Scott and Fugallo review the early NFL free agency frenzy and debate the 2018 Cake vs. Pie Tournament!
Links to sources here:
NFL Free Agency
History - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1561856-how-free-agency-changed-the-nfl-forever
1976 Mackey v. NFL - https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/543/606/338695/
Worst Jets free agent signings - https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/jets/2018/03/11/5-worst-free-agent-signings-ny-jets-history/415082002/
Best Giants free agent signings - https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2018/03/10/new-york-giants-5-best-free-agent-signings-franchise-history/410940002/
Worst Giants free agent signings - https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2018/03/11/new-york-giants-5-worst-free-agent-signings-franchise-history/413851002/
NFL Worst free agent signings of all time - http://www.startribune.com/listing-top-10-free-agency-busts-offers-many-a-cautionary-tale/476825853/
Best in last 10 years - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2000574-the-10-best-free-agent-signings-in-the-last-10-years
Best all time - http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap1000000147425
HISTORY
Rare for a player to play an entire career for one franchise, makes sense for a vet to leave team to compete on another before retirement
Free Agency began in 1947
Before free agency, teams used the “reserve rule.”
Clause allowed team to resign player to the same contract every year. Player couldn’t leave unless he was traded or retired
This was accepted until players wanted more of a say
First free agent to sign to another team was WR R.C. Ownes in 1962 when Owens left the 49ers and signed with the Baltimore Colts.
Move caused 49ers owners Vic Morabito to never speak to Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom
The next year, NFL Commissioner Peter Rozelle implemented the “Rozelle Rule”
Rule allowed the commissioner to compensate a team losing a player to free agency by giving that team money or draft picks from the team that signed him.
It’s a trade under disguise
Current and former NFL players took legal action against the league in 1976 Mackey vs. NFL
“Their complaint alleged that the defendants' enforcement of the Rozelle Rule constituted an illegal combination and conspiracy in restraint of trade denying professional football players the right to freely contract for their services. Plaintiffs sought injunctive relief and treble damages.”
After Rozelle Rule was struck down, NFL initiated “Plan B” free agency
Owners can protect 37 players, normally the best, with the right of first refusal
This is the grandfather of the “franchise tag” and “restricted free agency”
Unrestricted Free Agency began in 1992 after Plan B was struck down.
Players including four-time Pro Bowler Frank Minnifield sue the NFL and awarded damages dues to the restrictive nature of the NFL’s “Plan B”
Jim Quin, the players lead counsel - “Each of the eight players testified before the jury, but no owner did. Quinn said in his closing argument that although several owners -- including the Kansas City Chiefs' Lamar Hunt, the Giants' co-owner Wellington Mara and the Cleveland Browns' Art Modell -- were present for closing arguments that "not one -- and what is it, a 40-foot walk up to that stand? -- got up there because they knew they couldn't possibly defend the system."
Dynasties of old started to crumble, and the NFL draft became the center stage for a franchise to turn around. Coaches were responsible for recruiting players from college and the free agency pool as if they were a college head coach recruiting players.
