The greatest benefactor from our switch to our 4-3 is...

[rash]

Marcus Spears.

Since being a 1st rounder, there's no question that the overall sentiment has labeled Marcus a bust.

I'll go out on a limb and say he was never meant to play in a 34 defense.

He's got all the intangibles to do precisely what DTs in Marinelli's D-line are assigned to do.

My best guess for most improved player of 2013

 

[DOUBLE WING]

That's a bit of a stretch, IMO. No way he benefits more than Lee or Carter.

I expect some improvement though, but I've given up on Spears being any kind of real impact player. He is what he is, and there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[speedkilz88]

Maybe, I think he would be better if he was 285 rather than 320. I believe it was Saban who told Parcells that he played best at 285. Yet they were never able to get him to stay that low. Spears actually played DE in LSUs 4-3.

 

[Doomsday101]

Marcus Spears.

Since being a 1st rounder, there's no question that the overall sentiment has labeled Marcus a bust.

I'll go out on a limb and say he was never meant to play in a 34 defense.

He's got all the intangibles to do precisely what DTs in Marinelli's D-line are assigned to do.

My best guess for most improved player of 2013

I think Spears has a chance to become more of an impact in the 4-3 that is the defensive front that helped him become a 1st rd pick that parcells felt he was. In 3-4 he has played so so now at least he has a chance to go to a front he has made an impact in. So we will see.

 

[DFWJC]

I'm not even sure we'll keep Spears.

But him at at DT in this 4-3 could keep him around.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

Is......Mo town. I think we could see him flourish in this scheme.

 

[Bowdown27]

I'm not even sure we'll keep Spears.

But him at at DT in this 4-3 could keep him around.

That's my thinking. He's gone

 

[speedkilz88]

That's my thinking. He's gone

People have been saying that for how long?

 

[ThrowuptheXDez88]

Spears better be motivated & get in shape or his days as a Cowboy are over..He has never been in great shape, but the guy gained so much weight this past offseason & looked very very slow & fat.

 

[ThrowuptheXDez88]

Should edit your post & replace Spears with Ratliff.. I would 100% agree with you if that was the player

 

[Rack]

Marcus Spears.

Since being a 1st rounder, there's no question that the overall sentiment has labeled Marcus a bust.

I'll go out on a limb and say he was never meant to play in a 34 defense.

He's got all the intangibles to do precisely what DTs in Marinelli's D-line are assigned to do.

My best guess for most improved player of 2013

Spears' best position has always been 34 DE. He was just never a good football player.

He's not quick and relentless enough to play the 3 tech and he doesn't anchor well enough to play the nose.

He should be released.

 

[Galian Beast]

Spears has never been able to get up field...

 

[InmanRoshi]

Spears has degenerative knees and has a $2 million base salary. I'll be surprised if he's even on opening day roster.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

Spears' best position has always been 34 DE. He was just never a good football player.

He's not quick and relentless enough to play the 3 tech and he doesn't anchor well enough to play the nose.

He should be released.

That's just not true at all. He was considered a first round talent by almost if not everyone going into the draft. He was a disruptive player in the 4 - 3 at LSU.. and he has been very good at doing what he was asked to do in the 3 -4 while here. I just don't get the hate for the player.

 

[Rack]

That's just not true at all. He was considered a first round talent by almost if not everyone going into the draft. He was a disruptive player in the 4 - 3 at LSU.. and he has been very good at doing what he was asked to do in the 3 -4 while here. I just don't get the hate for the player.

I was referring to his time in the NFL. I couldn't care less about what he did in college.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I was referring to his time in the NFL. I couldn't care less about what he did in college.

of course you don't. But the fact is, in a 4-3 he is very very good.. to say he was NEVER a good football player is just wrong. But even if you did just mean in the NFL, fine, you are still wrong. He does not have the big stats on sacks and such, granted, but his job is to eat blockers and be a force in the run game, which he has been since he has been here. He is very good against the run. This year he struggled but to say NEVER is just flat out an agenda speaking.

 

[xwalker]

Spears has degenerative knees and has a $2 million base salary. I'll be surprised if he's even on opening day roster.

There you go with facts...

 

[Rack]

of course you don't. But the fact is, in a 4-3 he is very very good.. to say he was NEVER a good football player is just wrong. But even if you did just mean in the NFL, fine, you are still wrong. He does not have the big stats on sacks and such, granted, but his job is to eat blockers and be a force in the run game, which he has been since he has been here. He is very good against the run. This year he struggled but to say NEVER is just flat out an agenda speaking.

Fact? Only in your own little dream world. He is NOT a "very very good" football player in any scheme. He was average in a 3-4, his best scheme.

And if the cowboys were playing Duke and Arkansas next season then I'd give two craps about how he did in college (he's almost a 10 year vet, what he did in college at this point is irrelevant).

 

[xwalker]

Maybe, I think he would be better if he was 285 rather than 320. I believe it was Saban who told Parcells that he played best at 285. Yet they were never able to get him to stay that low. Spears actually played DE in LSUs 4-3.

Yes, Parcells went on and on about Spears college coach telling him the "secret" to Spears is keeping his weight in check. I don't know if that was the LSU head-coach or the DL coach. Either way, when Wade came in as HC, Spears gained about 20+ lbs.

 

[Risen Star]

The Cowboys need to get younger on the DL. Spears and Coleman need to go. Maybe you keep Ratliff another year.

We really need an impact player there in the draft.