Ballards plan. IndyStar

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Interesting article regarding the Patriots philosophy in going hog wild in free agency this offseason - much different that the Colts:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...gency-splurge/

Basically, Kraft is saying that the pandemic / cap reduction created an inefficiency in the system - less teams competing for free agents - and because they had lots of cap room they were in a unique position to exploit it.

While it sounds logical to a degree, I don't know if I agree here. First, it doesn't look to me that they got many bargains in free agency, which is kinda what Kraft is suggesting. Nelson Agholor 2 year / $22 million? Jonnu Smith 4 year / $50 million? Hunter Henry 3 year / $37.5 million?

Second, I really don't buy into the idea that this year it is more difficult for teams to sign free agents. Regardless of their available cap space this year, the teams have a toolbox of financial engineering instruments at their disposal, and can still fit a large contract into their cap this year if they really want to - at the expense, of course, of cap impact later down the road.

The inefficiency he was exploiting, and did so quite heavily, was the ability to offer market value level contracts due to the large amount of cap space they had. Most teams had to lower the first year of the contract because of cap constraints. They didn't. That's the inefficiency.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

The inefficiency he was exploiting, and did so quite heavily, was the ability to offer market value level contracts due to the large amount of cap space they had. Most teams had to lower the first year of the contract because of cap constraints. They didn't. That's the inefficiency.

And my point is that as a practical matter, just about any team can offer a "market level contract" if they really want to. It just depends upon how much they are willing to sacrifice future cap flexibility.

And by the way, this will be an issue for the Patriots too because, although Kraft tries to characterize his free agency as some sort of brilliant plan to take advantage of inefficiencies, I don't think the facts bear this out - every one of the contracts I looked at is backloaded to minimize cap usage in 2021 (Nelson Agholor, Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Matt Judon, Henry Anderson). So they'll pay the consequences later for these contracts.

To me, it just reeks of desperation after seeing Brady win one without them.

[Butter]

Nelson Agholor, Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, those 3 especially to me do not look like that got a great deal, not terrible but look like what I would have expected them to get even if the cap had not dropped.

[Maniac]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

Just the way it is. Contracts go up seemingly even in a down year.

Because the TV deals are going up and they know there will be money there in the future years.

[Brylok]

I get it, but this has been about as interesting as watching grass grow. C'mon draft...

[Racehorse]

Originally Posted by Brylok

I get it, but this has been about as interesting as watching grass grow. C'mon draft...

I agree. This year is an odd one, due to the cap situation. Plenty of talent still unsigned, and few teams with the capital to get them. It really is a chess game this year.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by Chaka

And my point is that as a practical matter, just about any team can offer a "market level contract" if they really want to. It just depends upon how much they are willing to sacrifice future cap flexibility.

And by the way, this will be an issue for the Patriots too because, although Kraft tries to characterize his free agency as some sort of brilliant plan to take advantage of inefficiencies, I don't think the facts bear this out - every one of the contracts I looked at is backloaded to minimize cap usage in 2021 (Nelson Agholor, Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Matt Judon, Henry Anderson). So they'll pay the consequences later for these contracts.

To me, it just reeks of desperation after seeing Brady win one without them.

Not if the cap number for next year is north of $230 million.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

Not if the cap number for next year is north of $230 million.

That would help the Pats no doubt, but they'd still be saddled with these contracts. History has not been kind to teams that spend like drunken sailors on free agents. And regardless of what the cap amounts are, every team would be under the same cap, so bad free agent contracts will always place you at a competitive disadvantage.

I am NOT saying that signing free agents is always bad, but I do agree that it needs to be done with care. When a team spends wildly like the Patriots have this offseason, it doesn't give you the impression that there's a clear vision there.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

Not if the cap number for next year is north of $230 million.

I was under the impression that the CAP is unlikely to have as substantial of a jump next year because they moved some to this year to not have as big a drop. I am not sure where I got that and may have just dreamed it.