Hopefully, we are at the beginning of an era in which "fit" takes precedence over reputation. Norman like Breeland will bounce back... elsewhere... because like all others, he'll go to a team where his skills play well in their scheme. I'm not sure what our scheme/ identity has been in the last 20 years. Hopefully, that's changed as well.
FA is the biggest crap shoot in the world. 1st contract players = hungry players looking for that big contract. FA signees = paid players around 28 years old. It might be interesting to note that some here think guys approaching 28 should be traded as they are at the peak of their cycle as a player and going to trend downwards. It is all in a word or two - hot free agent versus aging veteran.