DD, I know you weren't. That's why they call `em analogies. 8)
"My analogy addressed how the players were selected. Do you really think the Steelers would let 11 different outside agencies independently select their starting lineup? Do you think such a selection process would produce an effective defense?"
Not for San Francisco. But I do think that you are changing the terms of your analogy a tad. Nonetheless, I don't think it would be any different than a sandlot game initially and would work its way into a team structure based upon the members of the team best suited to it calling plays and picking teams. Think 'The Longest Yard.' And centralization certainly has its drawbacks as well. For example, what happens when the coach is ailing mid-game, or a crappy coach? What happens when the owner decides against investing in new blood? What happens when the owner determines that you don't need any line to protect that QB because he's damned if he'll pay any more than the league minimum and the game is about making money not about winning and...sorry, I started thinking about Hugh Culverhouse again.
"Suppose one contractor thought linebackers should emphasize speed rather than strength? Sure you can build a defensive concept aroung speedy but light linebackers by compensating at the other positions. But without a central coordinating authority, how do you ensure that these compensations are considered by the other contractors?"
Based upon a failure to draft primarily upon the basis of pure speed or pure strength, the entire team would be at a disadvantage? Do you really believe that nobody on the team would align with the rest of the team and say 'I got him, you got him?' In fact, it's usually well-balanced teams that are advantaged on the field, and even sandlot defensive players know to set stunts before the snap. Why insist that 'compensations are considered by other contractors' if the primary goal is to get the best man for the job and the prototype is set, at least to the degree proven by time, in a fashion that makes minor distinctions like the 'hands team' or 'speed team' less relevant? No contractor with that in mind will be drafting Shawn Bradley as a lineman, or Fridge Perry as a wideout.
"Nonetheless, I don't think it would be any different than a sandlot game initially and would work its way into a team structure based upon the members of the team best suited to it calling plays and picking teams.'
But that's the problem. We're not talking 'sandlot'. We're talking about the military making war where people die and nations cease to exist. Pretty big stakes to gamble on sandlot amateurs.
"In fact, it's usually well-balanced teams that are advantaged on the field ..."
That was my point. Centralized player selection results in 'balanced teams'. Allowing different contractos to select players based upon their individual preferences and predjudices may result in 'unbalanced teams'. Want to risk your life, your kids life, our your country on that?