Silverstar
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I have to ask, because I just haven't been impressed with Spears all year. So far, he has a 1/2 sack along with 19 tackles and he's been starting since the 8th game I believe. His 1/2 sack, came in the 2nd quarter against the Deadskins two months ago. I know he was a highly touted DL coming out, but some also predicted him to be a boom or bust player as well. In comparison, Chris Canty has 2 1/2 sacks, 24 tackles and simply creates more havoc than Spears. After 11 games, I wonder if Spears will ever become a dominant type player or even show flashes of it for that matter. If we hadn't picked Spears, I wonder how much farther he would have dropped?
Here are some facts:
Marcus Spears (6-4 298) was the 20th player selected in the 2005 draft. He signed a 5-year, $9.35 million contract with $6.7 million guaranteed in options and roster bonus. Basically, Spears was drafted for his size and ability to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 and possibly slide over to DT in certain situations.
College stats...Spears closed out his senior campaign with 49 tackles (32 solo), nine sacks, 17 stops for losses, six pressures, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception and two pass deflections. Through 48 games as a Tiger, he started 38 times. Spears closed out his career with 152 tackles (101 solo), 19 sacks for minus-131 yards, 34½ stops for losses of 180 yards, 47 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, four interceptions, 10 pass deflections and a blocked kick. Only Jarvis Green (20, 1998-2001), Gabe Northern (21, 1992-95), Ron Sancho (23, 1985-88) and Rydell Malancon (25, 1980-83) had more sacks in a career at Louisiana State. His 34½ stops behind the line of scrimmage rank seventh on LSU's all-time list.
Agility tests...5.03 in the 40-yard dash … 405-pound bench press … 530-pound squat … 308-pound power clean … 34-inch vertical jump … 9-foot-1 broad jump … 33 3/8-inch arm length … 10 3/8-inch hands … Right-handed.
Not bad right?
Ok, let's look at another DL we could have traded down for and picked up a 3rd or 4th rounder in the process.
Shaun Cody (6-4 292) is about the same size as Spears and was the 37th player drafted. He was drafted by the Lions, who traded up 4 spots with the Titans to get him. Cody was originally recruited by USC as a defensive end, spent four years starting at defensive tackle with Mike Patterson. He displayed the speed and agility to be dominant at getting to the quarterback when working off the edge. Right now, Cody is playing behind Shaun Rogers at right DT and has 1 1/2 sacks and 24 tackles so far.
College stats...Cody closed out his senior campaign with a career-high 45 tackles (29 solo), 10 sacks, 13 stops for losses, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three pass deflections while serving as team captain for the USC Trojans. Cody closed out his career with 130 tackles (89 solo), 21 sacks for minus-162 yards, 31½ stops for losses of 185 yards, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, five pass deflections and five blocked field goals.
Agility tests...4.95 in the 40-yard dash … 425-pound bench press … Bench presses 225 pounds 24 times … 550-pound squat … 326-pound power clean … 31½-inch vertical jump … 31¾-inch arms … 10-inch hands.
Obviously, Cody was the next best DL after Ware, Pollack, James and Spears. Cody was definitely the stronger and faster DL, since he practically matched Spears' production playing on the inside. If Spears doesn't "get it" as Parcells puts it, not trading down for Cody and that extra pick will loom ever larger as time goes by.
JMO
:starspin
Here are some facts:
Marcus Spears (6-4 298) was the 20th player selected in the 2005 draft. He signed a 5-year, $9.35 million contract with $6.7 million guaranteed in options and roster bonus. Basically, Spears was drafted for his size and ability to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 and possibly slide over to DT in certain situations.
College stats...Spears closed out his senior campaign with 49 tackles (32 solo), nine sacks, 17 stops for losses, six pressures, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception and two pass deflections. Through 48 games as a Tiger, he started 38 times. Spears closed out his career with 152 tackles (101 solo), 19 sacks for minus-131 yards, 34½ stops for losses of 180 yards, 47 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, four interceptions, 10 pass deflections and a blocked kick. Only Jarvis Green (20, 1998-2001), Gabe Northern (21, 1992-95), Ron Sancho (23, 1985-88) and Rydell Malancon (25, 1980-83) had more sacks in a career at Louisiana State. His 34½ stops behind the line of scrimmage rank seventh on LSU's all-time list.
Agility tests...5.03 in the 40-yard dash … 405-pound bench press … 530-pound squat … 308-pound power clean … 34-inch vertical jump … 9-foot-1 broad jump … 33 3/8-inch arm length … 10 3/8-inch hands … Right-handed.
Not bad right?
Ok, let's look at another DL we could have traded down for and picked up a 3rd or 4th rounder in the process.
Shaun Cody (6-4 292) is about the same size as Spears and was the 37th player drafted. He was drafted by the Lions, who traded up 4 spots with the Titans to get him. Cody was originally recruited by USC as a defensive end, spent four years starting at defensive tackle with Mike Patterson. He displayed the speed and agility to be dominant at getting to the quarterback when working off the edge. Right now, Cody is playing behind Shaun Rogers at right DT and has 1 1/2 sacks and 24 tackles so far.
College stats...Cody closed out his senior campaign with a career-high 45 tackles (29 solo), 10 sacks, 13 stops for losses, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three pass deflections while serving as team captain for the USC Trojans. Cody closed out his career with 130 tackles (89 solo), 21 sacks for minus-162 yards, 31½ stops for losses of 185 yards, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, five pass deflections and five blocked field goals.
Agility tests...4.95 in the 40-yard dash … 425-pound bench press … Bench presses 225 pounds 24 times … 550-pound squat … 326-pound power clean … 31½-inch vertical jump … 31¾-inch arms … 10-inch hands.
Obviously, Cody was the next best DL after Ware, Pollack, James and Spears. Cody was definitely the stronger and faster DL, since he practically matched Spears' production playing on the inside. If Spears doesn't "get it" as Parcells puts it, not trading down for Cody and that extra pick will loom ever larger as time goes by.
JMO
:starspin
Spears is doing great for a rookie ...... We as fans dont see what a clog up the middle guy does ...... because it aint exciting.
