Joined: Aug 28, 2007 Posts: 3844 Location: Hurst, TX
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:38 pm Post subject: Should Spears Get an Igor Type Deal?
There really isn't much difference in the production between Spears and Igor Olshansky.
Igor had 1.5 sacks this year, 29 tackles, and 11 assists.
Spears had 2.5 sacks, 17 tackles, and 8 assists.
DC.COM Blog: How Should The Cowboys Treat RFA Spears?
CST on truebluefanclub.com
Spears naturally wants to be fairly compensated, though he knows the Cowboys essentially control his rights in the impending uncapped year. Placing at least a first-round level tender on Spears would make the compensation such to keep other teams away.
Spears would make $2.4 million with no guarantees, considerably less than he would command on the open market. Like any of the RFAs this year, he'll see the $42 million over six years Chris Canty got from the Giants last year, or even the $18 million over four years Igor Olshansky got from the Cowboys, and want some security of his own.
The question is, should the Cowboys give it to him? One of the things remaining to be seen in this CBA uncertainty is how teams will treat the restricted players that previously would have been unrestricted. Do they take advantage of the situation to save some money? Do they go ahead and pay the guy a fair price? How do they decide which players deserve something long-term, and which should have to ride out a less-than market value tender deal?
"They have almost a year cushion before they have to do anything with me," Spears told Eatman back in December. "You can see what kind of guys (the Joneses) are; you can see what kind of management we have. They didn't have to sign D-Ware but the gesture was good and they did what they felt was the right thing to do. Now, do they feel the same way about me? I don't know, but I'm hoping that they do. If not, it'll be OK."
Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 2715 Location: Southern New Jersey
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: Should Spears Get an Igor Type Deal?
Unless the Cowboys can get a guy to replace Spears' production then I would hold onto him and give him the money. It seems that in this system (3-4) the DE's just take up a guy so the LB'ers make the play. I think some players take longer to produce in the pro's then others and I think Spears could be one of those players. (See Miles Austin)
Joined: Aug 27, 2007 Posts: 13250 Location: New Zealand
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:25 pm Post subject: Re: Should Spears Get an Igor Type Deal?
First, we don't know what he's being asked to do. Is he primarily a run stopper (clog the lanes, either stretch it out, or redirect towards the two ILBs)? In that case, very successful. Those kinds of players will never get gaudy stats, but all hell will break lose if they blow their assignments.
If he's supposed to be putting pressure on the QB, well then, not so good. Is he getting any pressure? Is he moving the QB out of the pocket? If so, still good. But if not, not so good.
If the Cowboys give him the money, then we will have to assume he's doing what they want him to do.
Barbie, in case anyone hasn't noticed, has silently become one of our best pass defending linebackers against RBs and TEs. Oh sure, WRs walk away from him, but how many LBers in the league can cover WRs (Ware is one, anyone else?). I'm almost starting to like the guy.
Joined: Aug 28, 2007 Posts: 3844 Location: Hurst, TX
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: Should Spears Get an Igor Type Deal?
sp1der1 wrote:
First, we don't know what he's being asked to do. Is he primarily a run stopper (clog the lanes, either stretch it out, or redirect towards the two ILBs)? In that case, very successful. Those kinds of players will never get gaudy stats, but all hell will break lose if they blow their assignments.
If he's supposed to be putting pressure on the QB, well then, not so good. Is he getting any pressure? Is he moving the QB out of the pocket? If so, still good. But if not, not so good.
If the Cowboys give him the money, then we will have to assume he's doing what they want him to do.
Barbie, in case anyone hasn't noticed, has silently become one of our best pass defending linebackers against RBs and TEs. Oh sure, WRs walk away from him, but how many LBers in the league can cover WRs (Ware is one, anyone else?). I'm almost starting to like the guy.
Spears typically only plays 1st and second down (Normal Run play downs) and Bowen or Hatcher is brought in on obvious passing downs to pressure the QB...
Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: Should Spears Get an Igor Type Deal?
Screw Spears. Is his number ever called????
Show him the door please. League minimum. Virtually any journeyman vet could come in and match his subpar numbers and effort. Fact.
Joined: Aug 28, 2007 Posts: 3844 Location: Hurst, TX
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:35 am Post subject: Re: Should Spears Get an Igor Type Deal?
TheProphet wrote:
Screw Spears. Is his number ever called????
Show him the door please. League minimum. Virtually any journeyman vet could come in and match his subpar numbers and effort. Fact.
Joined: Aug 27, 2007 Posts: 13250 Location: New Zealand
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: Should Spears Get an Igor Type Deal?
CowboyFan74 wrote:
[..]
Spears typically only plays 1st and second down (Normal Run play downs) and Bowen or Hatcher is brought in on obvious passing downs to pressure the QB...
Well, that right there should tell you that he shouldn't get near what Igor does. But then you look at the stats and it sort of makes you wonder about Igor. LOL
IF, and that's a big IF, we have DT or DE high on the draft board (and it doesn't mean NOT drafting someone else of more need) or IF we're pretty sure we can get someone better or at least as good in FA for less money (or more if he's better), then yes, let him walk.
But if none of the above is in the cards, then you have to keep him until you know you've got someone lined up. We all saw what happened with the CB position when we let people walk without replacements lined up.
Of course Jerry would never use 3 of our top 4 draft picks on one position again would he? Or would he? LOL
Taking a quick peak at the depth chart, Bowen comes in for Igor during obvious passing downs and Hatcher comes in for Spears. As we've already mentioned the stats are nearly identical.
So to those that say let Spears walk again I ask the question, did we get robbed on the Igor deal?
Joined: Sep 09, 2007 Posts: 5171 Location: Malibu, Ca
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject: Re: Should Spears Get an Igor Type Deal?
Danderoo_17 wrote:
Let Spears walk. Move Rat out to his natural DE position, and draft or sign a NT.
The way the league has free agency set up for the playoff teams only being able to replace lost free agents for the same amount of money in this non cap year the Cowboys will probably have to resign Spears. Very unlikely to find a replacement in free agency if we even have a free agent signing and it's not going to be easy drafting a rookie who can step right in.
Joined: Aug 27, 2007 Posts: 13250 Location: New Zealand
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Should Spears Get an Igor Type Deal?
Well, the best way to judge both these guys output is to check out how the DEs were used in Wade's final year at SD. Looking back at that we find that BOTH DEs had over 5 sacks a piece. So, with that in mind, I would say that NEITHER of these two is playing up to the level expected (oh, and the part timers each had at least 1, if not 2 or 3).
But SD had one really great OLB and one above average OLB when it came to sacks and pressure. With us really only having the one great OLB and the other just finding himself, it may not allow the same offensive blocking assignments the SD defense went up against.
Tough call, but I'd have to say neither are living to expectations, but both are adequate. Upgrade needed? I'd say yes, but not at the expense of upgrading the OL.
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