Rookie Assessment: Spears, Canty, Burnett

[JonJon]

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/6751/rookies0cu.jpg


How would you assess the rookie defensive class?

We all know that DeMarcus Ware had a solid first season, but how would you assess the other defensive rookies? I am sure most of us had high hopes for all of them coming into the season. Here is my assessment.

I was a little disappointed in Spears. I wouldn't dare say he is a bust, but I just expected more from a first round player. He did show signs of greatness at times, but I think he gets distracted at times and becomes lackadaisical. Scouts had him as a pure pass rusher coming into the season, but I really didn't see him getting a lot of pressure during the season. It is a shame that he had that injury in training camp. I think that was a huge set back for him. If he can stay healthy this offseason, I think he will become a solid starter. Final Grade: C-

Chris Canty showed a lot of potential. His physical build allows him to be agile and quick, and I think he will get much better with a full offseason to work with. Remember earlier this year, or last year I should say, we didn't know if he would even be able to play this season because he was drafted with injury concerns. But I see why he was so highly touted as one of the the top defensive players in college before he got hurt. I think he will be a fine player and maybe a pro bowl caliber player for us in the future, and maybe the steal of the 2005 draft. Final Grade: B-

Out of all the draft picks, I was most disappointed in Burnett. He is another rookie that struggled with injuries in the offseason which effected his learning curve. I really don't think he knows what his role is just yet, and I don't know if Parcells knows either. He was great in college, but I get the feeling that he either doesn't care or just doesn't want to be here. Hopefully, we can get a better assessment of his dedication during the offseason by seeing how hard he works. The kid has a load of potential, but that doesn't mean anything if he just sits on it. Again, I would never label him a bust this soon, but the kid needs to get the ball rolling, because in this NFL, players need to be ready to play. Final Grade: D

[demdcowboys#1]

Where is DeMarcus Ware at????????????

It would boost the assessment if he was added:D

Anyway, here is my assesment

DeMarcus Ware- 8 sacks, consistently making plays, in the backfield and QB's face non-stop..........nough said

DeMarcus Ware = A+
Chris Canty = B+
Marcus Spears = B
Kevin Burnett = C

[Murph80]

I would give Spears Canty and Ware all A's they all started as rookies what more can you ask for. They will all be much improved next year. Look Out.

Burnett was a little behind this year in his development as a LB. And should have done better on Special teams. He reminds me of Marcus Steele.

[joseephuss]

Spears was taken out of the game in passing situations, so that would effect his sack totals. Same with Canty.

[silver]

Ware A
Spears B
Canty B+
Burnett D

[Trip]

A- overall.

Ware is an impact player.

Spears and Canty will fixtures at DE, and I believe both will have careers equal to or better than Greg Ellis.

Burnett's incomplete. We don't know about him yet. He's the only one that has potential bust written on him.

[dargonking999]

I'd have to say Canty was the best rookie this year, IMO.

Yes i said it, Canty over Ware. Why, because before this season even started this guy was even suppose to play. And nobody knew what he could do after eye and knee surgery. What did he do 16 games played 35 tackels 2.5 sacks. Ware had a good year, but canty overcame his injuries, pushed harder than alot of rookies, never compained, got out on the field and was a constant force game in and game out.

Canty-A+
Ware-A
Spears-B
Burnett-D

Out of all the rookies Burnett dissapointed me the most. Many times when he was on the field it didnt look like he was trying his best. He was constaltly getting injured, and i dont think he even wants to be here. Hopefully i'm wrong, but i would say out of all the rookies, Burnett is the one who needs to go.

[sago1]

You failed to include Jay Ratliff on this assessment. He only played in few games but showed promise/aggressiveness as backup behind Spears; when Spears started over Coleman, Ratliff was able to beat out Coleman to become Spears backup. Shows some potential for Ratliff's future which conditioning program in March will only improve. I'd certainly give him decent grade for his efforts given where he was drafted.

Frankly I think we did amazing well with rookie class. Too many of us expect these kids to start almost the first day and make major impression and it rarely happens that way. Expect to see a lot of improvement next year but even then it probably 3rd year before all start reaching their full potential. Bradie James looked good this year compared with last year's bust performance as some called it. And, although not members of draft class, Pepper Johnson looked pretty good in 1 game he played in at DT. How much can he improve next year cause Parcells sure likes him.

I'm not down on any of our rookie players cause I think they did as well as could be expected. Most other teams rarely start so many rookies and are dependent on so many rookies. If you hear of 1 maybe 2 rookies getting lot of playing time that is big news for many of those clubs.

[joseephuss]

Out of all the rookies Burnett dissapointed me the most. Many times when he was on the field it didnt look like he was trying his best. He was constaltly getting injured, and i dont think he even wants to be here. Hopefully i'm wrong, but i would say out of all the rookies, Burnett is the one who needs to go.

