Playing defense as the GM (Hypothetical)

[TheCasillas]

I am really curious about people's opinion on this matter. This is completely hypothetical and more me wanting to hear out your perspective. Here it is:

Failcons have lost both starting safeties. They need help - Earl Thomas is available. You are the GM of the Panthers, in effort to prevent the Failcons from getting their safety situation resolved, and the need of a safety to resolve your own team's concern. Do you go into a bidding/trade war with the Failcons to acquire Thomas or just watch the Failcons trade away their future and destroy their cap?

I'd love to hear your opinions.

[sharkkiller]

No.

[BrianS]

Hell no.  While I do agree that we need to address safety, Earl Thomas isn't what we need.

Especially if it involves any sort of "bidding war".  Let someone else overpay.

[London Loves Luke]

Absolutely you do. Regardless of whether you actually want him in the end or not, you bid the price up to screw the Falcons. That’s just business.

[TheCasillas]

14 minutes ago, BrianS said:

Hell no.  While I do agree that we need to address safety, Earl Thomas isn't what we need.

Especially if it involves any sort of "bidding war".  Let someone else overpay.

So you wouldn't try to screw up the Failcons future by tactically increasing the price tag?

[t96]

There have been zero legitimate reports of any Falcons interest in Thomas. Not even an "exploring all possibilities" type report to include Thomas. Not sure why people think this is a thing... could change but as of now there's no reason to discuss this.

[TheCasillas]

1 minute ago, t96 said:

There have been zero legitimate reports of any Falcons interest in Thomas. Not even an "exploring all possibilities" type report to include Thomas. Not sure why people think this is a thing... could change but as of now there's no reason to discuss this.

Did I fail to put "Hypothetical" in the OP or Title? 

[LinvilleGorge]

If I were to trade for Thomas, I'd be doing it because I felt like he was the missing piece getting us over the hump to make us a SB caliber team. I would never make a trade just to block a division rival.

The fact that the Seahawks turned down a 2nd rounder from the Cowboys pretty much rules him out in my mind. I can't rationalize trading more than that for an aging safety that's starting to become injury prone who wants big money.

In reality, it doesn't matter anyway. We probably wouldn't trade a stale pack of crackers and pay him veteran minimum because he plays safety and we don't give a single flying fug about the safety position. Maybe when Thomas is 38 and would struggle to break 5 flat in the 40 he'll fit our mold for a safety.

[thefuzz]

The first answer is absolutely not, in any circumstance, at any time.

The NFL, especially the GM's and HC's are a very close lot. 

 

You call the Hawks and offer a 2 because you think the Falcons may offer a 3?  Or you offer a 2 and a 3 cause the Falcons have the higher 2nd?

What happens when the Hawks say deal...it's a 2 and a 3, and he will be on the plane this afternoon with medicals in hand.

Now what?  You have sent away a 2 and a 3, for a player who is going to be pissed for having to move across country, but in addition, got traded to a team who can't extend him this season (what he's pissed about), and can't afford to sign him in the offseason.

OK, that's a bad move...only thing you can do is tag him next year (if we could afford that), and hope he loves Charlotte so much that he just shows up on another 1 year deal.  And you lost a 2 and a 3.

The other possibility is you just say...."nah, I'm kidding, I was just trying to get Dimitroff to over pay...you know a little gamemanship, we really don't want him".

Now you have burned, at a minimum, relationships with 2 GM's and 2 HC's.

Not a smart move long term no matter which way you shake it.

[TheCasillas]

2 minutes ago, thefuzz said:

The first answer is absolutely not, in any circumstance, at any time.

The NFL, especially the GM's and HC's are a very close lot. 

 

You call the Hawks and offer a 2 because you think the Falcons may offer a 3?  Or you offer a 2 and a 3 cause the Falcons have the higher 2nd?

What happens when the Hawks say deal...it's a 2 and a 3, and he will be on the plane this afternoon with medicals in hand.

Now what?  You have sent away a 2 and a 3, for a player who is going to be pissed for having to move across country, but in addition, got traded to a team who can't extend him this season (what he's pissed about), and can't afford to sign him in the offseason.

OK, that's a bad move...only thing you can do is tag him next year (if we could afford that), and hope he loves Charlotte so much that he just shows up on another 1 year deal.  And you lost a 2 and a 3.

The other possibility is you just say...."nah, I'm kidding, I was just trying to get Dimitroff to over pay...you know a little gamemanship, we really don't want him".

Now you have burned, at a minimum, relationships with 2 GM's and 2 HC's.

Not a smart move long term no matter which way you shake it.

I’m glad you brought this up. Bruce Allen use to do this while he was with the Bucs. He’d call other GM “buddies” and tell them lim going to tell this team you offered me an additional pick to squeeze them for more. If they reach out, just nod. I’ll get you back come draft time.”

Now Bruce Allen wasn’t a favorite GM around the league, but he would do this. Especially if it was a rookie GM he was squeezing.

[coralreefer_1]

If we cant beat them without some ol bullshit like that...we don't deserve to win. That thread about "civility" got lots of replies. Maybe we need one about "honor" as well?

[Cpt slay a ho]

come trade deadline if both seahawks and cowboys have losing records i'd explore trading for thomas, obviously barring if he really wants to be here or is he deadset on being a cowboy. we'll have the money to pay him and don't have any money invested in the secondary. however i wouldn't go above a 3rd round pick regardless of what the falcons offered.

[panthers101]

I wouldn't mind trying to keep him away from them in a little bit of a trading war. But at the end of the day I would prefer they pay too much for him and hurt them for years to come. However we need a Safety who is young and has four or five more good years in him. Know of anyone? asking for a friend.

[thefuzz]

1 minute ago, Cpt slay a ho said:

come trade deadline if both seahawks and cowboys have losing records i'd explore trading for thomas, obviously barring if he really wants to be here or is he deadset on being a cowboy. we'll have the money to pay him and don't have any money invested in the secondary. however i wouldn't go above a 3rd round pick regardless of what the falcons offered.

We don't have the money to pay him.

And we don't have a lot of money invested in the secondary, yet.  But we do have Bradberry coming up very soon, and he won't be cheap.