Quote:1)  They anticipated being a playoff team and needed a LT, so he filled a current need.

2)  He was a proven talent.

3)  They're in a much better position to evaluate his skills, work ethic and character than they would be in a typical free agent situation.

4)  They're able to negotiate before he becomes a free agent.

 

If they sign him, it turns into a very good deal for them.  If they don't, they gambled and lost.

 

1. But they were wrong in their assessment. They did not make the playoffs, despite adding Monroe and ended up at a sub 0.500 winning percentage once he was added to the roster. Did he really fill that need? How much improvement did Monroe provide to the Baltimore roster?

 

2 and 3 contradict themselves. If Monroe was a proven talent, then why did they need to increase their position to evaluate all of those things that you listed? If he was proven all of that isn't really necessary.

 

4 So they gave up two draft picks just so they could get to the head of the line?!?!?! That seems like a rather steep price doesn't it, especially considering that Monroe has gone on record as saying that there is no "hometown discount"?

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