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South Pender
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Good analysis, nota. The real news will start coming in on Tuesday. One little item of interest: Jared Allen has said he won't be back in Minny (this after the Vikings opened the vault to sign DE Everson Griffen). If the Seahawks lose Michael Bennett (which I sure hope they don't), Allen would be a natural fit for the 'Hawks' defense. He's a pass-rush specialist at the end position, whereas Bennett lines up at the tackle position, so having Allen at one end, Cliff Avril or Chris Clemons at the other end and Bruce Irvin rushing from the OLB position would make for a formidable pass rush. Allen has never, however, been noted as a run-stopper. I sure hope John Schneider and Pete Carroll are as smart re recruiting as everyone seems to think....
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200000 ... -york-jets

Cromartie released by the Jets. Not too surprising. I have to admit I'm a little surprised Sanchez hasn't been pinkslipped yet. Just hasn't done much for the Jets and it seems other options (VICK?) will almost definately be available. Both the Jets and Sanchez would be better off without each other, IMO....... I certainly could see another team giving Sanchez a chance to try his stuff there......
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This is bad news for the Seahawks if true:

Report: Bears expect to sign Michael Bennett
Posted by Mike Florio on March 9, 2014, 11:30 PM EDT

A Bennett family reunion could be heading to Chicago.

A year after the Bears signed tight end Martellus Bennett, the team reportedly is in “strong pursuit” of Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Two team officials told Briggs that the team expects to sign Bennett once the free agency period opens on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Bennett signed a one-year, $5 million deal in Seattle last year after hitting free agency as a member of the Buccaneers. The Seahawks wanted to re-sign Bennett; a report from Super Bowl Sunday said they definitely would.

At this point, it looks like they won’t, barring an unexpected development.

It’s also possible that the acquisition of Bennett via a market deal will conclude defensive end Julius Peppers‘ run with the Bears. Signed on the first day of free agency four years ago, Peppers has an $18.1 million cap number and a $13.9 million salary. If the Bears keep him at that number, they’ll have more than $40 million in 2014 cap space tied up in two players — Peppers and quarterback Jay Cutler, whose cap number is $22.5 million.
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$40M in cap space (almost a third of the total salary cap) tied up in two players. I find it a little surprising that this doesn't really grate on the guys making 1/20 or 1/30 of what their quarterback makes (and, in the case of Cutler, a real temperamental and selfish a**hole at that). You know, in addition to the total salary cap, maybe the NFL should try to introduce an individual-player salary cap too. I can see a lot of RBs, TEs, O-linemen, D-linemen, LBs, and DBs getting behind that (everyone except the QBs and a few grossly overpaid WRs--oh, and the occasional DE like Julius Peppers!). :wink:

In any case, the chances that Jared Allen will be wearing green and blue in 2014 would seem to have risen. Or maybe they'll open the vault for Michael Johnson. Now wouldn't that make for a fearsome front four. (Not likely, though; probably going to the Bucs and Lovie Smith.)
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Phew. Looks as though Seattle has been able to keep Michael Bennett. Will need further confirmation, but this is huge for the best D in football.

Here's the story by Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk:

Michael Bennett stays with Seattle
Posted by Mike Florio on March 10, 2014, 3:41 PM EDT

The Bears reportedly expected to land defensive end Michael Bennett. If so, the Bears expected wrong.

Per a league source, defensive end Michael Bennett has reached an agreement to remain with the Seahawks. It’s a four-year deal.

Bennett, the No. 2 man on the PFT Free Agent Hot 100, became a free agent last year, after finishing a contract with the Buccaneers. He signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Seahawks.

Despite participating in only 57 percent of the snaps, Bennett racked up eight sacks. He’ll have four more years to do more of the same.
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Evidently, Seahawks' DE Chris Clemons is scheduled to count $9.6M against the salary cap in 2014. I think we'll see either his contract restructured or his release. If released, might we see Jared Allen brought in? Migod, wouldn't that make for a fearsome D-line now that Bennett's back! :roar:
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[quote="South Pender"]$40M in cap space (almost a third of the total salary cap) tied up in two players. I find it a little surprising that this doesn't really grate on the guys making 1/20 or 1/30 of what their quarterback makes (and, in the case of Cutler, a real temperamental and selfish a**hole at that). You know, in addition to the total salary cap, maybe the NFL should try to introduce an individual-player salary cap too. I can see a lot of RBs, TEs, O-linemen, D-linemen, LBs, and DBs getting behind that (everyone except the QBs and a few grossly overpaid WRs--oh, and the occasional DE like Julius Peppers!). :wink:
..................quote]


