Free Agency is Overrated

[JonJon]

Originally Posted by WPBCowboysFan

Or maybe seen the light?

This is where I am. I used to think free agency was a big deal, but now, not so much. And it isn't just because the Cowboys aren't active this season. Like jnday said, I think free agency is good if you need to add one or two players to fill a hole or put a team over the top, but I don't think building the bulk of your team through free agency and giving out enormous contracts is the way to go. I'd rather use the draft.

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by WPBCowboysFan

Or maybe seen the light?

That'd be the best spin on it, yes.

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by JonJon

This is where I am. I used to think free agency was a big deal, but now, not so much. And it isn't just because the Cowboys aren't active this season. Like jnday said, I think free agency is good if you need to add one or two players to fill a hole or put a team over the top, but I don't think building the bulk of your team through free agency and giving out enormous contracts is the way to go. I'd rather use the draft.

I'd rather use the draft too. Tough to do when you can't draft and only have six picks.

[Tezz]

I actually think FA is more valued than in the past with the ability to roll over cap each year... There is a lot more quality player movement and some teams are getting a lot of short-term bargain starters so if they miss it doesn't hurt that much.

[Bluestang]

I'll be the first to admit that we overpaid in FA for Carr, heck Jerry even told you so with his "we paid retail" comment.

We kinda had to though with Newman being a goner and Jenkins being a huge question mark.

I don't think people would be all that upset if the deal on draft day didn't happen with STL though.

It was a costly move but how many chances in the draft do you ever get to select the best defensive player rated on your board?

[nickjamesw43]

I would rather get most of the core players through the draft. You need to be able to find good role players from the later stages of free agency to fill out your team. The Kyle Kosiers of the world if you will.

You can't have a big contract or a high draft pick at every position. Nevermind the backups to every position.

[JonJon]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

I'd rather use the draft too. Tough to do when you can't draft and only have six picks.

I hear ya. If it were up to me, I would trade some of these aging veterans while they still have value and keep getting younger players with easier to manage contracts.

[StarBoyz83]

Im ok with doing nothing so far actually. You like to see people coming in but oh well. The steelers havent done anything in FA. They are one of the best franchises and teams easily in the nfl.

[cowboysooner]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

I'd rather use the draft too. Tough to do when you can't draft and only have six picks.

Come on. Not having a seventh changes very little.

[scottsp]

Count me as one who is also not a fan of pursuing big-ticket items in free agency. I mean, there are specific exceptions, but normally I feel waiting for the initial dust to settle and almost bottom feeding is a more practical way to go.

That said, there has been no philosophical shift at VR. They are simply unable to go to market. And while that may be a good thing in terms of saving the front office from itself, it still makes it that much tougher to address some glaring needs.

Perhaps if the brain trust could be relied upon build from front-to-back on both sides of the ball, and stay the course with that approach, I might feel better about how they do their business.

[EJ Blue]

Free agency isn't a big deal for top tier teams because they have most of the pieces in place and just have to add depth by building through the draft and minor transactions in free agency. Then they know they can compete throughout the season. Can this team say the same? Then free agency is a big deal.

[fanfromvirginia]

I like free agents and I cannot lie!

I don't care if they don't work. I understand intellectually that most won't. But I still like the buzz when we go grab them. It's fun and that's ultimately what I'm in this for. It provides a little hope and as bad as Jerry is, his comparative advantage as an owner is his willingness and ability to go get guys.

I liked last year and I don't like this year, although I didn't expect us to be active so 'disappointment' would be the wrong word.

[jnday]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

I'd rather use the draft too. Tough to do when you can't draft and only have six picks.

I doubt you would agree, but I would like to see them trade some of these overvalued and overpayed CBs for more draft picks.

[Doomsay]

Stuff that we can't do because our FO has squandered all of our resources is overrated and stuff.

[Idgit]

For fun. It looks like most were excited about the signing, and there were mixed reactions to the amount. A fair number of posters understood that we overpaid.

That's the thing about VFA. It's awesome, because it's fun to fill holes and add veteran talent. You overpay. We all understand that, I think.

Personally, I wish we had the room to overpay for a young player or two. We could use them. We can probably address our holes in the draft, anyway, if we're able to add 2-3 role player vets to replace the veteran role players we lost. It just makes the draft dicier because you're looking to both get value *and* maneuver into position to do it at positions of need, which his harder. Fortunately, this draft is deep at our positions of need.