How do NFL teams avoid the " Rebuilding Process"...

Dante · Jan 18, 2006

For example,

Pittsburgh and New england..both consistantly for YEARS have made the playoffs and IMO avoided the REBUIDLING PHASE that teams like the packers and Saints and so forth go thru .

I looked at Pitts Free agents and they only have 3 high profile agents to sign in 2006 so they SHOULD be as good as this year or even better

I think the front office of teams like Pitt and NE are ultra smart and do not go ofter the HUGE names that need to paid big dollars...and then fizzle

thoughts appreciated

ClipJoint · Jan 18, 2006

I think these organizations do a great job of only obtaining quality people that are team players as well...these are the type of players that will accept less than market value to play for a winner.

The Eagles were doing a good job of this in the past as well until the TO saga.

assassin · Jan 18, 2006

Mainting yourself at a high level in the NFL over an extended period of time is difficult. Looking at the teams that do it reveals the following:

1. Its the system. Teams develop a system or style of play and then bring in people to fit into that system.

2. Use the home team advantage. As a sucessful team, it is often, but not always, possible to resign your players at a discount to the open market becuase they want to be there. This often involves resigning them a year before their contract comes due.

3. Its a business. HIgh priced veterans are let go, even if they are good guys or rooted in the community. No hard feelings, but ya gotta go. This also means using franchise tags almost annually.

4. Limit free agent mistakes. These teams normally do not sign a high number of free agents, but fill in specific needs 1-2 at a time/year at most. If the free agent is a bust, get rid of him right away.

5. Draft well. Rookies are low priced when you are good (low end of first round) and are locked into 4+ years for rounds 1/2, then usually at least 3 years for round 3+. You need to make the right call on which guys to reatain, but this helps smooth out the restocking process, as opposed to rebuilding.

6. Free agents. You need to find guys off the scrap heap that can help out, and cheap. Veteran minimums or low pay until they correct themselves.

RobFunk · Jan 18, 2006

Great post assassin. Teams like New England have absolutely mastered #6.

Journeyman · Jan 18, 2006

The Steelers were down for many years, having said that though, Cowher has been great at getting the most from his players, many years went by where the Steelers management was letting great players move on because of lack of spending...that was Bill Cowher at his best , adjusting while losing players annually....It hasn't been nearly as bad for them since the new stadium.

WildBill · Jan 18, 2006

There is a fine line though. The Broncos have been retooling each year and finally got something right this year. Meanwhile all the attempts to be a top notch team have gotten years of mediocrity and early playoff exits, but never a solid draft position or enough cap room to make a big move. Sometimes it is best to just take a bath for a year or two and be ready to make a big move. In the meantime all the rules mentioned above certainly do help.

Steelers may have a reckoning soon, they are getting a bit old in some positions and will have to be careful about letting a few vets go each year. Sounds like the Bus is first on the list, but there are others they will have to work though. The way they rarely sign free agents means they have almost no room for error in both drafting and then careful development of players. Then again they have been in these sorts of spots for a long time so they obviously have a good chance of coming out of it fine.

Dubpoet · Jan 18, 2006

Eagles choose young guys they like and sign them Long before people realize how good they are. They kid is like wow I made it! Then 2 yrs later he is the most underpaid guy in the league. Then they let 29 yr old and older guys go when they are due big money.

Dante · Jan 18, 2006

WildBill said:
There is a fine line though. The Broncos have been retooling each year and finally got something right this year. Meanwhile all the attempts to be a top notch team have gotten years of mediocrity and early playoff exits, but never a solid draft position or enough cap room to make a big move. Sometimes it is best to just take a bath for a year or two and be ready to make a big move. In the meantime all the rules mentioned above certainly do help.