I don't know if its true for EVERY SINGLE PROFESSIONAL sport but I won't be surprised if it is, when I state WHY ARE THE PLAYOFFS STRUCTURED WHERE ALL PLAYERS GET THE SAME $$$$? Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman and Bennett all cashed a cheque for winning the Superbowl that had the same # on it. Same in the CFL, Grey Cup game. Same in most playoffs, I think.... So, the regular season Peyton Manning is worth 20 million dollars and a guy on specials probably makes the league minimum. Superbowl comes along and they get paid the same? Some will say, well its a team effort that gets the Superbowl win....so why doesn't that apply in the regular season too?

South P, I don't doubt that many players DO GET GRATED that guys have to work just as hard as guys making MILLIONS more than they are. Its the classic thing that while it may cheez them off, what can they do? I think its probably true in the CFL too even though the numbers are different. You gotta struggle and pound on special teams. You risk your body a lot more and you get little compared to the backup QB. Weird thing is even the starting QB's salary in the CFL is CRAPPY money in the NFL..... Not sure what the NFL minimum salary is but I bet its at/near top CFL salaries.

VInce McMahon's XFL did experiment with this concept. Vince would certainly qualify as a seasoned conservative. His prowrestlers have talked about forming a union for decades but he has been able to not have that happen. However, when Vince got into football, he thought a league salary made sense. Every player on every team got paid the same. Makes sense in some ways. I think the drawbacks with set salaries etc...is I enjoy a lot of the drama due to salary caps, free agent frenzies, restructured contracts etc.....
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notahomer wrote: South P, I don't doubt that many players DO GET GRATED that guys have to work just as hard as guys making MILLIONS more than they are. Its the classic thing that while it may cheez them off, what can they do? I think its probably true in the CFL too even though the numbers are different. You gotta struggle and pound on special teams. You risk your body a lot more and you get little compared to the backup QB. Weird thing is even the starting QB's salary in the CFL is CRAPPY money in the NFL..... Not sure what the NFL minimum salary is but I bet its at/near top CFL salaries.
NFL minimum base salary for 2014 is $420,000 (US) or about $460,000 Cdn. for rookies and $495,000 (US) for guys with one year experience (about $545,000 Cdn.). So an NFL rookie making minimum is making more than top-paid CFL quarterbacks.

Actually, I like the idea that everyone gets the same bonus paycheque for playoffs. I think it helps just a little to make up for the huge discrepancies in annual salaries.
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It looks as if Josh McCown is looking for a starting job in free agency (story below), probably on the basis of his excellent run last season stepping in for Jay Cutler (his QB rating of 109.0 was far higher than Cutler's 89.2). Bears' GM Phil Emery should try to lock him up pronto as Cutler's backup by shoving some serious money at him. Cutler has shown himself to be somewhat fragile, and if he went down in 2014 for any length of time, the Bears would be up the creek without a backup of McCown's quality.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... osh-mccown
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notahomer
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South Pender wrote:NFL minimum base salary for 2014 is $420,000 (US) or about $460,000 Cdn. for rookies and $495,000 (US) for guys with one year experience (about $545,000 Cdn.). So an NFL rookie making minimum is making more than top-paid CFL quarterbacks.

Actually, I like the idea that everyone gets the same bonus paycheque for playoffs. I think it helps just a little to make up for the huge discrepancies in annual salaries..............
Thanks, I knew they were probably close (top salary CFL/minimum NFL). I ALSO, love the idea everyone gets the same cheques for the playoffs. I know its not 'PROOF' of anything but why are the Mannings, Bradys, Flaccos WILLING to be paid the same as everyone else in the playoffs but are able to JUSTIFY making 20% or more of the salary of a 53 Man roster? So, IOW, I don't know how it gets done, but I love your IDEA of a salary cap per position.

