Assuming by “business decision” you are referring to a decision to maximize return towards a long term goal (multiple Super Bowls, long term dominance), then I personally don’t see a giant difference between the two. In my view, if you constantly and effectively play the angles and percentages, you’ll inevitably emerge on top. The entire casino industry is founded on a similar principle.

Ultimately, the whole thing relies upon drafting well. I just expect that in a few years we will have a LOT of people who will need and deserve to be paid. If I’m wrong about that, then yes I guess it would have been better to have spent our money on free agents. But, to me, free agency is more of a last resort.

No, by “business decision” I’m referring to prioritizing getting the best return for dollar spent over the end product on the field. You don’t get extra points in playoff games because you have a really efficient roster and a ton of unused cap space. What actually happens is your weakness at WR and your lack of a pass rush get exposed. The NFL is highly competitive and the margins for error are so thin that always prioritizing the future is going to almost always have you coming up short.

This is an asinine argument. The casino industry is built on proven mathematical statistics. I can point you to the house’s statistical advantage for any table game in the casino. In the long term the math will always win out. Please show me where any such thing exists for NFL roster building. I know 32 teams who would love to have that knowledge. And don’t even bring up “Moneyball” BS or I’ll point out the differences between its applicability to baseball and football and the fact it’s storied inventor never won a title with it.

To me the biggest thing you (and Ballard) are wrong about is the idea that Ballard is going to draft so well that he is going to create a long term dynasty that wins multiple championships over the long term. To me it’s simply a fools errand. The NFL rules are setup to specifically stop that. From free agency, to the salary cap, to the draft, to even the small variation in scheduling, the NFL is setup to bring teams back to the pack. The only modern day “dynasty” has been NE and they don’t operate at all how you advocate. Ballard will have to prove himself to be head and shoulders better at the draft than any GM in NFL history for it to work. Otherwise I see the limit as being the Polian Colts and Ted Thompson Packers. That isn’t all bad certainly. But I think most would agree that those teams should have more than one title each.

I want to know chaka’s average word count per post.


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Opposite extreme from Omaha

I think we will see that next off season, especially Luck and his will go a long way towards rasing the cash floor. Castanzo also needs extended.

Yep

Doesn’t help much this year. Just a waste really

I think Ballard will have discussions with several of the agents before the start of this season. He already extended Sanchez.

I would be surprised if he didn't extend one of the TE's on the roster.

The only TE's under contract beyond this season are Billy Brown (who was signed last December and carried on the practice squad) and undrafted free agent rookie Hale Hentges.

I know that there are some potential issues with extending each of the TE's that have received the majority of playing time but I would expect that one of Ebron, Doyle or Alie-Cox to be extended before the season starts.

Houston did get a nice chuck of upfront money, but what makes his deal reasonable IMO is that his 2nd year only has $1M guaranteed. So if he doesn't produce in year 1 we can release him with no long term implications.

With Funchess I don't disagree with bringing him in, but we definitely overpaid for a 1 year rental. Especially on a player with below average production who really regressed this last year. If we had signed him to a similar contract to Ebron's then that would have made a lot more sense.

Good point on the TEs, although Alie-Cox will be an ERFA so in all likelihood he'll be back at least 1 if not 2 years. Also, I think Ebron will not want to extend at this point b/c if he repeats his '18 season he will command a big contract on the open market.