Steelers may have a reckoning soon, they are getting a bit old in some positions and will have to be careful about letting a few vets go each year. Sounds like the Bus is first on the list, but there are others they will have to work though. The way they rarely sign free agents means they have almost no room for error in both drafting and then careful development of players. Then again they have been in these sorts of spots for a long time so they obviously have a good chance of coming out of it fine.

not that old yet WB....WIll parker will do very well as the new star of the running game he gives pitt a dimension they did not have with the bus...

There O line is not that old....I think they still have 4-5 yrs left to play if not more and hines ward is still not that old and big ben is 23

they will be fine for years IMO

Romanowski · Jan 18, 2006

Dubpoet said:
Eagles choose young guys they like and sign them Long before people realize how good they are. They kid is like wow I made it! Then 2 yrs later he is the most underpaid guy in the league. Then they let 29 yr old and older guys go when they are due big money.

IMO that practice is goign to backfire sooner or later

Muddy · Jan 18, 2006

Dante said:
For example,

Pittsburgh and New england..both consistantly for YEARS have made the playoffs and IMO avoided the REBUIDLING PHASE that teams like the packers and Saints and so forth go thru .

I looked at Pitts Free agents and they only have 3 high profile agents to sign in 2006 so they SHOULD be as good as this year or even better

I think the front office of teams like Pitt and NE are ultra smart and do not go ofter the HUGE names that need to paid big dollars...and then fizzle

thoughts appreciated

I know the answer Dante

Pitt has team players who are not afraid to hand their wallets to the front office on their way to the field instead of ***kers like Donovan McChoke who want 75% of the salary cap

Nice avatar Dante, you finally got it right.

I hear Lander is after your ass again! Be careful son!

Dante · Jan 18, 2006

Nighthawk...Lander is the biggest closest Fruit :grandmais the RX has but the guy can put a liveline up so hes OK in my book :suomi:

WildBill · Jan 18, 2006

Lots of key vets Dante are nearing 10 years in the NFL, which is pretty old for the sport. The line has infused some new guys, but still Faneca isn't exactly young and neither is Hartings. Heinz is starting to get to a tough age to be a top WR, especially with all the attention he gets these days. I am not saying they will fall off next year, but just that the Steelers don't seem that deep and if they don't start letting some vets go slowly out, they won't have any decent backups to handle injuries or guys losing a step.

cincy_ · Jan 18, 2006

There is only ONE way - salary cap management.

You can have the best coaches, players, trainers, ballboys, cooks and cheerleaders and loveboats - but if you get hit hard by the cap, you're screwed for a couple of years.

FairWarning · Jan 18, 2006

Have to draft well, espically in the late rounds. Also better to let talent go a year too soon, rather than keep them two years too long and get crushed in the salary-cap game.

Some interesting decisions include Edge, Shawn Alexander, and Randal El. Seattle should probably resign Alexander, if they can get him for three years max. The other two, their teams should let them go since they won't be worth the money they want.

jasin4000 · Jan 18, 2006

dante if you noticed...we draft very well and nearly all of our players were drafted by the steelers...

thats a big key to your question

WildBill · Jan 18, 2006

Is anyone really going to pay Randle El that much? I know he wants to go somewhere he can be the man, but he is only kidding himself. If someone pays him good money to be a feature receiver he has Peerless Price written all over him.

Dante · Jan 18, 2006

I do not think Randle will go anywhere ...Steelers should sign him and Kimo at the very least ...then look to sign Townsend and Ike taylor

FairWarning · Jan 18, 2006

WildBill said:
Is anyone really going to pay Randle El that much? I know he wants to go somewhere he can be the man, but he is only kidding himself. If someone pays him good money to be a feature receiver he has Peerless Price written all over him.

Bears would for sure. He is from Chicago area and went to Indiana. They need another receiver bad, and need a punt returner worse.

Railbird · Jan 18, 2006

Randall El can run routes and catch, Peerless doesnt. Randal El is big time player.

FairWarning · Jan 18, 2006

If the Bears were to sign Randal-El, he would immediately be their best QB.

How do NFL teams avoid the " Rebuilding Process"...

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