DMN Blog: Anthony Spencer wants to take advantage of attention on DeMarcus Ware

Alexander

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Anthony Spencer wants to take advantage of attention on DeMarcus Ware
11:19 AM Mon, Aug 03, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon/Blogger Bio | E-mail | News tips

DeMarcus Ware is well on his way to establishing himself as one of the all-time pass-rushing greats, an issue Todd Archer elaborated on for this morning's paper.

Fellow first-round DE/OLB conversion project Anthony Spencer has a grand total of 4.5 sacks in two seasons.

You could present strong statistical evidence that the Cowboys screwed up by taking Spencer over LaMarr Woodley, who had 11.5 sacks for the Steelers during the regular season last year and was a pass-rushing beast during their Super Bowl run. Spencer certainly has some catching up to do.

But he hasn't really had the opportunity to unleash his pass-rushing skills until now. Greg Ellis played in the nickel and dime packages the last two seasons. The strongside OLB often drops back into coverage on first and second down, when Spencer has played the majority of his reps.

Spencer hasn't set a sacks goal for this season, but it's a reasonable expectation that the dude Wade Phillips refers to as "a natural pass rusher" will double his previous career total. As long as Ware is lined up on the opposite side, Spencer will see plenty of one-on-one opportunities.

"Teams are going to be focused on Ware no matter what I do," Spencer said. "It's just how I respond to it and the way I play. That's going to affect teams if I'm making plays off the edge and making sacks. It's going to make teams have to respect both of us."

Phillips isn't concerned that Ware will be an even bigger focus of opponent's blocking schemes without Ellis generating pressure from the other side. First of all, the Cowboys are confident that Spencer will be effective as a pass rusher.

"I don't think you can put any more guys on Ware," Phillips said. "You can slide the line and put the back on him, I guess, but you'd get killed by blitzes to the other side."

Not to mention the damage done by Spencer.
 

cobra

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God McMahon is a piece of ****.

He craps on everyone and every thing.

I've seen him bash the following:

Romo
Roy Williams
Crayton
Philips
Garrett
Barber
Felix
Bradie
Bobby
Newman
Hamlin
Jenkins
Basically every player we have ever drafted
and now Spencer.

What a worthless pile of crap he is. God I miss Mosely.
 

bayeslife

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cobra;2865163 said:
God McMahon is a piece of ****.

He craps on everyone and every thing.

I've seen him bash the following:

Romo
Roy Williams
Crayton
Philips
Garrett
Barber
Felix
Bradie
Bobby
Newman
Hamlin
Jenkins
Basically every player we have ever drafted
and now Spencer.

What a worthless pile of crap he is. God I miss Mosely.

The coachable sports writer isn't that bad.
 

Doomsday101

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I was all for drafting of Spencer and while I have not given up on him he needs to start producing. 4.5 sacks 2 years is lousy I don't care if you are sharing time as an OLB in a 3-4 he needs to get it going.
 

speedkilz88

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Had the Cowboys drafted LaMarr Woodley, we wouldn't know any more about him than we know about Spencer. Ellis was a progress stopper.
 

Alexander

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Monster Heel;2865167 said:
Mosley is just as bad.
True, but where exactly is MacMahon trashing Spencer?

I guess this is another case of our fanbase whining about what they see is an overly critical media. I'd rather sift through the articles and make up my own mind than read any more of some people's whining about how they think the media is "out to get" the team. Things like that happen when you don't win when you are expected to.
 

Jay

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speedkilz88;2865205 said:
Had the Cowboys drafted LaMarr Woodley, we wouldn't know any more about him than we know about Spencer. Ellis was a progress stopper.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner!
 

Doomsday101

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speedkilz88;2865205 said:
Had the Cowboys drafted LaMarr Woodley, we wouldn't know any more about him than we know about Spencer. Ellis was a progress stopper.

Was it the coaches job to have Spencer play more or was it Spencer job to show he could do the job and earn more playing time? Ellis played because he showed he could still play the game after coming off a pro bowl season.
 

theogt

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Doomsday101;2865278 said:
Was it the coaches job to have Spencer play more or was it Spencer job to show he could do the job and earn more playing time? Ellis played because he showed he could still play the game after coming off a pro bowl season.
Spencer could have been outplaying Ellis in practice and they still would have went with Ellis.
 

Doomsday101

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theogt;2865284 said:
Spencer could have been outplaying Ellis in practice and they still would have went with Ellis.

That is an opinion since there is no way to prove that one way or the other. I do know that in 2 years Spencer has 4.5 sacks that sucks big time so sorry I doubt he was outplaying anyone. Having said that I still have hope that Spencer will live up to the 1st rd player we all hoped for but thus far he has not shown much
 

cobra

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Alexander;2865252 said:
True, but where exactly is MacMahon trashing Spencer?

Read his commentary. It has a noticeable tone.

The article could have been written something along the lines of

"When given the opportunity to perform, Spencer has shown promise. However, given the team's commitment to veteran leader Greg Ellis, Spencer has been limited in his opportunities to contribute. Now, however, Ellis gone, so Spencer is finally getting the opportunity to show those skills that led him to be a first round draft pick."

That, I submit, would he a fair way to write the story.

But it is not what ******* writes. No, he writes it negatively. "has a grand total of 4.5 sacks in two seasons"---that sentence is written with obvious snark or contempt. First rounder has a "whopping" 4.5 sacks. You can feel the nastiness. "You could present strong statistical evidence that the Cowboys screwed up by taking Spencer over LaMarr Woodley..." And who would not have any of that if he was playing here because he would have been behind Ellis too; or, in other words, it's a ******** point to make.

