How to Put Your Team in a Win-Win Situation

Jan 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Aurthur Blank (left) and general manager Thomas Dimitroff (right) watch the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome. The 49ers won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

General Managers have some tough jobs to get done in the NFL.  One of those jobs is scouting and figuring out who to draft.  It doesn’t just end there either.  If he has a guy he really wants that won’t fall to his team, he needs to trade up and on top of that, he needs to make sure he’s buying at the right price.

Let’s say I’m Thomas Dimitroff.  I’m carefully analyzing the team I manage because we just had a terrible 4-12 season and if I don’t turn this team into a playoff team, I’m looking for a new job.  So what do I need?

For one, I need my $100 million Quarterback to be able to stand in a pocket for longer than two seconds.  Second, I need to figure out a way to rush the passer and stop the run.  We have a bad offensive line, a bad defensive line, and an old running back.  Luckily, I have a strong backfield minus one safety (who shall remain nameless) and an impressive, young group of linebackers.  I also have some of the best receivers in the entire league.  After Gonzalez files for retirement and I cut that nameless safety, I have a little over $20 million to work with.  Where does that money go?