Dallas Cowboys Free Agents: Anthony Spencer Should Be Re-signed

[waving monkey]

Anthony Spencer has had quite the roller coaster of a career in Dallas after being selected with the 26th pick in 2007's draft. Spencer was converted from defensive end to start in place of Greg Ellis, who was recovering from an Achilles injury. Once Ellis was fit to return, Spencer was demoted to a back-up role but managed to end the year with 28 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

After two years in Wade Phillip's 3-4 scheme, Greg Ellis departed and Spencer was made the full-time replacement. This would start a slew of expectations for the first-rounder that it seemed he would always come up short on. He was quickly deemed "Almost Anthony" for his ability to "almost" make plays. Spencer, however was a very good run stopper and kept his roster spot because of that. Both 2010 and 2011 showed maturity in his role but still failed to live up to his draft status

The Cowboys were at a crossroads with Spencer but decided to franchise him in 2012 and they were rewarded with a breakout performance. At the time, many fans believed it was a mistake to allocate $8.856 million to a guy who never had a double-digit sack season. In this contract year, Spencer would explode onto the NFL with 11 sacks and 95 tackles, becoming the only NFL player that year to record that combination.

The following year, Dallas switched back to a 4-3 scheme under Monte Kiffin. For the second straight year, Anthony Spencer was tagged, this time costing $9.6 million. After being such a force in 2012, there were high hopes for Spencer in 2013. However, he would miss the entire preseason after undergoing a surgical procedure for what was said to be a bone bruise in his left knee. After finally returning to the lineup in week two against Kansas City, Spencer reported pain in his knee. That week it was announced that Spencer had micro-fracture surgery and would miss the remainder of the season.

link/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...ee-agents-anthony-spencer-should-be-re-signed

 

[Galian Beast]

Anthony Spencer has had quite the roller coaster of a career in Dallas after being selected with the 26th pick in 2007's draft. Spencer was converted from defensive end to start in place of Greg Ellis, who was recovering from an Achilles injury. Once Ellis was fit to return, Spencer was demoted to a back-up role but managed to end the year with 28 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

After two years in Wade Phillip's 3-4 scheme, Greg Ellis departed and Spencer was made the full-time replacement. This would start a slew of expectations for the first-rounder that it seemed he would always come up short on. He was quickly deemed "Almost Anthony" for his ability to "almost" make plays. Spencer, however was a very good run stopper and kept his roster spot because of that. Both 2010 and 2011 showed maturity in his role but still failed to live up to his draft status

The Cowboys were at a crossroads with Spencer but decided to franchise him in 2012 and they were rewarded with a breakout performance. At the time, many fans believed it was a mistake to allocate $8.856 million to a guy who never had a double-digit sack season. In this contract year, Spencer would explode onto the NFL with 11 sacks and 95 tackles, becoming the only NFL player that year to record that combination.
The following year, Dallas switched back to a 4-3 scheme under Monte Kiffin. For the second straight year, Anthony Spencer was tagged, this time costing $9.6 million. After being such a force in 2012, there were high hopes for Spencer in 2013. However, he would miss the entire preseason after undergoing a surgical procedure for what was said to be a bone bruise in his left knee. After finally returning to the lineup in week two against Kansas City, Spencer reported pain in his knee. That week it was announced that Spencer had micro-fracture surgery and would miss the remainder of the season.

link/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...ee-agents-anthony-spencer-should-be-re-signed

I wouldn't mind bringing him back at the veteran minimum, but I'd hope he wouldn't make the team...

 

[DandyDon1722]

I wouldn't mind bringing him back at the veteran minimum, but I'd hope he wouldn't make the team...

Yeah - I know where you're going in that you would hope somebody beats him out. To his credit he got better as the season went on and most likely was rehabbing mentally as well as physically. I think I would give him the benefit of the doubt for the right price to come in ready to go next year.

 

[Galian Beast]

Yeah - I know where you're going in that you would hope somebody beats him out. To his credit he got better as the season went on and most likely was rehabbing mentally as well as physically. I think I would give him the benefit of the doubt for the right price to come in ready to go next year.

When I think of Spencer, I think of the following.

- How much can he contribute
- How much does he cost, even at the veteran minimum it's pretty significant
- How likely is it that he gets injured again
- Does his presence take away snaps from a player who could contribute more consistently down the line

That's why I say, I'd rather not see him make the team. It's one thing to pay him, but another to guarantee that money, and another to guarantee that spot for him.

 

[Bleu Star]

When I think of Spencer, I think of the following.

