Washington Post: The Future of Free Agency in the NFL

by Brandon on Jul 8, 2010 11:50 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers Free Agency

Here's my latest article from the Washington Post.com. It looks at the LeBron James frenzy in comparison to free agency in the NFL.

How much media attention would be drawn to the NFL during February and March if Tom Brady really had an opportunity to negotiate with other teams as a free agent (instead of getting stuck with the franchise tag)?

However the NFL owners will never let the franchise tag go because they don't want to risk finding themselves in a situation where they might lose the face of their franchise. Also, it could lead to an overall increase in salaries as one owner overpays in the midst of a free agent frenzy. But I suspect the NFL as a whole would be better off if they truly gave every player a crack at free agency because it would increase publicity and force dysfunctional teams to improve so that their franchise players will want to stay of their own volition.

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you really think it would matter?

Could the NFL really get anymore publicity? I mean the sports world is ALL about the NFL right now, how much more could people really talk about it? I think they should keep it as it is…they don’t need the pub.

by TrevorR on Jul 8, 2010 12:31 PM CDT reply actions

NFL

The NFL is KING and everything else is 2nd fiddle.. And it ain’t even close! FA is best the way it was. Keep a franchise tag, so teams can build and stay together long enough to win. Total FA would allow players to jump ship to get the $$$ before caring about winning. That may not be the best for the players, but it is the best for the league and won’t be going anywhere.

by Strohman on Jul 8, 2010 1:42 PM CDT reply actions

They are both dumb topics

it doesn’t matter & the problem that should be adressed about NFL free agency is a possible strike, the NFL has elvolved into a multi-billion dollar money making schme & the teams are packed-for the most part- with a bunch of high priced babies, who want more money so they can buy the bugatti instead of a lambo.

by Mark_Husker on Jul 8, 2010 2:33 PM CDT reply actions

I completely disagree.

The current NBA Free Agency fiasco shows everything wrong with the system in that league. If we let free agents walk of their own volition and didn’t have the hard cap and all the other rules governing free agents that the NFL currently has, then you’re going to get the same anti-competitive nature that the NBA is currently dealing with. Only what, 6 or 7 different teams have won the last 27 titles? And almost all of them are from franchises in major desirable markets (LA, Chicago, Boston).

The best thing NFL players can do right now is try to force a trade to another team, get released or wait until their contract is up. I agree that there can be a better middle ground between the NFL where the owners might have a bit too much control over players’ contracts, and the NBA where the opposite is true. But the NFL has pretty much a perfect system set up now, and we have a great team that can really contend next year. Draft smart, don’t overspend in free agency, and hire the right minds to lead your team to success. You can’t really do that as much in the NBA.

by vitaminx on Jul 8, 2010 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

I don't know about THAT

Don’t forget about San Antonio though! I don’t think the NBA has issues getting teams from smaller markets to do well. Heck they have more teams in smaller markets than any other league I think. SA has been a league powerhouse for almost two straight decades winning a title, 4 times in that span and they were one last second buzzer beater from winning three in a row one year.

Chicago hasn’t won anything in at least a decade so I don’t know why you mentioned them.

Here are the recent winners:
LA
Boston
San Antonio
Miami
San Antonio
Detroit
San Antonio
LA
LA
LA
San Antonio
Then Chicago shows up with three in a row over a decade ago…

So Boston took it once. NY hasn’t won anything in a million years, Chicago has been on a decade long drought, I can’t remember if Dallas has ever won, Who is the next biggest city?

by TrevorR on Jul 9, 2010 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions

force dysfunctional teams to improve?

PRETTY LAME ARGUMENT!

by bigbill992001 on Jul 8, 2010 6:59 PM CDT reply actions

As long as...

I don’t see any players doing what LeBron just did last night, I am fine with just about anything else the NFL does (except having a team overseas). That, last night, was one of the most egotistical displays last night that I’ve ever seen. Then to top it off, he repeatedly tells the fans about “all the great things I’ve done for the city”…like they needed a reminder OR that he needed to prove his ego was any bigger. I used to respect that guy but now I hope he goes down in a blaze of glory. I really wish he hadn’t gone to Wades team…I love Wade (despite his stupid moves) but now I want the team to fail.

by TrevorR on Jul 9, 2010 9:11 AM CDT reply actions

Couldn't agree more.

I would like to know how good the ratings were for that ridiculous piece of crap. Also, how long will it be until The Traitor does his own ESPN special announcing his decision whether or not he is coming back?

by AmericasRealTeam on Jul 9, 2010 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Also, how long will it be until The Traitor does his own ESPN special announcing his decision whether or not he is coming back?

Ha ha.
I’d say, now, that that’s a case of when, and not if.
I can just see him now, sitting in his living room, going,

This is a GREAT idea!

LMAO.

Also, I read a piece the other night (can’t remember where, off the top of my head) claiming that James has now replaced Bertt as the number one diva in sports. :D

-
The glass is more than half-full.

by NorthStarr on Jul 10, 2010 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions

haha!

It’ll take LBJ at least another 3-4 years of similar actions to top Brent Favre as the #1 Diva.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Jul 10, 2010 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Haha yep, agreed. That was pretty crazy. It’s definitely going to hurt his legacy, and will probably factor him out as one of the best players ever, even if he wins a bunch of titles. Or at least it will too me, because what guys like Magic, Bird, MJ, and even Kobe did was more impressive.

by packallday555 on Jul 10, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Just think

Just think about this… Cleveland for all intents and purposes probably lost LaBron to keep JJ Hickson!!! In case many of you don’t know, Cleveland was VERY close to acquiring Amare Stoudemire. The deal was pretty well done at the trade deadline, except for ONE thing. The Phx Suns wanted to get JJ Hickson in the deal to “replace” Stoudemire. Cleveland went w/ the deal to acquire Antwone Jamison cuz it meant that they could keep Hickson! THink LaBron would have left Cleveland if he had Amare Stoudemire in the lineup next to him? IMO, LaBron stays in Cleveland if they had made the trade w/ Phx for Stoudemire and had been willing to give up Hickson!!!

I never liked LeBron but I REALLY don’t like him now…. Love D-Wade and hope he gets more rings even if it means LeBron gets them too. Its still D-Wades city and team!!! He owns that team… Figuratively of course.

by Strohman on Jul 10, 2010 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I feel for Cleveland fans. They may have to go through similar crap we did last year, only it would be worse for them if LBJ wins a title in Miami. Personally though, LBJ and Dwayne Wade are my 2 favorite players. So it works out for me. Shaq was up there, but his time is up.

So Go Bucks and Go Heat.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Jul 10, 2010 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I remember hearing about that. Pretty unreal. Hickson is an undersized power forward. Amar’e is the most explosive one in the league. You think the two most explosive players at there respective positions would have been a pretty good combo haha?

While I don’t like what Lebron did, Cleveland kind of dropped the ball too. MJ only had to wait 4 years for the Bulls to acquire another big time player in Pippen, and after Shaq Kobe waited 8 years for the team to put some more players around him. Lebron was there for 7 years and the best player they ever managed to put next to him was Mo Williams. I guess I just still thought he’d be willing to stay just cause he was a Cleveland guy, and basically brought the franchise back from nothing.

by packallday555 on Jul 11, 2010 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions