Prisco ranks Dallas DL 5th (Cowboys only)

Best player: OLB DeMarcus Ware. Weak link: LE Marcus Spears.
The skinny: The Cowboys play a 3-4, so the outside linebackers are included in the evaluation. Ware is the best player on the defense coming from the right outside spot, while Greg Ellis joined him at the Pro Bowl last year from the other side. There is depth with Anthony Spencer. The three down players are highlighted by right end Chris Canty, who is coming off his best season. Jay Ratliff takes over at nose tackle from the departed Jason Ferguson and he played well last season when Ferguson was hurt. Tank Johnson is a good backup. Spears, who was a first-round pick, is an OK player but not what the Cowboys expected.
Rating: 5
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Follow on comment posted by AdamJT13 from a sports forum:
Spears finished second on the team in tackles behind the line of scrimmage behind Ware and third on the team in total stops behind the line (TFL plus sacks) behind Ware and Ellis. Spears' rate of making plays behind the line (based on playing time) was much better than any other defensive lineman on our team.

RATE OF SACKS OR TACKLES FOR LOSS
Spears = 1 every 55.5 snaps
Johnson = 1 every 70.0 snaps
Hatcher = 1 every 73.4 snaps
Canty = 1 every 90.0 snaps
Ratliff = 1 every 101.5 snaps
R.Ayodele = none
Bowen = none

Spears also tied Ellis for second on the team with three forced fumbles, one behind Ware.