Jimz31
The Sarcastic One
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6-3 266 LBS DE Purdue
Dubbed the "Den of Defensive Ends," the Boilermakers have sent Akin Ayodele (Dallas Cowboys), Rosevelt Colvin (New England Patriots), Ray Edwards (Minnesota Vikings), Rob Ninkovich (New Orleans Saints), Chike Okeafor (Arizona Cardinals) and Shaun Phillips (San Diego Chargers) to the pros since Joe Tiller arrived as Purdue's head coach.
Spencer was a three-year starter at nose guard and fullback at Bishop Luers High School. He was a two-time all-state pick and three-time all-area and all-conference selection. He was the Indianapolis Star Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior after he recorded 65 tackles, including 24 for loss and 7.0 sacks, with seven fumble recoveries and one interception as a member of the Class 2A state championship team.
He also rushed for more than 600 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Spencer had 82 tackles, including 21 for loss and 13 sacks his junior season. He received the team's Mental Attitude Award as sophomore. He closed out his career as the school's record holder with 73 tackles for loss and 27 sacks. He also lettered on the school's basketball team.
Spencer enrolled at Purdue in 2002, spending the season on the scout team. He saw limited action on defense in 2003, appearing in 10 games. But he managed just six tackles (three solos) and assisted on one stop behind the line of scrimmage.
In 2004, Spencer played in 12 games, starting the first 11 at weakside defensive end. He registered 33 tackles (18 solos) and finished third on the team with 7½ sacks and 9½ stops for losses. He also batted away six passes and caused three fumbles, earning All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention.
Even though he started all 11 games in 2005, Spencer failed to match his 2004 exploits. He was limited to 23 tackles (16 solos) while posting three sacks and 7½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused three fumbles and recovered another while also deflecting one pass.
Spencer bounced back with a banner senior year. The Ted Hendricks Award (nation's top defensive end) finalist ranked second in the nation with 26½ stops behind the line of scrimmage, the fifth-best season total in Big Ten Conference history. He finished second on the team with 93 tackles (69 solos) and first with 10½ sacks. He also caused five fumbles and recovered another while batting away six passes and blocking one kick.
In 47 games at Purdue, Spencer started 36 times. He registered 155 tackles (106 solos) with two fumble recoveries, 13 pass deflections and a blocked kick. He ranks fifth in school history with 21 sacks for minus-147 yards and finished seventh on the Purdue career-record chart with 44 stops for losses totaling 241 yards. His 11 forced fumbles rank second in school history.
ANALYSIS
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 the 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.
INJURY REPORT
2003: Suffered torn ligaments in his foot (third and fourth metatarsal) in April camp, and the injury prevented him from seeing action in the team's first three games.
2005: Suffered a hamstring strain in August camp … Played with the flu vs. Miami, Ohio (Sept. 9) … Suffered a hyper-extended knee vs. Notre Dame (Sept. 30) … Sprained his right foot vs. Wisconsin (Oct. 21) and wore a boot to protect the injury, missing the entire week of practice leading up to the Iowa contest … Left the Penn State (Oct. 28) and Michigan State (Nov. 4) games with leg cramps.
AGILITY TESTS
Campus: 4.63 in the 40-yard dash … 500-pound bench press … 32 5/8-inch arm length … 9 5/8-inch hands … Right-handed.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne, Ind.) High School, playing football for head coach Matt Lindsay … Three-year starter at nose guard and fullback … Two-time all-state pick and three-time all-area and all-conference selection … Was the Indianapolis Star Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior after he recorded 65 tackles, including 24 for loss and seven sacks, with seven fumble recoveries and one interception as a member of the Class 2A state championship team … Rushed for more than 600 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per carry … Recorded 82 tackles, including 21 for loss and 13 sacks his junior season … Received the team's Mental Attitude Award as sophomore … Closed out his career as the school's record holder with 73 tackles for loss and 27 sacks … Also lettered on the school's basketball team.
PERSONAL
African-American Studies major, with a minor in Law Society … Born Anthony E. Spencer II on Jan. 23, 1984 … Resides in Fort Wayne, Ind.
