LogFAQs > #924469015

In a nutshell, the implementation of the sign-and-trade, a juxtaposition of a soft-cap NBA mechanic into the hard-cap NFL, was built on a faulty premise to provide a flawed solution to an non-existent problem. Removing or placing limits on it doesn't cause legitimate issues. The "issue" of losing players for nothing is a non-issue. It is a natural part of operating a team and something that has to be accepted, not looked as a problem that needs to be fixed. As someone pointed out, I have made efforts to make this a healthier, more competitive league, and this runs counter to that. Remember that this didn't even use to be a thing until maybe five seasons ago. The league was perfectly fine (and better off) without it, and it will remain to do so if eliminated. I do not disagree that it has some benefits, but they are overstated and outnumbered by its unintended drawbacks that have made it a poor system.

The biggest fallout has been that it has allowed the rich to get richer. The teams most likely to do the signing and trading are those that sit among the most talented teams. They can pry valuable assets away from other teams using players they can afford to lose and were not in their future plans, thus receiving something for nothing in a way. Some of the more extreme individual examples involve the Dolphins and Steelers. The Dolphins traded LT Travelle Wharton to the Titans for assets that became WR A.J. Green, LT David Bahktiari, SS Jacquiski Tartt, and whomever they select with the 8th overall pick. In Wharton's three years in Tennessee, he has 131 blocks against 14 sacks allowed (block:sack ratio only slightly lower than his career average before), but the Titans offense has ranked 28th or worse twice, indicating he hasn't made a great impact. The Steelers traded LT Eric Winston to the Pioneers for assets that became SS Ian Cox, CB Trumaine Banks, whomever the Steelers select with the 10th pick, and possibly more. Winston has been fine, if unspectacular. He's dealt with injuries and his sack rate has increased, but his block rate has increased (going from a moribund Rex Grossman/Jay Cutler-led offense to an explosive Russell Wilson-led one might have played a role). It's hard to determine his impact as the Pioneers already fielded an elite offense prior to his arrival. I can say that he has at least not allowed it to crater.

The bottom line is that both players were not going to be re-signed by their teams, and instead of both entering free agency, the teams received what became substantial contributors in their bids to compete in the short and long-term. In a utopia, the sign-and-trade this could lead to a path of parity (obviously not as much as the standard system of sign or free agency you go), but it's clear that it has benefited better teams far more than it has lesser ones.
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KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
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