Maybe it could be done other ways. For e.g. I got a number of 133 Million as being the # for 2014 (NFL.COM, IIRC). Why not allow 60 Million to the offense, 50 Million to the defence and 23 special teams? I know, I know, the numbers seem ridiculous but what I'm trying to say is basically 40% salary goes offense, 40% defence and 20% special teams. IMO, its ridiculous that punt/kick returners and all the other guys playing specials get low pay while a Flacco gets 20 Million. Just my :2cents:
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http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=445836

Jason Babin VOIDED his contract. Hmm.... that must have been an option built into the contract. I didn't realize a player could VOID a contract on his own. The Jaguars were going to do so anyways, so its no big deal one way or the other, just surprised that he could CHOOSE to do so. Works out well for him, since he can be one of the people available when the free agent period begins.....
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http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=445850

Darelle Revis, once feared leader of the NY Jet, secondary will probably be getting CUT soon, unless the BUCs can trade him. You gotta figure he'll find a nice landing spot but doubtful at the salary HE WAS making.
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Sure will be interesting to see how DAY ONE of free agency plays out.
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Well, the first official day of free agency has arrived and with it some surprises. Golden Tate was visiting Detroit this evening--no news on whether he was made an offer. A lot of signings, with the Bucs and Browns spending wildly and getting some good players. One very surprising trade: Jonathan Martin to the 49ers for a conditional draft pick. DeMarcus Ware and Miles Austin cut by 'Boys, with Ware seemingly heading to the Broncos (but we'll have to wait and see). Jermichael Finley and Jason Hatcher visiting Seattle. Hatcher would be a nice pickup; not quite so sure about Finley, given his recent health problems.
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South Pender wrote:Well, the first official day of free agency has arrived and with it some surprises. Golden Tate was visiting Detroit this evening--no news on whether he was made an offer. A lot of signings, with the Bucs and Browns spending wildly and getting some good players. One very surprising trade: Jonathan Martin to the 49ers for a conditional draft pick. DeMarcus Ware and Miles Austin cut by 'Boys, with Ware seemingly heading to the Broncos (but we'll have to wait and see). Jermichael Finley and Jason Hatcher visiting Seattle. Hatcher would be a nice pickup; not quite so sure about Finley, given his recent health problems.
Thanks for the update South P. So, here I go......

Would you be dissappointed if Tate's golden talents went elsewhere? Maybe they really want him due to his one Packer beating (with the help of the replacement zebras) touchdown? Gotta admit, he's probably going to draw some extra heat when he plays in Lambeau, even though it wasn't his 'fault'. Me, personally? I think they can get some other players. For e.g. I've forgotten the names but NFL network pundits (forgot the names of the pundits and their suggestions :dizzy: ) think the Seahawks need that piece the Lions are often lacking. A dependable BUT ROCKERBURNER reciever that will stretch the defences, helping both the run game and all the other recievers.... They gave a couple options but neither name was one I recognized. That doesn't mean much (me not remembering) so the fact they ARE NOT top shelf names will just mean the Seahawks won't have to pay as much for them.....
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Glad to see Martin get a shot with the 49ers. Close to where he went to school (Stanford, IIRC). Does he have a past with the Head Coach? Me personally, I would love to see this guy make a name for himself AGAIN, this time as an effective O-lineman. I know the concept of a 300pound plus guy being bullied doesn't seem possible but who cares. Maybe now that he can focus on football, we'll see whether hes a player or an almost NFLer.....
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Miles Austin....seemed to break in out of nowhere. Hope he catchs on elsewhere simply because I liked cheering for him but that meant rooting for the Cowboys, which I don't like to do.
Ware? Puzzling. He seemed to get good numbers and obviously has the STATS proving he was an integral part of their Dline. I also understand paying BIG BUCKS to guys getting hurt, is tough in any league especially the NFL. Whats weird about this is Jerry Jones is kinda hoping to be able to bring him back just at a much lower price. Why not bring him back with an incentive laden deal then. If he gets hurt, you were right. If his talent is fading you were right. However, if he's back healthy and getting his old numbers he should be getting his old paycheque, IMO.......
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Heard a new piece of jargon today. CAP CASUALTY. purrfect :rotf: Sums up what the player is. IIRC, it was used to describe Ware from the COwboys. A guy who doesn't necessarily deserve to be CUT but needs to be cut due to a variety of issues involving the salary cap.........
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notahomer wrote:
South Pender wrote:Well, the first official day of free agency has arrived and with it some surprises. Golden Tate was visiting Detroit this evening--no news on whether he was made an offer. A lot of signings, with the Bucs and Browns spending wildly and getting some good players. One very surprising trade: Jonathan Martin to the 49ers for a conditional draft pick. DeMarcus Ware and Miles Austin cut by 'Boys, with Ware seemingly heading to the Broncos (but we'll have to wait and see). Jermichael Finley and Jason Hatcher visiting Seattle. Hatcher would be a nice pickup; not quite so sure about Finley, given his recent health problems.
Thanks for the update South P. So, here I go......

