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By RAINER SABIN / The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer (93) strips the ball from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb during the first half of Dallas' 14-13 win Sunday, January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa.
As the Cowboys’ defense collapsed last season, yielding the second-highest total of points in the NFL, several players were assigned blame. But DeMarcus Ware wasn’t one of them.
Ware continued to add bullet points to a resume that is already chock full of lines noting his accomplishments.
In 2010, he led the league with 15 1/2 sacks while pressuring the quarterback 56 times — 28 more than any other Cowboys player, according to Pro Football Focus. He was also selected to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl.
But as Ware thrived, the team’s other starter at outside linebacker, Anthony Spencer, regressed. Spencer had five sacks, one less sack in 2009, and he was not nearly as disruptive.
He produced only nine quarterback knockdowns — 19 1/2 fewer than he had in 2009 when he had the third-highest total in the league. In fact, 72 players exceeded Spencer’s output in that category.
But even as Spencer’s performance declined, Victor Butler was unable to unseat his teammate and was then ruled inactive in Week 14 because of poor special teams play. Nevertheless, Butler, who made two sacks and 24 tackles, was on the field for 157 snaps and was usually deployed in nickel and dime packages.
While Butler’s responsibilities could increase, Brandon Williams’ standing remains uncertain. Rarely used in his second season, Williams played 30 snaps and collected four tackles. Under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, his role could increase.
What the Cowboys should do: Ryan indicated this week that he’s confident Anthony Spencer will succeed in the new defensive scheme. Based on Ryan’s assessment of Spencer, it’s hard to imagine the Cowboys breaking the bank for a free agent or using a high draft pick to secure an outside linebacker.
Interesting fact: Since entering the league in 2005, DeMarcus Ware has accumulated 80 sacks, six more than any other player during that period.
On the roster
Victor Butler 23
Anthony Spencer 27
DeMarcus Ware 28
Brandon Williams 22
Who’s available
Mathias Kiwanuka NYG..........Neck injury derailed OLB/DE hybrid in 2010
Manny Lawson SF................Played in 3-4 and made 59 tackles in 2010
Von Miller A&M.....................Would they use first pick on DeSoto grad?
Matt Roth Cle. ...................86 tackles in 2010 in Rob Ryan defense
Kamerion Wimbley Oak. ........Raiders will probably keep him
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer (93) strips the ball from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb during the first half of Dallas' 14-13 win Sunday, January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa.
As the Cowboys’ defense collapsed last season, yielding the second-highest total of points in the NFL, several players were assigned blame. But DeMarcus Ware wasn’t one of them.
Ware continued to add bullet points to a resume that is already chock full of lines noting his accomplishments.
In 2010, he led the league with 15 1/2 sacks while pressuring the quarterback 56 times — 28 more than any other Cowboys player, according to Pro Football Focus. He was also selected to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl.
But as Ware thrived, the team’s other starter at outside linebacker, Anthony Spencer, regressed. Spencer had five sacks, one less sack in 2009, and he was not nearly as disruptive.
He produced only nine quarterback knockdowns — 19 1/2 fewer than he had in 2009 when he had the third-highest total in the league. In fact, 72 players exceeded Spencer’s output in that category.
But even as Spencer’s performance declined, Victor Butler was unable to unseat his teammate and was then ruled inactive in Week 14 because of poor special teams play. Nevertheless, Butler, who made two sacks and 24 tackles, was on the field for 157 snaps and was usually deployed in nickel and dime packages.
While Butler’s responsibilities could increase, Brandon Williams’ standing remains uncertain. Rarely used in his second season, Williams played 30 snaps and collected four tackles. Under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, his role could increase.
What the Cowboys should do: Ryan indicated this week that he’s confident Anthony Spencer will succeed in the new defensive scheme. Based on Ryan’s assessment of Spencer, it’s hard to imagine the Cowboys breaking the bank for a free agent or using a high draft pick to secure an outside linebacker.
Interesting fact: Since entering the league in 2005, DeMarcus Ware has accumulated 80 sacks, six more than any other player during that period.
On the roster
Victor Butler 23
Anthony Spencer 27
DeMarcus Ware 28
Brandon Williams 22
Who’s available
Mathias Kiwanuka NYG..........Neck injury derailed OLB/DE hybrid in 2010
Manny Lawson SF................Played in 3-4 and made 59 tackles in 2010
Von Miller A&M.....................Would they use first pick on DeSoto grad?
Matt Roth Cle. ...................86 tackles in 2010 in Rob Ryan defense
Kamerion Wimbley Oak. ........Raiders will probably keep him