UDFA interesting stuff IMO

[igtmfo]

Found interesting story of crazy scene just after draft ends. Following grafs from Andrew Brandt, Nat. Football Post, who used to be in front office somewhere:

"After the three-day marathon of the draft, the action really heats up. Teams have recruited "priority free agents" for weeks, and every agent's response is the same: "If you're interested, draft him!" When the draft ends, the feeding frenzy begins, a chaotic scene where teams have multiple players on the line while agents are doing the same with several teams, a risky game of musical jobs." ...

"I also remember one of our scouts yelling to the group in 2003 about a quarterback from Eastern Illinois: "Anyone want to sign this Romo guy for free? He's from Wisconsin." He got no response. ...

"The undrafted free agent frenzy ends within an hour, and the draft is over. The phones keep ringing with agents looking for favors for their unsigned players, but it's usually too late. The incoming rookie class arrives for minicamp in a few days, and the cycle begins anew"

Chris Hall, one of the unsung heroes of the front office, coordinates our UDFA scene I understand. It's like free agency and national signing day, all played out in an hour. Somebody should do a story on Hall. Like Jon Daniels, he had apparently no background in football, but worked his way up (to dir. of college scouting nowadays). Each team has $75,000 limit in bonus money to auction off quickly and bag players. Going once, going twice, sold!

FWIW, here are our UDFAs last few years:

2011:
Mario Butler, Kevin Kowalski, Chris Randle, Jose Acuna, Lyle Leong, Dan Bailey, Laupepa Letuli, Zack Eskridge, Alex Albright, Raymond Radway, Orie Lemon, Corey Adams, Matangi Tonga, Collin Zych, Phillip Tanner.

2010:
FB/TE Chris Gronkowski, C Phil Costa, QB Matt Nichols, G Chet Teofilo, RB Lonyae Miller, S Barry Church, WR Terrell Hudgins, OT Will Barker, CB Bryan McCann, and G Mike Tepper. Also NT Junior Aumavae, TE Nick Tow-Arnett, TE Scott Sicko, FS Danny McCray, WR Verran Tucker, P/K Delbert Alvarado, DE Lorenzo Washington, and WR Rashaun Greer. Later, Teddy Williams.

2009:
OG/C Travis Bright, QB Rudy Carpenter, WR Julian Hawkins, TE Jamar Hunt, OG Greg Isdaner, WR Kevin Ogletree, FB Asaph Schwapp, OT Michael Turkovich

2008:
WR Daniel Polk, WR Danny Amendola, TE Drew Atchison, WR Mark Bradford, OT Andrew Brecher, S Dowayne Davis, RB Keon Lattimore, FB Julius Crosslin, DT Marcus Dixon, G Brandon Hale, P Jay Ottovegio, DE Darrell Robertson

2007:
QB Matt Moore, C Steve Rissler, LB Blair Phillips, WR Jerard Rabb, RB Alonzo Coleman, FB Jackie Battle, NT Ola Dagunduro, WR Mike Jefferson, OL Robert Turner, TE Rodney Hannah

 

[jzcowboy]

Isn't there some sort of UDFA salary cap this year? If there is, maybe somebody smart could explain.

 

[jzcowboy]

Anybody know about this?

 

[The Realist]

Isn't there some sort of UDFA salary cap this year? If there is, maybe somebody smart could explain.

The answer is in the original post.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Isn't there some sort of UDFA salary cap this year? If there is, maybe somebody smart could explain.

It says it right in the article. Teams had up to $75k to spend on signing bonuses.

 

[Eskimo]

Actually pretty decent hauls for the last two years. I hope some of these guys develop and we get a couple of starters and major role players out of them.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Actually pretty decent hauls for the last two years. I hope some of these guys develop and we get a couple of starters and major role players out of them.

Gotta keep in mind that this isn't like the olden days when the draft was 12 rounds (or more).

You've got a lot of guys out there who aren't drafted who have NFL-talent.

I think you have to grade a team's draft and UDFA list together as one.

2-4 undrafted free agents will make this team.

 

[SDogo]

Gotta keep in mind that this isn't like the olden days when the draft was 12 rounds (or more).

You've got a lot of guys out there who aren't drafted who have NFL-talent.

I think you have to grade a team's draft and UDFA list together as one.

2-4 undrafted free agents will make this team.

I can almost guarantee one of the TE's we brought in will make the practice squad. Jason loves to keep a young 4th TE stashed on the practice squad.

 

[honyock]

Actually pretty decent hauls for the last two years. I hope some of these guys develop and we get a couple of starters and major role players out of them.

I was going to say the same thing. So far, looks like we did well with both the 2010 and 2011 signings.

 

[Hostile]

Back when Ciskowski was interviewing in Indy for the GM job I mentioned Chris Hall as one of the guys who might ascend into that spot here. Keep an eye on him.

 

[Bluestang]

Back when Ciskowski was interviewing in Indy for the GM job I mentioned Chris Hall as one of the guys who might ascend into that spot here. Keep an eye on him.

Broaddus applauded Chris Hall for his work on Talkin Cowboys last week.