Spencer sounds like a free agent-to-be protecting himself

[speedkilz88]

Like last year when he was the best OLB in the game and still didn't get a contract?

He didn't exactly hit free agency now did he?

 

[JoeyBoy718]

He didn't exactly hit free agency now did he?

The whole point is security. If he comes back too soon and gets hurt, he could be on the street with no job. If Witten sacrificed his body for the team, he would have the security of knowing that they'd still be there for him when he came back. For example, Jay Ratliff. If Spencer missed as many games as he did the past two years, he'd be unemployed. A franchise tag is not a commitment. That's why lots of guys don't like it.

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt for the time being. I want him back at full strength.

 

[Idgit]

I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt for the time being. I want him back at full strength.

If he were sitting out against the recommendations of team physicians, we'd absolutely hear about it. This is clearly a physical limitation, but people won't let it go because they insist on reading into past Spencer comments things that weren't ever really there.

The guy's been a durable player and a hard worker for years. If he's not playing, it's because of his knee and not because of his heart.

 

[BAT]

The organization committed $11 million to him this year, and was prepared to sign him to a market value (around $7-8M/yr) long-term contract. I think the organization has showed him plenty of love. He just wants more.

Rather trade him for a pick/player(s) and use that 7M to sign a more integral position for this defense. Seymour can play 1, 3 or 5 technique. And I would rather gamble on Seymour than on Rat at this point in their careers. Even if just a one year rental (like Spencer), Seymour would provide intangibles in addition to production at the all important DT spot.

 

[riverside4]

So it's Spencer's fault that the organization has never committed to him? Of course Romo and Witten should play--they organization loves them. Spencer doesn't owe Dallas anything.

Dallas doesn't owe him anything had 1 very good season when he was the only one left healthy and played solid most of the other seasons took some plays off. That is his problem he wants to be treated and paid like Romo and Witten and hes not. Team has given him 20 mil for the last 2 seasons witch i think is way to much and now he is worried about his future please what a joke time to move on.

 

[Vintage]

He actually needs to play and play well to get a big contract in free agency.

Exactly. If he wants to see a big contract, he needs to produce big numbers this year. Sitting out games doesn't help him.

But you are giving this fan base far too much credit to expect them to understand such common sense.

 

[TheSport78]

OP, wouldn't you do the same?

 

[conner01]

I hear ya. But the man had arthroscopic surgery on July 25 and the recovery time was set at 2-4 weeks. Unless we all were misled about the seriousness of the surgery (which I concede is possible), it seems like some swelling that subsided in a day should not be enough to prevent him from playing. But everyone on this board is entitled to their opinion that he's seriously injured and doing everything he can to get back on the field.

well doctor, maybe you should tell him he is dogging it. people have no clue about the procedure and no clue about how he is recovering. the team is more concerned with getting him healthy for the season than just getting him out there for this game and as for a guy like witten i think rational person would have seen that he came back too soon last year and for a couple games actually hurt the team

 

[Bowdown27]

I never have been a fan of spencer but I doubt he's saving himself for free agency. He's getting up there in age and not going to cash in like people think

 

[iceman117]

He suffered a setback. What do you want him to do?

Is Lance Dunbar who has been ruled out protecting himself as well?

Let's see how it plays out before we give Spencer the Livings lynching.

Arthroscopic knee surgeries don't generally take this long to come come back from so I can see why some people could assume what the OP stated. I understand every injury is different and every timetable for return ranges but this seems to be Spencer not taking any chances and waiting til the knee is 100%

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I agree that he wanted to protect himself during training camp. But, knee swelling is noticeable and I would imagine the team still wants to lay off it for now so they don't lose him for the rest of the season.

It sucks, but I don't know what either side could do.




YR

 

[03EBZ06]

So it's Spencer's fault that the organization has never committed to him?

Commitment goes both ways. As for a new contract, we have no idea how the negotiation went to blame just one side for nothing having a long term contract, it takes two to tango, so to speak.

 

[BrassCowboy]

So it's Spencer's fault that the organization has never committed to him? Of course Romo and Witten should play--they organization loves them. Spencer doesn't owe Dallas anything.

hence this whole new American entitlement attitude that is America today

 

[TwentyOne]

Personally, I'm disappointed by his sack total, doesn't even have 1 yet.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Spencer also knows that any missed time could reduce that amount of the contract he gets for next season. No one is going to pay big bucks for a part-time 30+ YO DE... So he knows it's in his best interest to be out there– If it's at all possible.

 

[TwentyOne]

The organization committed $11 million to him this year, and was prepared to sign him to a market value (around $7-8M/yr) long-term contract. I think the organization has showed him plenty of love. He just wants more.

So right.

I am really not a friend of Spencer's behaviour. IMO he must have known about his bone spurs along time ago. The way he dealt with the "injury" is not fair to the team at all.
Same goes with Ratliff. He develops into a major distraction for this franchise. I hope both are gone after this season (in Ratliffs case i would cut him right away).

But this is buisness - it's not about fairness. It's about money. And Spencers protects himself like he never earned a penny. This guy got 10 mills last year and will get the same amount again this year.
What are these players thinking ? That's 20 millions - and in Dollars! It's enough money to ensure that he, his children and his children's child won't have to work anymore in life.

That's selfishness as good as it gets.

 

[TwentyOne]

.....

 

[TwentyOne]

Spencer also knows that any missed time could reduce that amount of the contract he gets for next season. No one is going to pay big bucks for a part-time 30+ YO DE... So he knows it's in his best interest to be out there– If it's at all possible.

He does not act like that.

 

[CyberB0b]

I would prefer he come back healthy and strong instead of being a shell of himself.