In the NFL, during the offseason people ask the question "Who were the winners and losers?" Which really means who signed the best players, for the best deals and who didn't. But does that really make sense? If you "win" in free agency does that translate to wins for your season? Can free agency hurt or help your team? Can that 16 million dollar corner change your season drastically? Let's go deep.
Free agency technically began in 1962. R.C. Owens was the first free agent. But the commissioner Pete Rozelle created the "Rozelle rule", which meant if a player went to a different team then the commissioner determined how much money or what draft pick a team would have to give to receive that player. Then in 1976 the Rozelle rule was erased because the NFL was sued by a few players. At which time "plan b" came into action. Which in short meant teams could franchise tag the top 37 players. Finally, free agency as we know it began in 1992, because once again, the Nfl was sued by its players causing the nfl to scrap plan b and start free agency as we know it. To read a little more in depth on the history of free agency go to
Free agency can help turn a team or a players career around. An example of this is Brent Grimes. After coming off a major achilles injury, he had a hard time finding a team to sign him. After finally finding a suitor in the Miami dolphins and only getting a one year contract to prove it, he had a pro bowl year, not giving up one touchdown the entire season and getting himself a long term deal. There are a few ways players slip though the cracks to free agency. Such as Peyton manning, but that is a once in a millennium type situation. The Colts had every reason to cut Mr.Manning, namely, he was coming off a neck injury, major cap implications, and the chance to grab the best quarterback to come out of the draft, since well, I guess Payton Manning. Other reasons players make it out to free agency are players' dissatisfaction with the team or coach, hope of making more money, cap casualty (let go because they need free up money for the cap), or because the Dolphins were mentioned, bullying. But the price can be steep, so general managers have to bring in players that fit the scheme, not just pay them because of their name.
On the bad side of free agency, sometimes general mangers or owners go with name recognition over scheme. Two owners known for that are Daniel Snyder and Jerry Jones. This generally causes major cap problems. A player usually under performs his contract, causing the problem either by cutting players to get under the cap or just being held hostage by that contract. This happened with the Albert Haynsworth signing. Itcmay seem crazy but it can set a team back years if they're in the wrong situation.
There's a thought process that if a team really wants to keep a player they will find a way. Ways to do this are by paying them, cutting other players to get under the cap or franchise tagging. But in free agency if they let them "test the waters" then they must not have interest in keeping them or they feel the player will come back because what they are offering is what the market dictates. So a team that let's a high profile player into free agency could put up red flags. But one teams trash is another teams gold.
So basically if you "win" in free agency can that translate into wins? Not always, an example of this is Derrelle Revis. He had a 16 million dollar season as a corner, and they were no where near the playoffs. But you don't need high profile players in free agency to translate to wins. Sometimes depth is a bigger need and getting those second or third guys can be the push to that next level. And that will help a team long term. Also, sometimes signing that big name player can change a team, like Mr.Manning did.
In the end you have to build through the draft and free agency. Having young talent with veteran leadership can drive the term to greatness. Filling holes where needed and not over spending, can make for a more efficient and balanced team. Sometimes you're better off losing in the offseason to win the regular season.
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