The second the clock struck 12 last Friday morning phones were ringing and agents and general managers were bargaining as the National Football League's free agent signing period officially began.
The age-old question regarding free agency is whether or not it is good for the game of football. The common argument shouted from street corners is that free agency pushes salaries upward, drives wedges between the rich and poor teams, and makes it impossible for management to retain all its players year after year, leading to a lack of stability that no longer assures fans that a Giant will remain a Giant forever.
The other side of the argument is that free agency enables the have-nots of the league to become the haves, and allows a rebuilding team to do so much more quickly. Evaluating free agency must be done on a team-by-team basis. Let's start with the biggest have-not of the entire NFL for the last 25 years: the New York Jets.
Last year's 3-13 laughingstock was unquestionably the worst team in the league. Jets owner Leon Hess and coach Rich Kotite make the Clinton Administration seem like they know what they're doing. The offensive line had more holes than the Titanic, the receiving corps was led by a rookie from pigskin powerhouse Hofstra, and the quarterback seemingly hasn't completed a pass over 30 yards since a 1988 date with the Niners. The offensive schemes and two-wideout sets were stolen from Fred Flinstone's playbooks. The Jets had the worst offense in the league, averaging 80 yards rushing and an anemic 174 yards passing, a number inflated by the necessity to throw when down 21-0.
Without free agency, pitiable Jets fans could have potentially leaped into the 21st century before witnessing another playoff game. However, this offseason the Jets have shown an aggressiveness that hasn't been seen on the field since the Namath days. One of the slickest moves in Jets history was the signing of Steelers offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt. Released by Bill Cowher in a seemingly hasty maneuver, the Jets snatched him up immediately.
Last week, the Jets proceeded to sign Oilers right tackle David Williams. This past week, Neil O'Donnell visited Weeb Ewbank Hall and was impressed. "I know they are committed here to winning. They want to win here. They want to win right now." For the Jets' sake, let's hope he's as effective as he is gullible.
Soon to follow are visits by left tackles Jumbo Elliot and Lomas Brown and wide receivers Quinn Early, Jeff Graham, and Fred Barnett. With the number-one pick in the draft, the Jets could select USC's wideout Keyshawn Johnson, who should be monitored closely for stating that he actually wants to play for New York. Throw in a weak schedule and you're looking at next year's version of the 9-7 Indianapolis Colts.
The mere speculation that the Jets could be a legitimate playoff contender next year is attributed to free agency. Usually viewed as a way to fill holes in the roster, the Jets, due to pathetic drafts dating back to Jimmy Carter, will use free agency to provide nearly their entire 1996 offense.
Similar stories abound in places like Jacksonville. Last year's 4-12 expansion team has been the most active participant in this year's market. They inked Steelers' offensive lineman Leon Searcy and offered contracts to Alonzo Spellman of the Bears and Quentin Coryatt of the Colts (although transition labels may not lead to signings).
On the other side of the fence sit the teams that have been victimized by free agency. The salary cap has fared worse than Pat Buchanan has at Yale. Teams are sometimes unable to retain players they want to keep simply because they lack room under the cap. The dumping of Phil Simms three years ago is one familiar example. This year there have been two cases where players have been forced to relocate. Cornerback Eric Davis of the 49ers recently signed with Carolina and, on Thursday, Russell Maryland left Dallas for Oakland. In both cases, it was impossible for the clubs to retain the players at a price commensurate with the market. Two "happy marriages" broke up.
Free agency is no doubt a tough deal for all involved. Yet it is a zero- sum game. For every story of a team losing free agents and fans complaining miserably, there is a corresponding story of a rebuilding process enhanced by those free agents. Free agency allows teams without many stars who are well under the cap to shift the balance of power away from star-laden teams with no room under the cap. This offseason, Dallas could be a loser while the Jets may actually end up winners. And as Jets fans will attest, the boys in Green from Gotham need as much help as they can get.
In four months, Mike Capobianco, JE '96, will be a free agent, too.
Copyright 1995, The Yale Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.
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