Quote:It's not because acquiring free agents-even expensive ones-is in itself bad.

 

Good scouting teams can effectively scout college players and ascertain their value and fit on the team.

 

They also have to make those same considerations-age, injury history, scheme fit, talent, cost, etc.-in acquiring free agents.

 

Under Shack and Gene, too often this team was not good enough scouting college or pro players.

 

I don't know if it was a matter of not doing a good enough job of scouting players as it was a matter of not trusting the scouts in making decisions.  We've heard the stories about Coughlin completely ignoring his scouts when it came to drafting a guy like R. Jay Soward because he was hellbent on getting that ever elusive third receiver.

 

After Smith took over as GM, he told the story of supporting drafting Big Ben the year after selecting Leftwich, saying that he had recommended this and was shot down by Harris.

 

I'm sure there are some stories of how Gene was the smartest guy in the room as he ignored his scouting reports and drafted small school guys or reached for players who weren't worth it because he knew better.

 

I think the current front office has shown a more measured, thoughtful approach to building the roster.  We'll see this year how they handle being flush with cash in free agency.  I don't expect to see them spending for the sake of spending, and Caldwell's comments back that up.  They're going to spend, but I think they'll continue to use the same prudent approach.  There are guys they clearly are targeting, and it sounds like they'll spend what is necessary to land these players.  I expect to see them nabbing a couple of players in the first day or two of free agency, which is a departure for them.  Still, I think they'll make smarter moves in identifying guys who fit with what they are trying to accomplish here.  People expecting multiple huge ticket big named free agents are going to be disappointed.

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