Winning 3 Super Bowls in 4 year span . . . You can really

[Woods]

appreciate even more just how dominant we were back in the day.

Man, I really miss those days when we were in the thick of things.

 

[windward]

Those were the days.

The 1993 CBA was the deathknell for great teams with rare exceptions.

 

[RoadRunner]

appreciate even more just how dominant we were back in the day.

Man, I really miss those days when we were in the thick of things.

And then the free agency era began, and cut short what was most likely going to be the only team to win 5 super bowls in one decade.

Free agency is the worst thing that ever happened to football. no more traditions or team loyalty. A spike in player contracts then those players don't perform after getting the money. We don't have parity at all. Instead we get extremes of records like 16-0 followed by 0-16, both of which never happened before.

Put that cat back in its bag please.

 

[Joe Realist]

those were the days.

 

[BourbonBalz]

And then the free agency era began, and cut short what was most likely going to be the only team to win 5 super bowls in one decade.

Free agency is the worst thing that ever happened to football. no more traditions or team loyalty. A spike in player contracts then those players don't perform after getting the money. We don't have parity at all. Instead we get extremes of records like 16-0 followed by 0-16, both of which never happened before.

Put that cat back in its bag please.

Sorry, but you can't put the Genie back in the bottle once you let it out.

 

[Future]

Free agency is the worst thing that ever happened to football. no more traditions or team loyalty. A spike in player contracts then those players don't perform after getting the money. We don't have parity at all. Instead we get extremes of records like 16-0 followed by 0-16, both of which never happened before.
.

Brian Dawkins
Ray Lewis
Peyton/Marvin/Reggie
Strahan
Gonzalez
Brooks

There is tradition and loyalty all over the league believe it or not. Its hidden by some of the big contracts and whatnot, but its there and its the heart of a lot of these franchises. Faces of the league don't just waltz about from team to team.

Loyalty is the only thing that will keep DeMarcus Ware in Dallas.

 

[Venger]

Those were the days.

The 1993 CBA was the deathknell for great teams with rare exceptions.

Was it really though? Seems to me we still have periods where certain teams always make it to the big games. Damn, the Eagles are going to their 5th NFC Championship game in 8 years. Broncos had some very solid years late 90's, the Patriots have owned the middle of this decade...

Pittburgh has been good, Colts... with few exceptions, it seems to me the same teams are contending for long periods of time, just like they always have.

Of course, the rate at which players leave does take away from the sense of legacy you got with the same team looking the same for long periods, but I think quality organizations with good personnel management and coaching tend to show up year after year. Why we always seem to see the Colts, Steelers, Patriots, Chargers, Eagles, etc...

 

[Billy Bullocks]

People complain about player loyalty in the current system. I think it is important to remember that it is a two way street.

Yes players often will sign with a new team for a big paycheck.

But it's not as if teams are really that loyal to players anymore either. Unless you are star player, your job is not safe on any team. Salaries are not guaranteed.

Teams are constantly grooming your potential replacement. And it makes sense for them to do so.

With this sort of system in place, is it really a surprise that players do what they do?