Free Agency

[Pirates]

One thing those who want great players in FA have to realize is that ONLY a mistake will let that happen. It happens in the NFL because of the high rate of coaching turnover and system changes along with "hidden" problems with the player so he's not actually the great player you'd think.

Being a football GM is more about resource management than anything else IMO. If you cut the cap 50% you'd still rarely see a quality Phantom in FA. I'd simply stop using my draft picks until my cap space allows. I'd trade all 7 every year for future picks. I'd build a team of very cohesive "45's" and 1-3 studs that I know I'm going to be able to continue to afford as they gel.

The bottom line and rule #1 is: NEVER let a resource just disappear. ALWAYS get something in return. Retirement is the only way a quality player should ever leave your team without getting something in return.

I agree with you on that. However, even if you built a group of 45 rated players they are going to demand more money based on their play not their rating. The cap would still get you. Correct me if I am wrong.

[JesterBlaze]

alot more players would create havoc in the IFL until they got paid what they think they should be paid. Players would see amounts that teams are under the cap and riot for more money. in this league, the ai of players is stoopid, they undersell their value...willing to renegotiate or sign contracts for pennies. if you don't believe me, we could revisit the fact that players would rather be undrafted free agents than a 5th round pick.

I think players would start FA with hopes of getting that $50M a team might have available, but it would still come down to highest bidder. Players don't all sign on the first day of FA so maybe they're thinking of the money that you speak of but "realize" they're not getting it.

I do work for a company who brings in like $35K a production. I can demand as high a % as I want but they aren't gonna pay more than market value and I've still got rent to pay. So I play in the league for what I can get.

And teams don't get the ridiculous available cap they have in the IFL overnight so why should there be a quick fix to a problem caused over time? You can pay your draft picks regularly (and pay the bigger $$ on their 2nd contract IF you draft correctly and still want the player) or you can overpay for someone else's problem they didn't want. Even if pressured by the cap they're releasing someone they feel they can do without.

Not saying it isn't there but I've yet to see data on a league where all 32 GMs use "all" their cap every year, which is the only logical way to run a team IMO and these things have what I believe to be a major over-time effect on the league.

I agree with you on that. However, even if you built a group of 45 rated players they are going to demand more money based on their play not their rating. The cap would still get you. Correct me if I am wrong.

No idea but it would be my original plan, which would be adjusted on the fly to never lose resources regardless. If they want more $$$ it wouldn't happen at the last minute so I'd trade them for value... a concept that will never be eliminated no matter what the game rules. I'd never use a draft pick to replace a player I let walk. Just nonsense when I could use the draft pick's would-be-cap-space to sign the player and trade the pick.