I am ok with this (not that JS, MM or anyone else cares 😂!)
Spoon is a force multiplier because of his varied skill set that MM utilizes beautifully, but also his infectious Team First attitude.
It is crazy money for a small, lightweight CB, but as several have opined below, that is today’s NFL.
I am guessing the new owners to be must have signed off on this as well as the Terrion Arnold signing - if so, that is an excellent signal that the new owners will let the “Football People” do whatever it takes to put a winner on the field!
MoneyLynch nods approvingly every time a Hawk takes care of his chickens.
Spoon's violence and versatility are his greatest overall features, but they create his biggest vulnerability to injury. Blitzing, playing the run as aggressively (well) as he does and just nailing opponents at every opportunity puts him in contact with way bigger bodies, and he never backs down.
May he only live by the sword as long as possible.
I feel like the JS team pays for value. Not just the value of your production,but your value to the organization overall including things that happen in the field that aren't stat driven. There are so many valuable attributes that certain players bring to the table...just like yesterday's article about Kupp and what his value really looks like holistically. Spoon is so much more than just a good football player and that spark and confidence and accountability are part of why the org likely "overpaid" for him.
Yes Coach Mac spoke to that. Spoke how JSN and Spoon only 25 yo guys but leaders emotionally and by actions. Said that is unusual for young less experienced players. And he appreciates what they bring.
Not an over-pay at all in my opinion. Heck, Christian Gonzalez will like exceed this within a couple of weeks.
Spoon is a unique CB in that he can play the slot, go outside and is a great blitzer. He and E-man make the secondary sooooooo flexible and gives MM the tools to call up pretty much any scheme he can imagine.
Reminder: Witherspoon had two years remaining on his rookie deal including his 5th year option. With that in mind, it technically becomes a 6 year deal with an average APY of around $26M. That makes it easier to swallow...and why Schneider is amazing. Also, let's see the guarantee structure. You have $60M a year tied up in two players - Witherspoon and Njigba, with a lot of players yet to pay: Williams, Darnold, Murphy and eventually Emmanwori. That makes the 12-pick draft next year very very important to get young and cheep where we can.
That’s exactly it. They make sound huge but that $101 is more like $20 per year of guarantee. Much more reasonable for cap boom purposes. There is the PR side and then the accounting side.
First the money: $33M this year is 34, or 35 next year.
Second the intangibles: beyond his skills, he’s a ‘no drama’ asset. He doesn’t hold out, or sit out, We don’t have to deal with unnecessary penalties resulting in lost yards, downs or. Points, that’s gotta be worth something. And it extends to other players: be a team player, a good citizen and good things will happen, be a headache and maybe something else happens. Think of it as a civility bonus.
“Hey this is the NFL and ridiculous, absurd money is flying around everyday”
There must be a dozen ways to look at this. The M's couldn't get a utility infielder for this kind of money.
The NFL TV contracts are soon to expire, and we expect the 2030 salary cap to go up enough to cover any overpay we make in '26 or '27. So, yeah, sign The Spoon, then bring on "Byron Murphy [AND] Leonard Williams [AND] Nick Emmanwori [AND] Sam Darnold." Kick that can...
I think that’s part of their thinking with Spoon JSN Cross Abe Hall. Money sounds high but in 4-5 years what does it look like. Top 20 and not #1 or 2 this year
In some ways, this is a non-story. Spoon is a cornerstone player on a great defense and it’s unlikely that the Hawks could have gotten adequate value for him in a trade. Plus, with Spoon this team is a serious candidate to win consecutive SBs; without him…Anyway, there was no chance that the Hawks would not extend Spoon unless he wanted out and pulled a Geno. Next up: Leonard Williams.
The sad part of the extension is that in 2 years, Spoon's contract will get exceeded by others by millions more. Such is the NFL. I am certainly glad we got him signed though!!
Yep. Since Christian Gonzalez of the Patriots (who shares an agent with Spoons) has missed the last couple of practices with a "camp injury" while waiting for his contract extension, I'm thinking two days should do it. 😉
The deal is either an A or a D, there is no in between. If you think he's one of the top DBs in the league then it's an A. If you don't, it's a D (or F).
