As a whole the Cowboys' 2013 season was a disappointment, but they did manage to have some hidden gems. In this series NFL Nation reporter Todd Archer looks at some under-the-radar success stories.
IRVING, Texas -- Not much was expected of George Selvie when he signed with the Dallas Cowboys on July 24.
The Cowboys had a need with Tyrone Crawford out with an Achilles' injury and Anthony Spencer slowed by a knee injury that eventually required season-ending surgery.
By the end of the season Selvie was one of the Cowboys' most consistent defensive players and that is not meant to be a backhanded compliment considering just how bad the defense was in 2013. Selvie finished with 39 tackles and seven sacks for the season. He also had seven tackles for loss, 22 quarterback pressures, two pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
In the first 36 games of his career with the St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars, he had 57 tackles, three sacks and six tackles for loss.
“It was a good ride,” Selvie said. “I was at home and I wasn't in nobody's training camp, nobody's [organized team activities], but they gave me an opportunity to show what I can do and I ran with the opportunity. I felt like I had a really solid season. I'm just going to keep going with that.”
With Jason Hatcher and Spencer set for unrestricted free agency and DeMarcus Ware's status up in the air because of a hefty salary-cap figure, Selvie could be playing as prominent a role in 2014 as he had last season. Ideally the Cowboys would like to lower his snaps and make him more effective.
“Pass rush,” said Selvie on where he needs to improve most. “That's what I need to do, be more effective in the pass rush. I know that. I'm my biggest critic and I didn't get enough pressure [against Philadelphia] or through the year. I made some plays and that felt good, but I felt like I can do more.”