ESPN MacMahon: Competing doesn't worry Marcus Spears

[WoodysGirl]

ARLINGTON, Texas – Defensive end Marcus Spears hopes to recover from a sprained MCL in time to play a preseason game or two, but it’s not because he’s concerned about losing his starting job.

“It’s nothing new,” Spears said. “We’ve been doing it for five years. People just put an emphasis on it this year because he got more money than me. That’s why it got so big, but we’ve been competing for five years.”

“Hatch had probably 80 less plays than me last year. A lot of people don’t realize that,” Spears said. “In this defense, to go out there on the first play and be considered, that’s good for press books. But [Stephen] Bowen played a lot of plays last year. Hatch played a lot of plays. These guys played.

“We all play, and we play a lot, so it’s not a big deal per se to be deemed a starter. As far as this D-line goes, we all contribute. Other than Jay [Ratliff] playing a numerous amount of plays more than everybody else, it pretty much pans out at the end of the season to be real close.”

 

[jobberone]

He should be a little worried. I think it's possible for him to lose his starting job. Both Hatcher and Bowen are better pass rushers. If they can play the run well enough then it's a nobrainer.

 

[CCBoy]

I don't know, but sounds like there is some unity in this section of the team...

 

[DallasEast]

How much or how little playing time Spears will get this season does not factor so much for me. The same goes for who will be the official starter at his position.

No, what most excites me will be the quality of the rotation at his position this season. If Phillips can steadily rotate these three guys in for four quarters through sixteen games and receive solid-to-great play all season, this defensive line has the potential of being all-world.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Markell Spears for Logan Mandkins!!1!

 

[Ashwynn]

I kinda consider the label 'starter' a misnomer here.

Like our running backs, the ends and tackles on the d line are rotated in and out so heavily its possible the back up could play more then the starter.

I think a lot depends on the flow of the game and the situation at that time.

Theres no shame not being a stater on the D line. The drop off is miniscule in my opinion.

Now it may matter come contract time or in FA, saying your the starter cold mean a mill or two more a year. But from a fans perspective, it makes no difference at all who starts, they all play and play a great deal.