Is Osweiler the new Matt Flynn/Matt Cassel?

[ATL96Steeler]

Maybe it is but nobody effects the game anywhere close to a QB.

Indy has been bad in the draft and FA/trades and I do think they are trying to use the Luck deal as a crutch when that isn't the issue.

Last year Indy had more cap tied up in their defense than any other team in the league. And that was not a defense that helps you get to the playoffs, but one that helps you miss the post-season.



Like you say, Denver spent a lot on their QB position and put together a pretty solid defense with it.


The saints cap space used on offense is the 2nd least in the NFL, 25 mil less than Chicago, 32 million less than Washington (only Browns are less). And including the dead money of their defensive guys no longer with the team/in the league, one of the biggest spenders of their cap in the NFL on defense. Where the $ is going isn't their issue. Who they are spending it on is.

Spending it on Luck and Brees is smart. Spending it on Trent Cole and Junior Galette is not.

The NFL is showing two paths to building a SB caliber, but in both cases you have to hit on some key players in the draft on both sides of the ball.

You have the SEA model...they were able to build a championship level DEF by hitting on several key draft picks...and obviously getting a triggerman that was able to play with minimal amount of mistakes and that eventually got them over the top.

Obviously the other model is having a franchise QB that can win games home and away, come from behind, etc. But you still need a strong DEF or one good at taking the ball away (Saints SB team).

So when you are a team like ATL or IND that has invested a great deal into the QB position and I believe Ryan and Luck are capable of winning a SB, you've got to hit on DEF players in the draft and be able you plug in midlevel FAs in a few spots on the roster...neither team has been able to do that yet so they've gotten close, but not over the hump.

MIA spending the money they did on Suh, WAS spending the money they did on Haynesworth and BUF the money they did on Mario Williams should be proof that you can't build a championship team by spending a ton of cap space on a DEF player without the supporting cast around them.

DEN still has the cast around Miller, but if they don't get it done again soon, the window will start to close like it does for every team. PIT has about 2 maybe 3 more seasons before the window closes on their championship hopes.

The IND GM is basically pulling a CYA move but every team deals with it on some level...BAL is trying to build back up while working with Flacco's contract.

 

[DrewScott]

Don't forget Matt Schaub