Free Agency & How to Build a Team

[JunkFood]

Big Name vs. Small Name

Big Named Free Agents:
Everyone loves the BIG NAMED guy... but thinking realistically, whats the impact that a Big Named Free Agent can bring to a team?

These players are high risk - low reward players.

High risk meaning that the cost to bring these players in are expensive long term contracts. There is a concern that these players will not play up to the level of the contract. They just got their big payday, some might "kick it, relax, etc" some players will still put in the work, stay healthy and play to the same level. Now a player with this much expectation and $$$, if he doesnt produce then 1. he will be kept for the remainder of the contract eating up valuable capspace while, (which hurts the team because cant use the $$$ to sign or draft a quality player) not being a fan favorite. 2. he will be traded (team will not get nearly enough compensation for him) 3. might just get cut, even though it'll hurt the team financially.

Low Reward meaning... that the team is signing this player to this Outrageous contract b/c of his production & numbers. He is expected to reach these numbers every year or at least the first 3 years of his contract. If he exceeds what should already be Crazy good numbers then its great but the more than likely he will not even meet the numbers posted up before he signed the deal. This is Low Reward, because chances of a big name player to exceed his numbers are low, but he is still expected to put up the huge numbers that got him the contract.

**wild card** Players like these can be either Good Hardworking guys (jason taylor) or Divas (T.O.)
if they are the latter, if they fail to meet their expected production and the fans and Front Office turn on them they can be a cancer to the team in many ways including Demanding a Trade.


Small Named Free Agents:
People generally do not like or understand the signing of these players.
often referred to as: another Anthony Weaver, or this player doesnt compare w/ (insert Big Named FA here). This might be the result of not ever hearing about this person until FA begins and will usually not do the research on the players themselves. PPL also highly regard upcoming Draft Prospects wanting to skip the signing of these small named FA for either Big Name FA or Players in the Draft. and unless you're picking #1 you have no certain idea what players will fall to you, and if they are going to pan out in the NFL.


These Players are Low Risk - High Reward Players

Low Risk meaning that these players are signed relatively for a cheap amount. Especially compared to the Big Named FA. The expectations on these players are usually very low because people overlook them. They put up consistant average to above average #s year in and year out. These players are great players to pick up especially if the team is wanting to build through the draft. 1. because this players dont take as much cap space, and demand less salary which helps put that $$ towards players in the Drafted by the team and Keeping Players Drafted by the Team. 2. Also, because they put up consistant #s and can be depended on less risk to have less output.

High Reward Players meaning these players usually put up decent numbers, and if a player doesnt perform as well, then the SWING of low #s to Abv. Avg. #s isnt big, compared to a huge SWING +/- of a Big Name Player.
but if the player does put up Pro-Bowl, that is very High Rewarding b/c he's far exceeding his expectation compared to a big name player who's expected to put up probowl numbers. If the player does put up Great Numbers, He then holds a higher trade value for the Team.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The motto that our Team hopefully follows is...

Building through the Draft
Retain the Productive Players
Develop a young crop of talent w/ key veteran FA's (small Name)

If a Player on the Team does really well and wants a big contract, we assess the #'s if its more Risk than Reward, We let him go (hopefully w/ compensation)
Sign a Key FA (small name) at the position & Draft for that position.

That way year in and year out we remain competitive w/ still a great mix of young and veteran players, while still staying atop the game Salary Cap Wise

MY Opinions of course

[TheGoaT]

cliff notes are your friend.

[musicman8251]

Originally Posted by JunkFood

Big Name vs. Small Name

Big Named Free Agents:
Everyone loves the BIG NAMED guy... but thinking realistically, whats the impact that a Big Named Free Agent can bring to a team?

These players are high risk - low reward players.

High risk meaning that the cost to bring these players in are expensive long term contracts. There is a concern that these players will not play up to the level of the contract. They just got their big payday, some might "kick it, relax, etc" some players will still put in the work, stay healthy and play to the same level. Now a player with this much expectation and $$$, if he doesnt produce then 1. he will be kept for the remainder of the contract eating up valuable capspace while, (which hurts the team because cant use the $$$ to sign or draft a quality player) not being a fan favorite. 2. he will be traded (team will not get nearly enough compensation for him) 3. might just get cut, even though it'll hurt the team financially.

Low Reward meaning... that the team is signing this player to this Outrageous contract b/c of his production & numbers. He is expected to reach these numbers every year or at least the first 3 years of his contract. If he exceeds what should already be Crazy good numbers then its great but the more than likely he will not even meet the numbers posted up before he signed the deal. This is Low Reward, because chances of a big name player to exceed his numbers are low, but he is still expected to put up the huge numbers that got him the contract.

**wild card** Players like these can be either Good Hardworking guys (jason taylor) or Divas (T.O.)
if they are the latter, if they fail to meet their expected production and the fans and Front Office turn on them they can be a cancer to the team in many ways including Demanding a Trade.


Small Named Free Agents:
People generally do not like or understand the signing of these players.
often referred to as: another Anthony Weaver, or this player doesnt compare w/ (insert Big Named FA here). This might be the result of not ever hearing about this person until FA begins and will usually not do the research on the players themselves. PPL also highly regard upcoming Draft Prospects wanting to skip the signing of these small named FA for either Big Name FA or Players in the Draft. and unless you're picking #1 you have no certain idea what players will fall to you, and if they are going to pan out in the NFL.


These Players are Low Risk - High Reward Players

Low Risk meaning that these players are signed relatively for a cheap amount. Especially compared to the Big Named FA. The expectations on these players are usually very low because people overlook them. They put up consistant average to above average #s year in and year out. These players are great players to pick up especially if the team is wanting to build through the draft. 1. because this players dont take as much cap space, and demand less salary which helps put that $$ towards players in the Drafted by the team and Keeping Players Drafted by the Team. 2. Also, because they put up consistant #s and can be depended on less risk to have less output.