I gave the deal a C and I'm sticking with it. I think Witherspoon is an excellent corner overall, but so far, not so great against Puka Nacua, which I believe to be his single most important matchup. The best corners should be able to cover the best receivers at least half the time without a double team. I also have questions about his long-term durability. Given the market, I'm satisfied with the deal but not ecstatic. So, C.
I won't blow smoke, there are a couple plays where Puka and Davante get the best of Devon after he loses his balance while hand fighting but there is no CB that's better than Devon at run support, blowing up screens and blitzing... basically causing negative plays all the time.
So, what you're saying is that nobody's perfect and other athletes are really good too? There are probably 20-25 teams that wish they had a WR who could consistently beat Weatherspoon.
That sounds about right. And I would certainly be remiss if didn't say that Devon had the pass breakups on the Ram's last drive on 3rd and 4th down that kept them from a go-ahead TD in the NFC Championship game.
Everyone knew it would be a big number, but Spoon’s contract isn’t even surprising in the NFL’s financial environment. JS obviously recognized the situation and here we are! Great signing for the Hawks and I’m excited for the next five years of big hits and smack-talking from Spoon!
With my ultimate and intimate knowledge of how billionaires feel and think, I'll guess we are still in Honeymoon Mode, and pretty much anything Jodi, John, and Mike like, the new owners will like too.
I am ok with this (not that JS, MM or anyone else cares 😂!)
Spoon is a force multiplier because of his varied skill set that MM utilizes beautifully, but also his infectious Team First attitude.
It is crazy money for a small, lightweight CB, but as several have opined below, that is today’s NFL.
I am guessing the new owners to be must have signed off on this as well as the Terrion Arnold signing - if so, that is an excellent signal that the new owners will let the “Football People” do whatever it takes to put a winner on the field!
MoneyLynch nods approvingly every time a Hawk takes care of his chickens.
Spoon's violence and versatility are his greatest overall features, but they create his biggest vulnerability to injury. Blitzing, playing the run as aggressively (well) as he does and just nailing opponents at every opportunity puts him in contact with way bigger bodies, and he never backs down.
May he only live by the sword as long as possible.
So how does this pan out with what left of his rookie deal? The optics with that factored in help the optics right? Or am I mistaken?
I feel like the JS team pays for value. Not just the value of your production,but your value to the organization overall including things that happen in the field that aren't stat driven. There are so many valuable attributes that certain players bring to the table...just like yesterday's article about Kupp and what his value really looks like holistically. Spoon is so much more than just a good football player and that spark and confidence and accountability are part of why the org likely "overpaid" for him.
Yes Coach Mac spoke to that. Spoke how JSN and Spoon only 25 yo guys but leaders emotionally and by actions. Said that is unusual for young less experienced players. And he appreciates what they bring.
It’s only money and numbers, crazy stuff that any of us mere mortal fans can’t begin to comprehend. Point is, they all fit like a jigsaw puzzle.
Not an over-pay at all in my opinion. Heck, Christian Gonzalez will like exceed this within a couple of weeks.
Spoon is a unique CB in that he can play the slot, go outside and is a great blitzer. He and E-man make the secondary sooooooo flexible and gives MM the tools to call up pretty much any scheme he can imagine.
Reminder: Witherspoon had two years remaining on his rookie deal including his 5th year option. With that in mind, it technically becomes a 6 year deal with an average APY of around $26M. That makes it easier to swallow...and why Schneider is amazing. Also, let's see the guarantee structure. You have $60M a year tied up in two players - Witherspoon and Njigba, with a lot of players yet to pay: Williams, Darnold, Murphy and eventually Emmanwori. That makes the 12-pick draft next year very very important to get young and cheep where we can.
That’s exactly it. They make sound huge but that $101 is more like $20 per year of guarantee. Much more reasonable for cap boom purposes. There is the PR side and then the accounting side.
First the money: $33M this year is 34, or 35 next year.
