Recent and relatively ancient history proves Smith’s point. There have been plenty of top 5 busts. There have been plenty of mid- to late-first-round superstars. Odds of getting a standout player increase with fewer players off the board, and Smith understands that.
Why, then, is winning more important?
“When you’re asking why, I have no problem answering that question,” Smith said. “There [are] a lot of whys to it. The flip side of the argument, which – I’m not hard-headed – I’m not like an old school PE coach that’s got my head bashed up against the wall that says to run hard. I understand the big picture, but again, the draft position, history will tell you that just because you’re sitting at whatever spot doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to get a good player if you don’t have the right process and identify it. Maybe luck is in your favor. Maybe not.”
Smith studies NFL history for many reasons, including a search for similarities among franchises who have done what he and Terry Fontenot are trying to do in Atlanta. Fontenot and smith inherited a difficult salary-cap situation and a thin, aging roster and are working for the quickest possible return to prominence while establishing a prolonged period of sustained success.
From my experience, the Raiders had similar issues but struggled to do it right. Smith identified a few, like the 49ers and Bills and Seahawks, who nailed it.
“There’s usually a common thread there,” Smith said. “They had a plan. Trying to get the right people in there. Trying to build it the right way. You’re competitive. You’re trying to learn what it takes to win in those situations.”
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at News…