Spending cash on a "franchise" player or spreading it out?

[warrick95]

Here's an interesting topic...what is better, spending a fortune, a good portion of your cap, on one superstar "franchise" (not to be mistaken with the franchise tag) player for a multiyear deal, or spreading the money out to build a cohesive unit with a crew of great, albeit not all "name" players that fit your system?

As some of you may be able to figure out, this question is largely in regard to the Colts and Pats.

The Colts paid Manning a tremendous deal and locked Harrison up long term, too. They may franchise tag or extend James with a large deal. That would hardly leave a sufficient amount of money to successfully build with good players on defense and around the Big 3.

The Pats, on the other hand, pay Brady a good deal of cash and Ty Law, too. However, please note that Ty Law did not even participate in most of this year and did not factor in the tremendous defensive output today. They have a bunch of great players that are smart and fit the system very well. As you can see, they effectively neutralized the highly paid Colt offensive trio.

Another player that signed a large deal was Mike Vick. Now Vick, IMO, may be an outlier, because he sells so many tickets, too. He's such a great marketing tool for the team that owns him, that Falcon management is probably profiting tremendously and almost solely from his presence. His potential on the field is also tremendous, because there simply has not been that sort of athlete at the quarterback position ever.

What would your strategy be?

[CC]

I think you have to build around 1 or 2 players, the Patriots are an exception because they are so well-managed and well-coached.

[Evolution]

If you have an exceptional talent (i.e. Mike Vick), you build around that talent. If you do not have that and are unable to attain it, then I'd say you spread the team around and attempt to look like the Steelers or the Patriots.

[Arlo]

In the NFL, I think the Patriots have demonstrated how powerful spreading their funds around can be, at least with current salary structures.

In fantasy leagues with salaries, on the other hand, I'm not convinced that that's necessarily the best way to go...