Would you be dissappointed if Tate's golden talents went elsewhere? Maybe they really want him due to his one Packer beating (with the help of the replacement zebras) touchdown? Gotta admit, he's probably going to draw some extra heat when he plays in Lambeau, even though it wasn't his 'fault'. Me, personally? I think they can get some other players. For e.g. I've forgotten the names but NFL network pundits (forgot the names of the pundits and their suggestions :dizzy: ) think the Seahawks need that piece the Lions are often lacking. A dependable BUT ROCKERBURNER reciever that will stretch the defences, helping both the run game and all the other recievers.... They gave a couple options but neither name was one I recognized. That doesn't mean much (me not remembering) so the fact they ARE NOT top shelf names will just mean the Seahawks won't have to pay as much for them.....
_______________________________________________________________________
Glad to see Martin get a shot with the 49ers. Close to where he went to school (Stanford, IIRC). Does he have a past with the Head Coach? Me personally, I would love to see this guy make a name for himself AGAIN, this time as an effective O-lineman. I know the concept of a 300pound plus guy being bullied doesn't seem possible but who cares. Maybe now that he can focus on football, we'll see whether hes a player or an almost NFLer.....
________________________________________________________________________
Miles Austin....seemed to break in out of nowhere. Hope he catchs on elsewhere simply because I liked cheering for him but that meant rooting for the Cowboys, which I don't like to do.
Ware? Puzzling. He seemed to get good numbers and obviously has the STATS proving he was an integral part of their Dline. I also understand paying BIG BUCKS to guys getting hurt, is tough in any league especially the NFL. Whats weird about this is Jerry Jones is kinda hoping to be able to bring him back just at a much lower price. Why not bring him back with an incentive laden deal then. If he gets hurt, you were right. If his talent is fading you were right. However, if he's back healthy and getting his old numbers he should be getting his old paycheque, IMO.......
____________________________________________________________________________
Heard a new piece of jargon today. CAP CASUALTY. purrfect :rotf: Sums up what the player is. IIRC, it was used to describe Ware from the COwboys. A guy who doesn't necessarily deserve to be CUT but needs to be cut due to a variety of issues involving the salary cap.........
I wouldn't be too devastated to see Golden hit gold with another team. The guy is a good receiver, for sure, but he is not, nor will ever be IMO, a true No. 1 receiver--a Pro Bowl guy. If he signs with the Seahawks, I hope they keep looking at other receivers. One guy who's been mentioned is James Jones, a FA from GB. Jones is bigger than Tate--at 6-1, 210 (Tate's 5-10, 200)--and has about the same speed. He (Jones) had some pretty good years in GB, but isn't too old yet (29). And, of course, if Jermichael Finley signs on with the 'Hawks, that, in a way, also solves some of their receiver needs. Finally, they could go after a big receiver in the draft. This year's draft is loaded with good receivers.

Jonathan Martin, yeah. He played for Jim Harbaugh at Stanford, so it's a homecoming of sorts. I hope he pulls things together and goes on to have a decent career in football. Miles Austin is injury-prone and has had trouble putting together a complete season. Not a guy the Seahawks should be looking at IMO. The most intriguing rumor of the last hour is that of Jared Allen being considered by the Seahawks. Now wouldn't that be a D-line, with Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Chris Clemons, and Jared Allen all ready to come in and rush the QB! And don't forget about Bruce Irvin, who at 6-3, 255 lbs. and 4.43 speed, can get to the QB in about a nanosecond. :wink:
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South Pender wrote:.......... The most intriguing rumor of the last hour is that of Jared Allen being considered by the Seahawks. Now wouldn't that be a D-line, with Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Chris Clemons, and Jared Allen all ready to come in and rush the QB! And don't forget about Bruce Irvin, who at 6-3, 255 lbs. and 4.43 speed, can get to the QB in about a nanosecond. :wink:
YeAH!! That would be the kinda Dline that would get a team adapting more than usual.

