Where did I say resigning a teams own free agents is not good? It's essential, and it's a philosophy I believe in. It's necessary to maintain a team's core players. But unless a team is drafting very well each year, there are going to be some substantial gaps in the roster at times. The Packers have had and continue to have several. That's where a proven free agent talent can be valuable. Of course I don't mean signing a free agent just to sign one. But the right one can improve a team. I appreciate a conservative approach to free agency, absolutely. But I do think there have been a few opportunities that could have helped the Packers over the past four or five years that weren't made. I can't prove that. It can't be proved either way. But just like Julius Peppers has helped the Packers this season, I think a few other players in the past could have. Even if it meant slightly "overpaying." Not drastically, but enough to improve a team that's on the edge of contention. Perhaps the Packers consistently try everything they can via free agency, but that's a little hard for me to believe.
A proven outside free agent doesn't have to be an absolute superstar to substantially help the team. One never knows how far a little can take a team, especially in the playoffs with the Packers offense.
Originally Posted by: DoddPower
My apology. Among those that urge FA signings, they typically only focus on successful signings and tend to forget signing our own FA and the ones that fail.
In 2011 and 2013, minimal activity in FA. But many fans were clamoring for signings such as Stephen Jackson. Guess we know more than TT! That's working well for Atlanta.
In 2012, Ted Thompson signed Daniel Muir, Jeff Saturday, Anthony Hargrove, and Cedric Benson. Muir and Hargrove didn't make it out of camp. The other 2 played, but were ineffective/ hurt and didn't provide much impact. It could easily be argued that these 4 are typical of FA's available. Old and broken.
In 2014, Ted Thompson signed several. Peppers is the big name, but Guion also. Before anyone knocks Guion, remember he was signed to be the backup. If Ted Thompson knew Raji was going to the IR... But where might we be without Guion? Also Ted Thompson signed the starting CB and NT; Shields and Raji. Many fans don't count these.
3 years ago, Ted Thompson failed to sign Scott Wells. Many were upset, thinking how could he do that? Well, Wells has not played a full season since. So maybe he had an idea after all.
I tend to try to focus on the big picture. What team, other than the Patriots has a better record in the last 5 or 6 years? You mention that the Packers have had several substantial gaps in talent. I agree. So what team has been without gaps? In 2010, the season we won the Super Bowl, Seattle was 7-9 and the 49ers 6-10. Broncos were 4-12. Yes, they have all improved. All we did was maintain our status as a Playoff team. That's pretty good.
Could Ted Thompson have done more? Absolutely. Warren Buffett could be richer. Kate Upton could be prettier. Michael Jordan could have been more competitive. There is no end to the possibilities.