How did you come up with that assessment? He didn't play enough to say he was a good pick, but I don't know why anyone would question his desire. Maybe you are right, but it seems more like wild speculation that something that can be seen on the field. He seemd to play highly motivated in his few brief appearances. Lots of energy. The fact that he kept coming back from injuries seems more indicative that he did want to be around. At this point, I don't think he had a good year and don't know how he will turn out. Hoping for better luck on the injuries for next year. Unfortunately, not every pick will work out.

[NovaCowboy]

you guys are very generous

if we're grading for this years performance:

Ware: B+
Spears: D
Canty: C
Burnett: D-

Ware may be the only legit starter out of the whole group and he needs to learn an inside move or he wont amount to a hill of beans.

[dargonking999]

How did you come up with that assessment? He didn't play enough to say he was a good pick, but I don't know why anyone would question his desire. Maybe you are right, but it seems more like wild speculation that something that can be seen on the field. He seemd to play highly motivated in his few brief appearances. Lots of energy. The fact that he kept coming back from injuries seems more indicative that he did want to be around. At this point, I don't think he had a good year and don't know how he will turn out. Hoping for better luck on the injuries for next year. Unfortunately, not every pick will work out.

Its speacial teams, its' Defense. Somtiems he'd come out fired up, but more times he didnt. With all the injuries to the LB corp, burnett maybe started one game. When traded and signed other teams cast offs, instead of starting him. their was a reason for that. IMO i dont think he will start here unless he starts playing like it.

[big dog cowboy]

So much for waiting 3 years to grade draft picks. I will say that overall this is an solid and exciting group and will only improve each year.

[jem88]

IMO i dont think he will start here unless he starts playing like it. Possibly the most redundant thing I've ever read.

[thssanders]

Look how long it took bradie james to develop. Now he is a legitimate player and one who played very well this year. Don't give up on burnett yet, and you know parcells won't since he drafted him. Anybody know which linebackers will be free agents in the offseason?

[EveryoneElse]

Chris Canty was our best draft choice, imo. For the round that we got him in and the player he is gunna be....I put that pick up there with the Jason Witten steel a few years ago.

Ofcourse Canty isn't DeMarcus Ware, but we got a player a notch below Ware in the late rounds.....that was our best draft choice.

Ware- A++(absolute freak)
Canty- A(Steel of this draft)
Spears- B-(Does his job, not sexy, but does his job)
Burnett- D-(really needs to come back a different player next year.)

Can't wait to see these guys next year.

[Paniolo22]

Spears played really well last night. We forget that his job is to occupy blockers, and not to get the fancy numbers.

[Jarv]

I think Ellis outplayed Spears and Canty. Better at run support and pass rushing. For some reason he just not a BP guy, which kinda surprises me.

[Big Country]

dargonk... I'm glad you're not the GM. That's a little harsh on Burnett... Let's wait until next year, the jury's still out. Canty over Ware??? Please! Two totally different positions... Both will be improved next year though. I'll call for a successful 05 draft on those two players if... Ware gets 10 - 12 sacks per season and is the continued backfeld terror he is supposed to be, and if Canty becomes more of a consistent playmaker than Ellis...

[Big Country]

Spears played really well last night. We forget that his job is to occupy blockers, and not to get the fancy numbers.

Tell that to Richard Seymour, he can get some of those fancy numbers... Spears plays the same position and the sky's the limit for him IMO. Spears has the same amount of upside now that Seymour did in his early years.

[ghst187]

My grades based on performance vs value at draft selection:
D Ware: A
Canty: A+
Spears: B+
Burnnet: C (thought he was a steal at the time, still waiting)
MBIII: A+ huge steal, was actually the better back overall this year given JJ's injuries, this guy runs with passion and vision. Love this guy.
Berault: Incomplete
Ratliff: Incomplete (but looking promising)
Pettiti: D

[Jay9508]

canty, and spears had alimited role in the defense this year. burnett couldn't stay healthy. but expect all of them to be something great on our defense

[Smurfinaus]

Havent read anywhere where Spears would be a great pass rusher. If anything he is more like Ellis..more of a run stuffer and allaround solid contributor..

[dmq]

I really thought we lost a player when we lost Ratliff. THe others are as good as you could expect from rookies.

[jbsg02]

Burnett struggled to get on the field, but that was because he plays the same side as Demarcus Ware.

[CactusCowboy]

Canty and Ware will be stars...........

[Clove]

Ware - A
Spears - B
Canty - B
Burnett - Incomplete

[ratpower]

Ware A
Spears B
Canty B+
Burnett D

Ditto...except drop Spears to a B- and give Canty a B. Still, from where we thought Canty might be in the summer to now, he may be the biggest steal of the draft...the future looks good in this area...

[ratpower]

Also, Ratliff and Pepper are going to stick around...they are active and from the little we saw, could be contributing players too...