High Reward Players meaning these players usually put up decent numbers, and if a player doesnt perform as well, then the SWING of low #s to Abv. Avg. #s isnt big, compared to a huge SWING +/- of a Big Name Player.
but if the player does put up Pro-Bowl, that is very High Rewarding b/c he's far exceeding his expectation compared to a big name player who's expected to put up probowl numbers. If the player does put up Great Numbers, He then holds a higher trade value for the Team.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The motto that our Team hopefully follows is...

Building through the Draft
Retain the Productive Players
Develop a young crop of talent w/ key veteran FA's (small Name)

If a Player on the Team does really well and wants a big contract, we assess the #'s if its more Risk than Reward, We let him go (hopefully w/ compensation)
Sign a Key FA (small name) at the position & Draft for that position.

That way year in and year out we remain competitive w/ still a great mix of young and veteran players, while still staying atop the game Salary Cap Wise

MY Opinions of course

Nice post JunkFood. couldnt have put it better myself.

[ANDRE=FRANCHISE]

wow u read all of that ?

unless someone is paying me to proof-read that S-A.

I'm not.

[powerhouse713]

the blueprint of the colts and that is why they are so successful. when is the last time the colts signed a big free agent? exactly....

[musicman8251]

Originally Posted by ANDRE=FRANCHISE

wow u read all of that ?

unless someone is paying me to proof-read that S-A.

I'm not.

then why post?

[Houston Texans_]

JunkFood,


Not sure you knew but of the players on Texans roster, 24 of those people (66 in number) are draftees by Texans that is almost half the roster...that is pretty impressive for looking at 2002-08 drafts

PS added 2 FA signees and left UFAs and RFAs on list, since they unsigned as yet

[Wolfscar]

Originally Posted by JunkFood

Big Name vs. Small Name

Big Named Free Agents:
Everyone loves the BIG NAMED guy... but thinking realistically, whats the impact that a Big Named Free Agent can bring to a team?

These players are high risk - low reward players.

High risk meaning that the cost to bring these players in are expensive long term contracts. There is a concern that these players will not play up to the level of the contract. They just got their big payday, some might "kick it, relax, etc" some players will still put in the work, stay healthy and play to the same level. Now a player with this much expectation and $$$, if he doesnt produce then 1. he will be kept for the remainder of the contract eating up valuable capspace while, (which hurts the team because cant use the $$$ to sign or draft a quality player) not being a fan favorite. 2. he will be traded (team will not get nearly enough compensation for him) 3. might just get cut, even though it'll hurt the team financially.

Low Reward meaning... that the team is signing this player to this Outrageous contract b/c of his production & numbers. He is expected to reach these numbers every year or at least the first 3 years of his contract. If he exceeds what should already be Crazy good numbers then its great but the more than likely he will not even meet the numbers posted up before he signed the deal. This is Low Reward, because chances of a big name player to exceed his numbers are low, but he is still expected to put up the huge numbers that got him the contract.

**wild card** Players like these can be either Good Hardworking guys (jason taylor) or Divas (T.O.)
if they are the latter, if they fail to meet their expected production and the fans and Front Office turn on them they can be a cancer to the team in many ways including Demanding a Trade.


Small Named Free Agents:
People generally do not like or understand the signing of these players.
often referred to as: another Anthony Weaver, or this player doesnt compare w/ (insert Big Named FA here). This might be the result of not ever hearing about this person until FA begins and will usually not do the research on the players themselves. PPL also highly regard upcoming Draft Prospects wanting to skip the signing of these small named FA for either Big Name FA or Players in the Draft. and unless you're picking #1 you have no certain idea what players will fall to you, and if they are going to pan out in the NFL.


These Players are Low Risk - High Reward Players

Low Risk meaning that these players are signed relatively for a cheap amount. Especially compared to the Big Named FA. The expectations on these players are usually very low because people overlook them. They put up consistant average to above average #s year in and year out. These players are great players to pick up especially if the team is wanting to build through the draft. 1. because this players dont take as much cap space, and demand less salary which helps put that $$ towards players in the Drafted by the team and Keeping Players Drafted by the Team. 2. Also, because they put up consistant #s and can be depended on less risk to have less output.

High Reward Players meaning these players usually put up decent numbers, and if a player doesnt perform as well, then the SWING of low #s to Abv. Avg. #s isnt big, compared to a huge SWING +/- of a Big Name Player.
but if the player does put up Pro-Bowl, that is very High Rewarding b/c he's far exceeding his expectation compared to a big name player who's expected to put up probowl numbers. If the player does put up Great Numbers, He then holds a higher trade value for the Team.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The motto that our Team hopefully follows is...

Building through the Draft
Retain the Productive Players
Develop a young crop of talent w/ key veteran FA's (small Name)

If a Player on the Team does really well and wants a big contract, we assess the #'s if its more Risk than Reward, We let him go (hopefully w/ compensation)
Sign a Key FA (small name) at the position & Draft for that position.

That way year in and year out we remain competitive w/ still a great mix of young and veteran players, while still staying atop the game Salary Cap Wise

MY Opinions of course

Yep. One of the many reasons I like the Texans franchise so much. This is how you build consistency and secure the future of your team. High character, high quality, and no fat bloated contracts. And the only player we have left who got overpaid and hasn't produced is Travis Johnson. If we could trade him away for anything at all I'd love to see us do it.

[zanth91]

Originally Posted by ANDRE=FRANCHISE

wow u read all of that ?

unless someone is paying me to proof-read that S-A.

I'm not.

Unnecessary comment?

[Whiskeyrbl]

Really nice post Junkfood