Dallas Cowboys Mailbag: Miles Austin at Slot Receiver?

June 13, 2010   ·   Jonathan Bales   ·   Jump to comments

Q:  Who will be starting at defensive end for the Cowboys in 2010?  It seems Jason Hatcher or Stephen Bowen might be able to step into the starting lineup.
Martin Young, Ft. Worth, TX
A:   Hatcher and Bowen played fairly well in 2009, but expect Spears to start again this season.  Despite being labeled a “semi-bust” by fans and much of the Dallas media, Spears is an above-average run defender.  He recorded zero penalties and a tackle on 4.11 percent of plays, second on the team only to Igor Olshansky.
As a 3-4 defensive end, Spears came into Dallas with unrealistic expectations.  No matter how well he plays, the numbers he can put up from that spot will never be “good enough.”
We have suggested the Cowboys continue to start Spears and Olshansky, replacing them with Hatcher and Bowen on passing downs.  Since Spears is unlikely to be a Cowboy next year, the team could slowly transition eit...

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