Spikes' Camp: LB's Move to IR "Was Not a Mutual Decision"

[Deus Irae]

....I guarantee you that many people in the Boston area did not miss work...

And many of them did.

 

[supafly]

And many of them did.

No matter how you feel about the possibilities of other factors contributing into the equation, you can't argue that Belichick expects you to be there.

It's why Talib decided to stay at the hotel at Patriot Place, and it's why every other player made the necessary arrangements.

Money goes a long way. If I had to get somewhere in 5 feet of snow I could certainly do it if I chose to plan accordingly and decided to spend the necessary amount of money. We all know that he could've gotten up earlier, paid someone for a ride, slept somewhere else, and all of the other options. It didn't seem to stop other players from getting there.

I understand that it was a bad snowstorm. My school (BU) was canceled from Thurs-Mon. Classes weren't in session yet due to the break, but the offices were supposed to be open. I realize the severity of the weather that day in the Boston area.

 

[hwc]

After this roster transaction and the subsequent fallout, I don't expect Spikes to be back with the New England Patriots next season.

He was never going to be back with the New England Patriots. Not after blowing off the team's off-season conditioning program to train with some guy in Miami.

Personally, I don't really care why Belichick put him on IR. I didn't find it very surprising after he had to be helped off the field in the previous game. It is what it is. He's done for the year. All the rest of it is just he said/she said noise.

 

[Deus Irae]

No matter how you feel about the possibilities of other factors contributing into the equation, you can't argue that Belichick expects you to be there.

I understand that NFL coaches have an extremely unreasonable view of such things, and that BB is one of that fraternity, yes. That does not make your point valid, however.

It's why Talib decided to stay at the hotel at Patriot Place, and it's why every other player made the necessary arrangements....

...Money goes a long way. If I had to get somewhere in 5 feet of snow I could certainly do it if I chose to plan accordingly and decided to spend the necessary amount of money. We all know that he could've gotten up earlier, paid someone for a ride, slept somewhere else, and all of the other options. It didn't seem to stop other players from getting there.

And some guys had the same sort of problem in 2009. Expecting every player to be able to show up, every time, is foolishness. For example, and it happened in the same storm that gave Spikes his problem, I had tested out my snowblower the night before, and it had worked beautifully. I'd even made sure to test it throwing snow once the first inch was on the ground. When I woke up the next morning, the snowblower didn't start and I had to spend a lot of time getting the damned thing to work before I could clear the driveway.

**** happens.

Also, if the roads aren't well cleared, expecting players to show up is risking lives over a football practice that could have been re-scheduled or cancelled.

 

[supafly]

Personally, I don't really care why Belichick put him on IR.

That's probably the best answer. It doesn't really matter in the least.

For what it's worth, I want it to be clear that I am not attempting to mean as if I am 100% right and that I don't believe anyone else, as some posters can do at times. While we're at it, there aren't many subjects that I truly believe that, so if I ever come across that way it is unintentional, and simply in the middle of the debate.

I am just stating why, I specifically believe that there could be more to it.

Those who offered differing opinions certainly have merit to their thoughts, and may be a lot closer to being correct--which is the same as always. It's nothing more than a debate, and ultimately a difference in the way that we believe it may have gone down. Just wanted to take a quick moment to throw that out there for whatever it may be worth to anyone.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

Why should it be a mutual decision. Spikes is a punk who did not show up for practice at all on the snowy day in question.

Where did you hear he didn't show up at all?

 

[supafly]

I understand that NFL coaches have an extremely unreasonable view of such things, and that BB is one of that fraternity, yes. That does not make your point valid, however.

I can't answer to what extreme Belichick believes that there are no circumstances whatsoever that excuses could be tolerated or taken into account, Deus. We know what the media portrays, but we also know that they can often portray the wrong impression of Belichick just the same.

One could actually assume both...

The "first" Belichick--who is intolerable of any excuse whatsoever; or the "second" Belichick--who may give the benefit of the doubt at times under the right conditions, just the same as any other reasonable human being would.

