Be forewarned, this is going to be long.

I usually like to think that I am somewhat of an intelligent human being and as such am able to make clear sound decisions in my life.  But, for the life of me, I can not seem to grasp the thought process of GM's when they go through these types of offseason cuts.  Now, I am not saying that I don't understand the end result that the team is looking for, but more that I don't understand the release of high profile or pro-bowl caliber players; in this case that being Crumpler, Coleman, and Gandy.  As for the remaining players that were recently released, well, it's not like they were major contributors in anyway and are therefore non-points.

Let me be more specific on what it is that I think I am missing.  When looking at the three major players on that list, it is clear that they hold a lot of value, be it from their overall contract total or from the stats they post.  Crumpler is argueably one of the top five tight ends in the game even with him having an off year this past season.  And for those saying that he has been injured for the last couple of years, you are obviously not watching this team, as he has been to three straight pro-bowls before this last year.  Coleman is a great defensive tackle putting up numbers that aren't usual for most defensive tackles.  I will agree that he has had some issues staying healthy, but even then he still holds a reasonable amount of value.  And finally Gandy, although clearly nearing the end of his career, had not had any injury issues for thirteen (13 for a left tackle!!) before blowing his ACL this year., so it's not like we can say that he couldn't come back and perform up to par.  He is a very solid left tackle, and being a left tackle holds more value than most other lineman positions.

I speak to value mainly because during this forms of cuts, what I am not understanding is how or why we did not actively pursue some form of return for these players obvious value.  How is it that we did not get any future draft picks for any of these players?  Are you to tell me, Mr. GM, that you could find no suitors in the NFL for Crumpler, Coleman, nor Gandy?  To come to a point where you simply cut valuable assets for absolutely no return value leads me to believe that although the GM has the right intent for the organization, he (and by he, I may also mean any and all involved with these decision, but I haven't decided yet, which is another point entirely) made a rash and rushed decision just to make waves and show his weight.  Maybe, and I am more than willing to accept this, I a perceiving this the wrong way, and given the proper answers as to how one could accept a total loss of value as opposed to lessening the loss by getting a return in value, I assume that I would be able to swallow this news a little more easily.

I have seen this happen many times with many teams, and every time I have failed to understand why these teams do not actively seek to get return value for their valuable assets.  Billions of dollars are paid to these players every year, yet when this happens, in my mind, the team is simply stating that the players have no value whatsoever and aren't worth trying to make a trade to get in the least some draft picks.  If it is a simple salary cap issue, then how is trading for draft picks not a viable solution.  You move the player and his contract and you get help with the rebuilding process.  Draft picks do not equal salary space as it is known that a team does not have to sign a draft pick, which would leave it open to sign a free agent if need be.

If anyone reading this has the knowledge of why a team would simply make a cut versus a trade, please enlighten me.

Also, Dave, I love your first time entry on the previous post.  Oregon Trail: classic, nostalgic, many memories, and you must be one hell of a shot.  Haha!

I have not read comments by any Falcons Fan as insightful as those by Jesse on the cuts by the new GM and HC.  While these players might not be in their plans, the value that they hold could have been utilize to give the Falcons more than just a good feeling for those Falcons Fans wanting a cleaning but not knowing what that details.  

Great comments.  They really provoked some thought.  Awhile back I came across an interesting post about NFL trade rules.  It is an interesting read and some reasoning might apply as to why we didn't hold onto those players with hopes of trading them.

http://www.dawgtalkers.net/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=3095&Main=3092

The rules that seem to apply hear are:

"RULE FOUR: High priced veterans are NOT attractive to other teams.

[They] are being paid much more than [the team believes] he is worth (or otherwise we wouldn't want to trade him in the first place, right?). Unless a team is in desperate, desperate need for a certain position, they aren't going to take the cap hit on a person that isn't worth it.

This rule is even more so magnified due to the butchering that some cap-troubled teams must do. Why trade for [xyz], when you can pick up someone better for half the cost? Or even yet, why not just wait till [xyz] gets the axe himself? No sense wasting draft picks or players on him."

So obviously teams know the Falcons are in bad shape. They are like circling sharks. They know we need to make cuts and they would rather wait us out.  The Falcons don't have the liberty to wait. For yet another year they are faced with with new schemes and having to find the pieces to fit them.

"RULE FIVE: Players coming off a poor season, whether it be due to poor stats or injury have much less trade value than they normally have.

This even applies to All-Pro's, If someone has a bad year, it's a big red flag to other teams. If their team is trying to trade them, it's an even bigger red flag. If the bad year is caused by injuries, that's a 3rd BIG red flag. Players with injuries usually get the "damaged goods" tag and teams will be unwilling to chance it."

Now I personally don't think any of our main three are damaged goods but the perception in the trade market will be just that.  Teams will balk at wanting to pay too much in a trade.  They will use injuries to their advantage and low-ball the Falcons. Or they will revert to Rule 4 and just wait it out.

Cuts come every year. They sting. Fans rant. I seem to have to purchase a new Jersey: Jam, Smith, Kerney, Rossum, and now Crumpler.