PEPPERS SIGNED

>>but once it's done everyone else thinks they need to repeat the mistake, as if they have no control over their destiny.

They don't think they need to. They do what they must to get the right player, and begrudgingly I'm sure.
In a more perfect NFL, rookies would come into the league with minimum salaries the first two years and then the 4-5 year contracts would be negotiated (I'm not that way about FAs...what the market bears is what the price is).

But I'm fine with where it is. You pay the price to play the game...if you don't want the salary, trade down.

 

Trading down would have been my choice. I think spending big dollars on rookies is no more sound than spending it on free agents. In one case you take a risk that an older player's skills may be declining with age, in the other you take a risk on unproven ability. In either case injuries can ruin even a good decision. Our track record on first round picks suggests the amount of risk involved.

I buy into your argument that there is good value through the third and fourth rounds of the draft. I also think that there is good value in the free agent market if you have salary cap room and can wait to use your money on the values that crop up. You can't be desperate to fill needs in the free agent market to make the best use of it.

Ignore my rant if you will. I am actually excited to have Peppers in the fold and to be heading to training camp and I don't want to dampen anyone else's excitement.