Now, whether or not some of these guys had other excuses that had been played out before, or other questions to their attitude at any point, is probably reasonable to ponder.

 

[supafly]

Where did you hear he didn't show up at all?

Tom Curran is adamant about it, and has stated such multiple times in different ways (interviews, articles, twitter).

I'm sure if you google it, you can find out more if you wish to.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

I understand that NFL coaches have an extremely unreasonable view of such things, and that BB is one of that fraternity, yes. That does not make your point valid, however.



And some guys had the same sort of problem in 2009. Expecting every player to be able to show up, every time, is foolishness. For example, and it happened in the same storm that gave Spikes his problem, I had tested out my snowblower the night before, and it had worked beautifully. I'd even made sure to test it throwing snow once the first inch was on the ground. When I woke up the next morning, the snowblower didn't start and I had to spend a lot of time getting the damned thing to work before I could clear the driveway.

**** happens.

Also, if the roads aren't well cleared, expecting players to show up is risking lives over a football practice that could have been re-scheduled or cancelled.

I think you're way out in left field if you think any coach in the NFL will cancel a practice before a division playoff game.


But maybe it had nothing to do with missing practice.

 

[resdubwhite]

Brandon.

Please remember to sign as big a contract elsewhere as you can. That conditional pick will do very nicely thank you.

TaTa old chum.

 

[DarrylS]

Does anyone remember the Adalius Thomas Brouhaha when he was late for practice in a snow storm? This is what the Pats expect, consistency... get a SUV.

Not showing up at all is the straw....

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I think it's obvious that Belichick put him on IR instead of releasing him because other playoff team opponents might have scooped him up.

He was a liability in pass coverage but stout against the run but Collins is doing an admirable job so there is no reason why he was a dire need other than depth and besides,he has little to no chance of re-signing here next year.

He probably could have played the rest of the season at under 100% healthy but missing team meetings is not something Bill likes from his players and he might not have been useful much with those knee issues anyway.

 

[RayClay]

Although Taylor recorded nine sacks and made the All-Pro team for the third consecutive season in 1983,[26] the Giants struggled. The team went 3–12–1,[36] and Parcells received heavy criticism from fans and the media. Taylor was forced to play inside linebacker for part of the season, a position which allowed him less pass rushing opportunities, when Carson was injured.[37] Frustrated by the losing, Taylor began acting out by arriving late for meetings, and not participating in conditioning drills in practice.[38] After the season, Taylor was involved in a fight for his services between the Giants and the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.[39] Taylor was given a $1 million interest-free, 25-year loan by Generals owner Donald Trump on December 14, 1983, with the provision that he begin playing in the USFL in 1988.[39] Taylor regretted the decision, and less than a month later attempted to renege. His agent was able to negotiate by meeting with Trump personally and then the Giants which resulted in allowing Taylor to go with the Giants. Taylor got a 6-year $6.55-million package that also included a $1 million interest-free loan. The main results of these negotiations were threefold: 1) Taylor returned the $1 million to Trump, 2) the Giants paid Trump $750,000 over the next five seasons, and 3) the Giants gave Taylor a new six-year, $6.2-million-dollar contract.[39][40]

Lawrence Taylor WIKI

 

[1960Pats]

I'll miss Spikes. He hits like a Mack truck.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

The "first" Belichick--who is intolerable of any excuse whatsoever; or the "second" Belichick--who may give the benefit of the doubt at times under the right conditions, just the same as any other reasonable human being would.

I;m thinking it's the second. Remember when Brady was late/missed practice because he was in a car accident.

I highly doubt BB made a decision on this one instance alone. There's probably plenty of people who miss/show up late but have a valid reason and notify the pats well ahead of time. We know Spikes has had some issues that have gone public, we don't know hat hasn't gone public.

At the end of the day, BB is our coach and if people don't like him enough, they can go be fans of another team until BB retires. But, he's earned my trust or a sense that I believe he can manage the situations far better than I ever could.

