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Aaron from Candor, NY wants to know if Cowboys outside linebacker Anthony Spencer is a bust and if he should be replaced by rookie Victor Butler. He'd also like to know if Spencer's struggles have led to DeMarcus Ware's relatively low sack total.
Mosley: Aaron, I'm not going to use the "bust" word for Spencer just yet. It's not like he's been turned into a nickel linebacker (Bob Carpenter) at this point. Spencer has actually held up really well against the run this season and he's put some pressure on the quarterback. But yes, he was drafted in the first round to be a dynamic pass-rusher who can collect at least 10 sacks per season. That hasn't happened. He's not at "bust" status yet, but check back with me at the end of the year. And I don't think Butler should start, but he's definiely earned some more snaps. In limited action, he's had three sacks. The play he made against Donovan McNabb on Sunday night helped preserve the win for the Cowboys. He's been highly productive so far. Why not give the man some more reps?
Andrew from New York is concerned that I haven't spent enough time this week analyzing "the three incorrect spots" in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys-Eagles game.
Mosley: Andrew, the only spot that looked wrong to me at the time was the fouth-and-one play where Donovan McNabb went with the quarterback sneak. NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira admitted that he would've moved the ball forward a few inches, which may have given the Eagles a first down on a crucial drive. But here's why I haven't made a huge deal about that spot: The Eagles had a second-and-1 that went for no gain followed by a third-and-1 that went for no gain. Those didn't look like bad spots to me, they looked like poorly executed plays. If the Eagles can't come up with a play that results in a 1-yard gain on two (and perhaps three) consecutive plays, how much sympathy do they deserve. I sense that some Eagles fans agree with me on this point. Over the past few years, Andy Reid teams have not been good in short-yardage situations. They'd been better this season -- until last Sunday night. So anyway, that's why I didn't spend much time taking up the Eagles' cause this week.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/6538/whats-in-mosleys-mailbag-3
Mosley: Aaron, I'm not going to use the "bust" word for Spencer just yet. It's not like he's been turned into a nickel linebacker (Bob Carpenter) at this point. Spencer has actually held up really well against the run this season and he's put some pressure on the quarterback. But yes, he was drafted in the first round to be a dynamic pass-rusher who can collect at least 10 sacks per season. That hasn't happened. He's not at "bust" status yet, but check back with me at the end of the year. And I don't think Butler should start, but he's definiely earned some more snaps. In limited action, he's had three sacks. The play he made against Donovan McNabb on Sunday night helped preserve the win for the Cowboys. He's been highly productive so far. Why not give the man some more reps?
Andrew from New York is concerned that I haven't spent enough time this week analyzing "the three incorrect spots" in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys-Eagles game.
Mosley: Andrew, the only spot that looked wrong to me at the time was the fouth-and-one play where Donovan McNabb went with the quarterback sneak. NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira admitted that he would've moved the ball forward a few inches, which may have given the Eagles a first down on a crucial drive. But here's why I haven't made a huge deal about that spot: The Eagles had a second-and-1 that went for no gain followed by a third-and-1 that went for no gain. Those didn't look like bad spots to me, they looked like poorly executed plays. If the Eagles can't come up with a play that results in a 1-yard gain on two (and perhaps three) consecutive plays, how much sympathy do they deserve. I sense that some Eagles fans agree with me on this point. Over the past few years, Andy Reid teams have not been good in short-yardage situations. They'd been better this season -- until last Sunday night. So anyway, that's why I didn't spend much time taking up the Eagles' cause this week.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/6538/whats-in-mosleys-mailbag-3
