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I have been mulling over the Weddle situation in my mind. He is one of my favorite players, unquestionably the best defensive player on this team (has been for years), durable, great team guy, the kind of player you want the rest of the team to emulate. So why not sign him to an extension? The Chargers have the money, it would send a great signal that they value and reward the qualities Weddle brings, and it would even give them more cap space (not a very big issue at this time)?
Here is why I think they are not moving, and it is a bit of a gamble, but maybe the right business decision:
- Weddle is currently already under contract. He is very well paid. In fact some pundits and NFL people made fun of the Chargers when they signed Weddle to the deal. He is not 'disrespected' from a financial standpoint.
- Weddle is already playing, and has been playing, at the highest level imaginable for him. He has been an outstanding player. He has little room to go up.
- Weddle is approaching an age when skills unfortunately begin to erode. There are things to do to compensate, and Weddle does them already. But eventually time wins.
- Chargers can take advantage of observing Weddle another year and then making this decision. Why rush into a long term deal now that could hurt the team in the long run if Weddle sees a steep decline?
- Amount Weddle makes is not going to go up after this year. It will remain high/ at near his current level whether he signs in San Diego or elsewhere. There is no risk to 'not locking him up now' from a dollars sense. He is going to be well paid no matter what and the market is pretty well known because his skill is pretty well known.
- Chargers know Weddle wants to remain with this team, even if he is pouting now
- Chargers don't need the cap space. And that is why an older player like Weddle is typically extended. Younger guys are extended to 'lock them up' and older guys are extended because they are known quantities and the team needs to free up short term money. Chargers don't need that from Weddle.
- Maybe the Rivers - Weddle thing really is intertwined....can't franchise two players. Chargers need to lock up Rivers first then they can start Weddle negotiations and use the tag as leverage with Weddle if they need it???
I think too many of us rush to the "Spanos is cheap!" conclusion as a convenient explanation for things we don't like or understand. The same ones of us who will lament "Telesco put us in terrible cap space by signing Weddle to this big contract he is underperforming" should it work out that way. See Butler, Donald. I don't remember too many of us fans feeling like signing an ascending young player like Butler to a big deal was a bad move at the time. But a lot of us feel that way now.
TG
Here is why I think they are not moving, and it is a bit of a gamble, but maybe the right business decision:
- Weddle is currently already under contract. He is very well paid. In fact some pundits and NFL people made fun of the Chargers when they signed Weddle to the deal. He is not 'disrespected' from a financial standpoint.
- Weddle is already playing, and has been playing, at the highest level imaginable for him. He has been an outstanding player. He has little room to go up.
- Weddle is approaching an age when skills unfortunately begin to erode. There are things to do to compensate, and Weddle does them already. But eventually time wins.
- Chargers can take advantage of observing Weddle another year and then making this decision. Why rush into a long term deal now that could hurt the team in the long run if Weddle sees a steep decline?
- Amount Weddle makes is not going to go up after this year. It will remain high/ at near his current level whether he signs in San Diego or elsewhere. There is no risk to 'not locking him up now' from a dollars sense. He is going to be well paid no matter what and the market is pretty well known because his skill is pretty well known.
- Chargers know Weddle wants to remain with this team, even if he is pouting now
- Chargers don't need the cap space. And that is why an older player like Weddle is typically extended. Younger guys are extended to 'lock them up' and older guys are extended because they are known quantities and the team needs to free up short term money. Chargers don't need that from Weddle.
- Maybe the Rivers - Weddle thing really is intertwined....can't franchise two players. Chargers need to lock up Rivers first then they can start Weddle negotiations and use the tag as leverage with Weddle if they need it???
I think too many of us rush to the "Spanos is cheap!" conclusion as a convenient explanation for things we don't like or understand. The same ones of us who will lament "Telesco put us in terrible cap space by signing Weddle to this big contract he is underperforming" should it work out that way. See Butler, Donald. I don't remember too many of us fans feeling like signing an ascending young player like Butler to a big deal was a bad move at the time. But a lot of us feel that way now.
TG
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