FWST: Spears says he understands role now that he's not a starter

[WoodysGirl]

Defensive end Marcus Spears said he has accepted the idea that he’s not a starter.

“I’ve been a starter for six years in the league. This year I’m not,” he said.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said Friday that Hatcher has earned the starting spot.

“You’ve just got to step up in your role,” Spears said. “I have a different role now. ... When my number is called, you’ve got to go in the game and try to contribute and do what you can do.


Read more: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...a-starter.html

[Joshmvii]

Spears knows he got 1st round money and hasn't performed at a spectacular level. He also just got a decent new contract. You can tell he's a pretty smart guy when he interviews, so I'm sure he's doing well with his money. He likes being a Cowboy, and he's still going to see the field a lot in the rotation.

Spears is not a flashy guy, but to go out and play last year being paid less than his backups and not say anything, and then to go out and play this year and not make a fuss about starting or what not just shows that he's the kind of guy you want in your d-line rotation.

[TheCount]

Spears is as classy as they come, I'm glad we resigned the guy.

[PoetTree]

Um, I thought Spears was starting on the left and Hatcher on the right? Who is our other starting end??

[Cowboys22]

Anyone else noticed that Hatcher has more than doubled the production of Bowen throught the first two games?

[Joshmvii]

Originally Posted by PoetTree

Um, I thought Spears was starting on the left and Hatcher on the right? Who is our other starting end??

Hatcher and Coleman are the starters.

[Stautner]

Originally Posted by Cowboys22

Anyone else noticed that Hatcher has more than doubled the production of Bowen throught the first two games?

I think that has more to do with the scheme and Ryan's attack mode defense. Not saying Hatcher isn't a good player and doing well, but when Hatcher and Bowen were in the same scheme Hatcher was not the more productive player.

[newnationcb]

Originally Posted by Stautner

I think that has more to do with the scheme and Ryan's attack mode defense. Not saying Hatcher isn't a good player and doing well, but when Hatcher and Bowen were in the same scheme Hatcher was not the more productive player.

But he always showed similar potential as a pass rusher and was a better run stopper (Wade Philips explicitly stated this himself).

I always wondered why people didn't see that in him.

[tyke1doe]

Translation: no free meal tickets under Garrett.

[JIGGYFLY]

Originally Posted by Joshmvii

Spears knows he got 1st round money and hasn't performed at a spectacular level. He also just got a decent new contract. You can tell he's a pretty smart guy when he interviews, so I'm sure he's doing well with his money. He likes being a Cowboy, and he's still going to see the field a lot in the rotation.

Spears is not a flashy guy, but to go out and play last year being paid less than his backups and not say anything, and then to go out and play this year and not make a fuss about starting or what not just shows that he's the kind of guy you want in your d-line rotation.

So Hatcher should get the same accolades because he is getting paid less than his backup this year, right?

[ThreeSportStar80]

Spears is one of my favorite Cowboys because he's a class act and a true professional.

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by tyke1doe

Translation: no free meal tickets under Garrett.

That's it right there.

Under Wade, a starter would have to fall dead on the field in order to be moved out of the starter's spot.

[Joshmvii]

Originally Posted by JIGGYFLY

So Hatcher should get the same accolades because he is getting paid less than his backup this year, right?

Hatcher got a decent new 3 year deal before the season. If he keeps getting sacks and turns into some sort of monster DE in this defense, maybe he'll get a new one.

[Dough Boy]

Originally Posted by ThreeSportStar80

Spears is one of my favorite Cowboys because he's a class act and a true professional.

I'm still on the Spears bandwagon with you. Unlike most fans, I'm not going to knock Spears in order to say that Hatch is playing @ a higher level this year. I liked Hatch a lot coming out of Grambling. Its a small school, plus Hatch was always hurt; I think he is finally coming into the player Parcells thought he could be. I'm glad we resigned him. He can be a playmaker on the DL.

That being said, I still like Spears. True professional.

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by Dough Boy

I'm still on the Spears bandwagon with you. Unlike most fans, I'm not going to knock Spears in order to say that Hatch is playing @ a higher level this year. I liked Hatch a lot coming out of Grambling. Its a small school, plus Hatch was always hurt; I think he is finally coming into the player Parcells thought he could be. I'm glad we resigned him. He can be a playmaker on the DL.

That being said, I still like Spears. True professional.

Same here, I like both guys and expect both to make plays when they are in the game. Hatcher went out and won the starting role but with the way defense rotate in and out of the game Spears remains an important part of this defense.