Spence

First day of practice for Spence today. Just getting to this point is a major victory. Steelers Nation is so proud of you and whatever happens, we're behind you. Go get 'em.

Spartacus

 

I will support Spence all the way. Until he misses his first assignment and gives up his blade of grass at which point I will proceed to call for him to be cut immediately and crucify the front office for not having the guts to make tough decisions to benefit the team and being too "loyal" and wasting another draft pick on an injury prone guy.

 

This is great news to hear. I hope he can work his way back to where he was pre-injury.

I can't remember, what did the team do with him? He isn't on IR, right?

 

Can't remember if it was board talk or coach talk that Spence would be trained as a MILB/SS hybrid. Glad he has been able to recover as much as he has from that horrible injury to his knee. Hoping that he can make it all the way back into his previous form and potentially into that safety linebacker hybrid. That would help out the future teams so much.

Lets go Spence!!

 

They must REALLY see something in this guy to let him stick around as long as they have. Belicheck would have canned him long ago. LOL.

 

he's got a long way to go yet. he was a good player, headsy. that should remain. power and change of direction will come into question more now. I really don't expect much from him until camp next year. by then he should have most of that back, or as much as he's going to get.

 

I think he is going to end up on the IR still, but I am glad he is practicing. I wish him the best, but think next year is the make or break for him.

When it comes to how much they like him...I don't think they haven't cut him because of that, I think it is there willingness to let him try to work his way through it and they are treating him correctly.

 

he was just a good football player and you have to give those type guys a serious chance.

 

I'm a Sean Spence fan. I hope he makes it back, hopefully if it's this year he can help special teams. If not it would be great to see him in training camp next year. I just hope he hasn't lost his speed, that was his main weapon as a linebacker, he pretty small in size for a linebacker. Keep it up Sean, Steelers nation is rooting for you.

 

I know you're kidding around but I worry that expectations are going to be too high for Spence now. If he comes back and looks average you know people are going to be saying exactly what you're being sarcastic about. Spence is definitely a solid player and seems to have a nose for the ball but I don't see him lighting up the world, and that will have some screaming exactly what you posted. Which is sad.

 

I know but that's just the cruelty of pro sports really. As long as the Steelers don't set their expectations too high he will get his fair chance though ya know? I suppose that's all that really matters anyway.

 

Butler said it would be a "miracle" if he was able to return and play this year, if ever. Kaboly said last week Spence was jogging around on the sideline and still had a limp. The ligaments are healed. The issue is the Nerve that was damaged and it ( very simple terms ) controls the foot. I've heard no-one has ever returned to play at the NFL level with this injury.

Spence has said he's been in every meeting and knows this defense and opponents. He's able to run and make cuts but so can I. Can he ever run and make cuts required from a NFL ILBer? He has heart. He has determination. He is today's version of Rocky Bleir with the Hero notation removed.

This team never gave up on Rocky and Rocky made it and never gave this Organization cause to regret their decisions. This is the Greatest Org. in the League and they've made the same commitment to Spence and I expect no less from them. Its up to Spence now and hopefully he can over come this most severe injury.

Rocky is my all-time favorite player and the Steelers are my all-time favorite team. Fact is the Team quietly doesn't expect Spence to return this year. They've thrown him a bone, a 3 week bone, then most likely he'll return to the IR. Next training camp will be Spence's time to show he's an NFL LBer or if he needs to change career paths. I for one am pulling him. He could be a true asset to this team.

Cajun-

 

Spence has missed the last 2 practices with a finger injury. Fear is it may be broken.

Kid can't catch a break.

 

Though it is easier for a D player to play with a broken finger/etc than an O player...so its not the end of the world...yet...but it does suck for him

 

http://www.steelers.com/news/articl...elt-good/74f9a5ad-1d62-4ffa-b7df-59e382e008ca


Here's a short clip of him practicing. He's moving around with no limp contrary to what kaboly tweeted.

This broken finger may be a blessing in disguise. He's getting three weeks of practicing with the team, getting a taste for what he almost lost forever, a fuel to work even harder for his dream that was nearly a nightmare.

The blessing part is this, he still practices with the team but in three weeks the team may be forced to IR him in favor of Sly. He continues to rehab the knee which is probably more mental than physical at this point. He has to trust the knee, believe it'll withstand whatever he does and simply forget that most horrific injury. Once he gets over that mental hurdle I think he'll be another Beast Steeler LBer.


What if in 2 weeks now his performance convinces the coaches to 53 him? Who gets waived? Sly? Garvin?

Cajun-

 

At this point I'd say Garvin...I dont remember seeing him do anything so far.

 

He played well in pre-season, Surprisingly made the 53 while both McFadden and Rolle got cut. His upside is 3x's that of Sly, but right now we must win EVERY game and right now Sly is better on D & STs.

Decisions decisions----

Cajun-

 

They should be making a decision this week on which they go with Spence.

Three choices, 1- 53 him, 2- waive him, 3- IR him

Cajun-

 

I think it could go either way, I could very well see them putting him on the roster and cutting/PS Wilson again or even Garvin.

Cajun-

 

If I had to place a bet on it, I think he goes to IR just to make sure he is right mentally and physically. The mental part sometimes is actually harder to come back from then the actual injury.

 

when "he" thinks he's ready.

 

Way to fight back Spence, don't stop now!!!!!