Minor Props for drafting Spencer

montgod

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http://nfldraft.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=782003 (link for complete article)

2007 Draft could have had different look
John Murphy

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: 15
Actual choice: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
Revised choice: Anthony Spencer, OLB/DE, Purdue

This one is a bit trickier, because the Steelers were not really sure what they would get out of James Harrison - who turned out to be a Pro Bowl selection in his first-year replacing veteran icon Joey Porter. Meanwhile, Timmons recorded just 13 tackles and now has to either change positions or play as a backup for several years. The Steelers came back in round two by adding versatile pass rusher LaMarr Woodley, who could replace Clark Haggans on the opposite side of Harrison. However, by doubling up at that spot they left themselves vulnerable at a few other positions (like cornerback, defensive end and offensive guard). The Steelers were well aware at last year's draft that Alan Faneca would likely be gone a year later. At No. 15, the Steelers could have added cornerback Aaron Ross - who helped solidify the Giants secondary. Ross could have easily replaced Ike Taylor at some point last season. Another option could have been offensive guard Ben Grubbs as a future replacement for Faneca. More of a long-range look at their draft would suggest the Steelers would have likely looked at Anthony Spencer to push Haggans. Then, they could have come back in round two with either inside linebacker David Harris or cornerback Eric Wright, both of whom fit their needs/schemes.
 
I don't know what happened with Spencer.

I think he did very well filling in for Ellis.

After that, we seemed to forget he was around.

He was underutilized.

If we don't find ways to get him on the field with Ware and Ellis, we are missing the boat.

We did that a little last year, then stopped. Why?
 
Alexander;1987108 said:
I don't know what happened with Spencer.

I think he did very well filling in for Ellis.

After that, we seemed to forget he was around.

He was underutilized.

If we don't find ways to get him on the field with Ware and Ellis, we are missing the boat.

We did that a little last year, then stopped. Why?
Those "Cowboy" packages were really fun to watch. I have no idea why it wasn't utilized more.
 
Kind of hard to argue with giving Spencer's playing time to Ellis.
 
theogt;1987110 said:
Those "Cowboy" packages were really fun to watch. I have no idea why it wasn't utilized more.

They confounded Manning with it in the Meadowlands yet never bothered in the playoff game. That seems really intelligent.
 
Spencer was getting a lot more playing time towards the end of the season. Wade kept putting Ware, Ellis, and Spencer in on the same play.
 
I think Spencer is going to be fine, he got a taste last year and with an entire off-season and training camp he should be a lot more comfortable with the 3-4 defenses and better prepared to deal with the longer season.
 
Yeagermeister;1987422 said:
Play Ellis at DE with Ware and Spencer at lb
In the 3-4 or are you suggesting we go back to a 4-3 (Ellis-Spears-Ratliff-Canty)?
 
big dog cowboy;1987437 said:
In the 3-4 or are you suggesting we go back to a 4-3 (Ellis-Spears-Ratliff-Canty)?

In the 3-4. He should be able to fill in for Spears or Canty every so often. It works in Madden. :D
 
Oh_Canada;1987420 said:
You WILL notice Spencer this year.

Oh well if you say it, I believe. I mean obviously you hold so much sway over the coaching staff and have so much information....:rolleyes:
 
theogt;1987110 said:
Those "Cowboy" packages were really fun to watch. I have no idea why it wasn't utilized more.

That just blew my mind. The only reason I can think of is that Wade did not have enough conifdence in his LBs in pass coverage to go as exotic as he wanted to.

We became really basic by the end of the year.
 
khiladi;1987677 said:
That just blew my mind. The only reason I can think of is that Wade did not have enough conifdence in his LBs in pass coverage to go as exotic as he wanted to.

We became really basic by the end of the year.

that pissed me off

as well as not sending Austin on more go-routes
 
Bob Sacamano;1987682 said:
that pissed me off

as well as not sending Austin on more go-routes

I saw it all over the league once December arrived..it wasn't just us.

Offensive coordinators just throttle back heading down the stretch if their teams are in contention for playoff spots.

They worry about turnovers and short fields for the opponents and rely on defense and special teams to win the field position battles. And it gets worst the closer to the end of December you get.

The scores turn to 17-14 and 21-17 for the most part.

Yes, I agree, we stopped going deep when TO got hurt and didn't realy try to get Hurd or Austin into the offense like we should have.

There was some pulling back on Garrett's part.

But I guess these guys are taught that early from their coaches they learn to coach under and they just continue to do it.

Even the Pats looked the same way.

It's a long season and it's hard to really keep teams focused and sharp over 16 games, 5 pre-season and 3-4 post season games.

We sure haven't found the magic yet.

:starspin ReDBaLL ExPreSS:starspin
 
Alexander;1987108 said:
I don't know what happened with Spencer.

I think he did very well filling in for Ellis.

After that, we seemed to forget he was around.

He was underutilized.

If we don't find ways to get him on the field with Ware and Ellis, we are missing the boat.

We did that a little last year, then stopped. Why?


While Wade states that stopping the run is important, it's obvious from looking at his defenses over the years he finds being able to sack the QB as the most important part of a defense. Spencer wasn't bad pass rushing, but Ellis was excellent (12.5 sacks in about 11 games). So while Spencer was better in coverage and against the run than Ellis, I think Wade just places so much value on getting to the QB that he couldnt wait to put Ellis at OLB instead.

Hopefully Spencers pass rush skills start to match Ellis' next season so Phillips will feel comfortable making him the starting OLB instead of Ellis and then use Ellis on pass rush situations.





YAKUZA
 
In Nickel situations, I would like to see a front 4 of Ware, Ellis, Ratliff, and Spencer.

On paper, it sounds pretty deadly.
 
Yeagermeister;1987442 said:
In the 3-4. He should be able to fill in for Spears or Canty every so often. It works in Madden. :D


Right. Put Ellis in on passing downs and let him rush from Spears DE position while Spencer and Ware rush from the OLB positions. It's a very nice package and a great way to get all three pass rushers on the field at the same time.

We did it some last year and I'd imagine that we'll do it more this year as Spencer gains experience and confidence. At least I hope we do.
 

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