NFL Draft Profile 2: Anthony Spencer, DE/OLB, Purdue

[CCBoy]

My three favorite candidates for the pass rushing counterpart for DeMarcus Ware, are:

1. Jarvis Moss
2. Anthony Spencer
3. Tim Crowder

Dallas should be able to secure one of these three, in the first two rounds...

Jarvis Moss would come in having a top end talent level similar to when DeMarcus Ware arrived with Dallas...and would have to fall a good deal, to come within reach of Dallas, unless there is a strong draft of receivers, secondary, running backs, and 4-3 linebackers prior to the Dallas pick, a couple of unexpected linemen wouldn't hurt....if not, and a trade up slightly just wasn't in the works...then,

Myself, I don't want to get 'cute' with this first pick, just go ahead and take Spencer, or if someone has taken him also, then select Crowder, and get to work with him...as he has a base level of talent and explosiveness, that I think would surpass Greg Ellis when he was first with Dallas....

I would be very happy with any of this three....

[joseephuss]

Originally Posted by Bob Sacamano

if Spencer slips, I don't see him getting past Pitt in the 2nd

I heard the Steelers were considering playing more 4-3 next year. How would that impact who they may draft?

[CCBoy]

I don't know if that would amount to a wholesale change from their base 3-4...I kind of think that they would tinker first, and attempt to acquire more of a tendency to duplicate what is in New England, rather than a scheme change...and as such, they probably remain in the market for the same general types of players....the Cowboys don't catch a windfall break here, I don't think....

[ThreeSportStar80]

Originally Posted by theogt

Combine Results:

Height: 6027
Weight: 261
40 Yrd Dash: 4.70
20 Yrd Dash: 2.74
10 Yrd Dash: 1.64
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 30
Vertical Jump: 32 1/2
Broad Jump: 9'4"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.43
3-Cone Drill: 7.14

NFL Draft Scout:

[View Full Quote]Positives: Has a developing frame with good upper body muscle tone, tight waist and hips, good bubble, thick arms and room to add at least another 10 pounds of bulk with no loss in quickness...Has outstanding straight-line quickness, moving with an explosive burst coming off the edge...Has the quick change of direction agility to work down the line and his speed and range dropping back in pass coverage could see him develop into a 3-4 outside linebacker (best when having a free lane to pressure the pocket rather than bull rushing inside as a down lineman)...Really improved his ball recognition skills in 2006 and is no longer fooled by misdirection...With his better recognition skills, he vastly improved his backside pursuit skills, evident by the 21 third-down stops and five fourth-down tackles he executed in 2006...Has the upper body strength to consistently get leverage coming off the snap...Gets instant penetration as a pass rusher, showing proper hand technique, combined with an array of rip-and-swim moves to explosively close on the quarterback... Shows the hand delivery and punch-out ability coming off the ball, guarding his legs vs. the chop block while maintaining angle to close on the ball...Has his best production when he beats the offensive tackle with his quickness and has the lateral range to slip in-line...Contributes on the move and has the speed needed to chase long distances and make plays along the perimeter...Relentless in his straight-ahead charge to the ball...Has that rare speed to catch plays from behind...Locks out well, delivering a powerful hand swipe to get blockers off-balance...Has improved his anchor vs. the double team (still a work in progress)...His improved hand placement in 2006 saw him no longer struggle vs. face-up blockers...Has the lateral agility to flatten down the line of scrimmage and get outside...Has the athletic agility to fit in space, using his long arms to wrap and secure...Has the functional strength to get a push on the bull rush...Shows the speed and body control to get up field and shows a good feel to work back to the ball...Will play through pain, evident by his 15-tackle performance vs. Notre Dame in 2006 despite playing with a hyper-extended knee.

Negatives: Plays with good functional strength, but relies on his speed too much...Lacks the size to gain leverage vs. double teams...When he fails to use his hands to fend off blocks, he gets covered up by offensive tackles defending the run, as he generally will lose containment...Needs to add more lower body strength, as he lacks the leg drive to split or play off the combo blocks...Sometimes gets a little reckless in his pursuit and this results in him getting taken out of the play...When he fails to keep his pads down, he tends to lead with his shoulder before making the hit, rather than extending and securing with his arms...Lacks the ideal size to run over offensive tackles and will get engulfed and struggle to disengage when the opponent gets into his chest...Has good backpedal skills, but is a bit stiff in his hips trying to turn...Lack of size could see him as a better fit for a 3-4 alignment as a linebacker (has the speed to make plays in front of him)...Will play through pain, but missed action in several games with nagging leg cramps in 2006.

Compares To: SHAUN PHILLIPS-San Diego...Both players were developed in the Joe Tiller system at Purdue to attack the quarterback with quickness. Both lack the ideal size you look for in a defensive end, but Phillips proved that he was capable of competing in a stand-up position. Spencer was a better prospect than Phillips coming out of college. If used in a similar system, Spencer will have just as much success in the pro ranks that Phillips has shown.

Well boys and girls Dallas has found their answer to the Merriman and Phillips tandom, NOW JERRY and WADE get it done!