Grizz: Obsessive rantings of a blogger on Ellis/Carpenter/Spencer

[Stash]

What a "problem" to have!

Too many quality players and not enough positions?

I love having this "problem"!

I expect Spencer to man the "Merriman" role in Dallas' Phillips 34 by Game 1.

Anything a returning Greg Ellis brings will be gravy, but he can't be counted on to be a quality starter at this point. And he can stop crying about his role again right now. Be thankful the team hasn't cold-heartedly cut you and take whatever role you can in order to contribute.

I'm not worried about Spencer covering because - like Merriman - I doubt he'll be required to very often.

I expect that Brady James will now be a two-down linebacker and Carpenter and possibly Burnett will play the nickel.

I feel this depth is an embarrassment of riches and a team strength.

Something to be happy about, not concerned.

 

[Spontae]

Asking Carp to move back and forth from inside to outside linebacker may be the reason he did not "show" until the end of the season. If Carp is a natural OLB, sticking him inside in the 3-4 changes his role entirely- he has to play smash-face with guards on inside running plays, which calls for different reads, different strength, different leverage, etc. The inside 'backer's first job is to meet the guard at or near the line of scrimmage and blow up running plays. The OLB has a completely different set of reads, lining up shaded outside the TE, jamming him, keeping outside leverage on running plays and flying to the QB when rushing.

Asking Carp to flip-flop between ILB and OLB, and be successful at both, would be like asking Gurode to play left tackle, with success, using the logic "Well, you ARE a lineman..."

I believe Carp can continue his success at OLB either behind Ware or fighting for the opposite spot. I believe sending him inside at linebacker would further hinder his progress; he can probably do it, as he seems a fantastic athlete, but his existing skill set and experience seems to favor him at OLB.

 

[Doomsday101]

We will find out soon enough how Phillips plans on using these players within his defense. I think we do have some good talent and it will be up to Phillips to take advantage of these players

 

[Clove]

All I know is, Wade's #1 objective is to put pressure on the QB, and this is why we moved back up to pick Spencer.

Carpenter learns the ILB position, he's going to be rushing the passer as well, and he will be getting after folks. So if I'm Carp, I would embrace that role, and become a legend at it, because he's probably better than Ayodele and James already.

 

[Angus]

I expect Ellis to be gone by the October trading deadline because I think Spencer will take over the SOLB spot and Ellis will be relegated to a reserve role (at least in his mind). It really won't make any difference whether he is completely well or not except as it will affect his trade value.

If he isn't the captain any more (and I don't think he will be, even if he lasts beyond training camp) and is not the starting SOLB or starting DE, he will be complaining (out loud) too much to keep around for long.

Even if he behaves himself, I think he will be traded this year. He is still a good DE and worth something. If not traded, he would soon have to be released outright to give some of the young players their due and to jettison the bad vibes he can (and will) generate if he is unhappy.

 

[dfense]

All the speculation. Being a rookie, he'll probably be relegated to situational end rusher in any package that uses 4 lineman. That way, Carpenter, Ware and Spencer will probably all be on the field.

He was a DE in college.

 

[theogt]

I think this needs to be cleared up....

Carp is a better OLB than Spencer.

The Cowboys drafted a DE, who they hope will become an OLB.

Can Spencer play that role? Who knows. I hope so.

Oh my god. Why would they possibly draft a DE to play 3-4 OLB? That just makes no sense. I've never seen anyone do that before. Like, for real.












Psst. Your ignorance is showing.

 

[Vintage]

Oh my god. Why would they possibly draft a DE to play 3-4 OLB? That just makes no sense. I've never seen anyone do that before. Like, for real.





Psst. Your ignorance is showing.

His post is fine.

As of now, Carpenter is the better OLB. Carpenter has played OLB before. Spencer hasn't.

We are hoping Spencer makes the transition nicely to OLB. As of now, it remains unseen. Its not guaranteed Spencer can play OLB.

 

[theogt]

His post is fine.

As of now, Carpenter is the better OLB. Carpenter has played OLB before. Spencer hasn't.

We are hoping Spencer makes the transition nicely to OLB. As of now, it remains unseen. Its not guaranteed Spencer can play OLB.

No, it's not fine. It's ignorant. Look at just about every 3-4 OLB in the league. They were DEs in college. He's shown his knowledge of the 3-4 in the past.

4-3 OLB = 3-4 ILB
4-3 DE = 3-4 OLB

Very few college 4-3 OLBs can actually play 3-4 OLB. Carpenter happened to be one of them with the size and speed.

 

[DallasEast]

Phillips like what he saw in Spencer and making the move in the 3-4 to the outside is not something Spencer will have a problem with. Ware was also a DE in college and the move had no ill effect on him. Spencer’s speed and athletic ability should have no problem

How can you say that? You don't know this. I think without question, Spencer will prove to be a far better OLB rushing the passer and not any worse at stopping the run. The only question mark I see is his coverage skills which is something he also did some of at Purdue. I like Carpenter, but I don't think he would ever be a pro bowl outside linebacker. Spencer has a real shot at it.

