Quote:I'd say my first real hunch started when he traded a 2nd round pick for a 3rd round pick in 2009. I don't like GMs that give up that much value.

 

When the Alualu pick happened I was too happy that he didn't fall into the Tebow pit to really think about it at the time. In the next season when it became clear that Alualu was just a guy it became more apparent to me that Gene Smith didn't understand how to build a successful franchise.

 

The constant big money signings of second tier free agents like Pozluzny also enforced the feeling. You don't give big money to guys that don't make an impact on the game.

 

The Future 2nd for a 3rd now has always bugged me as well.  The main argument for it is "We basically took Cox with our 2nd round pick for the next year!  We just got him early!"  But if Cox was such a great player, then we could have easily taken him over Pot Roast.  Gene Smith fell in love with players, and that's the first real example of it.  Alualu being the second.

 

I was also glad about not falling into the Tebow pit -- but I had been hoping we'd get Jimmy Clausen.  Ultimately I'm glad we didn't.  Though in my defense I had only read a few 'experts' on Clausen.

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