Which one of those guys was a surprise draft of the Seahawks: Avril or Irvin? IIRC, one of them was one of those 'off the board' type picks (ala Russell Wilson). People just didn't see him going that early. Certainly seems like the Seahawks know what they've been doing the past few drafts. Drafts are cheaper than free agents in this era. Thankfully the days of the multimillionaire whose never played a down, seem to be over in the NFL. The big names still get their money, they just have to be able to show they can do it in the NFL first.......
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I wonder if there are any universities offering NFL economics. There really are lots of chances to show concepts/ideas about things like economics using the NFL (and other pro sports). Salary caps, Free Agent Markets, Draft value (which certainly would not be a 'free market' as a team gets the right to sign you to your 1st contract). Still the NFL needs to be a controlled economy too. What I mean by that is IF a team is able to gain some kind of advantage, the league needs to limit it as much as possible. For e.g. if the Seahawks were to suddenly win the next fifteen Superbowls there comes a point where if they had a unique advantage, the league would have to limit it simply because professional sports do better when it is NOT GUARANTEED that a particular team will win before the games are even played....

Back to the economics thing. Teams like the Bucs are still trying to trade Revis. I guess in part because they still have not paid the draft pick they offered to obtain him and that pick will go up in value if they are able to unload him. And obviously they'll have the cap space. But they kinda need to get rid of him regardless of whether they can get anything for him. Strange unique positions that would be fun to discuss. And time adds new perspectives of course. For eg lets say Revis total rebounds and goes on to have another STRONG PRODUCTIVE 5 seasons.... all the arguements change with time.
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200000 ... xyear-deal

Aqib Talib one of the punisher style CB's. This benefits the Broncos should they face the Patriots in two ways. One Talib is a Bronco. Number two, Talib won't be covering Broncos recievers. No question the Broncos offence worked better once Talib was off the field. Stunned by the numbers he'll be getting paid......
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notahomer wrote:
South Pender wrote:.......... The most intriguing rumor of the last hour is that of Jared Allen being considered by the Seahawks. Now wouldn't that be a D-line, with Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Chris Clemons, and Jared Allen all ready to come in and rush the QB! And don't forget about Bruce Irvin, who at 6-3, 255 lbs. and 4.43 speed, can get to the QB in about a nanosecond. :wink:
YeAH!! That would be the kinda Dline that would get a team adapting more than usual.

Which one of those guys was a surprise draft of the Seahawks: Avril or Irvin? IIRC, one of them was one of those 'off the board' type picks (ala Russell Wilson). People just didn't see him going that early. Certainly seems like the Seahawks know what they've been doing the past few drafts. Drafts are cheaper than free agents in this era. Thankfully the days of the multimillionaire whose never played a down, seem to be over in the NFL. The big names still get their money, they just have to be able to show they can do it in the NFL first.......
Irvin was a 1st round draft pick (15th overall) in the 2012 draft. He's a physical phenomenon--great size and phenomenal speed. The Seahawks play him as the SAM backer in some defensive sets and as a DE in their Wide 9 nickel scheme. Avril was a FA pickup last year from the Lions. He's about the same size as Irvin (6-3, 260; Irvin is 6-3, 255) and has great speed also (4.51, vs 4.43 for Irvin). Avril had 8 sacks last season, so just .5 sacks behind Michael Bennett.

