Whispers — NFC East (Spears, Tyree, Brooks mentioned)

Gryphon

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Whispers — NFC East
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2008/nfceast072008.htm
Cowboys DE Spears becomes pet project
July 20, 2008

Marcus Spears

Expect Cowboys DL coach Todd Grantham to make Marcus Spears one of his pet projects this summer and fall. The team has yet to get full return on its big investment in Spears, a 2005 first-round draft choice who has started for three seasons but hasn’t shown consistency or fire in his play. Grantham is considered a good motivator and coach who might be able to make a difference in Spears’ progression.

It’s looking more and more as if Giants WR David Tyree, the Super Bowl hero who had knee surgery in March, will be a strong candidate for the physically-unable-to-perform list, which either could limit his chances of getting on the field or even making the club altogether. The Giants’ WR situation is very crowded now with the emergence of Steve Smith and the drafting of Mario Manningham.

It’s not terribly sexy, but the Commanders should have a very good battle at punter. They drafted Durant Brooks in Round Five, the first punter the team has drafted in 15 years, and they think his strong leg could give him the edge over Derrick Frost. Special-teams coordinator Danny Smith, however, requires his punters to be good directional and pooch punters, too, so Brooks will have to show touch.
 

big dog cowboy

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After the way Spears shot off his mouth last off season and didn't play up to the high expectations everyone thought he would last year, perhaps this will be a breakout year for him.

I really like this Dixon kid we signed as a free agent and hope he (or Grantham) can push Spears in training camp. He was so dominate in college I know that most are disappointed in him so far. Solid but unspectacular just doesn't cut it for first round picks for me.
 

Chocolate Lab

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Meh, I don't think any coach is going to get any more out of Spears. Grantham can't be any more of a motivator than Parcells was, and Parcells had huge hopes for Spears. If Marcus ever picks it up, it will be because he decides he wants it.
 

Stash

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I think this is the year Spears starts getting phased out altogether.

I think Ratliff will replace him on obvious passing downs this season and someone will replace him altogether in '09.
 

sago1

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If Spears has to be replaced, I sure hope that one of the players already on the team can win that job; also hope that either Dixon or the other kid makes the team and becomes a good backup. I just don't want to have to use a first day pick or a 3rd rounder on another DE if I can avoid it. We got other areas which need to be addressed depending on the performances of some of the backups.
 

Beefullo

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stasheroo;2150517 said:
I think this is the year Spears starts getting phased out altogether.

I think Ratliff will replace him on obvious passing downs this season and someone will replace him altogether in '09.

Spears has never played on obvious passing downs. We go into a four man front, with Ware and Ellis at ends, and Canty and Tank/Ratliff at DT.
 

cobra

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Spears trade to Washington for a 1st.

Bleed that moron Snyder when he is desperate.
 

HoosierCowboy

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Chocolate Lab;2150511 said:
Meh, I don't think any coach is going to get any more out of Spears. Grantham can't be any more of a motivator than Parcells was, and Parcells had huge hopes for Spears. If Marcus ever picks it up, it will be because he decides he wants it.

Parcells is no motivator anymore--he's a bloated bully and I'm glad he's gone. But I agree that Grantham probably won't get more out of Spears.
 

dcfanatic

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Chocolate Lab;2150511 said:
Meh, I don't think any coach is going to get any more out of Spears. Grantham can't be any more of a motivator than Parcells was, and Parcells had huge hopes for Spears. If Marcus ever picks it up, it will be because he decides he wants it.

Word.
 

DaBoys4Life

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I don't see how a 3rd year starter 1st round pick becomes a pet project he is a bust and we should have trade him to miami for a 4th round pick.
 

BAT

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It is a shame b/c Spears is a great athlete for his size.


He could be the next Refrigerator Perry. I would love to see him as a FB on short yardage & goal line plays.
 

dogunwo

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BAT;2150728 said:
It is a shame b/c Spears is a great athlete for his size.


He could be the next Refrigerator Perry. I would love to see him as a FB on short yardage & goal line plays.
Or move him inside. I still think he can play inside on four man fronts.
 

big dog cowboy

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DaBoys4Life;2150648 said:
I don't see how a 3rd year starter 1st round pick becomes a pet project he is a bust
Spear's clearly isn't a bust. He isn't a impact player don't get me wrong. But he isn't a bust.
 

Eskimo

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Spears is alright, but there is the feeling that he should generate more of a passrush. It'll be interesting to see if Grantham can coax some more production out of him.

He is not a bust or the waste of space that he is made out to be here. If we had picked him at #11, then the case could be made for him to be a bust.
 
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