- How much can he contribute
- How much does he cost, even at the veteran minimum it's pretty significant
- How likely is it that he gets injured again
- Does his presence take away snaps from a player who could contribute more consistently down the line

That's why I say, I'd rather not see him make the team. It's one thing to pay him, but another to guarantee that money, and another to guarantee that spot for him.

I completely agree here. Lace a vet minimum contract with performance escalating incentives. Nothing more.

 

[MagicMan]

Would rather not have him on the team taking up a spot........guy is TOO inconsistent and negatives outweigh the positives in my view. Time to move on and I think we can have someone else take over his spot. The guy is 31 and I that's not good either, need to get younger. I think someone is going to answer the bell (either on the roster or maybe FA) and play more consistent.

 

[Doc50]

When I think of Spencer, I think of the following.

- How much can he contribute
- How much does he cost, even at the veteran minimum it's pretty significant
- How likely is it that he gets injured again
- Does his presence take away snaps from a player who could contribute more consistently down the line

That's why I say, I'd rather not see him make the team. It's one thing to pay him, but another to guarantee that money, and another to guarantee that spot for him.

Right, because if he does make the team, it means we don't have better options.

Only about 10% of microfracture patients return to elite playing status, and that's what's required at his position. Frankly, I'm surprised that he's continued to improve to the current level, and he may even be better next year, but he has some general aging as well.

His risk/reward ratio is high.

 

[CF74]

I can see him putting up about 6-8 sacks next year but would hope we bring in somebody about 26 with somewhat better numbers and of course draft another DE in the first 3-4 rounds...

 

[tyke1doe]

I remember when we traded with Philly for the rights to take Spencer. I thought Philly was going to rue making that trade .
So much for the ruing.
If he stays or if he goes, it doesn't make any difference to me. I never thought he was all the great anyway.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Give him 200,000 a sack.... I know it don't work that way..

 

[RoboQB]

Give him 200,000 a sack.... I know it don't work that way..

Oh, how I wish all contracts worked that way... you'd see some passionate football being played and all records would be in danger
of being shattered.

 

[CCBoy]

Me? I love being able to root for a this fan's special player. I love that he continues to give of his heart and matches his desire with intense work also.

I think that he fills the role of good to strong in his rotational role. He also brings a needed professional role to the roster and play as does Doug Free. I like that on the level of a fan and sportsmanship in the equation.

 

[Kaiser]

It all depends on cost and health. If he looks like he did in the playoff game against GB and signs on an incentive based deal, he could be a great sign to go with a top draft pick at that position. All of that depends on the medical reports and contract demands obviously, lets see how it plays out.

 

[Nightman]

If we sign a guy like Hardy or JPP then Spencer wouldn't be needed. If we are going to roll with a draft pick at SDE, I would re-sign Spencer to a 2m or less deal.

 

[jterrell]

Spencer coming back makes sense.
We are thin enough to need pass rushers and he can play a SDE role.
He is unlikely to get big bucks.

But I am not sure he will ever be a plus pass rusher again. At some point he becomes a progress stopper.
A 2 year deal that is really 1 and laden with incentives makes sense to me.

I think I'd gamble on him before Selvie but I definitely wouldn't gamble on both.

 

[Galian Beast]

Right, because if he does make the team, it means we don't have better options.

Only about 10% of microfracture patients return to elite playing status, and that's what's required at his position. Frankly, I'm surprised that he's continued to improve to the current level, and he may even be better next year, but he has some general aging as well.

His risk/reward ratio is high.

If we don't have any better options that means we didn't do enough this off season to correct a major problem.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

He can be a solid rotational guy. I think you have to be realisitc about what you can do this offseason to improve this defensive line. I know people want to rid themselves of him but chances are for the price you probably can't find better value.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Spencer coming back makes sense.
We are thin enough to need pass rushers and he can play a SDE role.
He is unlikely to get big bucks.

But I am not sure he will ever be a plus pass rusher again. At some point he becomes a progress stopper.
A 2 year deal that is really 1 and laden with incentives makes sense to me.

I think I'd gamble on him before Selvie but I definitely wouldn't gamble on both.

Yep.

I would hope that Selvie doesn't come back.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Spencer has been grossly overpaid these past three years considering his production. Time to move on. No other team is signing him for anything other than vet min. For some reason, Jerry doesn't mind overpaying Spencer.

 

[jterrell]

Spencer has been grossly overpaid these past three years considering his production. Time to move on. No other team is signing him for anything other than vet min. For some reason, Jerry doesn't mind overpaying Spencer.

you realize he made the vet minimum last year right?