Warren signs with Donks

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Pittsie

I understand your point, but I think we're both in agreement that this isn't a SB-contending team, and wouldn't be even with those 2 players. So what's the harm in developing younger talent this year?

Both Franklin and Lawson signed 1 year deals. If Stude/Houston and Powe don't work out, Pioli could, in theory, have the opportunity to sign them next year.

That's true, but I think we are a fringe playoff team.

Now if you have a couple of guys that could be the difference in a 7-9 season or a 9-7 season (which could easily win this division), don't you think another trip to the playoffs would be HUGE for the development of this team?

I don't think we're doing enough to keep this team from slipping backwards. Pioli seems content with conceding that this isn't a SB team and using it as another 'rebuilding' year. That just seems extremely reckless. It also seems like the front office is once again going on the cheap in building this team.

We just got called out by Drew Brees; you don't think that's relevant? We're being mentioned by national media types as one of the teams that created the need for the salary floor; you don't think that hurts our rep among the players? I'm not yelling and screaming that we should've overpaid for Kameron Wimbley or anything stupid like that; but how does getting a player like Lawson for a season pose any real risk? And if he doesn't work out, you sit him and you're out only the cash. Meanwhile if he does work out, you have a huge leg up on the rest of the league next year in extending him.

It's not the roster space either; we have what, 26 people in camp right now?

No matter what the answer is, it's a bad one. It may be money, it may be hubris, it may be that Pioli just mis-read the hell out of the FA market. I just don't like the way this FA period has been handled one bit.