Anthony Spencer: If You're Wade, What Would You Do?

[wileedog]

If you send the message now, first off the players know you are just trying to send a message.

I think that is unavoidable. Whether you dole out some punishments now or 6 months from now all of the players have heard Wade's "I'm gonna change" schtick and I doubt many take him seriously.

Only advantage I see to doing it now is maybe you keep one or two of the other young (or old) guys out of other trouble this off-season. Maybe a Jenkins or someone thinks twice before ordering that 12th Jack and Coke at 2:30 a.m.

Plus if they do nothing now some may take it as getting arrested is still no big deal.

I agree with your premise though - No matter what Wade does he is going to have a hard time convincing players this is anything other than contrived "change."

 

[jobberone]

That's where we disagree I guess.

If you send the message now, first off the players know you are just trying to send a message. Second, If they are the type of players that need a message to keep them in line or whatever, then most likely they will completely forget about that message months from now.

Punishments being handed out first day of camp lets them know you have been thinking about it all offseason and that things are changing. If you can't change, then we'll make the change for you. To me, that's much better than saying "Now remember, I gave Spencer a 1 game suspension 5 months ago, so keep that in mind while you are practicing."

Well, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Waiting is unkind IMO and doesn't send a message to anyone. I'd be pissed off if someone came to me 6 months after my rut row and said I was now going to be punished.

This is a perfect excuse to crack down on people and send a message. I'd fine him the one games suspension and put him on probation until at least after the suspension was over. No more nonsense.

 

[dallasfaniac]

Only advantage I see to doing it now is maybe you keep one or two of the other young (or old) guys out of other trouble this off-season. Maybe a Jenkins or someone thinks twice before ordering that 12th Jack and Coke at 2:30 a.m.

I guess I am just one of those 'Give them enough rope' guys. If they are the type of guys that need the threat to stay in line, I'd want to know about it. If they are the type that tailor their behavior based upon what they think they can get away with, I'd want to know about it. If they are the type of player that sees what appears to be me letting others get off scott free and will take action themselves or come complain to me, I'd want to know about it.

The team did not live up to expectations this year. I would use this offseason to find out what my guys are made of and then send a nice message to the team that will hit home day one when season perparations are most important.

I'd also like the opportunity for Spencer to react before draft time. If he apologizes to the team, mans up etc. then I might be less inclined to see what else is available in the middle rounds of the draft. Punish him now, you might not see how he actually feels about his actions.

 

[zeromaster]

Well, speaking as a member of the Stock Exchange I would suck their brains out with a straw, sell the widows and orphans, and go into South American Zinc.

 

[Doomsday101]

We all know Wade's intent to change and hold the players more accountable. Well, he got his first chance sooner than expected, I think. So what will he do?

If you were Wade, what would you do?

When talking about a player getting into trouble with the law that goes beyond what a coach can do, it comes down to management as in the GM. If he is on the team it is Wade job to get him ready to play but it is the job of management to determine what action the team should take if any after all the franchise is who pays him.

 

[28 Joker]

This isn't the time to be weak. It is time to take back the entire classrroom. Anthony Spencer's "delima" is just a symptom of the lack of consistent accountability in the lockerroom.

The first message is to the entire team and Anthony Spencer. Do you want to send the ultimate message?

icut Jerry's favorite pet.

iTerrellOwens

That will put everyone on notice.

Guess what?

You can't behave like Terrell Owens and stay on this team. If the "star"'s eratic, diva behavior isn't going to be tolerated anymore, then, I better not get drunk and act like a fool, ect...

 

[RoadRunner]

I'd fine him, and suspend him for the first 4 games next year.

 

[adbutcher]

He should be suspended for 1 game at a minimum. He better send a message to the team that this behavior will not be tolerated.

 

[odog422]

I hardly have a problem with that. If there is a general attitude of ignoring coaching and defying them even is subtle then this is an important event. If it is isolated then it is nothing more than a small fine.

Really? So if you're the coach and you've got a player hurt, and he skips rehab because he had no power in his house you wouldn't have a problem with that?

 

[odog422]

I disagree. Discipline should be done as quickly as possible to reinforce the message to one and then all. I would be strongly considering a one game suspension. Again it depends on his past and present behavior and personality. Some need a spanking. Others need a gentle word.

Agreed. But I say spank, regardless. Spencer has a responsibility to his teammates and the organization. His reaction at the time - "so what" - reinforces to me that he needs to be reminded it is a big deal and will not be tolerated.

 

[BigDFan5]

fine and suspended for 1 game

 

[odog422]

When talking about a player getting into trouble with the law that goes beyond what a coach can do, it comes down to management as in the GM. If he is on the team it is Wade job to get him ready to play but it is the job of management to determine what action the team should take if any after all the franchise is who pays him.

Coach's decision. He just needs the GM to back him up. The players are the coach's players and what they do off the field potentially affects their ability to be on the field. Precisely why Parcells used to talk the team before bye weeks.