Which recent signing might fizzle out?

[blue_gold_84]

I was erring on the side of caution.  Just saying, we didn't make one marquee signing, and while the flyers we signed mostly fizzled, none were of the calibre of these signings.

Fair enough. I basically agree with you on Walters' approach last year at this time, BTW. It was too complacent of an approach, and when factored into the other miscalculations made by the regime, sheds some more light on the decline during the season and its ultimate demise in the ESF.

FWIW, I think Vaughters was the best move Walters made in FA last year.

[Tecno]

I was erring on the side of caution.  Just saying, we didn't make one marquee signing, and while the flyers we signed mostly fizzled, none were of the calibre of these signings.

Well, at the time we did think D.Mitchell and Vaughters and Logan were "marquee" signings.  Short of the return of Kenny FA snipe in '24, the above 3 are kind of our "big splash", because Mafia hasn't really done league-top salary FA snipes in quite a while.  We tend to spend the wad on retention.

Thinking back to FA25 we tended to think D.Mitchell was going to turn into a top guy and Logan would light up the return game again.  We can't retcon into thinking "they were always bums" just because we have the hindsight of the '25 season now.

[theaardvark]

Well, at the time we did think D.Mitchell and Vaughters and Logan were "marquee" signings.  Short of the return of Kenny FA snipe in '24, the above 3 are kind of our "big splash", because Mafia hasn't really done league-top salary FA snipes in quite a while.  We tend to spend the wad on retention.

Thinking back to FA25 we tended to think D.Mitchell was going to turn into a top guy and Logan would light up the return game again.  We can't retcon into thinking "they were always bums" just because we have the hindsight of the '25 season now.

We had "hopes" that Logan and Mitchell would light it up... I don't think anyone "expected" they were going to be top players..

[Tecno]

We had "hopes" that Logan and Mitchell would light it up... I don't think anyone "expected" they were going to be top players..

Fair enough.  But I think it was thought hoped D.Mitchell could capture some of his rookie year superstardom given our better coaching/system/etc.  In the end I guess we weren't better... and neither was Mitchell.

[GCn19]

Did we sign a player in 2025 that was anywhere near the level of these players, and they flamed out?

Vaughters was about the best player we signed in FA, and he was decent.  Played well for his price, decent value.

Mitchell was not White or even Neild in proven ability, and his flame out seemed to be more in his own actions and coming to camp unready and getting off on the wrong foot.

Other than that, what 2025 signings give you pause for these exceptional players not living up to thier contracts?

Gowanlock?  Reggie White?  Cobb? Makonzo? Paterson?  Sterns?  Logan? Haggarty?

Sterns earned his keep, the rest weren't expected to start or lead, but were given a chance to earn spots.

Zero free agents signed last year were considered game changers.

All five in the poll will make a difference day one of camp.  Short of injury or complete personal meltdown, this is going to be one heck of a FA class.

Much, much more was expected of Mitchell

[Tecno]

Much, much more was expected of Mitchell

Yup.  What was his $ again?  $175k?  Anything above $100k for that lump seems like highway robbery now.

[GCn19]

Most likely to fizzle out? Probably Moxey. Not because he isn't good just that we have been great at recruiting DBs.

[theaardvark]

Much, much more was expected of Mitchell

Expected, or hoped for.

If you expect it, you pay for it, like the FA's signed this year.

If you are hoping for it, you sign discount players...

Mitchell was a discount

[GCn19]

Expected, or hoped for.

If you expect it, you pay for it, like the FA's signed this year.

If you are hoping for it, you sign discount players...

Mitchell was a discount

He was 165k. Not a discount at all. Almost half was up front. He was coming off a 800 yard season.
We EXPECTED a lot more.

[blue_gold_84]

Expected, or hoped for.

Uh, both. He was a colossal disappointment last season.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Uh, both. He was a colossal disappointment last season.

Wonder what Mitchell's status is, possibly still sitting in jail?

[kkc60]

Hypothetically, Nield probably will flash the least. But if someone is not going to fit, I think Broxton only because there's question marks about where he is playing