Dear Diary, Before Free Agent Frenzy Begins...

by Dana Feldman on Jul 21, 2011 12:18 PM EDT

I am not naïve; I know the NFL is a business first. Free agents are like freelancers who strive to get the most for their services. As a fan of the NY Jets, and seeing my team get so close to winning it all two years in a row, I would love to see the same players get a chance to do it again. Third time is a charm and why mess with sucess. I know don’t yell at me, it is unrealistic to keep the same team for another year. Here me out, being emotional about a team is a part of being a fan. Even the Jets QB Mark Sanchez, talks about in an interview with Pro Football Talk wanting to bring back as many Jets as possible.

The definition of team from the Webster’s online dictionary is a number of persons associated together in work or activity: as a group on one side (as in football or a debate). Isn’t teamwork all about bonding and trusting your teammates? It’s one of the most important keys to success. In the pros unless the player is a coveted franchise player who will get resigned for big bucks, is it reasonable to assume that a newly signed free agent has instant chemistry with his new teammates and will be a loyal team player to the team that gave him the best deal? Yes, you say, it’s what they do, what they are paid for. Realistically, when a new person enters your workplace, it takes a while for you to warm up to them and trust them. Players like Randy Moss who jumps from one team to another, does he really care about the team he is on or is he just collecting his paycheck?

With the training camps being shortened this season due to the lockout, it will be harder for a newly signed free agent to mesh with his new teammates. I know new blood brings change and strength to areas where the team needs help, and management will make those unemotional, strategic and economic decisions that are best for the team whether we agree or not. As for the players who are free agents I can’t blame players like Brad Smith for wanting to go to a team where he will be utilized more. Won’t you miss him if he goes? He is an exciting player to watch.

As a true fan I will root for the new players because their wearing my favorite team’s uniform no matter where you were last season and for those players who leave the Jets and sign with other teams I will only hope you fumble, drop the ball, miss the tackle and lose when you play against your former team the New York Jets.

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Well, you have a point, but at the end of the day, teams are willing to take a chance on talent.

If youre a player, and youre trying to get top dollar for your services, you don’t care what team you go to. Winning is not important to most NFL players when it comes to deciding on a new team. Only a small portion of free agents value winning and team chemistry into their decision. Cause at the end of the day, these guys are working for their livlihood, not so the Jets or any other team can win more games.

Want to know why players want to win? Not because of the personal glory and whatnot, but if you win a Superbowl, your value is immiately higher.

Look at Scott Fujita. He was an average linebacker at best for the Saints in 2009. He leaves the next season in free agency to the Browns, who probably overpaid for him.

Staff Writer - GangGreenNation.com
Senior AFC Analyst - TheHometowFan.com

by Ryan Alfieri on Jul 21, 2011 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

BINGO!!!

Ryan nailed it. The problem with winning is that guys who aren’t that great, but can play within a system where they are surrounded by guys who can cover for their mistakes are suddenly viewed as high value players. Fujita is a GREAT example. He is average at best, but by playing on a winner, he’s suddenly getting a contract that is more than he should get. Winning always make you look better. And with the Jets going to the AFC Championship game 2 years in a row, you can expect teams to be looking to pick off pieces by paying more than the player is actually worth.
Now it’s up to Tanny to find guys on bad teams who are undervalued and can fill the void left by the guys that leave (Brad Smith)

"Schotty... You Suck!" - Mark Sanchez

by jetsbill on Jul 21, 2011 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Nnamdi's on a bad team..

..Just sayin..

by RhodesRocks on Jul 22, 2011 5:53 AM EDT up reply actions

But certainly not undervalued.

by Judgegavel on Jul 22, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

If the Raiders were a good team

Nnamdi wouldn’t be a free agent. And if he was a free agent coming from a good team, he would be looking at even more money than he already is. Winning always makes you look better.

"Schotty... You Suck!" - Mark Sanchez

by jetsbill on Jul 22, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Brodney Pool – heres a guy who was on a bad Cleveland team, and is still a solid starting safety in this league.

Staff Writer - GangGreenNation.com
Senior AFC Analyst - TheHometowFan.com

by Ryan Alfieri on Jul 22, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I have a feeling

that Pool will be looking at nice pay increase after a few years with the Jets.

"Schotty... You Suck!" - Mark Sanchez

by jetsbill on Jul 22, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

what prompted me

to write this post was just the the thought we really do just root for the shirts and not the players. The difference of what the sport is from the time they begin playing as a kid to when they turn pro is so different and kind of sad I think. Kids are so loyal to the teams they play for and they make friends sometimes for life on these teams. They learn so much about teamwork and take those those skills with them in their adult lives. All while playing a fun game. Right, it’s a game. But the reality is pro sports isn’t a game it is a business. It is all about money, people that will never have problems feeding their families -fighting over the billion dollar pie.

by Dana Feldman on Jul 21, 2011 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Couldn't agree more

3 guys i played football with my whole life were in my wedding and are my best friends in the world. Funny how things change when money becomes a driving force.

"Schotty... You Suck!" - Mark Sanchez

by jetsbill on Jul 21, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you can do both...

certain players I will root for no matter what, and there is two sides to the business aspect.

A great case in point is LT, I have family in SD and all of them die hard Chargers fans, and you know what two of them went out and bought LT Jets jerseys as soon as he signed with the Jets. They had that much love and respect for the player. The business side of that is the team (chargers) showed no loyalty to the player. I completely understand both sides of the business end of football though, I don’t feel players or owners need to show loyalty, the bottom line is not winning its making money. Therefore I root for both, when there are certain players I like, I will go out of my way to watch him, but of course the green and white always comes first.

by Judgegavel on Jul 22, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

And there are always exceptions to the rule

See Pat Tillman (Passed up a decent contract with the Rams to play for less with the Cardinals because they gave him his shot)

Can’t blame anyone for what personal decisions they make. Look at Barry Sanders, he got so fed up with being on a bad team that he retired when he was still the best in the league.

"Schotty... You Suck!" - Mark Sanchez

by jetsbill on Jul 22, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

there are all exceptions to the rule -but it’s hard to remember exceptions when the sour game of lockout is still being played. It makes me appreciate some of the tweets that I saw last night of the players that don’t understand the details of what the owners agreed on – and thought everything was basically a done deal and thought they would be going back to work tomorrow.

by Dana Feldman on Jul 22, 2011 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions