Alexander
What's it going to be then, eh?
- Messages
- 62,482
- Reaction score
- 67,294
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.
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.