Strategies for Free Agency

*Originally Printed in The Dickinsonian

Every year as the free agency period begins to approach in the NFL, fans gear themselves up to see what exciting changes their respective teams might undergo. Whether it’s the addition of a flashy starter, the last-minute resigning of a loveable player, or the depth-solidifying addition of a couple dependable backups, football free agency gives that final adjustment that teams make to compete in the upcoming season.

Of course, the period could also be hell for a team, if they’re unable to hold on to any of their players, don’t have the money to bring in the big names, or miss out on those much needed yet overlooked dependable bench players. This begs the question: why do teams rely on free agency so much?

Great teams that stay competitive every year, such as the Patriots, Steelers and Colts, put themselves in a position where they don’t need to rely on free agency. These teams have the depth, the coaching, and the veteran leadership to compete for a super bowl year after year. And yet even these teams recognize the value of free agency to add a spark to their team, whether it’s depth to their already stocked benches, and proven starters for their pro-bowl filled roster.
But for teams that are on the bubble of playoff material every year, it’s free agency that they need to rely on most, making this period the most publicized stint in the NFL offseason. Still, one would think that teams wouldn’t rely on a 32-team free-for-all to snag much-needed players, instead of building patiently through the draft.

Free agency does have one large advantage, in so far as teams know that a player can perform on an NFL team before they sign him. The draft can only be based on college performance and combine results, whereas free agents have already made a name for themselves on pro grass.
On the other hand, coaching changes, role adjustments and team chemistry disrupt the notion of a smooth transition between football teams. Randy Moss, for example, was one of the best receivers in the NFL before being shipped off to Oakland. His play dropped steeply to the point of seemingly no return; yet his return to stardom with the Patriots in 2007 was just as triumphant as his slump was disastrous two years prior. It is simply not guaranteed that a player will perform at a certain level based on their prior performance.

The irony in this situation is that no-name players continue to emerge from these organizations, yet it is the inconsistent teams that throw money at them come the free agency period. If these teams such as the Redskins, Cowboys and Dolphins actively spend money on these players, shouldn’t they realize that it was the draft that started the successful cycle that they are, by reliance on free agency, not a part of? That’s quite the deep thought, but in concise rewording: if the blue print is put so obviously, why not follow it?

Maybe it’s the bad coaching, poor management, or unstable ownership that makes teams shaky come draft time, and dependent come free agency. But in this case, it looks like teams might need to look a little higher in their structure to make the needed changes on the road to becoming a consistently competitive franchise.

Every year, it seems like the Redskins make a poor move that throws money at big names, with close to no return on the field; Albert Haynesworth is the most recent example, with Jeremiah Trotter and Deon Sanders lingering in the past.

Every year, Steelers fans hesitate to check up on their team’s free agency action. Instead, they prepare to lose their favorite players to less competitive teams and take a deep breath knowing that the Black and Gold will compete regardless. The Steelers have watched players such as Joey Porter, Alan Faneca, and Larry Foote walk from their team without hesitation.

What’s the difference between these teams? The Steelers, Colts, and Patriots have backups that are ready to take over. You might’ve heard of Joey Porter’s back up, James Harrison: he won the Defensive Player of the Year award and completed the longest play in super bowl history in 2009.

This year, however, things seem to be changing in the patterns of NFL teams. The Steelers just resigned Ryan Clark, as a part of one of the biggest days in the team’s free agency history. They signed four veteran players, including ex-Steeler Antwaan Randle El, to add significant depth to their team. Yet the Redskins have remained silent this year, vowing to start depending on the draft to get their needed talent. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens to both of these teams in the 2010 season, because they have completely reversed their roles in free agency.
Regardless, besides coaching and management, the movement teams make during free agency significantly impacts their consistency over the years. It seems that the less free agency, the better success teams have had in the past decade. Could the next decade be the same way? Only time will tell.