Welcome to the first episode of the SFL Times, this is a pilot article host by Cardinals GM Apolo Shapiro and with the special participation of Cowboys GM William Cook and Redskins GM Bryan Mellon. On this place we can read different perspectives of the same topic, increasing the quality and content variety in comparison with single articles.
For our debut we’re doing an small analysis of 2009 offseason, each guest was given a series of questions, and the option to add new ones if they wanted to. Here’s the result:
In comparison with 2008 offseason, it felt a decrease of trades, rumors and FA activity, what do you think was the cause of it?
WILLIAM COOK: I don't think it was a quiet offseason at all, actually. I think what we saw was that there weren't as many "flashy" trades as in previous seasons, but that's because the GMs that typically do that (and make noise) are in cap hell because of it. What we saw was an offseason with more methodical moves, but we still had some big moves.
APOLO SHAPIRO: I believe is the mix of multiple factors, 2008 had a LOT of movements. It was predictable to expect less activity this year. The teams that traded multiple players and took high penalty cap ended having salary problems this season. And the teams that traded their picks, especially 1st rounders found themselves without resources. Result was multiple GM to think: “Sometimes the best move is the one you don’t do”. Imo 2010 activity will depend heavily in how many GM lose their jobs on the hotseat
Which FA acquisition was your favorite, and why?
WILLIAM COOK: The Arizona Cardinals bringing in Edgerrin James. Arizona was a one-dimensional team last year and it ended up costing them not only the division, but Super Bowl contention. Edgerrin James is a perfect change of pace back that they needed.
APOLO SHAPIRO: I’ll take HB Ronnie Brown to the Jaguars as the best FA grab, I believe he’s a player that have been underperforming his whole career and just need a change of scenario for success. Jaguars were extremely lucky to grab him after the Deshaun Foster disaster.
BRYAN MELLON: I am going to be a homer here and say LE Jevon Kearse was my favorite FA signing this offseason. I was close to offering a contract to him during the match eligible phase of free agency but figured any contract would yield a future 1st. I would have done a future 2nd deal had it been possible. In the end though, I simply got Kearse during regular free agency without the cost of a draft pick. I had plenty of cap to burn so the move made sense and it filled a great need.
Which team made the best offseason trade, and why?
WILLIAM COOK: The New England Patriots. They traded the 5th overall pick in the draft for LaDainian Tomlinson and Deltha O'Neal. I love this. Look back and let's see how they got the pick -- it was the Musa Smith deal. They got a year out of Brandon Jacobs before letting him sign a massive contract with a division rival. So basically, they got LT and Deltha O'Neal (I'm very high on him) for Musa Smith, while getting a year of solid production at HB and screwing over a division rival? Sign me up!
APOLO SHAPIRO: There’s multiple interesting ones to pick from, and value trades depends much of perspective. But I’ll pick the Detroit Lions as the biggest winners with the deal that sent RT Kwame Harris to Miami, they grabbed a 1st – 2nd and future 1st, in a draft heavy loaded by OL. I get why Dolphins needed a more ready player, but that was a huge net gain for Lions.
BRYAN MELLON: Two trades stick out to me and those are the moves the Vikings to get the 1st overall pick in the draft and the Cardinals big move to acquire WR Brandon Marshall. Since I am going to mention the Vikings draft pick below I’ll go with the Cardinals trade to acquire WR Marshall. While giving up 3 first round draft picks might be considered unimaginable to some, the Cards had an abundance of picks and this was a n extremely weak WR class. Marshall gives the Cards the best WR corps in the league and one that is impossible to stop on a consistent basis. The trade also worked out for the Lions as they were able to mold their team a bit more to the exact likings of their new GM. I am usually not one to put a ton of value into picks so I fully understand why the Cards jumped at the chance to make this trade while also understanding how it also made sense to the new Lions GM.
Which 3 picks you consider were the best of the draft? Considering value of the player, team needs and draft spot
WILLIAM COOK: I hate to put myself on this list, but getting OLB Clint Sintim at 1.15 was a steal, considering most thought Rock would be taking him at 1.04. Second, I would say the next pick, LG Andy Levitre was amazing value. Lastly, probably Beanie Wells at 2.05 to the Ravens. He's the type of back that succeeds in this league.
APOLO SHAPIRO: My first mention are the Cowboys and OLB Clint Sintim at 1.15, he could be the best relation value/pick from all the draft. Top talent is not easy to find, and Clint is exactly that. My second election is from the current champions that I would add overall had a fantastic draft, 1.32 CB Donald Washington, 6”0 95 speed with a low but still margin to work awr, he’s a very good prospect on a position of high importance. And finally I’ll take 3.5 LT Jamie Thomas, a very athletic OT that require work and progression but with high potential.
BRYAN MELLON: The Vikings taking CB Sean Smith at 1.1. In my opinion he will be the best CB in the league very soon.
