How They Were Built

Bob Gretz also got in on the action dissecting how the Saints and Colts were built, and while it was an interesting read, I found this graph to be the best part of the entire piece:

I think some of this regarding the Colts is overstated. I honestly don’t even think the Colts are that good of a team without Peyton Manning. I honestly think he is that much better than the rest of the league. If you took him out and replaced him with another Pro Bowl quarterback, let’s say Phillip Rivers from San Diego, I don’t think we could get this team anywhere near the Super Bowl. Hell, I don’t think Brees could — he’s surrounded by outstanding talent everywhere in New Orleans. The running back talent is great but the offensive line isn’t by any means, and nobody thinks the wide receiver corps is among the best in the NFL outside of Reggie Wayne. 

So “studying how the Colts did it” will only do you so much because you, in all likelihood, don’t have Peyton Manning on your team. But it helps to have two of the best DEs in the NFL, and one hell of a consistent organization when it comes to drafting.

Instead, I think the Saints’ process of putting a team together is far more common: focus on the Draft, plug the remaining holes through trade and free agency. And the Chiefs, despite the coaching changes, seem to have at least kept a good focus on the Draft.

Kansas City’s efficiency with the Draft, however, needs to get much, much better. I think that’s the lesson you pick up from Gretz.