This much is clear ... it should be Spears' year
By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News
This is Marcus Spears' year. It's time for him to become a star. If he can't do it in this scheme, then you have to wonder if its ever going to happen. Although the Cowboys drafted him with the 20th pick in 2005, he was the player Bill Parcells wanted more than any other in that draft.
Parcells thought his size and athleticism at defensive end in the 3-4 would make him a star.
Parcells wanted him so badly, he pouted in the draft room, when owner Jerry Jones took
DeMarcus Ware with the 11th pick because intelligence gathered by the scouts suggested Spears would still be around at 20 but Ware wouldn't.
Spears has been OK in his first two seasons, but hardly spectacular. Part of the reason, is the Cowboys didn't play to his strengths: Quickness and athleticism. Wade Phillips will make sure they do.
His scheme puts an emphasis on speed and quickness. More important, Phillips' version of the 3-4 uses stunts and movement to put play-makers in position to do what they do best.
Under Parcells, the Cowboys' defensive ends always played the run first, then transitioned to their pass rush moves. Now, they will play the run on the way to rushing the passer.
Spears didn't like his role last year, in part, because he was always playing head up on the tackle. He may be 305 pounds, but he's more of a finesse player than a physical player so the scheme didn't give him the best chance to show his skills.
This scheme does.
No excuses this year. It's time for Spears to perform. If he does, this team will be better.
This is Marcus Spears' year. It's time for him to become a star. If he can't do it in this scheme, then you have to wonder if its ever going to happen. Although the Cowboys drafted him with the 20th pick in 2005, he was the player Bill Parcells wanted more than any other in that draft.
Parcells thought his size and athleticism at defensive end in the 3-4 would make him a star.
Parcells wanted him so badly, he pouted in the draft room, when owner Jerry Jones took
DeMarcus Ware with the 11th pick because intelligence gathered by the scouts suggested Spears would still be around at 20 but Ware wouldn't.
Spears has been OK in his first two seasons, but hardly spectacular. Part of the reason, is the Cowboys didn't play to his strengths: Quickness and athleticism. Wade Phillips will make sure they do.
His scheme puts an emphasis on speed and quickness. More important, Phillips' version of the 3-4 uses stunts and movement to put play-makers in position to do what they do best.
Under Parcells, the Cowboys' defensive ends always played the run first, then transitioned to their pass rush moves. Now, they will play the run on the way to rushing the passer.
Spears didn't like his role last year, in part, because he was always playing head up on the tackle. He may be 305 pounds, but he's more of a finesse player than a physical player so the scheme didn't give him the best chance to show his skills.
This scheme does.
No excuses this year. It's time for Spears to perform. If he does, this team will be better.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:00 PM
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