Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive End Paul Spicer Skips OTA's

by River City Rage on May 13, 2008 1:32 PM EDT in News

From the department of poor decisions:

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Paul Spicer elected to not attend today's offseason training activity (OTA) at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Fred Taylor, a regular no-show, was also absent, though he plans on attending a few between now and training camp.

Spicer's absence comes as a surprise, considering the amount invested at his position this year. Spicer led the team in sacks last season, though at 32 years old, is rapidly approaching the end of his career.

It is probably contract related :

"I spoke to both of them this morning. I’ll let you ask (Spicer) how he wants to present it," Del Rio said when asked if Spicer’s absence is a result of contract discontent. "He expressed that he wouldn’t be here. I expressed that I’d like him to be here."

Paul last signed a contract with the Jaguars in 2006, a three year extension. He's due to make 2.5 million dollars this season, and will be a free agent in 2009. The Jaguars seem unlikely to give Paul Spicer the sort of extension that he would probably want at his age, though it's not suprising that he'd like to capitalize on his performance last season before he is rendered irrelevant by Quentin Groves and Derick Harvey.

There's always someone that's unhappy with their contract. While Big Cat Country will always be unsympathetic to contract woes, it's not surprising to see Spicer do this, considering that the writing is on the wall for his future in Jacksonville. He's a solid player that has a nasty habit of running his mouth and embarrassing the team, especially after we play the Indianapolis Colts.

My advice to Paul is simple. If you're not going to work out with the team, you better be working out somewhere, because all eyes are on your position, and nobody is safe.

-Chris

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Paid a bonus yet?

Has Spicer been paid any roster bonus during the offseason to make his release less likely? You have to think that he knows his best bet is to get traded or released to seek a new contract this year. He’ll recieve significantly less playing time and age will wear on a man more than anything. I like him… but I say let him retire or play for more money than I’ll likely make in my life.

by silencecs on May 13, 2008 3:52 PM EDT 0 recs

unsure at this point..

I’ll reach out to Jags02, the resident Jaguars Cap Guru…

-Chris

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by River City Rage on May 13, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

I meant to add his numbers will be down along with playing time so his value has peaked

by silencecs on May 13, 2008 3:52 PM EDT 0 recs

The mysterious back injury

If you recall last training camp, Spicer sat out most of it with a supposed back injury. The local media was quick to write off Spicer as an old man who would be cut. Well by the 3rd game of the preseason in limited playing time he flashed his skills, and had the best year of his career. Now here we go again with Spicer missing a VOLUNTARY workout, and the local media is quick to speculate again that he is at the end.

Vets do this every year around the league to save the wear and tear on their bodies so they can play the long season, and even longer with the Jags coming off a playoff year in Spicer’s case. John Henderson goes down every trainning camp with a supposed injury. Vets like Spicer who is entering his tenth year year in the NFL, know how to get ready for the season. The OTA’s are mainly for the rookies, and guys at the skill positions who have to work on timing.

I wouldn't put much stock into this other than Spicer wanting to keep his body and mind ready to endure another long, and hopefully LONGER season than last years.

Let me also add that you can’t blame anyone for wanting more money, especially when this is Spicer’s last year in his contract, and a major injury at this stage in his career would more than likely end it.

by NASF on May 13, 2008 5:19 PM EDT 0 recs

above post got cut off

It should read, ” I wouldn’t put too much stock into Spicer missing a VOLUNTARY OTA other than Spicer wanting to keep his body and mind ready to endure a long , and hopefully LONGER season than last years.

by NASF on May 13, 2008 5:23 PM EDT 0 recs

Paul won't be cut

Harvey and Groves are rookies and to hand over full time duty to them at this point would be foolish. Don’t forget that Paul was awarded the honor of wearing a “C” on his jersey to signify being a team captain last season. He is a proud player and man and I read nothing into this other than he is conditioning himself for the upcoming season by himself. His voice in the locker room and on the sideline’s is well respected by his teamates. He’ll also make a great mentor for both Derrick and Quentin. Sadly, though, he will not be resigned after this next season IMO.

by keef on May 13, 2008 6:21 PM EDT 0 recs

Good points Keef

I will answer your question Chris, no he wasn’t awarded any bonus and is playing at around a 1.5 million cap hit for this year. Not a big number by any means in todays NFL, but the guy on the other side has a big number.

Reggie Hayward has around a 3.5 million cap for this year, and is the guy who has the most to fear. If Hayward doesn't return to the way he was playing  before the injury, I think the Jags will  first ask him to take a pay cut, and if he refuses then I think the Jags will let him go.

I have access to all the players cap hits, contracts, which players will be free agents etc… Do you have the same info available to you Chris?

by NASF on May 13, 2008 6:47 PM EDT 0 recs

I've got some of that:

But it’s not nearly as organized as it should. For cap/salary issues I tend to rely on Jags02’s thread on the Jaguars.com message board. He keeps a pretty detailed spreadsheet and is obsessive in just the right way about it to do a good job.

I’m not sure what’s happening with your comments, are you using the quote marks button for the quotes?

-Chris

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by River City Rage on May 13, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

Why are my post being cut off and shaded in grey Chris?

Again to add what I wrote in the above before being cut out; Reggie Hayward has around a 3.5 million cap for this year, and is the guy who has the most to fear. If Reggie doesn’t return to the way he was playing before the injury, the Jags will either ask him to take a pay cut or just cut him.

by NASF on May 13, 2008 6:53 PM EDT 0 recs

I'm not sure what's happening here, I'm going to ask our tech team!

(see above)

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by River City Rage on May 13, 2008 7:06 PM EDT up 0 recs

Test

Test Test test

test test test test test testtest test testtest test testtest test testtest test testtest test testtest test testtest test testtest test testtest test testtest test testtest test test

Test Test Test

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by River City Rage on May 13, 2008 7:06 PM EDT 0 recs