2012-14 free agency big name signings from 'top teams'

[KSpan]

Just posted this in another thread but found it interesting given the clamoring a few folks are doing for "Big name signings, because all the other good teams do it". The best teams in the NFL have cultivated internal talent and are able to supplement with value-driven, strategic signings. They have the money to do it and they sign proven players at beneficial prices rather than paying premium prices for the biggest names.

Here is the link to the 2012 Pro Football Focus' 2012 FA tracker: https://www.profootb...-agent-tracker/

Know who Seattle's biggest external FA addition was? Matt Flynn, but they DRAFTED Russel Wilson

Know who NE's biggest external FA addition was? Brandon Lloyd, but they DRAFTED Chandler Jones

Know who Indianapolis' biggest externa FAl addition was? Cory Redding, but they DRAFTED Andrew Luck

Know who Pittsburgh's biggest external addition was? Jerricho Cotchery, but they DRAFTED David DeCastro

Know who Green Bay's biggest external addition was? Tony Hargrove, but they DRAFTED Nick Perry

Know who eventual-SB champ Baltimore's biggest external addition was? Corey Graham, but they DRAFTED Bernard Pierce

Since it was requested, here are 2013 and 2014. Also from PFF.

2013:

Seattle - Cliff Avril (not counting Harvin since he rarely played, though they did sign him)

NE- Danny Amendola

Indy- Aubrayo Franklinn

Pitt- Matt Spaeth

Green Bay- Matthew Mulligan (only external FA signing)

Baltimore- Elvis Dumervil

2014: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/01/07/2014-pff-free-agency-tracker/

Seattle- Michael Bennett

NE- Darelle Revis

Indy- Hakeem Nicks

Pitt- Mike Mitchell

Green Bay- Julius Peppers

Baltimore- Steve Smith

Yes, these teams are now able to sign big names, buf it's because they spent seasons building internally under quality talent leadership and being fiscally responsible, much like Carolina is doing now. Citing teams that have spent years under good leadership (coaching and FA alike) and claiming that they are perennial buyers of top big-name (read: expensive) talent in FA doesn't hold up once actual FA data are reviewed.

Edit: Should anyone else wish to review every team in the league, go for it. I chose these because they are names commonly considered as "top teams", though Pitt is certainly falling out of that category. I started with 2012 because that was the earliest database that was easiest to find and because it captures a sampling of recent and future SB winners. Many people are completely missing the point in that I am not saying that these teams don't spend money or sign big names, but that when they do it it's because they recognize value and capitalize, rounding out a roster that is already stocked with homegrown talent at reasonable prices.

[NJPanthers12]

Don't show Growl this, it might disprove his agenda.

[RealBitsOfPanther]

But, but.... I signed Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin in Madden so now we have to do in real life. 

[Montsta]

Banning for making too much sense and throwing the huddle off-kilter.

[TNPanther]

On the other hand, look at all the teams signing the big name FAs to big deals. Dolphins, Bills, Jaguars, Bucs, Jets, etc. I don't think it's a coincidence that these teams are at the bottom half of the league.

[KSpan]

Look at all the teams signing these big name guys to big deals. Dolphins, Bills, Jaguars, Bucs, Jets, etc. I don't think it's a coincidence that these teams are at the bottom half of the league. You don't ever see the Patriots, Steelers, or Seahawks making "splashes."

I generally agree, and there's no doubt that these teams make moves (Moss and Revis to NE, Graham to Seattle, etc.) but these teams get excellent value when they make moves and these players are being added to teams that are overall strong, on the field and in the coaching staff and FO. Carolina is absolutely heading that way.

[rmoneyg35]

Didn't you already post this in another thread? Are you trying to make a point to someone? Maybe you should just play franchise mode in madden and draft well on one team and another team sign free agents and then see which team wins the Super Bowl first. After all Madden= real life.

[tondi]

Its been proven time and time again that these big money first day signings rarely work out, at least to the degree the money being paid would warrant.  Yet,every year we see teams spending and every year we see people whining about us not spending.  Take a look back at the few big money FAs we HAVE signed over the last 20 years if you need a refresher on just how rarely it ever works out.

[davos]

Didn't you already post this in another thread? Are you trying to make a point to someone? Maybe you should just play franchise mode in madden and draft well on one team and another team sign free agents and then see which team wins the Super Bowl first. After all Madden= real life.

 

What?

 

[KSpan]

Didn't you already post this in another thread? Are you trying to make a point to someone? Maybe you should just play franchise mode in madden and draft well on one team and another team sign free agents and then see which team wins the Super Bowl first. After all Madden= real life.

My first words were that I posted it in another thread, pg. 9 of a thread about receivers to be exact, and thought it was interesting enough to be its own thread. My point is noted in the OP, which you don't seem to have read. And did you just actually just compare the NFL to Madden?

[Growl]

Don't show Growl this, it might disprove his agenda.

It's actually more amusing he had to go back so far to find an offseason that would validate his stance. Ask any Seattle fan and they will tell you that the free agent signings they made that offseason were an integral part of their Super Bowl (mentioned them because that seems to be his 'heavy hitter' argument lol)

Seriously folks if you can't do better than this then it's time to reevaluate the cliche's you've allowed the team to feed you that hav become the bedrock of your belief system.

[PandaPancake]

This seems very preachy

[Growl]

Winning Super Bowls isn't worth spending money in Carolina Panther land, and you're looking at a fanbase that will defend the sentiment to the death.

Guys here's a layout from 1967 that shows that year teams didn't sign very good players and #value #money #economics

[Growl]

A quick look back at free agent trackers revealed 2012 was the first year to spring up where, at least on the surface, notable free agents didn't directly help contribute to a great team (though that's just the the marquee guys, unlikely that free agents didn't help teams that year given the prominent part they play)

How convenient that it was the randomly selected year the op used

Why not use last year OP? Why not the year before? Why not compile a list overall?

J/w