Second the intangibles: beyond his skills, he’s a ‘no drama’ asset. He doesn’t hold out, or sit out, We don’t have to deal with unnecessary penalties resulting in lost yards, downs or. Points, that’s gotta be worth something. And it extends to other players: be a team player, a good citizen and good things will happen, be a headache and maybe something else happens. Think of it as a civility bonus.
“Hey this is the NFL and ridiculous, absurd money is flying around everyday”
There must be a dozen ways to look at this. The M's couldn't get a utility infielder for this kind of money.
The NFL TV contracts are soon to expire, and we expect the 2030 salary cap to go up enough to cover any overpay we make in '26 or '27. So, yeah, sign The Spoon, then bring on "Byron Murphy [AND] Leonard Williams [AND] Nick Emmanwori [AND] Sam Darnold." Kick that can...
I think that’s part of their thinking with Spoon JSN Cross Abe Hall. Money sounds high but in 4-5 years what does it look like. Top 20 and not #1 or 2 this year
In some ways, this is a non-story. Spoon is a cornerstone player on a great defense and it’s unlikely that the Hawks could have gotten adequate value for him in a trade. Plus, with Spoon this team is a serious candidate to win consecutive SBs; without him…Anyway, there was no chance that the Hawks would not extend Spoon unless he wanted out and pulled a Geno. Next up: Leonard Williams.
And DLaw retiring frees up money available to pay Bug Cat.
The sad part of the extension is that in 2 years, Spoon's contract will get exceeded by others by millions more. Such is the NFL. I am certainly glad we got him signed though!!
It’s likely going to be surpassed in next couple of weeks actually.
I suggest it will take only two hours, two days, or two weeks at most for The Spoons contract to be exceeded.
Yep. Since Christian Gonzalez of the Patriots (who shares an agent with Spoons) has missed the last couple of practices with a "camp injury" while waiting for his contract extension, I'm thinking two days should do it. 😉
As long as he is able to perform as the highest level CB in the league, the pay is justified.
The deal is either an A or a D, there is no in between. If you think he's one of the top DBs in the league then it's an A. If you don't, it's a D (or F).
I gave Schneider an A on this one.
I gave the deal a C and I'm sticking with it. I think Witherspoon is an excellent corner overall, but so far, not so great against Puka Nacua, which I believe to be his single most important matchup. The best corners should be able to cover the best receivers at least half the time without a double team. I also have questions about his long-term durability. Given the market, I'm satisfied with the deal but not ecstatic. So, C.
You took the words right out of my mouth.
I won't blow smoke, there are a couple plays where Puka and Davante get the best of Devon after he loses his balance while hand fighting but there is no CB that's better than Devon at run support, blowing up screens and blitzing... basically causing negative plays all the time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbn8EjYZgaQ
And also to Marvin Harrison Jr. but yes most will lose sometimes. Close game because of poor coverage. But then he had a great playoff run.
I would say that Devon's coverage against MHJ on the play was actually stellar, the receiver just made a great catch.
https://www.nfl.com/videos/can-t-miss-play-marvin-harrison-jr-mosses-witherspoon-for-16-yard-td-catch
Agree. Overall, I think DW is terrific and I'm really glad we got him locked down.
Now, let's hope that our newest CB doesn't get locked UP.
So, what you're saying is that nobody's perfect and other athletes are really good too? There are probably 20-25 teams that wish they had a WR who could consistently beat Weatherspoon.
That sounds about right. And I would certainly be remiss if didn't say that Devon had the pass breakups on the Ram's last drive on 3rd and 4th down that kept them from a go-ahead TD in the NFC Championship game.
I’m all for this deal it would have more expensive later on by far.
Everyone knew it would be a big number, but Spoon’s contract isn’t even surprising in the NFL’s financial environment. JS obviously recognized the situation and here we are! Great signing for the Hawks and I’m excited for the next five years of big hits and smack-talking from Spoon!
I wonder if the new owners chimed in on the deal? I’m glad Spoon is coming back to the Hawks. I do hope he stays healthy.
With my ultimate and intimate knowledge of how billionaires feel and think, I'll guess we are still in Honeymoon Mode, and pretty much anything Jodi, John, and Mike like, the new owners will like too.