DC.COM Blog: How Should The Cowboys Treat RFA Spears?

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by jellis at 2/4/2010 4:18 PM CST on truebluefanclub.com

I'll refer you to this story from Nick Eatman in the Dallas Cowboys Star Magazine to give you Marcus Spears' feelings on his impending restricted free agency.

Spears naturally wants to be fairly compensated, though he knows the Cowboys essentially control his rights in the impending uncapped year. Placing at least a first-round level tender on Spears would make the compensation such to keep other teams away.

Spears would make $2.4 million with no guarantees, considerably less than he would command on the open market. Like any of the RFAs this year, he'll see the $42 million over six years Chris Canty got from the Giants last year, or even the $18 million over four years Igor Olshansky got from the Cowboys, and want some security of his own.

The question is, should the Cowboys give it to him? One of the things remaining to be seen in this CBA uncertainty is how teams will treat the restricted players that previously would have been unrestricted. Do they take advantage of the situation to save some money? Do they go ahead and pay the guy a fair price? How do they decide which players deserve something long-term, and which should have to ride out a less-than market value tender deal?

"They have almost a year cushion before they have to do anything with me," Spears told Eatman back in December. "You can see what kind of guys (the Joneses) are; you can see what kind of management we have. They didn't have to sign D-Ware but the gesture was good and they did what they felt was the right thing to do. Now, do they feel the same way about me? I don't know, but I'm hoping that they do. If not, it'll be OK."

What would you do to make things OK with Spears?

 

[DasTex]

I'd offer a reasonable long term deal, but if he's looking for big $$$ - will have to find it elsewhere.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

He's a role player, nothing more nothing less.

While role players are important, they are replaceable.

I'm disappointed in Spears in that I feel he has underachieved, even for how unglorious his position is. I was a huge fan of his when we drafted him.

And to think, this is the guy Parcells would have taken ahead of Ware.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I too would offer a fair deal based on his productivity. Tender him for a 2nd and see what happens. He's not spectacular by any stretch IMO. He doesn't play multiple positions so the flexibility is not great. He is solid but not anything more IMO. I think you can find players to fit his role in the draft or FA. It's very difficult to say for a player like Spears. There are a great many things he likely does that we do not see. Only the coaches know exactly how important he is to the defense.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Spears should expect a deal more along the lines of Igor's, than Ware's

maybe slightly more because of the home-grown factor

 

[Rampage]

Spears should expect a deal more along the lines of Igor's, than Ware's

maybe slightly more because of the home-grown factor

or slightly more because he's better than Igor.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

or slightly more because he's better than Igor.

agree to disagree

 

[Screw The Hall]

Spears should expect a deal more along the lines of Igor's, than Ware's

maybe slightly more because of the home-grown factor

Igor's is about right. I like Spears, I like his play and I really like his attitude ... always have. But we have two reserve ends who have the potential of supplanting him and doing a better job, so expecting big money from Dallas is bordering on lunacy as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

While role players are important, they are replaceable.

I was one that thought letting Canty go was a mistake but the Cowboys found a cheaper replacement without losing the production. I think they can do the same here at this position.

 

[brickman]

I was one that thought letting Canty go was a mistake but the Cowboys found a cheaper replacement without losing the production. I think they can do the same here at this position.

Agree. Don't break the bank for a player like Spears. Sign him to a fair deal, not a crazy deal.

 

[Nexx]

i like stephen bowen and want to see what hatcher can do with more playing time.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

i like stephen bowen and want to see what hatcher can do with more playing time.

I like Bowen, but I don't think he's a quality starter. I'd keep him as the 3rd DE/situational rusher.

I don't like Hatcher that much though, dude can't anchor.

For all the one-gap talk, Wade's #1 responsibility on D is stopping the run.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

He's a role player, nothing more nothing less.

While role players are important, they are replaceable.

I'm disappointed in Spears in that I feel he has underachieved, even for how unglorious his position is. I was a huge fan of his when we drafted him.

And to think, this is the guy Parcells would have taken ahead of Ware.

Ahh, yes. Jerry gets Ware, Newman, Canty etc. Parcells gets Carpenter, Skyler Green, and Spears


Has Spears ever misssd a game?
Tender all these guys.

 

[baj1dallas]

I too would offer a fair deal based on his productivity. Tender him for a 2nd and see what happens. He's not spectacular by any stretch IMO. He doesn't play multiple positions so the flexibility is not great. He is solid but not anything more IMO. I think you can find players to fit his role in the draft or FA. It's very difficult to say for a player like Spears. There are a great many things he likely does that we do not see. Only the coaches know exactly how important he is to the defense.

A second round tender is far from reasonable. 5 years, $25M is probably reasonable.

 

[CF74]

There really isn't much difference in the production between Spears and Igor Olshansky.

Igor had 1.5 sacks this year, 29 tackles, and 11 assists.
Spears had 2.5 sacks, 17 tackles, and 8 assists.
http://www.nfl.com/teams/dallascowboys/statistics?team=DAL


There may be way more to it but this is all that's available on the surface. How many times a game is he pushed out of the play? I don't study film so I don't know. How many times has Spears been in the back field to only miss the QB by a step or two? I seem to recall quite a bit just from watching the games once...

He is at least worth Igor money for what he does here...

 

[VACowboy]

I think we can get better production.

2nd round Tender.

 

[StarMan2112]

I'd give him Igor money, but not Canty money.

 

[jterrell]

I'd make a first offer of 15 mil, 4 years or just under Igor.

I am sure he'll ask 20 mil and we meet somewhere in the middle or we just wait another year and Spears can play for a 2nd round tender.

Spears, like Igor is a solid role player. And just like we saw with Canty leaving, a solid role player is all we need in our 3-4. Spears isn't going to starve but is he wants to get Canty-like dough he needs to get it elsewhere and if that's the case using his services for one more year for cheap is completely fair.

 

[Vinnie2u]

I think Jerry finally learned his lesson with Barber.. Do not over value the players u draft.. Burnett and Canty are the latest examples.. Offer him what he is worth.. If he thinks he can get more let him walk...

 

[Randy White]

Spears would make $2.4 million with no guarantees, considerably less than he would command on the open market. Like any of the RFAs this year, he'll see the $42 million over six years Chris Canty got from the Giants last year, or even the $18 million over four years Igor Olshansky got from the Cowboys, and want some security of his own.

If Spears thinks he's going to get anything anywhere near either of those contracts, he's going to be in for a HUGE disappointment.

Spears is nowhere as good as either of those players and was, basically, a bust until this year, which, surprised, was his contract year.