Spears still searches for his star potential
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING -- Defensive end Marcus Spears raised a few eyebrows inside the Cowboys' offices when he criticized former coach Bill Parcells in the off-season.
He blamed Parcells' conservative scheme for his lack of impact plays since coming to the Cowboys with the 20th overall pick in the 2005 draft.
It was more than interesting to certain Cowboys insiders who remembered Parcells standing on a chair to draft Spears.
Parcells thought Spears could be a star in his 3-4 scheme and wanted him badly. He wanted him more than any other player, including teammate DeMarcus Ware, who was taken with the 11th overall pick.
The Cowboys had two picks in the first round, and if it had been Parcells' choice, he would have taken Spears first.
He was overruled by others in the draft room, who predicted Spears still would be available at 20th.
More than two years later, Spears not only has criticized the man who coveted him but has yet to become the star Parcells predicted.
While there is little doubt he plays an important role on the Cowboys' defense -- especially against the run -- Spears is frustrated with his lack of impact plays.
It's most disconcerting for Spears because he envisioned things would be different under new coach Wade Phillips and his aggressive 3-4 scheme.
Through eight games, Spears has 14 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
Considered one of the most upbeat players on the team, he remains positive with his teammates and about the team's 7-1 start.
But Spears, who was unavailable for comment this week, feels internal and external pressures to do more.
"He feels he needs to make more plays in passing situations," Ware said. "In college, that is what he did a lot. He played defensive end and he got a lot of sacks."
Ware said Spears feels the pressure of having to live up to his status as a first-round draft pick. But he also feels the pressure of living up to his own high expectations.
After registering 19 career sacks at LSU, Spears was compared by many to having potential similar to New England Patriots Pro Bowl end Richard Seymour.
While Ware has emerged into a Pro Bowl performer, Spears has seen some of his playing time taken away by backup Jason Hatcher. Spears plays primarily on running downs with Hatcher coming in on passing situations. Hatcher, from Grambling, has 15 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and a fumble return for a touchdown.
"He [Spears] talks about it a lot," Ware said. "He is like, 'D-Ware, I need to step up my game.' He knows what he needs to do and is trying to better himself every day in practice."
For the record, Phillips is pleased with the job Spears is doing. Phillips said stats don't tell the entire story and Spears is a big part of a Cowboys run defense ranked fifth in the NFL.
He added Spears is improving on his pass rush, pointing to the half-sack and forced fumble on the first play of the game against Philadelphia that led to a Cowboys touchdown.
"I think Marcus is playing well," Phillips said. "He just seems more intense this year. And I think it's helped him be a better football player."
Was his play against the Eagles evidence things might be changing?
"With the slanting and the one-on-ones, you get opportunities to make plays. You just got to make them," Ware said. "He knows what the situation is and he wants to step his game up."
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING -- Defensive end Marcus Spears raised a few eyebrows inside the Cowboys' offices when he criticized former coach Bill Parcells in the off-season.
He blamed Parcells' conservative scheme for his lack of impact plays since coming to the Cowboys with the 20th overall pick in the 2005 draft.
It was more than interesting to certain Cowboys insiders who remembered Parcells standing on a chair to draft Spears.
Parcells thought Spears could be a star in his 3-4 scheme and wanted him badly. He wanted him more than any other player, including teammate DeMarcus Ware, who was taken with the 11th overall pick.
The Cowboys had two picks in the first round, and if it had been Parcells' choice, he would have taken Spears first.
He was overruled by others in the draft room, who predicted Spears still would be available at 20th.
More than two years later, Spears not only has criticized the man who coveted him but has yet to become the star Parcells predicted.
While there is little doubt he plays an important role on the Cowboys' defense -- especially against the run -- Spears is frustrated with his lack of impact plays.
It's most disconcerting for Spears because he envisioned things would be different under new coach Wade Phillips and his aggressive 3-4 scheme.
Through eight games, Spears has 14 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
Considered one of the most upbeat players on the team, he remains positive with his teammates and about the team's 7-1 start.
But Spears, who was unavailable for comment this week, feels internal and external pressures to do more.
"He feels he needs to make more plays in passing situations," Ware said. "In college, that is what he did a lot. He played defensive end and he got a lot of sacks."
Ware said Spears feels the pressure of having to live up to his status as a first-round draft pick. But he also feels the pressure of living up to his own high expectations.
After registering 19 career sacks at LSU, Spears was compared by many to having potential similar to New England Patriots Pro Bowl end Richard Seymour.
While Ware has emerged into a Pro Bowl performer, Spears has seen some of his playing time taken away by backup Jason Hatcher. Spears plays primarily on running downs with Hatcher coming in on passing situations. Hatcher, from Grambling, has 15 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and a fumble return for a touchdown.
"He [Spears] talks about it a lot," Ware said. "He is like, 'D-Ware, I need to step up my game.' He knows what he needs to do and is trying to better himself every day in practice."
For the record, Phillips is pleased with the job Spears is doing. Phillips said stats don't tell the entire story and Spears is a big part of a Cowboys run defense ranked fifth in the NFL.
He added Spears is improving on his pass rush, pointing to the half-sack and forced fumble on the first play of the game against Philadelphia that led to a Cowboys touchdown.
"I think Marcus is playing well," Phillips said. "He just seems more intense this year. And I think it's helped him be a better football player."
Was his play against the Eagles evidence things might be changing?
"With the slanting and the one-on-ones, you get opportunities to make plays. You just got to make them," Ware said. "He knows what the situation is and he wants to step his game up."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:20 PM
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