The Raiders taking LE Robert Ayers at 1.27. Ayers skewed up 4 points in SPD while losing nothing in STR, ACC or AGI. Sure his AWR is near a league low but I think players can perform anywhere on the DL with low AWR.
The Bengals taking C Eric Wood at 2.12. I think Wood is going to be an excellent center and will start from the first preseason snap.
Which 3 picks made you shake your head? Considering the draft spot, team needs and other players avail at same position?
WILLIAM COOK: I have to admit, the Seahawks taking Michael Crabtree confused me. He's not their typical type of receiver and wasn't mocked until about 5-6 picks later. But Rock takes who he wants. Next was CB Bradley Fletcher to the Ravens. I get it, there was a run and he panicked, but I would have tried to move it for a veteran (I get that it was the middle of the night for him). Lastly, Percy Harvin by the Patriots. I think there was a bit of name selection there, but he's not a long-term starter in this league.
APOLO SHAPIRO: For more I try to understand pick 2.22 P Kevin Huber to patriots I can’t, I know that’s a very complete roster, but most of them are veteran, grab a young replacement was the way to go, or maybe trade the pick. My second election is CB Bradley Fletcher he’s not a physical gifted player and is not a ready starter, best case scenario with much effort he’ll become a decent starter, not what should expect with 1.13, my third election goes back to NE not that I want to be hard on Briston but I believe WR Percy Harvin at 1.22 was a reach. I really hope he prove me wrong.
BRYAN MELLON: The Cardinals taking a CB at 1.10 was s big surprise to me. While I get that the Cards had zero holes on their team I think I would have perhaps traded for future picks before taking a CB. It’s a great problem to have if you are the Cards but eventually the contracts will catch up even if the team is able to take advantage of the extra two restructures each season.
The next two picks were back to back and the same position was drafted. The Patriots taking WR Perc Harvin at 1.22 and the Washington Redskins taking Ramses Barden at pick 1.23. In most draft classed I think it’s possible neither of these guys are 1st round picks. Harvin while 90+ in SPD and ACC doesn’t come in at elite levels in either area and he’s 5’11”. He will be fine catching balls from Tom Brady but I’m not sure he’s going to ever be amazing. Barden on the other hand is 6’6” which was his selling point but he had a bad skew (which I knew ahead of time) dropping his SPD and ACC from 90 to 89 each. He also lacks STR at 46 and actually Harvin had better STR. Barden as expected isn’t very agile and lacks JMP, which I am one of the rare GM’s who still looks at this. Barden received TC points and a SPD and ACC bump so he enters the season as a 6’6” WR with 90 SPD, 90 ACC & 80 CTH. What might be a hidden aspect with him is his top of the league blocking skills. At any rate, Barden could prove to be a bad pick at 1.23.
After first FA period and Draft, which team do you think improved the most?
WILLIAM COOK: I have three candidates, but I'm only choosing one. I think both the Panthers and Rams are close on this list, but I think New England is the most improved team. They were already good, but have greated more of a gap between them and Miami/Buffalo. The Patriots should contend for home field this upcoming season.
APOLO SHAPIRO: There’s no right or wrong answer here, I believe this depend much of the perspective, I do really like the new players of teams like Jets – Vikings – Rams, but they were into the best 4 teams last season. So for me the team that improved the most were the KC Chiefs, they managed to draft the most ready player from the draft and other multiple FA’s or low profile trades, in fact I believe they flew under the radar with all their moves but comparing 2008 with 2009 roster is probably the most improved team.
BRYAN MELLON: I think the Cardinals came away with huge improvements and they didn’t even need to improve. They acquired WR Brandon Marshall, RD Edgerin James, DE John Abraham, CB Keenan Lewis, MLB Jeremiah Trotter, QB Drew Stanton and TE Heath Miller plus more.
AFC have now won 7 of 7 draft gem, do you believe 2010 will be finally NFC year, or AFC keep the hegemony?
WILLIAM COOK: So, this is what's interesting. I've looked at it and the current AFC GMs hoard late round picks more than the NFC. In the NFC you have GMs like Justin Walstead, Peter Fenger and Bryan Mellon who have zero interest in participating in the draft, opting for veterans. And a lot of other GMs, who tend to try to trade a lot of picks to get higher in the draft (Neal Wintermute, for example). The NFC will get one eventually, but there are reasons the AFC is 7-0.
APOLO SHAPIRO: I’ll use this place for spam my message to the World: If you’re from NFC don’t trade your 4th to 7th round picks, hold them. Take opportunities and grab picks from AFC, invite them a beer and then start the trade talk. Focus on the enemy, specially try and grab Ravens picks. THIS IS WAR! No more draft gem for AFC.
BRYAN MELLON: I’m a numbers guy, so I think 2010 has the be the NFC’s year for the gem.
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