Discovering the costs of free agency

Sporting News, The, Oct 12, 1998 by Bill Walsh

Free agency was not yet part of the NFL landscape when I retired from coaching in 1989. Current coaches, however, are not so fortunate. Packers coach Mike Holmgren lost five starters to free agency after last season, and Steelers coach Bill Cowher--annually, it seems--is forced to plug young players into voids created when veteran standouts leave. You have to admire the resourcefulness of coaches like Holmgren and Cowher, who continue to win despite losing some of their best players through free agency.

But is free agency always the best thing for the player? The financial benefits are obvious, but what about the continuity that comes with playing in the same system for years, or playing with teammates you enjoy, or playing in a city you like living in ... or winning championships?

One of the biggest "name" players to switch teams after last season was Dana Stubblefield, who left the 49ers to sign with the Redskins. In San Francisco, Stubblefield was an integral part of the NFEs top-ranked defenses of 1995 and '97. Playing alongside Bryant Young--the best defensive lineman in the league--Stubblefield racked up 39 1/2 sacks in five seasons and was voted to three Pro Bowls. The 49ers won 74 percent of their games, advanced to three NFC title games and won one Super Bowl.

Contrast that with the situation Stubblefield is now in. The Redskins have lost their first five games, likely will miss the playoffs for the sixth straight year and their fans have grown increasing surly. As Washington's top free-agent signee, Stubblefield--along with fellow newcomer Dan Wilkinson--was expected to solidify a run defense that finished 28th in the league last season. But Stubblefield is facing the most double-teams of his career, and the Redskins, statistically, have been even worse against the run than they were a year ago.

The 49ers had good reasons for not re-signing Stubblefield. They were concerned about his inconsistency--15 sacks in 1997, only one in '96. While they would have taken him back at an acceptable price, they were not prepared to offer him anywhere near the six-year, $36 million contract the Redskins did. Stubblefield took the money, but who can blame him?

Dana, I'm sure, wishes he were back with the 49ers, in a more positive environment, winning games. But free agency comes at a cost, and in this case it may be a trip to the Super Bowl.

Bill Walsh coached the 49ers to three Super Bowl titles and is an exclusive NFL analyst for THE SPORTING NEWS this season. Email him at walsh@sportingnews.com, and then look for his weekly emailbag and picks at www.sportingnews.com. Chat with Walsh every other Wednesday on AOL (keyword: LIVE).