Actually they have, it's just that they haven't moved on this fast before. And the only obvious explanation for that would be the possibility of recouping sunk cost, which didn't exist under the old CBA because of arbitration rulings that interpreted it's language as precluding it. Hence they battled for and got some language changes in this one that at least until tested they believe offer them an opportunity to. However whether Fanene is an ideal test case will remain to be seen.
Thought it was interesting that Bedard stated he was sent home three weeks ago. That smacks a little of frustration ala Ty Warren. You didn't take care of your schit when you had the opportunity to and now you're going belly up on us again... Different of course in that he was on the back end of a deal they had gotten some early value on and he was their draftee and they had history some of which was quite positive. Put when push came to shove with him they shoved. He did go on to play although there is some question as to whether he has been worth the added investment for Denver since. Will probably see a similar situation unfold with Fanene, especially if he lands back in Cincy where they know him and for more reasonable money will likely be more inclined to work with him to extract whatever they can.
It's a lousy situation but as the doc Bedard spoke to stated arthritis isn't always easy to diagnose especially early on and if at the time unsymptomatic. Missing something like a hole in Tedy's heart happens because until that happened players weren't getting the kind of baseline heart testing that would reveal it. Knees are a different story, and that is one thing every player gets thoroughly assessed for often. But arthritis isn't some little anomoly that is well hidden and suddenly comes to light in a dramatic fashion. It's the result of a more gradual process where over time joints begin to succomb to the effects of cumulative long term wear and tear coupled with periodic acute stresses and viola, suddenly it's detectable (as inflamation). Sometimes it comes and goes at the outset, mitigated by a combination of rest and the use of anti inflamatories. Eventually those don't work as well, at least not for guys who are forced to get back at it on the professional level as athletes. Often times those are the guys who have been routinely lining up for their Toradol shot to get from game to game. And that may no longer be an option if the league bans it's use due to concerns about long term usage and even potential short term usage.
Bottom line they likely don't forsee solid long term production from Fanene and faced with the choice of muddling through and getting whatever the can out of him while risking further investment (be it in cash or roster space) vs. cutting your losses and possibly even having a punchers shot at recouping something via grievance or settlement, they chose the latter.
They will likely be a little more reticent about some signings going forward (guys like Carter coming to mind) but at the end of the day they will still have to take some risks. That's just the nature of the beast. Used to be easier to stock a roster with some grizzled vets you knew had issues but whom you also knew were gamers you could managed to get just enough out of. Now the value of developing younger depth sufficiently to plug those gaps will become more significant. Fanene was on the bubble as far as age of onset of the beginning of the end. And the bubble won. They were careful about the length of his signing - they'd have been fine with a very good first season and diminishing returns in season two and a vet mininum salary third season or parting of the ways altogether. Just couldn't even get past jump this time.
I don't think it's anybody's fault per say. It is what it is. Bill was his usual self in commenting on the situation. Just didn't work out. The decision to attempt to recoup some cash will be or has been made above his pay grade by people who aren't as simpatico with the guys who play this game because it's their money and they entered the fray as fans and to this day often take things more personally and at least initially react as fans would when disappointed.
