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shaneo69 · 02-03-2005, 09:38 AM

I guess he's once again telling us that if Carl drafts busts, our team will suck and we must sit back and enjoy it.

DAWES: You Might Have Missed It
Feb 03, 2005, 1:28:33 AM by Media Watch by Rufus Dawes

The Pittsburgh Steelers are at it again following a model they and other successful NFL teams originated back when free agency was supposed to change the way the league works. Hardly noticeable, to all but a few general mangers that is and a dedicated blogger like me, the Steelers are apparently prepared to say good-bye to Keydrick Vincent, who started 27 games at left and right guard the past two seasons. The Steelers finished second in the NFL in average rushing yards per game (154) in 2004.

Now the loss of a starting guard on the surface doesn’t signal anything significant and to tell the truth Vincent isn’t gone yet. Free agency doesn’t begin until March 2. But if Vincent does depart he will follow a long line of starters who, upon becoming free agents, the Steelers have parted ways with when the price for keeping them became too high. “They don’t have plans for me,” Vincent admitted after talking to team officials late last month. (Jerry DiPaola, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 28, 2005)

If Vincent leaves as he expects, he will join Rod Woodson, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Neil O’Donnell, Charles Johnson, Carnell Lake, Dewayne Washington, Carlos Emmons, Orpheus Roye, Mike Vrabel, Earl Holmes, and Wayne Gandy among others who were all starters on successful Steelers teams through the years but that the franchise never missed when they left via free agency. Like the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh has a distinctly different way of building a team that doesn’t fit the popular public or media perception. No one could accuse Pittsburgh of being a major player in free agency and the Patriots have taken a similar approach. Meanwhile, the Eagles did become more active this year picking up Jevon Kearse in free agency, but that move overshadowed the departure of starting cornerbacks Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor.

Today’s winning franchises look to re-sign players they believe are worth it; they look to replace others from within first and then try other means. They know the value of players currently on their team, look for players who fit their system, and work behind the scenes to acquire them through the draft or, in the case of New England, by waiting until the later stages of free agency and picking up bargain players – ones who are companion pieces, not marquee talent. The Patriots have only two players who count more than $5 million against the salary cap and rank no better than 25th in the NFL in average annual payroll. (paid as opposed to cap computations)

Pittsburgh has always built from within. Kendall Simmons, the Steelers’ 2002 first-round draft pick, who is coming off an injury, will likely take Vincent’s place next season. Moves like this too often escape notice. In their place, we get urgings such as this one:

“Please, Bill Polian (Indianapolis general manager). Legions of Colts fans would rather have you spend money on importing (my italics) than keeping Edgerrin James.” (SI.com, January 24, 2005).

Understanding and problem solving are obscured when fashionable opinion conforms to pieties like free agency is the way to go. A small matter like Keydrick Vincent’s possible departure may be useful in breaking up the smug certainty that unless the Chiefs move quickly in free agency in 2005 all is lost. Or so I would hope.

02-03-2005, 09:38 AM	Topic Starter
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	Your weekly dose of Rufus... I guess he's once again telling us that if Carl drafts busts, our team will suck and we must sit back and enjoy it. DAWES: You Might Have Missed It Feb 03, 2005, 1:28:33 AM by Media Watch by Rufus Dawes The Pittsburgh Steelers are at it again following a model they and other successful NFL teams originated back when free agency was supposed to change the way the league works. Hardly noticeable, to all but a few general mangers that is and a dedicated blogger like me, the Steelers are apparently prepared to say good-bye to Keydrick Vincent, who started 27 games at left and right guard the past two seasons. The Steelers finished second in the NFL in average rushing yards per game (154) in 2004. Now the loss of a starting guard on the surface doesn’t signal anything significant and to tell the truth Vincent isn’t gone yet. Free agency doesn’t begin until March 2. But if Vincent does depart he will follow a long line of starters who, upon becoming free agents, the Steelers have parted ways with when the price for keeping them became too high. “They don’t have plans for me,” Vincent admitted after talking to team officials late last month. (Jerry DiPaola, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 28, 2005) If Vincent leaves as he expects, he will join Rod Woodson, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Neil O’Donnell, Charles Johnson, Carnell Lake, Dewayne Washington, Carlos Emmons, Orpheus Roye, Mike Vrabel, Earl Holmes, and Wayne Gandy among others who were all starters on successful Steelers teams through the years but that the franchise never missed when they left via free agency. Like the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh has a distinctly different way of building a team that doesn’t fit the popular public or media perception. No one could accuse Pittsburgh of being a major player in free agency and the Patriots have taken a similar approach. Meanwhile, the Eagles did become more active this year picking up Jevon Kearse in free agency, but that move overshadowed the departure of starting cornerbacks Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor. Today’s winning franchises look to re-sign players they believe are worth it; they look to replace others from within first and then try other means. They know the value of players currently on their team, look for players who fit their system, and work behind the scenes to acquire them through the draft or, in the case of New England, by waiting until the later stages of free agency and picking up bargain players – ones who are companion pieces, not marquee talent. The Patriots have only two players who count more than $5 million against the salary cap and rank no better than 25th in the NFL in average annual payroll. (paid as opposed to cap computations) Pittsburgh has always built from within. Kendall Simmons, the Steelers’ 2002 first-round draft pick, who is coming off an injury, will likely take Vincent’s place next season. Moves like this too often escape notice. In their place, we get urgings such as this one: “Please, Bill Polian (Indianapolis general manager). Legions of Colts fans would rather have you spend money on importing (my italics) than keeping Edgerrin James.” (SI.com, January 24, 2005). Understanding and problem solving are obscured when fashionable opinion conforms to pieties like free agency is the way to go. A small matter like Keydrick Vincent’s possible departure may be useful in breaking up the smug certainty that unless the Chiefs move quickly in free agency in 2005 all is lost. Or so I would hope.
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