- Joined
- Aug 3, 2009
- Messages
- 5,744
- Reaction score
- 5,306
Man, I needed some sleep. I missed the most obvious benchmark, which was NFL average. Revised chart below:
Bear in mind this data is not perfect. For one thing, it only includes players who played at least one game. So draft picks who were cut and never played a game aren't included.
So we were behind the NFL average in starters and contributors (measured by guys who played in at least 8 games per season on average). I don't think the starter number is as significant, as better teams have fewer holes to fill. But the contributors number is more significant in my mind, as draft picks should contribute one way or another (contributors also includes starters).
Having said that much, it wasn't a total travesty like some chicken littles make it out to be. It was definitely the worst drafting period of BB's career, but in context with other top teams, it's not really that far off. And the 3 drafts since that time look much better so it's not even a trend so much as an old issue that has been resolved.
I'm sure BB could kill the next 8 drafts and win 4 more SBs but some would still complain about the 2006 to 2008 drafts. That's just the nature of being spoiled. But as others have pointed out, the 39 wins during that period speak volumes as well. Some may say that the poor drafting really affects the years after, but that would just mean a 10-6 season and a 14-2 season, with the Pats being Super Bowl faves to start this season, so it clearly hasn't led us to Bills/Dolphins status.
Bear in mind this data is not perfect. For one thing, it only includes players who played at least one game. So draft picks who were cut and never played a game aren't included.
So we were behind the NFL average in starters and contributors (measured by guys who played in at least 8 games per season on average). I don't think the starter number is as significant, as better teams have fewer holes to fill. But the contributors number is more significant in my mind, as draft picks should contribute one way or another (contributors also includes starters).
Having said that much, it wasn't a total travesty like some chicken littles make it out to be. It was definitely the worst drafting period of BB's career, but in context with other top teams, it's not really that far off. And the 3 drafts since that time look much better so it's not even a trend so much as an old issue that has been resolved.
I'm sure BB could kill the next 8 drafts and win 4 more SBs but some would still complain about the 2006 to 2008 drafts. That's just the nature of being spoiled. But as others have pointed out, the 39 wins during that period speak volumes as well. Some may say that the poor drafting really affects the years after, but that would just mean a 10-6 season and a 14-2 season, with the Pats being Super Bowl faves to start this season, so it clearly hasn't led us to Bills/Dolphins status.