]

People get upset when we won't make splashy FA signings or lavish big extensions on our own overvalued FA's. There is a method to our madness. This time too will pass, and we will be in position to sign players who are worth the money other teams don't have anymore because they made stupid deals when they were flush. And in the meantime we'll make do with a few football players added here and there and still win our division.

You're right Mo. I'm one of those people. At least I was until I read that article. Jeez, I honestly didn't think that this free agent class was that bad.
The Pats are not going to waste their cap room, IMO. If they can't find a player worth the money, they are not going to spend it.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

And yet another article saying that this is a weak free agent market.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-02-28-sw-free-agency_x.htm?csp=34



Is this year's free agent class really that weak?

Like Ray clay said, its getting weaker and weaker every year. Teams are getting smarter. They franchise their players ... and let the 30 year old guys (like A. Thomas) go. Look at the Eagles, most of the guys on their 53 are drafted. Not very active in FA. Same with the Steelers. Same with the Colts. Same with the Patriots. Not so with the Redskins who win the Spring Bowl every year.

 

[patsox23]

If other NFL teams want to re-hamstring themselves just b/c of a one-year bump in Salary Cap room, go for it. It just will serve the Patriots well in the coming years when teams with no sense of vision screw up their finances again. Ha ha.

 

[spacecrime]

Is this year's free agent class really that weak?

Five-six years ago the market was flooded with top players who teams couldn't fit under the cap. When was the last time you saw teams let go of players simply because they didn't have the money. (Except the Colts & Ravens this year) When was the last time a good player was released after June 1 to take advantage of cap rules?

Most teams have learned to manage the cap well, and most teams have A LOT of money this year (and last).

What that means is that teams are signing their good players, the ones that would make prime FAs. The only players they are cutting are those that aren't worth what they are making, and the only ones that make it to FA are the ones the the team doesn't want to sign.

There are few teams who will not overpay guys in this extra-money time. The Pats are one of the few who will stick to "value." I think most teams would have paid Graham whre the Pats had a limit based on value. Whether this is a good thing or not depends on what you like.

One thing is for sure: Look for Felger to whine for a whole year about the pats not spending their money. He likes to get his whining in early because he knows by the time the contract year is over, the Pats will have spent every dollar. But according to him the MUST spend it right away. If it means spending big $$$ for "crap" players, so much the better. They he can whine in two years how the Pats screwed up their cap and now can't afford to sign good players.

 

[salty]

Welcome to the Dark Side. Let the force flow through you!

Okay, but I still don't like Caldwell.

 

[cstjohn17]

It will be crap players getting big money

I like that, I think signatures are annoying but I think I will make this my signature... I kind of like it.