Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Beware Talent in Free Agency

1. Finding a free agent who will help, not hurt

On the phone is Larry Fitzgerald, one of the great pros in the history of the sport of football, a man destined for the Hall of Fame. 

("Don't jinx me," he jokes.

If Fitzgerald doesn't get in, the building should be demolished. But I digress.)

The idea was to check in with one of the more stabilizing forces in the NFL at a time when things get so insane. As we enter free-agency mode and draft mode, it's important to remember what teams strive for. The good teams, anyway. The goal is not just to get good players. Now, more than ever, teams need leaders. They need men like Fitzgerald.

It's easier said than done. So few are like him, and teams constantly make the mistake of ignoring the problems players have and focusing only on their talent.

That's how a Greg Hardy gets signed. He'd been a turd before and was a turd after, but the Cowboys went after his talent and ignored the turd part. The fact he was a disastrous free-agent signing isn't a surprise.

Albert Haynesworth, DeMarco Murray, Byron Maxwell: different issues, same result. The list goes on and on. You can see the disappointment coming, but teams ignore the warning signs and focus on the talent.

What makes Fitzgerald so different? What does he bring to a team that those guys can't?

"The big thing is," he said, "I'm still excited to go to work."

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Fitzgerald, who signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals last offseason, was never changed by the money. During the season, his daily routine hasn't changed for years. He still starts his day at 6 a.m. He's still at the facility by 6:35 a.m. A small breakfast and then two hours of meetings. A snack and then practice. More meetings, more work, then home before doing it all again.

This is what makes players great—embracing the grind.

"All of the great players I was around growing up, like Kirby Puckett," Fitzgerald said, "their routine kept them grounded. It got them through the tough times."

The advice Fitzgerald gives to younger players could also be applied to upcoming big-money free agents.

"Seek out the guys who came before you," he said. "I did it with Cris Carter, Michael Irvin, Jerry Rice. ... They can help you avoid pitfalls."

2. Fitzgerald would consider donating brain to science

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

We are seeing more NFL players—Ken Stabler prominent among them recently—donate their brains to be studied in hopes of finding answers when it comes to CTE. And it's not just football players. 

Fitzgerald, when asked about it, sounded like someone who would do the same.

"I'd talk to my family about it," he said. "I wouldn't be opposed to it if that was something we agreed upon. If I could help with understanding CTE, then that would be great."

When asked if he ever thinks about CTE, he responded: "You'd be foolish not to think about it."

3. The NFC title game

Last note on Fitzgerald, who was promoting EAS nutrition when we spoke. I asked him about the NFC title game loss to the Panthers.

"We had a bad game on the worst possible day you could have it," he said of the Cardinals' 49-15 loss. "But we'll be back."

4. Two NFL brothers talk football

Worth checking out because it's cool as hell: Two NFL brothers, Geoff and Mitch Schwartz, talking football on the latest Block 'Em Up podcast—good football conversation from two interesting dudes.

5. What the hell, Colts?

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported Monday tight end Dwayne Allen will get a four-year deal worth $29.4 million. Florio wrote: "He'll get $12 million in Year 1, $17 million total through two years and $22 million through three years. That includes $16 million guaranteed." He's making more guaranteed money than Rob Gronkowski, per Spotrac.

Allen had 16 catches last year.

Sixteen.

That is...I mean...that's just insane. If that's an indicator, it's going to be a wild free-agent season.

6. And Johnny Manziel?

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

I continue to hear that not a single team is even mildly interested in Johnny Manziel. No one trusts him, and there remains the problem of potential discipline from the league over the latest incident involving his ex-girlfriend. The Browns may keep Manziel on the roster in the near future, as reported by Yahoo's Cork Gaines, just in case some idiot team trades for him, but he'll be out of Cleveland soon enough.

Is his career over? No, probably not. Manziel still has a chance to change his destiny. But teams I speak to don't think he will. Again, they don't trust him.

Manziel has a long way to go before that trust is earned.

7. Peyton Manning vs. his draft class

ADAM NADEL/Associated Press

The Comeback took a fascinating look at just how dominant Manning was compared to other players in that 1998 draft. Obviously, we all know how much of a great football pick he was, but I didn't know how obscenely superior he was to everyone else in that class.

8. Lamar Miller will be a star

Brad Penner/Associated Press

The Dolphins aren't expected to keep Miller, according to the Sun Sentinel's Omar Kelly, which is a mistake. When the Dolphins used Miller correctly—which was rare—he was productive and explosive. I believe Miller could be a top-five back; he just needs to play for a franchise that knows how to develop and utilize his skills. And that's what I think we'll see next season.

9. Lovie Smith will do well in college

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The success of current college football coaches who previously served as NFL coaches is mixed. There are the obvious great ones like Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh, and there are the not-so-great ones like Mike Riley. Now comes another: Lovie Smith.

I've known Smith for years. He is one of the most underrated coaches I've ever covered, and where he will excel in the college game is recruiting. His even, cool personality will work in living rooms with parents. He won't play shirtless touch football like Harbaugh or scream at people like Saban, but his measured tone and sincerity will do wonders.

No, I'm not saying he'll turn Illinois into Alabama. But he's got a shot.

10. Finally, remember this about free agency

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Teams lie their butts off.

Just a week or so ago, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson told Philadelphia Magazine's Josh Paunil of DeMarco Murray: "I'd love to have him."

Not long after that, the Eagles executive vice president of football operations, Howie Roseman, appearing on PFT Live, said this:

"

My last conversation with him was just that. That he wants to be here and this is the place he wants to have a tremendous amount of success like he had in Dallas. I think sometimes we forget a year ago at this time he's coming off the NFL offensive player of the year. I mean that's a tremendous honor, tremendous accomplishment to be able to do that and we're not talking about five, six years ago. We're talking about one year ago.

"

It's possible the team wasn't considering moving Murray when those comments were made. It's also possible I'll be the first human to walk on Mars.

Mike Freeman covers the NFL for Bleacher Report.