PRO: The Dallas Cowboys liked Marcus Spears' combination of size and speed coming out of college and took him with their second pick in the first round (20th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. A dependable and durable player, seeing time in all 64 regular season games with 57 starts since his arrival, Spears is entering into the final year of his rookie contract and is coming off his best year as a pro. He will be counted on to continue to be a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage for Dallas' defensive attack.
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
4/23/05: Drafted in the first round (20th overall) by Dallas.
2008:
Started 15-of-16 games at left end for the club, recording a career-high 65 tackles - good for sixth on the team.
Finished fourth on the team with five tackles for losses and with 16 quarterback pressures - a career-best.
In the season opener at Cleveland (9/7), had two tackles, one tackle for a loss and two quarterback pressures as the defense held Jamal Lewis to just 62 rushing yards and the Browns to 91 total rushing yards.
At Green Bay (9/21), finished with two tackles and a pressure as the defense held the opponent to less than 100 total rushing yards for the third straight week.
Recorded five tackles along with one pressure and one pass breakup against Washington (9/28).
Had a season and career-best eight tackles to tie for second on the team along with one pass breakup against Cincinnati (10/5).
Led the defensive line with six tackles at St. Louis (10/19).
Against Tampa Bay (10/26), tied his season and career-high with eight tackles along with one tackle for a loss and one pressure as the defense did not allow a touchdown.
Had two tackles and one pressure against San Francisco (11/23), helping to hold the 49ers to just 26 rushing yards - the fewest allowed this season.
Against Seattle (11/27), posted four tackles, one pressure and a forced fumble as the defense held the Seahawks without a touchdown.
At Pittsburgh (12/7), finished with four tackles, one tackle for a loss and two pressures.
Recorded his first sack of the season and added seven tackles and one pressure in the Texas Stadium finale against Baltimore (12/20).
2007:
Started all 16 games for the second consecutive season and finished with 28 tackles, two sacks and five tackles for losses - good for second on the team.
Posted a solid outing against St. Louis (9/30), finishing with two tackles, a pressure, a half sack and two tackles for losses.
Logged a season-best four tackles against New England (10/14).
Split a sack of Donovan McNabb with DeMarcus Ware on the first play from scrimmage against Philadelphia (11/4). Forced his first career fumble on the play that was recovered by Bradie James.
Notched his 100th career tackle, finishing with three at the N.Y. Giants (11/11).
At Washington (12/30), had three tackles, one tackle for a loss, a forced fumble and a sack.
2006:
For the second consecutive year, injured his knee in training camp and missed part of the preseason but returned to play in three exhibition games.
Started all 16 regular season games and finished with 48 tackles, including 31 solo tackles.
Added one sack, three quarterback pressures, two tackles for a loss, and three pass deflections.
In the season opener in Jacksonville (9/10), had two tackles, including one for a loss, as the Cowboys held the Jaguars to 2.4 yards-per-carry.
Recorded his only sack of the season, taking down Mark Brunell in the first quarter in the Sunday night game against the Redskins (9/17).
Led all defensive linemen with four tackles against Tennessee (10/1) in Titans quarterback Vince Young's first start.
Helped limit the Panthers (10/29) to 204 total yards, including 76 rushing yards in a Sunday night road win.
Helped limit previously undefeated Indianapolis (11/19) to a season-low 14 points, posting three tackles, including one for loss.
Posted a season-high six tackles in a home loss to New Orleans (12/10) and four tackles in a win at Atlanta (12/16), where the Cowboys sacked Michael Vick four times.
In his postseason debut, had one tackle and led the team with two quarterback pressures at Seattle (1/6/07).
2005:
Suffered a right knee and ankle sprain while also straining his calf in a training camp practice to miss the first three preseason games.
Began his rookie season as a reserve but became a starter in Week 7 and, by season's end, earned All-Rookie honors from Pro Football Weekly after tallying 35 tackles, (12th on the team, third among the team's linemen and rookies) and six quarterback pressures (fourth on the team).
Also added 1.5 sacks and a pass defensed.
Made his NFL debut at San Diego (9/11) in the defensive line rotation, but did not record a tackle.
Split his first career sack with Greg Ellis and added his first career tackle against Washington (9/19).
Led all defensive linemen with four tackles at San Francisco (9/25).
Helped limit Philadelphia (10/9) to 129 yards, including 19 rushing yards, the fourth-lowest rushing total the team has ever allowed.
Made his first NFL start at Seattle (10/23) and had three tackles and a batted pass, helping limit Shaun Alexander, the NFL's leading rusher in 2005, to 61 yards on 21 carries (2.9 yards-per-carry).
Named the full-time starter the next week against Arizona (10/30) and led all linemen with four tackles while helping the Cardinals to 213 total yards, including 71 rushing yards.
At Philadelphia (11/14), recorded a season-high seven tackles - good for first among linemen and second on the team).
Recovered a Trent Green fumble at the Cowboys 15-yard line and ran 59 yards - longest ever by a Dallas rookie and the eighth-longest in team history - to the Chiefs 26-yard line to setup a Dallas touchdown, giving Dallas a 17-14 halftime lead against Kansas City (12/11).
In the season finale against St. Louis (1/1/06), recorded two tackles and the first solo sack of his career.
COLLEGE:
Finished his career at LSU with 34.5 tackles for a loss and 19.0 sacks, the fifth-most in school history.
Had a career year as a senior, earning first-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Foundation and American Football Coaches Association, second-team All-America honors from Sports Illustrated, first-team All-SEC honors and a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and Lombardi Award.
Tied his career-high in tackles (49) and set career highs in tackles for a loss (17) and sacks (nine - the fourth most in LSU history) and added 21 quarterback pressures on a defense that finished third in the country in total defense in 2004.
Had 49 tackles, 23 quarterback pressures, 13 tackles for a loss, six sacks, and six passes defensed to earn first-team All-SEC honors during LSU's national championship season in 2003.
Returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 21-7 lead en route to a 21-14 win over Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl to claim the national title.
As a sophomore, transitioned into a full-time defensive player, totaling 46 tackles, 16 quarterback pressures, 3.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks.
Played at tight end, fullback and defensive end as a freshman, recording two catches for 20 yards to earn freshman All-SEC honors as a tight end. Had eight tackles, a sack and a tackle for a loss on defense.
PERSONAL:
Marcus Raishon Spears was one of the mostly highly touted two-sport athletes in the country following his senior season at Southern University Lab High School in Baton Rouge, La.
Rated the top tight end prospect in America and the third-best overall prospect after earning consensus All-America honors.
Became the first Louisiana player since 1991 to be named first-team 1A all-state on offense and defense as a senior.
Finished his senior season with 28 catches for 435 yards and three touchdowns and 245 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Also made 22 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries.
Was also one of the nation's top basketball prospects.
At LSU, majored in communication studies and was actively involved in community service.
His sister, Deidre, was a three-year letterman on the basketball team at LSU and was a starter in two of those years.
He and his wife, Ayisha, have one daughter - Macaria Reagan (2/23/07) and a son - Marcus Raishon Jr. (4/28/08).
COMMUNITY:
2005 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Club.
2006-2009 Co-Chair of Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Dallas Cowboys Tailgate Party for the North Texas Food Bank.
