Cowboys Hit A ‘Downturn’ In Spencer Contract Talks

[Cowboys22]

I don't get why people say this. Its not true at all. His best year was 09...

He has always been solid, no question. He has never been a bad player but he just didn't live up to the hype until his contract years. Some were even calling him a disappointment or a bust. I never thought that but he did pick his game up in his contract year and I just wouldn't lay out $10 million a year for someone who only gives it all he's got in contract years. I'd love him at $5-6 million a year until he wants to retire but not $10-12 million. No way!

 

[Section446]

As much as I like the guy, I get the feeling that he'll want to be paid like a top-tier player, which he simply is not. That's not to say that a team won't pay him as such, I just hope it isn't the Cowboys. We have a tendency to get caught up in very expensive contracts for players that simply aren't worth what they are getting, that's kind of where I see Spencer. Having said that, I'm thrilled to have him on the team this year under the tag.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I got high hopes for Spencer at his new position, he may be our new beast pass rusher. He's smart, athletic, stays healthy, and coming off the edge from a 3pt stance may be the right use for him.

 

[xwalker]

I think it is a good sign that the Cowboys are showing restraint. In the past they might have just immediately over-paid him.

 

[Section446]

I think it is a good sign that the Cowboys are showing restraint. In the past they might have just immediately over-paid him.

Couldn't agree more, I'm perfectly fine with taking a "wait and see" approach.

 

[Eskimo]

I think it is a good sign that the Cowboys are showing restraint. In the past they might have just immediately over-paid him.

Jerry does love bidding against himself like he did with Roy Williams, WR.

I'll tell you one thing - if Jerry Jones thinks you're asking for too much, every other GM in the league would slam the door in your face and never talk to you again for wasting his time for such a ridiculous request.

If they are really asking for Clay Matthews money they are really deluded. It is a shame Jerry franchised him. The market was in a bad mood and maybe we could have gotten Spencer for something like 4 years $24M.
ff

 

[Wood]

Spencer has been well paid last two years with franchise tag but he is getting older now for that position. He made good money but it will hurt him going forward because teams are becoming increasing reluctant to sign big contracts for players 30 and over. He would need break-out season to tune of 12+ sacks to even have discussion of contract he wants.

 

[Hoofbite]

I think it is a good sign that the Cowboys are showing restraint. In the past they might have just immediately over-paid him.

Maybe they are showing restraint but they're basically letting him occupy more cap space than if they had not shown restraint.

Not really sure it's good. They may not be overpaying on a longterm deal but their doing so on an individual annual basis which means the only real difference is that they aren't assured of his services in the future. Almost trading one vice for another.

 

[Idgit]

Jerry does love bidding against himself like he did with Roy Williams, WR.

I'll tell you one thing - if Jerry Jones thinks you're asking for too much, every other GM in the league would slam the door in your face and never talk to you again for wasting his time for such a ridiculous request.

If they are really asking for Clay Matthews money they are really deluded. It is a shame Jerry franchised him. The market was in a bad mood and maybe we could have gotten Spencer for something like 4 years $24M.
ff

The market's going to be in a bad mood again next season, too.

Rumblings are we're trying to get money in place to extend Lee. Along the DL, we've supposedly also got interest in Sedrick Ellis, though the Bears, Lions, and Pats are supposedly also interested.

I think Spencer would be wise to wait things out a bit and then to sign the best long-term deal he can get in Dallas. Otherwise, he's looking at less next season than he got this season, or trying to get a long term deal the year after that at, what, 31? Dallas is a good fit for him and will be offering what passes for market rate on a long term deal this year and next.

 

[jterrell]

It's called finding a compromise. I have no doubt he'll end up signing a 3 year contract for around 20 million, and I'd happily give him 8 million of it as a signing bonus since he'd be getting 10 million this season anyway.

For 6-7 million per year, Spencer has great value whether he's a sack master or not.

Agree on the compromise.
It is a negotiation.
Dallas wasn't going to meet first asking price and the agent wasn't gonna leap off the bridge over a first offer.

This "report" suggests first maneuvers, not in depth talks.

I think he is looking at something like 5 years 35 million. 10 upfront and first 2 years guaranteed but at smallish bases.

Maybe:
SB: 10M
year 1: 2m ---cap 4m
year 2: 4M ---6m
year 3: 5M ---7m
year 4: 6M ---8m
year 5: 8M ---not gonna happen but 10m

Or a more cap friendly but complex deal like:
SB 5m
year 1: 2m ---cap hit 3m
year 2: 10m ---scheduled restructure ---cap hit ~3m
year 3: 5m ---cap AR 8m
year 4: 5m ---8m
year 5: 7m ---10m but not gonna happen

Both deals make 20m over 3 years fairly certain. If we want softer cap hits in 13 and 14 we can choose option 2 provided Spencer is willing to take a short term pay cut for 20more million guaranteed.

 

[CF74]

Provided Spencer doesn't get hurt or lay an egg (Which I doubt) at DE, dude is better off taking the $10 mill with the tag right now because I don't believe he will get more than $7 mill/year when somebody finally gives him a contract.

Now if he has an All Pro year with 12-15 sacks (And he might with more opportunities,) teams will be knocking down his door, especially those that believe they are one pass rusher away from making a run...

-Kaptain Obvious

 

[Padd]

Spencer is the poster boy for the type of player you should let walk. He's over 30, only stood out in contract years, and wants to be paid like he's the best in the league at his position. There is no way they can meet his demands and sign Lee, Bryant, Smith, Carter, Claiborne, and Murray in the years to come. Let him play out the year, get your comp 3rd or 4th round pick for him, and add DE as a draft and/or free agent need next year.

Amen, brother!

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The market's going to be in a bad mood again next season, too.

Rumblings are we're trying to get money in place to extend Lee. Along the DL, we've supposedly also got interest in Sedrick Ellis, though the Bears, Lions, and Pats are supposedly also interested.

I think Spencer would be wise to wait things out a bit and then to sign the best long-term deal he can get in Dallas. Otherwise, he's looking at less next season than he got this season, or trying to get a long term deal the year after that at, what, 31? Dallas is a good fit for him and will be offering what passes for market rate on a long term deal this year and next.

I'm not sure that would be wise for him. I mean, he can wait but if he does, he might find himself in a position where his value declines, depending on how well our younger players progress and how he transitions from OLB to DE again. If he has a down year, chances are better then average that the offers he will receive next year will be less proffitable then what he is seeing this year. Long term, that could hurt him and if he happens to get injured, forget about it. There is some risk there for him IMO.

 

[Risen Star]

Provided Spencer doesn't get hurt or lay an egg (Which I doubt) at DE, dude is better off taking the $10 mill with the tag right now because I don't believe he will get more than $7 mill/year when somebody finally gives him a contract.

Now if he has an All Pro year with 12-15 sacks (And he might with more opportunities,) teams will be knocking down his door, especially those that believe they are one pass rusher away from making a run...

-Kaptain Obvious

Doubtful. Not at that age. The franchise years back to back make him less likely to land a huge multi-year deal on the open market next year.

 

[mmillman]

I like Spencer but paying him 10M this year is another stupid move by Dallas.

 

[CF74]

Doubtful. Not at that age. The franchise years back to back make him less likely to land a huge multi-year deal on the open market next year.

So if he racks up 12-15 + sacks you can't see a team on the verge of a run paying him $10 mill for 2-3 years with some kind of out clause after the first year?

I seem to recall a guy named Abraham getting paid after being franchised...