It's all very fair. Also who's to say if Pete did override the scouting department maybe he got a few right too? There is so much we don't know about how it all worked out. I have my suspicians but its all guesswork
We know that during the fourteen year collaberation between PC & JS that Pete had final say over decisions. Excluding their early and last couple of drafts, we've had some bad luck mixed with a dry spell resulting in a weak roster and significant dead $ in our future.
Trades
Jamal Adams two 1st & a 3rd.
Percy Harvin 1st & 3rd.
Jimmy Graham 1st & Unger.
Trades = four 1st & two 3rds
Draft/round
2021 2 Eskridge
2019 1 Collier
2019 2 Blair
2019 3 Barton
2017 2 McDowell
2016 1 Ifedi
2014 2 Richardson
2014 2 Britt
2013 2 Michael
Draft Talley = two 1st, six 2nds & one 3rd
Total FA & Draft above.
Six 1st, six 2nd & three 3rd rounders.
So, for an 8 year period it was like we went without a 1st & 2nd round pick for six of those years and we accumulated dead money like nobody's business.
I don't think too many GM's would consider letting their offensive line and front seven defense crumble a success.
I also do not think throwing high Draft picks & salary cap $ at aging FA's is good for future team building.
I'll end this just to say I don't know who or what was at fault for the above but I have suspicions. If John is worth his salt it will take discipline over the next two years to recover from a mountain of dead money and restore this roster to full strength. Let JS do his business without any outside sources clamoring for new toys to play with. Moving forward John's name will be on it, he will own it. With a little patience and tempered expectations, I'm excited to see what he can do.