My big disagreement with you isn't actually about what I see as the ultimate goal, nor about what's "being spoiled". I know only Championships are really remembered, and I do want as many of them as I can get, while any kind of window is open.
Obviously, no issue here.
I just disagree wholeheartedly that we've ever "given it away" in recent years. Losing close games in the playoffs is faaaaar from "giving it away."
A QB fumble (forget the facemask), a 15-1 season and one-and-done, a complete comedy of errors, then a decent defensive game followed by THAT overtime? It's all subjective/relative, but yes, I do believe they've snatched defeat from the jaws of vicotry.
I read your stuff and interpret it like this: Not going all-in with UFAs/trades (and not firing coaches and GMs) = giving it away.
Not even close. The giving it away was specifically the individual games. I enjoy laughing at signing like Suh as much as the next guy. As if going all-in and/or making dramatic moves meant near-automatic Championship wins.
Not even close. I'm constantly a proponent of never even saying any7tyhing like 'guarantee' or 'automatic'. I'm basically saying that what's been happening over the last five years isn't working - maybe time to step off the beaten path a bit? Or even a greater chance at that when taking a longer term look at the open window. That window is open for probably at least 5 more years with Arod.
Probably. And, what has the past five years of that window produced?
I suggested a 4-year cycle of max drama and success I thought you'd like here:
http://wisconsinsportstalk.net/threads/the-post-mccarthy-thompson-rodgers-era.3946/#post-10624
I AM of the opinion TT could plug more holes with the mid-to-low -tier UFAs, and sometimes keeps too much youth for potential's sake.
Obviously, no issue here.
But I REALLY hate it when people (not you specifically) don't consider big re-signings and extensions as significant as signing outside UFAs. It IS more boring to keep your own, but it can be more impactful. We've lost NOBODY of any significance for how long!? And that's worth nothing?
Surely TT has kept some important cogs, often at prices well below the expected. He's also resigned his own, of much lesser value, to higher than expected extensions. Also maintains a nice pad in the cap department. Now, if all that could just result in more brass rings. (Just read the next couple of paragraphs, so apply this response pretty much to those, too.)
Extending Daniels wasn't some petty move, he's easily a top five 3-4DE!!! Shields is a fine corner. Nelson a fine WR. No need to discuss CMIII nor Arod. Sitton + Lang may be the best guard duo in the league. The much-hated Burnett graded 9th best out of 90 safeties in 2015 - and isn't being 5th best vs the run kinda what you pay your mostly-in-the-box SS to be!?
Cobb and Bulaga didn't work out last season, but both could 2016. Even if they ended up busting, mere 2/10 bust rate with big money UFA signings on a current roster would be friggin' amazing for any team.