Brain overload.

He could have started (he was a first round pick), but he wasn’t as good as Tobeck, and he still is not. As far as the number 45 goes, oh nevermind, I really could care less. He has played ok when he has been in there, but he has had some major injuries (both shoulders), and as far as being consistent, great I can point out 100’s of other guys who are consistent over a two year peroid (which he hasn’t been over the last two years, just two years ago). I want a guy who doesn’t miss practice, and can go two years without being on the operating table, Spencer has not.

Not an aged vet. He’s breaking down and that’s the truth.

I started off with a great deal hope for this guy. He is a physical beast that can manhandle people off the line. Watched him do it in 2006 when he stepped in and thought he was a Pro Bowl center of the future.

But he suffered injuries each year he played missing practice and camp at a position that requires extra work in practice and camp because you are the center of a hub on the O-line that requires you to have an extra level of coordination wih the players around you.

You communicate with the QB to see if he missed anything. You communicate with each side of the line to make sure they are up to speed. You have alot to do and missing practice as a center, especially as much as Spencer has missed, early in your career slows your development.

If the mental part of the game weren’t the most important aspect of being a center, Toebeck probably would have been a backup and everyone would just find some huge beast to man the center of their line.

SPENCER IS NOT A PRO-BOWLER end of story. These are some of the guys that can get away with missing some practice, Spencer can’t he is not as good as these guys (yet). Feel free to point out these guys, it still doens’t prove Spencer is on their level, it just shows what Spencer has yet to prove in the league.

Once again I like Spencer, but he needs to be out there for all of the snaps this year, if not it is time to let Unger (or Vallos) go. If he could have gone this whole year and shown the “upside” we all have seen in spurts, then great sign him, I have yet to see it game after game.

then do we really want to start a rookie center? Or, put differently, Unger must be something if he could upgrade the line over a 4 year veteran with better physical tools.

I told people to wait for Spencer to develop and he’d be awsome. Takes years to learn center.
But that’s if you’re in practice developing a relationship with your O-line and QB, earning their respect and trust, rather than rehabbing on the bench most of the week and coming in on Sunday underprepared.

I want that guy who can connect with our QB and the line and lead them. I have never heard once anyone talk that way about Spencer. And he’s been breaking down since he became a starter.

This injury was just a matter of time. We need to solidify the middle of our line with a guy who can be at practice and set the tone and example for the entire line if we want a top flight O-line going into the next decade.

I say start Unger now while he can work with Hasselbeck. Then when we get our next QB, Unger will be able to help him with line calls and protections to accelerate the learning process.

Sign Spencer as a backup for a year to see if he can get it together. But don’t rely on him as the starter. He’s too young to breaking down like he is and it will only get worse as he gets older, not better.