Dallas Cowboys Marcus Spears accepts failure to fulfil expectations of being the first-round draft
Dallas Cowboys veteran defensive end Marcus Spears had a miserable 2011 season, mainly due to his change of position from left to right side.
This was not the first time that he gave a below par performance. He was drafted by Cowboys in the first round of the 2005 National Football League (NFL) draft and has not played up to his potential till now.
Even Spears himself acknowledges this fact. During his conversation with The Dallas Morning News on Saturday, June 23, 2012, he said:
“I haven't put up the gaudy sack numbers or (lived up to) the first-round hype that you get especially being drafted with DeMarcus Ware.”
Spears has played seven seasons with Cowboys, completing 131 tackles and nine sacks. He also has three forced fumbles to his name.
Last season, he played all the games while getting a mere 16 tackles and one sack.
He was particularly disappointed with the last season’s performance, blaming his movement from left hand side to right hand side for the failure. He said:
“I fell behind the whole season, especially playing a new position at that point. So it was a tough adjustment and I didn’t do as well as I wanted to do at it. But now I am back on my left side and I’ve got time to learn the defence.”
But now that Spears has returned to his favourite position, the right hand side, he hopes to forget the last season’s record and look forward to the next season.
Spears has been brought under the line of fire throughout his time with Cowboys.
Previously, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett also came forward to support the veteran defensive end’s average performances throughout his Cowboys career. Garrett said:
“He did some really good things at different times and other times he didn’t play quite as well but that is throughout our whole football team.”
Showing faith in Spears, Cowboys offered him a five-year contract last year, valuing at around $19 million.
Spears will now have to perform to his utmost level to get maximum playing time. It will be difficult for him as the team will have a more continuous defensive end rotation.
With defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in his second full year, fans want to see their defensive ends producing good results with high number of sacks, interceptions and forced fumbles.
Cowboys have shown real faith in Spears, and now is the time for him to return their good gesture with good work on the field.
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