The way the article written is insulting to Spencer. The article could easily be written a different way, but ******* didn't choose that. And why? Because he always takes an insulting view of things.
 

theogt

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Doomsday101;2865290 said:
That is an opinion since there is no way to prove that one way or the other. I do know that in 2 years Spencer has 4.5 sacks that sucks big time so sorry I doubt he was outplaying anyone. Having said that I still have hope that Spencer will live up to the 1st rd player we all hoped for but thus far he has not shown much
It's not an opinion. It's a statement of fact. Whether it's true or not is up in the air. But I tend to think it is true. And it's not necessarily unwarranted. You build up trust in veterans and you can't necessarily judge based solely on practice. People perform differently in real games and it's hard to judge, so you revert back to someone you can trust.
 

viman96

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Ellis got PT based on performance and his whining. IMO Spencer could have stepped in and done a solid job as well. I have high hopes for Spencer and expect him to open eyes on opposing teams.
 

Doomsday101

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theogt;2865300 said:
It's not an opinion. It's a statement of fact. Whether it's true or not is up in the air. But I tend to think it is true. And it's not necessarily unwarranted. You build up trust in veterans and you can't necessarily judge based solely on practice. People perform differently in real games and it's hard to judge, so you revert back to someone you can trust.

Whether it's true or not is up in the air? That is what makes it an opinion if it is true or not. Spencer was playing in real games and in 2 fricken years has 4.5 total sacks, most would consider that bad not even a question of do you think it is bad he is an OLB in a 3-4 with that few of sacks come on. I don't get off by coming down on Spencer like many I was happy with the selection and as I said I have not given up on him but Ellis was outplaying him that is why Ellis was still get playing time. Ellis moaning and the fact he was getting older in my view played a part in why Dallas let him go but as far as playing the game Spencer play has not been worthy of much playing time.
 

Dallas4ever

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When Spencer was drafted, there were several respected media members that thought he would win defensive rookie of the year honors. We've seen flashes to this point but that's it. It's hard to believe that we were so good last season that we could get away without putting the best players on the field. I sure hope that he can live up to his potential this year.
 

Doomsday101

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Dallas4ever;2865322 said:
When Spencer was drafted, there were several respected media members that thought he would win defensive rookie of the year honors. We've seen flashes to this point but that's it. It's hard to believe that we were so good last season that we could get away without putting the best players on the field. I sure hope that he can live up to his potential this year.

As do I. I would much rather sing the praises of Spencer than to knock him but I just have not been overly impressed with his play thus far maybe because I do expect more out of him than what I have seen.
 

Alexander

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cobra;2865299 said:
Read his commentary. It has a noticeable tone.

The article could have been written something along the lines of

"When given the opportunity to perform, Spencer has shown promise. However, given the team's commitment to veteran leader Greg Ellis, Spencer has been limited in his opportunities to contribute. Now, however, Ellis gone, so Spencer is finally getting the opportunity to show those skills that led him to be a first round draft pick."

That, I submit, would he a fair way to write the story.

He also was fair in noting that Ellis was in the way last year.

To me, the "tone" is because he's a snarky writer, like most in the Dallas media. It sells, because well, we haven't won much of anything in over a decade and we've had several first round choices that haven't panned out.

But it is not what ******* writes. No, he writes it negatively. "has a grand total of 4.5 sacks in two seasons"---that sentence is written with obvious snark or contempt. First rounder has a "whopping" 4.5 sacks. You can feel the nastiness. "You could present strong statistical evidence that the Cowboys screwed up by taking Spencer over LaMarr Woodley..." And who would not have any of that if he was playing here because he would have been behind Ellis too; or, in other words, it's a ******** point to make.

His sack total is a fact. Just because he didn't say he looked super spectacular and awesome in 2007 filling in for Ellis doesn't take away that fact. I was disappointed in Spencer's output last year as well, especially considering the amount he was talked up in camp. And in case you haven't read into how the Dallas media operates, they take their cue from what they hear from the staff. If he was supposed to breakout and didn't, I am sure they'll pick up on the fact he didn't and write things that aren't exactly wonderful or full of "contempt" as you see it. And where did he write "whopping"? I must have missed that.

The way the article written is insulting to Spencer. The article could easily be written a different way, but ******* didn't choose that. And why? Because he always takes an insulting view of things.

Again, if you prefer peaches and cream articles about how our somewhat underachieving football team is performing, you might be looking in the wrong place. Try Mickey Spagnola. I am sure he'll give you all the non-insulting positive fluff you might desire.

I usually skim over the "snarky" comments and get what I need, which isn't much in what he writes anyways. Perhaps it is just me, I don't need or want to hear positive and wonderful things about potential from those who haven't shown it on the field yet, especially from a media who isn't paid to preach about what "might" happen. To each their own.
 

theogt

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Doomsday101;2865315 said:
Whether it's true or not is up in the air? That is what makes it an opinion if it is true or not.
You're mistaken as to the definition of "opinion" and "fact." It's a common mistake. A "fact" can be either true or false. That a fact can be false does not make it an opinion.
 

Doomsday101

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theogt;2865343 said:
You're mistaken as to the definition of "opinion" and "fact." It's a common mistake. A "fact" can be either true or false. That a fact can be false does not make it an opinion.

What? what ever you say as far as I'm concerned Spencer has not shown jack and that is not specualtion that is fact. I hope that changes but I'm not buying into Ellis held Spencer back it is up to a player to go out and earn playing time.
 
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