Part 3/11:
In response, the NFL sent out a memo to teams, which was obtained and shared, emphasizing the importance of seeking direct feedback from players and downplaying the significance of the grades. The league's stance is perplexing: they question the validity of the grades but also seem to suggest they are just noise. Teams are advised to ignore the grades, yet they must also recognize that players might consider them in decision-making.
Implication: The league’s ambivalence indicates a strategic muddle — they don’t want the grades out but also dismiss them as meaningless. Yet, since players can use them as decision tools, the grades could influence free agency moves, especially if they affect perceptions of player value.