[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

Amen to that!!!!! We have been using draft picks as bargaining chips to get high priced FAs that usually don't deliver the rate of return on our "investment". For over a decade we have been in this win now mode using draft picks to secure free agent skilled players or linemen instead of using the picks to actually get young talent that can be developed. How the hell can you develop talent, always changing coaching staffs and schemes? Using FAs should be used to fill remaining gaps like you have said, that the draft couldn't cover. We have only been fully utilizing Free agency and have hampered our drafts significantly, thus any rebuilding effort is stymied.

I do not count traded players as free agents as they are not really "free". However, "established" in the NFL is absolutely NOT synonymous with "risk-free".

Every player transaction carries some risk; it's just that if you usually flame out on a draft pick you just lose the pick and the cheap contract you gave the rookie. Flame out on a "well-paid" FA and you lose out on more money, cap room, and possibly a cheaper alternative. Flame out on a "big-name" trade like Brandon Lloyd and you lose out on cap room, picks for potential future players, and whoever would have been on the roster spot instead of the traded player.

Not that one should NEVER touch trades or FA, but they should be used for finding role players or windfalls like Brees, Reggie White, Cutler, etc. It definitely should not be every season, "let's just grab the top FAs and make a big trade this year at all costs". Even someone playing freaking Madden(at least the ancient Madden 2002) could see that the top FAs for an offseason may not go over a rating of 80 and/or are overpriced and old.