We would not have won our last SB without the outside FA that Ted had brought in also.
How does a FA reduce the odds of a drafted player from becoming a stud? Did Woodson and Harris prevent Tramon's development? No, they actually were instrumental in him becoming the player he ended up being.
A team cannot fill every position through draft and develop. There are to many positions and players career and contract length are to short.
Originally Posted by: PackFanWithTwins
I wasn't very clear! Having No FAs is the rule, which should only be broken under the special circumstances. High character studs like Woodson, Pickett and Peppers qualify; an absolute minimum of very few easily cuttable hopefully cheap vet FA in a position of need that wont upset the culture is okay as well; like Guion last year. The GM must try to structure the contracts w/o that balloon payment at end, so if the player works out, but leaves, at the end of the deal and GB gets a comp pick.
Its actually D, D and K [Draft, Develop and Keep the core].
Example: If GB picked up Spikes for 3M per for 2 years after May 12. That is one roster spot not going to a young player, reducing the odds of developing a 1st contract stud. Every rep Spikes takes in practice or game detracts from the development of a Bradford, Palmer, Ryan and Joe Thomas. And that's 6M lost that could have gone toward keeping a core guy like Daniels or Hayward. The odds dictate that Spikes is not going to be better than the 4 youngsters, if he is, he wont be better by any significant amount and the odds increase an outsider will negatively affect the culture. Now if those 4 ILBs stink, Spikes is of good football character and you're in the hunt; then you break the rule and sign Spikes.
In 2014, if Raji dont get hurt, I think GB cuts the unknown quantity of Gioun, to develop the more known quantities of Pennell and Boyd, who would take the reps and one roster spot otherwise given to Gioun. Today, Gioun [outside of his bust] would be a known quantity and it can be gauged if he should receive a longer term contract. Extending your own guys creates an infinitely greater odds of success than signing outsiders.
D&D&K can fill every spot because core guys keep several positions for 5-8-10-15 years. Maybe ya find a Woodson and he becomes a core guy for a long time. If a Raji-type flames out and the cupboard is bare at the time; then ya plug the hole in the dyke w/ a Gioun.