DMN Blog: What happened to Anthony Spencer?

[WoodysGirl]

11:59 AM Tue, Jan 06, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer E-mail News tips

When the Cowboys drafted Anthony Spencer in 2007, they said they needed as many pass rushers as possible. It made sense - and still makes sense - given how Wade Phillips likes to pressure quarterbacks.

But Spencer was hardly on the field on third downs in 2008. He became a first- and second-down player and had just 1.5 sacks. When the Cowboys would move to their nickel defense, Greg Ellis would come on the field and Spencer would go to the bench.

Why? Where was the package that involved Ellis, Spencer and DeMarcus Ware?

Spencer was slow to come back from knee and hamstring injuries and missed four games, but played much better in the final half of the season. Ellis is entering the final year of his contract and of course there are rumblings about his unhappiness about playing time. (Some things you just accept.)

Is Spencer ready to take over a full-time role in 2009 if Ellis is gone?



Comments (1) Leave comment | E-mail entry

 

[big dog cowboy]

I don't know about Spencer but we need to either sign a FA or draft Ellis' replacement this spring. I'd like Ellis back but not at the price he is going to want.

 

[jobberone]

I don't know about Spencer but we need to either sign a FA or draft Ellis' replacement this spring. I'd like Ellis back but not at the price he is going to want.

Can we afford to be without him? We do have Ratliff but we need something else and right now that's Ellis.

I can give you an answer and I agree Ellis is getting long in the tooth.

Best answer is for Spencer to learn a lesson and play as he's taught.

 

[EPL0c0]

I don't know about Spencer but we need to either sign a FA or draft Ellis' replacement this spring. I'd like Ellis back but not at the price he is going to want.

Can we do what we should have done way back in 2004 and sign Bertrand Berry? I remember how upset I was when he came out of Denver and Dallas passed on him and opted for Marcellus Wiley instead.

His sack totals aren't a good indication of what he does on the field because he often faces double teams. I can't imagine what him at DE + Ware a LB on the same side of the line could do both for them and for the other DEs/LBs.

 

[TheCount]

I don't know about Spencer but we need to either sign a FA or draft Ellis' replacement this spring. I'd like Ellis back but not at the price he is going to want.

I'm pretty certain you'll see us draft one two pass rushers this year. We have a lot of picks.

I'm not sure I understand though, they say Ellis is entering his final year, as in he has one more year or as in he's a FA after this season? I'm confused since they ask if Spencer is ready for full time in 2009.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I'm pretty certain you'll see us draft one two pass rushers this year. We have a lot of picks.

I'm not sure I understand though, they say Ellis is entering his final year, as in he has one more year or as in he's a FA after this season? I'm confused since they ask if Spencer is ready for full time in 2009.

2009 is his last year under contract; then he becomes a FA.

 

[jterrell]

Ellis should play 1st and 2nd down with Spencer in for pass rushing duties.

The staff reportedly liked Spencer's run playing when he first came back from injury but he is hardly the size to take on tackles at the point of contact and anyone with a brain runs pretty much at him.

Ellis may whine all off-season but he'll line up and play hard when it is time.

Spencer just needs to continue to develop.

Whenever Spencer leaves we will need another OLB. It is a shame Bobby Carpenter can't be the answer either inside or outside. Thats a 16th pick we should trade to BP for a box of rocks.

 

[canters]

Among the many rumors out there in the final weeks of the season was that Spencer lacked the desire to come back and take over 100% for Eillis. I hope this is not true....we have wasted enough picks on LBers.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I heard a rumor the other night on this (actually, it was from a drunk at a sports bar). Spencer wasn't playing hard because blech


That when he threw up on the bar and was escorted out.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The guy needs to be pushed big-time by a coach who demands he does things the right way. He has talent but from a few things I read he doesn't seem to be a real hard worker.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

It's simple... He was better against the run than Ellis. Ellis is better as a pass rush specialist at this point.

I don't know why all three weren't in there more, though.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

we need a faster player at OLB

we need an Antwan Barnes

 

[WoodysGirl]

It's simple... He was better against the run than Ellis. Ellis is better as a pass rush specialist at this point.

I don't know why all three weren't in there more, though.

Interesting, I think just the opposite. Ellis is better against the run than Spencer. But Spencer's youth make him better as a pass rusher. His potential suggests he'll be an overall better player in time.

 

[canters]

I heard a rumor the other night on this (actually, it was from a drunk at a sports bar). Spencer wasn't playing hard because blech


That when he threw up on the bar and was escorted out.

Hey, I think I saw you there!!

 

[Monster Heel]

Spencer played a role in those two long runs getting busted on the Boys at the end of the Ravens game. Over pursuing instead of just doing his job. That said I think he's better against the run than Ellis. Ellis can't change direction at all. There's no way he's tackling a guy on a consistent basis in space.

 

[Wrangler87]

Among the many rumors out there in the final weeks of the season was that Spencer lacked the desire to come back and take over 100% for Eillis. I hope this is not true....we have wasted enough picks on LBers.

Yeah, he was alright till he started hanging around the rest of the defense. Now, he's just turned into Tank Jr. Oh well, he got his $.

 

[jterrell]

It's simple... He was better against the run than Ellis. Ellis is better as a pass rush specialist at this point.

I don't know why all three weren't in there more, though.

I have heard this a lot but I just do not buy it.

Ellis is a stronger and better techniques player.

He may make less tackles because he takes less gambles and actually does what is asked. It is why Ellis was always stuck on 7.5 sacks per year but leading DE almost yearly in total tackles. He plays sound and boring football.

 

[diehard2294]

Spencer tends to try to go around blocks,which is no good,maybe he can learn from Ware because he plays well at the point of attack

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I have heard this a lot but I just do not buy it.

But that's about the only explanation for it, isn't it?

Maybe it's also that Spencer now, unlike last year, is more an all-around linebacker than Ellis. We all have seen how lousy Ellis is in space, while Spencer can at least run around a little.

And I could swear Wade also said in some PC that Spencer was really hard to block in the run game.

And a lot of it is age. Ellis isn't 25 anymore. He's better used in spot situations, and I think the coaches see that one role being more as a passrusher than a run player.

Didn't we get a lot better against the run about when Spencer got back and started playing more on early downs, too? Not saying it was all due to him, but still.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Hey, I think I saw you there!!

I was just thinking the whole time how happy I was that I decided to sit on the other side of that bar. There were a few other patrons that looked like they caught a little of his spew. His analysis was pretty spot on, I thought.