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Roster Rundown
Spears Has Already Been Missed
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last season and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is defensive end Marcus Spears.)
Name: Marcus Spears
Position: Defensive End
Height/Weight: 6-4/311
Experience: Six seasons
College: LSU
Key stat: In half a season of work, Spears had 24 tackles last year, with one for a loss. He registered no sacks for the first time in his career, however.
Contract Status: Due for unrestricted free agency.
2010 Impact: To say that the Cowboys' run defense struggled after Spears went down with the calf strain that landed him on Injured Reserve after eight games is sort of a half truth. First off, they were bad when he was healthy, and there was really no reason to expect they would get better with backups and free agents off the street taking over his snaps. When he did play, he was again taken off the field on third downs, and had some of the same problems in gap responsibility that plagued fellow run-stopping end Igor Olshansky.
Where He Fits: Unless he would come at a real bargain, the Cowboys have probably made up their minds to let Spears walk in his first chance at unrestricted free agency. Some in the organization think Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher or a combination of the two could be equally effective, and probably a good bit cheaper considering the fact that they haven't been starters throughout their careers as Spears has. If he does return to the Cowboys, Spears would likely settle back in as a first- and second-down player, as the team decided some time back that he couldn't provide significant push in pass rushing situations.
Writers' Analysis:
Josh Ellis: When the Cowboys decided to hand Spears the cheap tender last year and showed no real interest in getting anything worked out with him long-term, it became pretty clear how low he was on their priority list. This offseason they have to get Doug Free locked down, find a safety or two, keep some depth on their defensive line (with more than one player) and maybe rebuild the right side of the offensive line. I think Spears has been a good player for the Cowboys, but they've got too many other things to worry about to give him the money he can probably command on the open market.
Rob Phillips: To me, it seems like Spears finds himself in the same situation as his friend Chris Canty two years ago: he's done a solid job at defensive end, but how much are the Cowboys willing to pay to keep him? They let Canty take $42 million from the Giants. Spears might not command that much, but he'll also go see what he can get on the open market. He's been pretty effective against the run over the years, and his sack totals are low in part because he hasn't played third downs. No matter what happens, though, it's clear the Cowboys need more pass rush from their defensive ends around Jay Ratliff.
Spears Has Already Been Missed
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: Throughout the offseason, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the roster, analyzing each player's impact last season and how he fits into the team's 2011 plans. Today's featured player is defensive end Marcus Spears.)
Name: Marcus Spears
Position: Defensive End
Height/Weight: 6-4/311
Experience: Six seasons
College: LSU
Key stat: In half a season of work, Spears had 24 tackles last year, with one for a loss. He registered no sacks for the first time in his career, however.
Contract Status: Due for unrestricted free agency.
2010 Impact: To say that the Cowboys' run defense struggled after Spears went down with the calf strain that landed him on Injured Reserve after eight games is sort of a half truth. First off, they were bad when he was healthy, and there was really no reason to expect they would get better with backups and free agents off the street taking over his snaps. When he did play, he was again taken off the field on third downs, and had some of the same problems in gap responsibility that plagued fellow run-stopping end Igor Olshansky.
Where He Fits: Unless he would come at a real bargain, the Cowboys have probably made up their minds to let Spears walk in his first chance at unrestricted free agency. Some in the organization think Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher or a combination of the two could be equally effective, and probably a good bit cheaper considering the fact that they haven't been starters throughout their careers as Spears has. If he does return to the Cowboys, Spears would likely settle back in as a first- and second-down player, as the team decided some time back that he couldn't provide significant push in pass rushing situations.
Writers' Analysis:
Josh Ellis: When the Cowboys decided to hand Spears the cheap tender last year and showed no real interest in getting anything worked out with him long-term, it became pretty clear how low he was on their priority list. This offseason they have to get Doug Free locked down, find a safety or two, keep some depth on their defensive line (with more than one player) and maybe rebuild the right side of the offensive line. I think Spears has been a good player for the Cowboys, but they've got too many other things to worry about to give him the money he can probably command on the open market.
Rob Phillips: To me, it seems like Spears finds himself in the same situation as his friend Chris Canty two years ago: he's done a solid job at defensive end, but how much are the Cowboys willing to pay to keep him? They let Canty take $42 million from the Giants. Spears might not command that much, but he'll also go see what he can get on the open market. He's been pretty effective against the run over the years, and his sack totals are low in part because he hasn't played third downs. No matter what happens, though, it's clear the Cowboys need more pass rush from their defensive ends around Jay Ratliff.