DMN/FWST Blog: Spencer replacing Greg Ellis as starter?

[WoodysGirl]

Spencer replacing Greg Ellis as starter?

Outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, who returned Sunday from a hamstring injury against the Giants, said he has been told he will be playing primarily on first and second down starting against the Commanders on Nov. 16.

Veteran Greg Ellis would then become primarily a third-down pass rush specialist and be replaced as a starter opposite DeMarcus Ware.

Spencer came back and had eight tackles last week and appears to be the better run-stopping option. Ellis said he does not plan to talk with the coaches about the move or with Jerry Jones, choosing not to be a distraction.

Spencer wouldn't assume or say he will be the starter. Spencer got more time against the Giants than Ellis with 39 to 31 plays.

- Rick Herrin



Posted at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Sounds like Anthony Spencer will be a starter

1:12 PM Wed, Nov 05, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips


Wade Phillips raved Monday about Anthony Spencer's performance against the Giants. It sounds like Phillips will follow that up by making Spencer a starter.

Spencer wouldn't go that far, but he did say that he's been told he'll play the majority of first- and second-down snaps. That would make Greg Ellis, who has been a starter since the Cowboys drafted him in the 1998 first round, a third-down specialist.

"All I know is on first and second downs, I'm probably going to be playing a lot more," said Spencer, who missed games because of knee and hamstring injuries this season. "I'm just excited to be on the field. I mean, I've been injured this whole first half of the season, so I'm just excited to be out there."

Ellis, as you might imagine, isn't so excited about his role being reduced, although he's been waiting for that to happen since the Cowboys drafted Bobby Carpenter. Ellis said he's disappointed but vowed not to become a distraction as the Cowboys fight for a playoff berth.

"Disappointed as a competitor, yeah," Ellis said. "I want to be out there playing and doing what I do. As far as this football team, that's what they feel the direction they need to go in. That's the decision they made. That's it."




http://www.***BANNED-URL***/images/ice3/icons/blog.gif Comments (7) Leave comment | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail entry

 

[BigDFan5]

GREAT news!

 

[zeromaster]

Now maybe we'll get to see some real results. Greg is what he is, and getting older.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

No shocker there. He was bound to over-take Greg at some point. The thing is that this should allow Greg to be much more fresh, all game, and rush the passer better.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Ellis shouldn't even be in on passing situations.

 

[TheCount]

Good news but you know what happens once the season is over, don't you?

http://i61.***BLOCKED***/albums/h77/legendz28/Ellis-Linus.jpg

 

[Rampage]

:beatit: yessir!

 

[bootyhunta]

Ellis has to realize at what point of his career he is and that this move is not only better for the team, it's better for him as it will save his body and should give him a great opportunity to focus on getting after the quaterback and making some big plays for a defense that is in dire need of some.

 

[aikemirv]

Good news but you know what happens once the season is over, don't you?

http://i61.***BLOCKED***/albums/h77/legendz28/Ellis-Linus.jpg

I think it is his last year. At least I am done with him anyway. I can't take another off-season of his whining.

Spencer needs a big day on 1st and 2nd down against the Commanders who seem to love to run right!

 

[ajk23az]

This is great, now we should put Ellis in his real spot, at DE.

Ellis shouldnt be in during 3rd downs though, I think Spencer should be able to cover better than GE.

I'll be waiting for the *****ing by Ellis though..

 

[Rampage]

This is great, now we should put Ellis in his real spot, at DE.

Ellis shouldnt be in during 3rd downs though, I think Spencer should be able to cover better than GE.

I'll be waiting for the *****ing by Ellis though..

i'd rather have all 3 of them in on 3rd down.

 

[MrMom]

We need to have Spencer in on obvious 3rd down passing situations. Wade should find a way to get all three in at the same time, or just use Spencer on all three downs. And use Ellis to give him an occasional breather.

 

[Section446]

I was totally against giving Ellis a big contract and still am.

 

[Pick6TerenceNewman]

Spencer replacing Greg Ellis as starter?

Outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, who returned Sunday from a hamstring injury against the Giants, said he has been told he will be playing primarily on first and second down starting against the Commanders on Nov. 16.

Veteran Greg Ellis would then become primarily a third-down pass rush specialist and be replaced as a starter opposite DeMarcus Ware.

Spencer came back and had eight tackles last week and appears to be the better run-stopping option. Ellis said he does not plan to talk with the coaches about the move or with Jerry Jones, choosing not to be a distraction.

Spencer wouldn't assume or say he will be the starter. Spencer got more time against the Giants than Ellis with 39 to 31 plays.

- Rick Herrin



Posted at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Sounds like Anthony Spencer will be a starter

1:12 PM Wed, Nov 05, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips


Wade Phillips raved Monday about Anthony Spencer's performance against the Giants. It sounds like Phillips will follow that up by making Spencer a starter.

Spencer wouldn't go that far, but he did say that he's been told he'll play the majority of first- and second-down snaps. That would make Greg Ellis, who has been a starter since the Cowboys drafted him in the 1998 first round, a third-down specialist.

"All I know is on first and second downs, I'm probably going to be playing a lot more," said Spencer, who missed games because of knee and hamstring injuries this season. "I'm just excited to be on the field. I mean, I've been injured this whole first half of the season, so I'm just excited to be out there."

Ellis, as you might imagine, isn't so excited about his role being reduced, although he's been waiting for that to happen since the Cowboys drafted Bobby Carpenter. Ellis said he's disappointed but vowed not to become a distraction as the Cowboys fight for a playoff berth.

"Disappointed as a competitor, yeah," Ellis said. "I want to be out there playing and doing what I do. As far as this football team, that's what they feel the direction they need to go in. That's the decision they made. That's it."




http://www.***BANNED-URL***/images/ice3/icons/blog.gif Comments (7) Leave comment | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail entry

Good for Spencer. Can't wait for Ellis to start whining!

 

[DTK]

I agree that all 3 of them should be in on third down. In fact, I say the only downlineman on a 3rd and long should be Ratliff. Let all of them stand up and try and confuse the oline. It worked against the Skids for the Steelers, so perhaps it would work for us...well, we'd probably get all confused and screw it up, nevermind.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Just to give you guys a heads up on the media in this town -- not that you didn't already know it -- but Galloway and Mac Engel are saying Ellis is a "scapegoat" for Wade, and that if you're going to do this then you have to drop every other player on the defense (except maybe Ratliff) in the grease, too.

Now how does that make sense when Ellis hasn't done a thing this year and Spencer is just plain better at this point of their careers?

It doesn't... But because Ellis is a good media source, this is what you get.

Poor, poor mistreated Greg Ellis.

 

[theogt]

Spencer looked infinitely better than Greg.

 

[theogt]

Just to give you guys a heads up on the media in this town -- not that you didn't already know it -- but Galloway and Mac Engel are saying Ellis is a "scapegoat" for Wade, and that if you're going to do this then you have to drop every other player on the defense (except maybe Ratliff) in the grease, too.

Now how does that make sense when Ellis hasn't done a thing this year and Spencer is just plain better at this point of their careers?

It doesn't... But because Ellis is a good media source, this is what you get.

Poor, poor mistreated Greg Ellis.

LOL. You replace a guy and he's a scapegoat. You don't replace a guy and there's "no accountability."

Oh well, a win against the Commanders and the criticism vanishes.

 

[TNCowboy]

Should've been done last year.

Ellis has a little bit of pass rush left in him, but putting him back in pass coverage is a joke. He has no hope of running with anyone.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

that is a great direction--period