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SPENCER GETTING JOB DONE
By Josh Ellis
It was so typical of Anthony Spencer's season. He was right there in position to make the play, and it just didn't happen for him.
With the Commanders driving for a field goal at the end of the first half, the linebacker chased Jason Campbell out of bounds for a sack, which would've been his first since becoming a full-time starter this year. After a review, though, it was deemed Campbell threw the ball away before he stepped out, and Spencer didn't get credit. That's just how it's gone for him this year.
How ironic, then, with the ball floating freely in the air on Washington's last real chance to score, that it would fall right into the arms of Spencer, the one guy who's been working so hard and been so close to making these game-changing plays all year. With the Cowboys up 7-6 inside the last two minutes and needing a big play defensively, Stephen Bowen tipped a Campbell pass that ricocheted back toward the middle of the field, right to Spencer. Finally, one came to him. Finally.
"I was very surprised," Spencer said. "I just made sure I didn't drop it. I watched it the whole time. … Just the way the end of that game turned out. It's just like, finally, some type of big play being made."
Spencer's string of bad luck had become a running joke for some. "Almost Spencer." He would have a quarterback in the grasp, bringing him down, only to have the guy throw it away at the last minute. He would be stepping up to make the interception, but it would slip right through his hands.
While he's been the recipient of some criticism for not quite closing things out all the time, he has been deserving of credit for being there. Though he wouldn't get the sack, he would cause the throwaway. Maybe he wouldn't make the tackle in the backfield, but he would slow down the runner so other guys could get there. All along, Spencer kept pushing.
"I learned a long time ago if you just stay focused and positive in this game then good things will happen," Spencer said. "That's basically what's been happening, so I'm just going to keep doing it.
"I feel like I've been real close to making a lot of plays the entire season. Even back to the Broncos game, the ball went through my hands and they ended up scoring a touchdown and winning the game. So I've just been focusing on trying to make the plays when they come my way and being ready when they come my way."
If Spencer can start taking advantage of his opportunities more consistently it would be huge for a Cowboys defense that has played very well over the last couple months, and has given the team a chance to win every Sunday, even when the offense struggles as mightily as it did against Green Bay and Washington.
"We go into the game every week as a defense thinking that the game's going to be on our shoulders," Spencer said. "I think that's the way we want it. … Whenever we can keep them to six points and we score seven, I'll take that any day."
By Josh Ellis
It was so typical of Anthony Spencer's season. He was right there in position to make the play, and it just didn't happen for him.
With the Commanders driving for a field goal at the end of the first half, the linebacker chased Jason Campbell out of bounds for a sack, which would've been his first since becoming a full-time starter this year. After a review, though, it was deemed Campbell threw the ball away before he stepped out, and Spencer didn't get credit. That's just how it's gone for him this year.
How ironic, then, with the ball floating freely in the air on Washington's last real chance to score, that it would fall right into the arms of Spencer, the one guy who's been working so hard and been so close to making these game-changing plays all year. With the Cowboys up 7-6 inside the last two minutes and needing a big play defensively, Stephen Bowen tipped a Campbell pass that ricocheted back toward the middle of the field, right to Spencer. Finally, one came to him. Finally.
"I was very surprised," Spencer said. "I just made sure I didn't drop it. I watched it the whole time. … Just the way the end of that game turned out. It's just like, finally, some type of big play being made."
Spencer's string of bad luck had become a running joke for some. "Almost Spencer." He would have a quarterback in the grasp, bringing him down, only to have the guy throw it away at the last minute. He would be stepping up to make the interception, but it would slip right through his hands.
While he's been the recipient of some criticism for not quite closing things out all the time, he has been deserving of credit for being there. Though he wouldn't get the sack, he would cause the throwaway. Maybe he wouldn't make the tackle in the backfield, but he would slow down the runner so other guys could get there. All along, Spencer kept pushing.
"I learned a long time ago if you just stay focused and positive in this game then good things will happen," Spencer said. "That's basically what's been happening, so I'm just going to keep doing it.
"I feel like I've been real close to making a lot of plays the entire season. Even back to the Broncos game, the ball went through my hands and they ended up scoring a touchdown and winning the game. So I've just been focusing on trying to make the plays when they come my way and being ready when they come my way."
If Spencer can start taking advantage of his opportunities more consistently it would be huge for a Cowboys defense that has played very well over the last couple months, and has given the team a chance to win every Sunday, even when the offense struggles as mightily as it did against Green Bay and Washington.
"We go into the game every week as a defense thinking that the game's going to be on our shoulders," Spencer said. "I think that's the way we want it. … Whenever we can keep them to six points and we score seven, I'll take that any day."