 

[RayClay]

I think it's obvious that Belichick put him on IR instead of releasing him because other playoff team opponents might have scooped him up.

He was a liability in pass coverage but stout against the run but Collins is doing an admirable job so there is no reason why he was a dire need other than depth and besides,he has little to no chance of re-signing here next year.

He probably could have played the rest of the season at under 100% healthy but missing team meetings is not something Bill likes from his players and he might not have been useful much with those knee issues anyway.

A lot of teams looking to train up and absorb an injured player in a very short amount of time?

 

[RayClay]

I can't answer to what extreme Belichick believes that there are no circumstances whatsoever that excuses could be tolerated or taken into account, Deus. We know what the media portrays, but we also know that they can often portray the wrong impression of Belichick just the same.

One could actually assume both...

The "first" Belichick--who is intolerable of any excuse whatsoever; or the "second" Belichick--who may give the benefit of the doubt at times under the right conditions, just the same as any other reasonable human being would.

Now, whether or not some of these guys had other excuses that had been played out before, or other questions to their attitude at any point, is probably reasonable to ponder.

There's only one Belichick, the one who's trying to win football games. He's really very easy to understand if you start with that premise.

 

[RIpats88]

I seriously doubt Belicheck IR'd Spikes SOLEY because he missed practice last week. likely it was the last straw in a line of multiple transgressions.

some reports I read said he was late to meetings/practice consistently during the season. not to mention he skipped the offseason workouts and didn't look like he did last year for much of this year.

if you cant show up to practice on time for a DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME. with a chance to win and move on with a chance to go to the superbowl. good riddance. Belicheck played a guy who was motivated and ready for his shot and he performed.

I figured the writing was on the wall when they drafted collins anyways. spikes is a 2 down player. VERY good against the run. but in this passing league athletic guys like Collins who are better in coverage are more valuable

 

[Ring 6]

Obviously, I agree with this in terms of putting the best team on the field, but my initial reaction in the other thread from last week was the questioning why Spikes wouldn't at least be effective in:

--short yardage, obvious running, goal line situations, physicality, leadership, etc

--why Belichick would not have had him miss 2 games with the thought of having a 5 week rest period, should we be fortunate enough to make the SB



You are acting as if Spikes was so hobbled that he couldn't even walk, yet he practiced just fine last week prior to the snow day. Mankins didn't practice, Dennard didn't practice---and they still played. Yet the thinking is somehow that Spikes was so hobbled that he still was able to practice, and that he was just hanging by a thread? He hadn't even really had his injury managed all that much down the stretch from when it was first reported.. Had that been the case, I would be more inclined to agree with you.

When it's been reported by more than one source that he didn't even show up yet was able to send muliple twitter updates regarding his decision not to shovel his driveway, and then his agent himself states that it wasn't mutual, I'm not sure why it'd be so controversial to think that this may have been the straw to break the camel's back.

I suppose it just comes down to what your specific thoughts/opinion is regarding the situation, and we seem to have a somewhat different belief in our opinions.

To me the agent saying it wasn't mutual debunks the story. The only point of 'mutual' was that it was disciplinary and they were going to otherwise cut him. The comments from the agent suggest that there was no such discussion, just that his player was put on the IR.

 

[Nunchucks]

I understand that NFL coaches have an extremely unreasonable view of such things, and that BB is one of that fraternity, yes. That does not make your point valid, however.



And some guys had the same sort of problem in 2009. Expecting every player to be able to show up, every time, is foolishness. For example, and it happened in the same storm that gave Spikes his problem, I had tested out my snowblower the night before, and it had worked beautifully. I'd even made sure to test it throwing snow once the first inch was on the ground. When I woke up the next morning, the snowblower didn't start and I had to spend a lot of time getting the damned thing to work before I could clear the driveway.

**** happens.

Also, if the roads aren't well cleared, expecting players to show up is risking lives over a football practice that could have been re-scheduled or cancelled.

Hire a service to dig you out 2 hours before you have to leave......or get up early and shovel.