I think this depends on what type of linebacker we're talking about here. In Wade's system, it seems Spencer will be filling a role similar to that of Merriman's or Phillips' role last year...a pass rush specialist OLB, a role similar to a 4-3 DE. He'll still be able to play the run, as he obviously did so as a DE, so that's not an issue. Spencer isn't going to be asked to drop back in coverage very often. In this role, I see him being more successful than Carpenter. However, in a traditional sense, I agree that Carpenter has the potential to be a better overall LB. I think that's precisely why there has been so much speculation that we'll be moving our two or three best "overall" guys (Ware, Carp) around quite a bit this year. I certainly hope the speculation proves to be true.

Simply put, Spencer was drafted as a OLB. Unless the coaching staff intends for him to add 40+ pounds in order to play as a 3-4 defensive end (which ain't gonna happen), he's set to play opposite Ware.

 

[Vintage]

No, it's not fine. It's ignorant. Look at just about every 3-4 OLB in the league. They were DEs in college. He's shown his knowledge of the 3-4 in the past.

4-3 OLB = 3-4 ILB
4-3 DE = 3-4 OLB

Very few college 4-3 OLBs can actually play 3-4 OLB. Carpenter happened to be one of them with the size and speed.

His point, to me, seems to be that Spencer is not guaranteed success at OLB just because he played DE in a 4-3. Its a different position at a much higher level.

Yeah, its logical to move Spencer to OLB. But that doesn't mean he will be guaranteed a succesful career just because some others have done it before him.

 

[YosemiteSam]

As of now, Carpenter is the better OLB. Carpenter has played OLB before. Spencer hasn't.

Eh? Just because someone hasn't doesn't mean they can't. An outside linebacker must be able to rush the passer. Is there any question who the better pass rusher is? To say Carpenter is better without actually seeing both play OLB is foolish. I didn't see Ellis last year or Ware the year before have any trouble playing OLB.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Simply put, Spencer was drafted as a OLB. Unless the coaching staff intends for him to add 40+ pounds in order to play as a 3-4 defensive end (which ain't gonna happen), he's set to play opposite Ware.

Exactly.

 

[tomson75]

Simply put, Spencer was drafted as a OLB. Unless the coaching staff intends for him to add 40+ pounds in order to play as a 3-4 defensive end (which ain't gonna happen), he's set to play opposite Ware.

Who was arguing otherwise?

 

[DallasEast]

Who was arguing otherwise?

No. I'm agreeing with you. It's the guy you were replying to (hint! hint!).

 

[tomson75]

No. I'm agreeing with you. It's the guy you were replying to (hint! hint!).

gotcha. I'm a little hyped up today.

 

[YosemiteSam]

No. I'm agreeing with you. It's the guy you were replying to (hint! hint!).

ok, but only if you say so in small letters...

 

[theogt]

His point, to me, seems to be that Spencer is not guaranteed success at OLB just because he played DE in a 4-3. Its a different position at a much higher level.

Yeah, its logical to move Spencer to OLB. But that doesn't mean he will be guaranteed a succesful career just because some others have done it before him.

If he's any worse than Carpenter at rushing the QB from the 3-4 OLB position, I think we should fire the entire scout staff, including Jeff Ireland, on the spot.

Is Carpenter better in coverage than Spencer? Most likely. Is Carpenter better in coverage than Shawn Merriman? Most definitely. Who would you rather have? Who would Wade Phillips rather have?

And, no, that likely wasn't his point. In another thread earlier in the week he was asking why we would draft a DE to play OLB. I kid you not.

 

[Vintage]

Eh? Just because someone hasn't doesn't mean they can't. An outside linebacker must be able to rush the passer. Is there any question who the better pass rusher is? To say Carpenter is better without actually seeing both play OLB is foolish. I didn't see Ellis last year or Ware the year before have any trouble playing OLB.

Did I say he couldn't?

No. Don't put words in my mouth.

All I said was that I can understand his point. As of now, Carpenter has proven he can play OLB. Spencer has yet to prove that. Is that false in any way?

No.

 

[Vintage]

If he's any worse than Carpenter at rushing the QB from the 3-4 OLB position, I think we should fire the entire scout staff, including Jeff Ireland, on the spot.

Is Carpenter better in coverage than Spencer? Most likely. Is Carpenter better in coverage than Shawn Merriman? Most definitely. Who would you rather have? Who would Wade Phillips rather have?

And, no, that likely wasn't his point. In another thread earlier in the week he was asking why we would draft a DE to play OLB. I kid you not.

Is this really that hard to comprehend?

All I said was UNTIL Spencer proves he can play OLB successfully, Carpenter is better, seeing as how Carpenter has proven he can play OLB.

I am NOT saying Spencer will fail. I am NOT saying Spencer was a bad pick.

ALL I am saying is that Carpenter has proven he can play OLB. Spencer hasn't.