Surprise!! Rufus knocks free agency (again)

[shaneo69]

DAWES: THIS YEAR'S FREE AGENT DU JOUR
Jan 27, 2005, 1:46:52 AM by Media Watch by Rufus Dawes

The tired voices of past criticism are using another off-season to postulate another Chiefs predicament. Oddly, learning nothing from the immediate past, they are beginning again to advance another generation of tired prognostications. Bob Gretz calls this time of year the “Silly Season” and, indeed, it is. As I sit here in my room in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, I’ve been reading the latest remedy for what ails the Chiefs. From what I understand from the folks back home, names are being tossed around by anybody who’s been able to talk himself onto a radio shout-fest or needs to fill a space in the local newspaper.

Gretz goes on to list some of the familiar player names that have been put out there for the Chiefs to pursue. More column inches have been spent on the notion that unrestricted free agency is a ruse than on any that this writer has contributed to this site. You can search the archives and you’ll find a fairly convincing case that building through free agency doesn’t work. Yes, there are exceptions from time to time but to contend that by signing one or more your season can be turned around it pure nonsense.

One local columnist has never met a marquee free agent name that he didn’t like. Jeff George, Hugh Douglas (he, of “give him the money, Lamar” fame) and Troy Vincent are recent names that come to mind. His latest free-agent du jour, Patriots corner Ty Law, is perhaps his silliest. Should the Chiefs seek out Law if there is a mutual interest? Absolutely. But the cost could be prohibitive considering the player’s age and physical condition. (see more in Gretz) It’s more likely that the Patriots won’t even put up much of a fuss. That’s the Patriots way, and the Steelers way and the Eagles way. Everybody is expendable in their eyes and they quickly part company with starters, all-pros, and such and move to backups. It seems to have worked well, don’t you think?

Consider, if you will, the Patriots who on this year’s trip to the Super Bowl started someone named Randall Gay (undrafted rookie free agent) at left corner and someone named Asante Samuel from that NCAA powerhouse Central Florida at right corner. They finished the season as a top-ten defense and held the explosive Indianapolis Colts offense to no touchdowns in their playoff win. The Pats ranked second in the NFL in points surrendered without last year’s starting corners Ty Law and Tyrone Poole.

So, to run around claiming once again to “give (Law) the money” is to have learned nothing, even if you don’t consider that over the past season the rules affecting cornerback play have changed so significantly as to make the idea of a shut-down corner obsolete.

Champ Bailey’s acquisition by the Denver Broncos last offseason did not improve the team’s defense. The Denver defense was better statistically against the pass in 2003 with Kelly Herndon and Lenny Walls as starters than it was with Bailey as its key cover guy. Denver was a wild card team without him and it was a wild card team with him. Maybe Ty Law would improve the Chiefs defense – it wouldn’t take much – but to throw money at him and sit back and think you’ve cured all of the team’s ills is to have learned nothing about a game you’re charged to provide insight on.

Insight is a term that doesn’t get much traction these days, least of all among some columnists, who prefer to fashion themselves more as entertainers. Good journalism is about linking fact with opinion. Good journalism is about fine analysis and making distinctions and about making a case. Because too many columnists believe they can say whatever they want without having to prove it, we are left with a journalism whose narrative and analytical failings have become ever more glairing. When will they learn and when will we?

[KCTitus]

Originally Posted by HC_Chief

He also took a franchise that wasn't making a lot of money and turned it into the most profitable franchise in the entire league. The 'Skins are worth more than any team in NFL history. It hasn't translated to on-the-field success (yet); but it sure as hell has got the fanbase interested. You have to admit: the guy goes all-out in attempts to improve his team. IMO where he has failed is in evaluating coaches.

I wholeheartedly agree!!! The fans of KC deserve an owner/GM like Snyder.

[nmt1]

Originally Posted by HC_Chief

He also took a franchise that wasn't making a lot of money and turned it into the most profitable franchise in the entire league. The 'Skins are worth more than any team in NFL history. It hasn't translated to on-the-field success (yet); but it sure as hell has got the fanbase interested. You have to admit: the guy goes all-out in attempts to improve his team. IMO where he has failed is in evaluating coaches.

So let me get this straight. It's OK to not win the Superbowl if your fans are interested and your franchise is worth the most? We are halfway there. Chiefs fans are definitly interested.

Seriously, I think you're giving Snyder a pass you'd never give Carl.

[nmt1]

Originally Posted by Chan93lx50

Our trouble is instead of picking players that can play.

DV and company pick nice guys that fit DV profile.

