Not quite a "draft' thread, but a player acquisition thread. Looking back at the Free Agents Ireland and Sparano have signed and a pattern emerges, they sign people who they have had to scheme against that season. For example: Jake Grove Gibril Wilson Charlie Anderson, Randy Starks and Ernest Wilford all played against Parcell's Cowboy team, ditto Reggie Torbor. Point being, whomever we sign this offseason, chances are good we will have played and schemed against them this season.
I think there being only 31 other teams in the league and the vast experience and connections our coaching staff has it's a statistical probability that we go after players that we're familiar with because there just aren't that many to begin with. Ireland has ties to KC and Dallas. Sparano has ties to Dallas. Parcells to Dallas, NYG, NYJ, NE All those teams have coaches who also have connections, etc.
A good theory however I think they tend to go after players they have studied as opponents and liked what they saw.
No chance of signing Jackson, perhaps a chance of signing Merriman. To me, the offense hasn't been the problem, the defense has been.
Some interesting possibilities in FA. How bad is the relationship between McDaniels and Marshall? I know we havent played against them this year but he seems like the type of receiver that would be perfect for what we're looking for as a #1. Dont think Jackson will be let go but I could see Marshall possibly becoming a landmine in Denver Here are my top five at positions of interest WR Brandon Marshall (best #1 option IMO) Antonio Bryant (another #2 receiver) Terrell Owens (one yr solution, put off drafting #1 till 2011) Anquan Boldin (assuming Cards keep Breaston) Chris Henry TE Tony Scheffler (another one who may have problems with McDaniels apparently) Bo Scaife (havent seen him this year but he was good once) Jeff King (should come cheap and may have some game in him) David Martin (we certainly miss him but would he come back) LJ Smith (he was good at one time) LB Karlos Dansby (safest choice for immediate improvement) Shawn Merriman (is he done or not?) D'Qwell Jackson (seemed to be coming on) Derrick Johnson (a new team could be all he needs to reignite his career) Rocky McIntosh (so long as he's healthy)
