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Mutts · January 26th, 2004, 01:07 PM

I have been thinking about another concern I have regarding the proposed changes to the rookie draft and DS system. As I review the commentary, it is clear there are two camps in the Frenzy. The first has taken a more aggressive management style, relying on the free agency market to build their teams. These teams, I feel, have been the most competitive in the early years. The second camp believes strongly in the potential for long term growth through the rookie draft. Until the Frenzy has a decade or so under its belt, I don't think we should be so quick to discount this second strategy.

I feel many of the ideas we are considering move toward a reduction in the potential of the draft to be a defining factor between teams. In the name of reducing the initial salaries of the top paid players, thereby reducing the risk (or as some are calling it, improving the usefullness) of the draft, we are hurting the team that is able to gain an edge by signing later rounds players to long-term salaries at small prices. A few picks in the last couple of years that I feel deserve credit (Grade is my estimate of future potential, not past performance.):

2002 2.9 Brian Westbrook Grade: B Analysis: all around threat in 2003 with a leg up on the feaure role in 2004. Would have been a great deal going into next season at $600 if the Toxic Waste had held him on the DS.
2003 2.4 Lee Suggs Grade: B Analysis: Grade based on limited start in 2003. With a 180 yd rushing game and multiple TDs under his belt, Suggs could provide quite a leg up for the Toxic Waste in 2004 at a small price of $750.
2003 3.9 Brandon Lloyd Grade: B Analysis: Showed quite a bit of potential in limited opportunities with a potent passing offense. With TO and Streets possibly departing, Lloyd could be quite a weapon for the Freedom at $160.

If any of these players were to break through and have big impacts in the coming years, the team that held onto them should reap the rewards of a small contract extending through the original signing period. I worry that steeply increasing the salaries of successful picks, and at the same time reducing the initial salary scale as a whole, is simply serving to bring us all closer to the middle as we minimize the advantage of a great pick.

January 26th, 2004, 01:07 PM	#27
Mutts General Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bloomington, Indiana Posts: 3,026	I have been thinking about another concern I have regarding the proposed changes to the rookie draft and DS system. As I review the commentary, it is clear there are two camps in the Frenzy. The first has taken a more aggressive management style, relying on the free agency market to build their teams. These teams, I feel, have been the most competitive in the early years. The second camp believes strongly in the potential for long term growth through the rookie draft. Until the Frenzy has a decade or so under its belt, I don't think we should be so quick to discount this second strategy. I feel many of the ideas we are considering move toward a reduction in the potential of the draft to be a defining factor between teams. In the name of reducing the initial salaries of the top paid players, thereby reducing the risk (or as some are calling it, improving the usefullness) of the draft, we are hurting the team that is able to gain an edge by signing later rounds players to long-term salaries at small prices. A few picks in the last couple of years that I feel deserve credit (Grade is my estimate of future potential, not past performance.): 2002 2.9 Brian Westbrook Grade: B Analysis: all around threat in 2003 with a leg up on the feaure role in 2004. Would have been a great deal going into next season at $600 if the Toxic Waste had held him on the DS. 2003 2.4 Lee Suggs Grade: B Analysis: Grade based on limited start in 2003. With a 180 yd rushing game and multiple TDs under his belt, Suggs could provide quite a leg up for the Toxic Waste in 2004 at a small price of $750. 2003 3.9 Brandon Lloyd Grade: B Analysis: Showed quite a bit of potential in limited opportunities with a potent passing offense. With TO and Streets possibly departing, Lloyd could be quite a weapon for the Freedom at $160. If any of these players were to break through and have big impacts in the coming years, the team that held onto them should reap the rewards of a small contract extending through the original signing period. I worry that steeply increasing the salaries of successful picks, and at the same time reducing the initial salary scale as a whole, is simply serving to bring us all closer to the middle as we minimize the advantage of a great pick.