Basically a bunch of crying pussies!

Heard the same arguement when Vermiel started remaking the offense. It was a dumb arguement then and still is now.

[shaneo69]

Originally Posted by nmt1

Dan Snyder doesn't have oil money but he's sure been successful playing fantasy football.

Yep, that's always the one example. Or you can look at the Jets, who signed Barret, Barton, and Tongue and should've been in the AFC Championship game despite Hackett's ineptness.

Getting back to Snyder.....yeah, he's an ass, but he gives their fans hope by making an effort, no matter how misplaced it is. As opposed to Hunt, who's teams win as many playoff games as Snyder's, yet offer Chiefs' fans little hope.

I'll be rooting for the Redskins in 2005 to win it all, so Rufus and the rest of the apologists can shove it up their ass. With Ramsey at QB and Gibbs offensive scheme, and Williams directing their defense, they have as good a shot as anyone else in the NFC to make it. Actually, I hope they go trade for Randy Moss and then win the Super Bowl so the "win only by drafting well" crowd can all fug off.

[nmt1]

Originally Posted by jspchief

Actually, he doesn't know what he's talking about. He blatantly contradicts himself by offering up the three examples that he did.

The Pats: Addressed a need at RB by signing a "big name" FA. And according to rufus, Dillon is old (same age as Law).

The Steelers: addressed a need at RB by signing a "big name" RB. He's also old according to Rufus' standards

The Eagles: Adressed a need at WR and pass rush by signing what could easily be considered the top FA at their respective positions.

So tell me agian how these teams built from within and didn't need Free Agency.

I never said teams don't need or shouldn't use free agency. Dillon was aquired in a trade. Duce Staley was a free agent but didn't play most of the last half of the season and Terrell Owens was technically a trade too. The Eagles wouldn't have gotten Owens had he not thrown a fit when he was traded to Baltimore and they sure wouldn't be where they are now without him. We can say Kearse was a good signing now but what about next year if he gets hurt and misses most of the season which has been part of his history?

[HC_Chief]

Originally Posted by nmt1

So let me get this straight. It's OK to not win the Superbowl if your fans are interested and your franchise is worth the most? We are halfway there. Chiefs fans are definitly interested.

Seriously, I think you're giving Snyder a pass you'd never give Carl.

No no no, just pointing out that the guy, like CP, has envigorated the fan base and turned the franchise into a cash cow. No one can argue that CP isn't a damn fine President and CEO - he excels in that capacity.

Where the two differ is Snyder actively pursues improvement. He is not afraid to add free agents at ANY position. If they don't work out, so be it - they part ways. And you notice, all without wrecking their 'cap'.

[nmt1]

Originally Posted by shaneo69

Yep, that's always the one example. Or you can look at the Jets, who signed Barret, Barton, and Tongue and should've been in the AFC Championship game despite Hackett's ineptness.

Getting back to Snyder.....yeah, he's an ass, but he gives their fans hope by making an effort, no matter how misplaced it is. As opposed to Hunt, who's teams win as many playoff games as Snyder's, yet offer Chiefs' fans little hope.

I'll be rooting for the Redskins in 2005 to win it all, so Rufus and the rest of the apologists can shove it up their ass. With Ramsey at QB and Gibbs offensive scheme, and Williams directing their defense, they have as good a shot as anyone else in the NFC to make it. Actually, I hope they go trade for Randy Moss and then win the Super Bowl so the "win only by drafting well" crowd can all fug off.

So now it's OK to not win the Superbowl if the team offers hope and gives an effort?
I'd argue that the Chiefs did give an effort last offseason as well as the previous offseason. Whether or not that effort worked is the debatable point.

[shaneo69]

Originally Posted by nmt1

I never said teams don't need or shouldn't use free agency. Dillon was aquired in a trade. Duce Staley was a free agent but didn't play most of the last half of the season and Terrell Owens was technically a trade too. The Eagles wouldn't have gotten Owens had he not thrown a fit when he was traded to Baltimore and they sure wouldn't be where they are now without him. We can say Kearse was a good signing now but what about next year if he gets hurt and misses most of the season which has been part of his history?

What if Kearse gets hurt next year? Who the fuck cares? They signed him to help them get to the Super Bowl, and they made it.

Another player JSP could've named is James Farrior (came in 2nd for NFL Defensive Player of the Year). Wow, you mean the Steelers actually signed an UFA? Oh, I thought they drafted all of their players. Jeff Hartings, their Pro Bowl center? Another UFA.

[nmt1]

Originally Posted by HC_Chief

No no no, just pointing out that the guy, like CP, has envigorated the fan base and turned the franchise into a cash cow. No one can argue that CP isn't a damn fine President and CEO - he excels in that capacity.

Where the two differ is Snyder actively pursues improvement. He is not afraid to add free agents at ANY position. If they don't work out, so be it - they part ways. And you notice, all without wrecking their 'cap'.

You're saying that Peterson doesn't actively pursue improvement? You can't be serious about that. You can't tell me, objectively, that Peterson doesn't try to improve the Chiefs.
The thing is, you don't agree with the way Peterson trys to improve the team. The only difference between Peterson and Snyder is that Peterson is a football guy and Snyder is a fan.

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by nmt1

I never said teams don't need or shouldn't use free agency. Dillon was aquired in a trade. Duce Staley was a free agent but didn't play most of the last half of the season and Terrell Owens was technically a trade too. The Eagles wouldn't have gotten Owens had he not thrown a fit when he was traded to Baltimore and they sure wouldn't be where they are now without him. We can say Kearse was a good signing now but what about next year if he gets hurt and misses most of the season which has been part of his history?

None of that sh*t matters. Rufus' point was "here are 3 teams that get it done without spending in FA". That's simply not true. Trading fits into the same category, it's just spending draft picks instead of money.

And if FA is so unneccessary to winning, why did the Superbowl champions go out and get a FA? Why did the team that made the NFC championship game 3 years straight go out and get two huge name guys?

I'm not arguing whether it's the proper method to build a team or not. I'm simply saying that Dawes gave examples that contradicted his theory, rather than support it.

[Red Dawg]

FA is like the draft, sometimes it will work out and sometimes it won't. But how can we not try? We must upgrade our defense with some accomplished players. Will it make us SB champs? No. But it certainly will not hurt at all.

[shaneo69]

Originally Posted by Daddy T

FA is like the draft, sometimes it will work out and sometimes it won't. But how can we not try? We must upgrade our defense with some accomplished players. Will it make us SB champs? No. But it certainly will not hurt at all.

Yes, it will hurt. Hunt's pocketbook. And that's all that really counts.

[nmt1]

Originally Posted by shaneo69

What if Kearse gets hurt next year? Who the fuck cares? They signed him to help them get to the Super Bowl, and they made it.

Another player JSP could've named is James Farrior (came in 2nd for NFL Defensive Player of the Year). Wow, you mean the Steelers actually signed an UFA? Oh, I thought they drafted all of their players. Jeff Hartings, their Pro Bowl center? Another UFA.

Read the first sentence of my post again. I never said teams shouldn't use free agency and I never said teams aren't successful in free agency. That would be an idiotic arguement considering the best player on our team was a free agent.
I would care about Kearse if I was a member of the Eagles staff. If he gets hurt next season, they'll be wasting a lot of money on him. Yeah, they made it to the Superbowl this year but there will be other NFL seasons and they'll still have to manage their salary cap.

[Manila-Chief]

Originally Posted by shaneo69

DAWES: THIS YEAR'S FREE AGENT DU JOUR
Jan 27, 2005, 1:46:52 AM by Media Watch by Rufus Dawes

Insight is a term that doesn’t get much traction these days, least of all among some columnists, who prefer to fashion themselves more as entertainers. Good journalism is about linking fact with opinion. Good journalism is about fine analysis and making distinctions and about making a case. Because too many columnists believe they can say whatever they want without having to prove it, we are left with a journalism whose narrative and analytical failings have become ever more glairing. When will they learn and when will we?

And "insight" is not blind homerism for everything Kingless and the Chiefs do....

Another issue with him .... why does he repeat Gretz's work. Some of us read or had to suffer through it when it was published on the Chiefs site. Can't he write something on his own.

Sounds to me that all the writers on the Chiefs sites are all quoting the "talking points" that Kingless puts out ... kinda like the guy does for FOX news channel. Except for Rand they all sound the same. Got to where I seldom read it.

The Planet is a much better read and more factual... Some of you guys have good insight!!!!

[HC_Chief]

Originally Posted by nmt1

You're saying that Peterson doesn't actively pursue improvement? You can't be serious about that. You can't tell me, objectively, that Peterson doesn't try to improve the Chiefs.
The thing is, you don't agree with the way Peterson trys to improve the team. The only difference between Peterson and Snyder is that Peterson is a football guy and Snyder is a fan.

And that 'football guy' has done so much better than that 'fan'.

Peterson makes token efforts.