Can we cut Spears?

[fanfromvirginia]

So the answer is a big no, thanks for clearing that up.

Yeah, it was a legitimate question worth asking. If the answer had been different -- say if cutting Spears would knock a million or two off the cap -- then it would be a tough choice.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

There are a lot of holes to fill on this team and positions to make some upgrading with. I'd think adding yet another person to have to replace wouldn't be the wisest decision at this point.

 

[Doomsday101]

If Spears is cuttable, then so are 15-20 guys on this team, so it shouldn't happen, at least not this year. He may be a JAG at this stage of his career but good luck getting rid of all the JAGs on this team in one year and replacing them with non-JAGs.

Most teams have plenty of jags of their own, reason no one can afford to have 53 stud players on their roster.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I absolutely cut him because of his play. But you don't just keep him cause he is "coachable" and jolly type leader in locker room. The core issue with this team is that their leaders on both sides of the ball are "warm and fuzzy personalities" who fail to produce when it matters most.

Spears is the least of this teams problems. This team will live and die by Romo, Ware, Sean Lee, Miles, Dez, Demarco and Felix. This team doesn't lack "nasty" players. It simply lacks players. Everytime one team wins a championship people look to duplicate what they did and they never succeed in doing it. Cowboys need to stick to their game plan. Don't stray off because the Giants got a championship playing "nasty".

 

[Wood]

point is...Spears (aka JAG) is one of leaders of this defense. I am ok with JAGs filling out their roles...but when your JAG is one of your leaders and spokesman in locker room (and trust me he is) you have a problem. The results speak for themselves. Hatcher comments just solidified what is largely known.

 

[Cowboyz88]

Yes, all teams have JAGs, but just like as there are levels of Superstars, there are also levels of JAGs, and I would venture to say that the Cowboys JAGs, as a collective of which Spears is a key member, are on the lower end in the league.

I would point to the teams lack of success over the years as evidence (also that our QB had a signature year, yet had little team support).

We have 8-10 really good players, and then a bunch of scrubs, and IMO, the Cowboys really need to upgrade (mentally and physically) the "middle class" on the team.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yes, all teams have JAGs, but just like as there are levels of Superstars, there are also levels of JAGs, and I would venture to say that the Cowboys JAGs, as a collective of which Spears is a key member, are on the lower end in the league.

I would point to the teams lack of success over the years as evidence (also that our QB had a signature year, yet had little team support).

We have 8-10 really good players, and then a bunch of scrubs, and IMO, the Cowboys really need to upgrade (mentally and physically) the "middle class" on the team.

That is all well and fine but you only have so many picks and can only make so many FA pickups.

I expect the Cowboys to upgrade areas I don't expect it will be done all this off season and cutting Spears only leave yet another hole to fill when we have holes due to releases in FA (Brooking and James) as well as the likely departure of Newman,Ball,Walker and maybe Spencer, a likely goner in Elam
Dockery and Holland both FA could very well be cut loose and I think we will lose Bennett. so again with only so many picks and only so much cash to spend in FA why create more holes, when we have enough holes to fill right now?

I'm not saying you don't try to upgrade so called JAGS but there is something to be said for being practical and realistic. I know many would like to get rid of many players and then what? How do all these position get filled?

 

[Dodger]

If Spears is cuttable, then so are 15-20 guys on this team...

That estimate is about right...except Spears isn't one of them.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

point is...Spears (aka JAG) is one of leaders of this defense. I am ok with JAGs filling out their roles...but when your JAG is one of your leaders and spokesman in locker room (and trust me he is) you have a problem. The results speak for themselves. Hatcher comments just solidified what is largely known.

Your argument that the D needs leaders I think is spot on (although I wouldn't be surprised if Lee emerges as one over time.) Cutting Spears doesn't do anything to solve that problem, though. Acquire a real leader on D (via the draft or FA) and he'll step up regardless of what Spears happens to be doing/saying at any given moment.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Cutting Spears doesn't do anything. His salary cap figure is only $2.5 million and he would actually be more expensive to cut ($3 million cap hit) than to keep.

If you want to cut an under-performing defensive end, Kenyon Coleman's $1.9 million is not guaranteed in 2012. You can cut him free and clear.

Good point about Spears and his impact or nonimpact on the salary cap.
Thx for sharing.

 

[bigboi]

Spears deserves to be cut because he is overpayed for his production, he is getting starters money while being a rotation guy only.

Add in the fact that he is not even a rotational pass rusher and it makes it even worse.

 

[gimmesix]

and save $? I'm not sure how the cap would work in this situation. If we were to cut him now would we save any $, or is the guaranteed $ he's owed make it not worth it to cut him at this point. I bring this up because hes obviously not a vital part of our defense and is probably overpaid.

Depth is a vital part of our defense, and Spears provides it. I'm all for upgrading, but the only way Spears is worth cutting is if we bring in a starting-caliber player who pushes him off the roster. And even then, I think Coleman would be the first to go.