Spears on Sirius (Moving the Chains)

[MetalHead]

Anybody else caught it?
He pretty much said that he was a playmaking DE at LSU and that it was tough to do what he was asked to do in Dallas.

 

[dbair1967]

Anybody else caught it?
He pretty much said that he was a playmaking DE at LSU and that it was tough to do what he was asked to do in Dallas.

he's right

the guy had the makings of a dominant player at LSU...he played in a very aggressive NFL type scheme under Saban...and we put him in the biggest pusskatore scheme the league has ever seen for his two yrs so far

he has the tools to be a very solid to dominant LDE...he could probably be moved to DT in the 4-3 and excel there too

David

 

[Big Dakota]

BOTH he and Canty need to be used different. Get Rivera in here and change things up. Add Ratliff to the mix and all 3 should be able to get pressure.

 

[big dog cowboy]

BOTH he and Canty need to be used different. Get Rivera in here and change things up. Add Ratliff to the mix and all 3 should be able to get pressure.

or Phillips or Singletary. Scemes and coaching will make the difference. Something we had neither of the last few years.

 

[tyke1doe]

he's right

the guy had the makings of a dominant player at LSU...he played in a very aggressive NFL type scheme under Saban...and we put him in the biggest pusskatore scheme the league has ever seen for his two yrs so far

David

:laugh2:

 

[rojan]

Spears played in the 4-3 in LSU right? IF we switch to the 4-3 would he play DE or DT?

 

[dbair1967]

Spears played in the 4-3 in LSU right? IF we switch to the 4-3 would he play DE or DT?

I think he could play either...if he keeps his weight down to 285-295 he could play E because he's clearly athletic enough...if he keeps up to 295+ he could be a pretty good DT

Leon Lett was actually drafted as a DE and moved inside...so was Cory Redding

David

 

[alancdc]

BOTH he and Canty need to be used different. Get Rivera in here and change things up. Add Ratliff to the mix and all 3 should be able to get pressure.

That is my wish list for next week. I love the idea of Rivera being here coming from playing an agressive D as a player, and then being associated with the Eagles and Bears.

 

[theogt]

Sorry if I just don't see him as a dominant 4-3 DE, no matter how "athletic" he is. Now with a 3-4 run differently, I think he can be a dominant 3-4 DE.

 

[ddh33]

I'll be honest, as much as I liked Demarcus Ware in that draft (and I had him above Merriman), I would have supported the team selecting Spears at #11. That's how good I thought he was.

Spears left as the SEC sack leader. I mean, they play some good football in that conference. He also was a fantastic athlete who was highly thought of as a TE as a freshman. He showed the ability to play end in a 3-4 or a 4-3. He even had the ability to play some tackle in a 4-3. And don't forget, during his senior bowl week, he actually went through the LB drills too.

So in Dallas, he got stationed at LE. He got injured and that led to a slow start. Folks started trying to call him a bust. In truth, I just think he would have done more in a little different scheme.

If Dallas does go back to a 4-3, I wouldn't be surprised if Spears ends up as the strong side end. Even if the team stays 3-4, I think Spears might have a big season next year with more of an attacking style where he can use more of his athleticism.


By the way, picking Ware at #11 worked out pretty well, didn't it?

 

[rojan]

I remeber reading a quote from Reveria that said that he game plans around the players streangths so maybe we can get him and still be able to play some 3-4.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Pretty sure Saban ran a 3-4 scheme at LSU.

 

[dbair1967]

Pretty sure Saban ran a 3-4 scheme at LSU.

no, he was a 4-3 guy

David

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

That is an interesting statement from Spears. He really was not a great DE, IMO, while at LSU. He was a much better DT in the 43. Made more plays there then at DE IMO. I don't know, I could be wrong.

 

[dbair1967]

That is an interesting statement from Spears. He really was not a great DE, IMO, while at LSU. He was a much better DT in the 43. Made more plays there then at DE IMO. I don't know, I could be wrong.

I dont remember seeing Spears ever line up much at DT...not saying he never did, but of all the LSU games I saw he was almost always at DE

David

 

[theogt]

no, he was a 4-3 guy

David

He used the 4-3 Over/Under, which may resemble a 3-4 in some ways.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

he's right

the guy had the makings of a dominant player at LSU...he played in a very aggressive NFL type scheme under Saban...and we put him in the biggest pusskatore scheme the league has ever seen for his two yrs so far

he has the tools to be a very solid to dominant LDE...he could probably be moved to DT in the 4-3 and excel there too

David

Agreed.

Both he and Canty should be 4-3 tackles.

 

[superpunk]

Sorry - I'm not buying Spears explanation.

Yeah, two-gap responsibility is more demanding, and takes alot more concentration and dedication, and heck - girth - but this is just an excuse for underperforming, IMO. Scheme cannot negate playmaking ability. If you're a playmaker, it will shine through no matter the scheme. Spears might just be what he is now.

Let's all hope it was the fault of "the scheme".

 

[big dog cowboy]

Scheme cannot negate playmaking ability. If you're a playmaker, it will shine through no matter the scheme.

Been watching our D very long? Especially last year? Sending our best playmaker into coverage isn't the way to make him shine.

 

[theogt]

Sorry - I'm not buying Spears explanation.

Yeah, two-gap responsibility is more demanding, and takes alot more concentration and dedication, and heck - girth - but this is just an excuse for underperforming, IMO. Scheme cannot negate playmaking ability. If you're a playmaker, it will shine through no matter the scheme. Spears might just be what he is now.

Let's all hope it was the fault of "the scheme".

Scheme certainly plays a part. Otherwise we wouldn't have coaches game-planning at all. We'd just send playmakers onto the field and let them do their thing.

This is the opposite extreme of the same ridiculous argument. It's not all about coaching and it's not all about the players. It's a little of both.