The latest news is that Chris Clemons has been cut by the Seahawks. He's 32 and counted $7.5M against the cap. This might be to clear the way for Jared Allen, although only time will tell. I'm sorry to see Clemons go. He has been a solid pass-rusher for several years for the 'Hawks, racking up 11 or more for three years running. He tore an ACL in a playoff game in Jan., 2013, and didn't make it back into the lineup until the third game (I think) this past season. His sack total dropped to 4.5, partly because of the presence of Avril and Bennett in the lineup, but possibly also because he wasn't fully recovered. He was a prototypical Seahawk pass-rushing DE--6-3, 255, exactly the same as Irvin and close to Avril, but not quite as fast as those two.
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notahomer wrote:I wonder if there are any universities offering NFL economics. There really are lots of chances to show concepts/ideas about things like economics using the NFL (and other pro sports). Salary caps, Free Agent Markets, Draft value (which certainly would not be a 'free market' as a team gets the right to sign you to your 1st contract). Still the NFL needs to be a controlled economy too. What I mean by that is IF a team is able to gain some kind of advantage, the league needs to limit it as much as possible. For e.g. if the Seahawks were to suddenly win the next fifteen Superbowls there comes a point where if they had a unique advantage, the league would have to limit it simply because professional sports do better when it is NOT GUARANTEED that a particular team will win before the games are even played....
Good point. The one concept that I think is well illustrated by the NFL is that personnel selection is more important than personnel training or development (although the latter is important too). I've always maintained this view in connection with private- and public-sector organizations. In other words, who you hire will impact your organization's performance more than the quality of the training you provide. If you hire really good people, you will benefit, although good training will help too, but if you don't have an effective selection process in place, all the training in the world won't make up for bad personnel selection at the hiring stage. Toppy Vann would undoubtedly have some ideas on this too. In any case, I think that the NFL teams that have selected well--in the draft and FA, and via trade--are the teams that have won. This is where the GMs get their props, and some of these guys are legendary for picking the right players. Ted Thompson of GB and John Schneider of the Seahawks (who learned his trade from Thompson) are considered among the best GMs. The situation in Seattle is a little different, though. Evidently, Pete Carroll has final say in player selection and, thus, is almost a GM himself, along with being the coach. This belief that selection is the most important facet of developing a good team doesn't invalidate the importance of good coaching. I think that it's entirely possible for lousy coaching to cause even a great bunch of players to fail. It's just that (IMO) excellent coaching won't make mediocre players into winners and produce a winning team. Others will have different opinions.
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notahomer wrote: I wonder if there are any universities offering NFL economics. There really are lots of chances to show concepts/ideas about things like economics using the NFL (and other pro sports). Salary caps, Free Agent Markets, Draft value (which certainly would not be a 'free market' as a team gets the right to sign you to your 1st contract). Still the NFL needs to be a controlled economy too. What I mean by that is IF a team is able to gain some kind of advantage, the league needs to limit it as much as possible. For e.g. if the Seahawks were to suddenly win the next fifteen Superbowls there comes a point where if they had a unique advantage, the league would have to limit it simply because professional sports do better when it is NOT GUARANTEED that a particular team will win before the games are even played....
Rings a bell.

I recall reading somewhere about someone. Must have been an article about Belichick and the economics of football.

The story goes ... a university economics professor is lecturing and uses Bill Belichick as an example from pro sports about something to do with economics (which happens to be my area of study at university). After the lecture a female student comes up to the professor and says that Bill Belichick is her father. LOL That is it. I do not recall the economics material of the lecture.

But Belichick was an example of a smart football guy taking advantage of things others did not see. Thinking outside the box. Tight ends. Running backs interchangeable. Drafting Tom Brady, seeing things in him that others missed (leadership, coolness under pressure, while other teams were thrown off by his beanpole physique and lack of mobility).
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Brings to mind "Moneyball." Just happened to catch it on TV the other night. Had heard about Bill James before of course. Some interesting stuff in there regarding the economics of winning with a low salary budget, and about the use of statistics in building a baseball team.
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The leaders in any field find new ways to advance. And they face criticism along the way from those who resist change.
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Side note: re Bill Walsh. He taught a course on football strategy at university. I seem to recall reading anecdotes from a female student lucky enough to be in that course (I think it was a letter to Sports Illustrated following an article on Bill Walsh). My God, how I wish I had had that privilege.

Back in the day, I attended many football clinics featuring the likes of Bobby Bowden, et cetera. Fascinating characters, these football coaches. Bowden told many funny stories. He mentioned how the guys could be dog tired from defensive drills and work, but if they got to catch passes they were suddenly energized. LOL And Bowden loved the passing game.

Saw Howard Mudd talk about training and drilling the O LIne with the blocking sled. He actually made it interesting and humourous.
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Lombardi on the O Line sled, torturing the troops.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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