I think you're trying to read too much into things. I don't think much has changed other than our roster is now in a position where it needs more help. I said it in another thread 2014 we were stacked all the way around. Choked. and '15 and '16 had largely the same roster and we failed to reach the Super Bowl for similar, yet different reasons in those years as well. This season has been different, but not because Ted just discovered a new way to be GM or because an understudy is running the show. We had more holes to fill because of departures and after giving guys a chance to perform and grow, they haven't.
UNLIKE last year, we've had injuries to our OLB's in the preseason, while there are actually other choices that can be available. Unlike last year, people aren't clammoring for Ted to get a DB in week 6 of the regular season saying, "he should have signed a vet". I think if Jayrone Elliot had a preseason like he did a few years ago, things would be different, or if Fackrell actually looked like he belonged on the field, maybe Brooks gets added. But as it stands, Elliot has done nothing in a couple seasons but play special teams. Fackrell had 1 game where he looked marginally ok in the preseason, Matthews has a "mystery" illness and Perry sprained his ankle. Earlier, there weren't exactly bodies to fill those spots. Brooks just became available, and was signed. Fair offer. Nothing outlandish for a guy of his experience and past production, not exactly cheap either.
I think it's also different this year in that some of the young guys we usually see at least shine a bit in the preseason, haven't. Nobody on the OLine has looked that good except for starters. If they can upgrade DL, fine, but I like what we have there. Even in seasons past we had guys like Boykin make people notice every game in the preseason. This year? what an underwhelming bunch of WR's buried on the depth chart.
anyway, i'm going to get even more long winded than need be. Simply put, I think this year instead of having guys shine in the preseason, they dudded out. I think we lost more in FA and had more positions to fill. I think guys became available at contracts that made sense that we could use so we signed them. a combination of a lot of things make this offseason seem so different, but I do not think Ted is just some figure head for the organization.