Free agency not always precursor to success in today’s NFL

It’s easy to look back at what the New England Patriots did in the realm of free agency following the 2006 season and say that big spending in the free agent market is the key to success in today’s NFL. But it’s even easier to realize that three of the final four teams this past season, including the world champion New York Giants, were hardly factors in the free agent market prior to their tremendous 2007 campaigns.

The two conference finalists, the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers, each essentially made one free agency move, and neither shook the earth off its axis. Green Bay’s only notable free agent signing was nickel defensive back Frank Walker from the Giants. Walker was hardly an impact player, recording just 17 tackles and no interceptions in 12 games. Meanwhile, the Chargers’ lone move was retaining guard Kris Dielman to keep their offensive line intact. Yet despite their lack of activity in the market, both the Packers and Chargers came within one game of the Super Bowl in large part because their core players, mostly all of whom they acquired through the draft or as undrafted free agents, produced on a consistent basis.

The Giants, they of perhaps the greatest upset in NFL history, made only one significant move in free agency in bringing in linebacker Kawika Mitchell from the Kansas City Chiefs. While Mitchell was a solid contributor, it was the growth of quarterback Eli Manning and the overachievement of their unheralded draft class that propelled the Giants’ incredible playoff run.

So what does this all mean? Does it mean that the Patriots didn’t need to purge their wallet to get back to the Super Bowl? Not necessarily. Players like Adalius Thomas and Donte Stallworth were important pieces, and receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker (acquired through trades) were a large reason why the Patriots shattered all sorts of offensive records in 2007. But like the other successful teams in the league, the Patriots didn’t go 16-0 in the regular season without tremendous success from their own players. It’s not as if quarterback Tom Brady, a sixth-round pick in 2000, or Asante Samuel, a third-round selection in 2003, were big names coming out of college. Yet they are just two examples of excellent scouting and what being in the right system can do for young players.

If you need further proof that free agency isn’t what many people expect, just look at the previous two Super Bowl winning teams. The Indianapolis Colts’ lone free agent acquisition, albeit a big one, was a kicker. Adam Vinatieri was a huge part of their postseason success, but virtually all of their offensive and defensive starters came through either the draft or as castoffs from other organizations.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ formula for success was almost identical for the 2005 championship team. Ben Roethlisberger was a first-round pick yet the third quarterback taken in the 2004 draft, while other key players like Troy Polamalu, Hines Ward, and Ike Taylor came through the draft. Running back Willie Parker, who broke a Super Bowl-record 75-yard touchdown run, was an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina who worked wonders assuming the starting role from Jerome Bettis. Bettis, while not originally drafted by Pittsburgh, had been with the team for 10 seasons and his leadership was just as important as his play on the field.

Free agency certainly is not as impactful as it is in baseball in large part because of the salary cap, but also because the draft is often where great teams are made. You don’t have to have a high pick, either, as many of today’s stars were late-round gems or even undrafted players. Scouting and player development is as critical now as it has ever been, and with the recent success of teams who have scored big with young players, that doesn’t figure to change any time soon.