Spencer's future may be Inside

[T-RO]

Certainly not this year and maybe not even next season, but i say Anthony Spencer's future is as an ILB.

In Wade's 3-4 the ILB not only has to contain inside runs but also must be good at covering tight ends and running backs.

And those are the two things that Spencer does best.

I also don't think Spencer has that edge burst you need to ever be a supreme pass rusher. You have to be able to beat your man to the outside, which then can also set up the spins to the inside. Spencer doesn't have elite burst to beat tackles to the quarterback.

I think Anthony can be a top tier linebacker but I don't believe he will ever be that on the outside.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Certainly not this year and maybe not even next season, but i say Anthony Spencer's future is as an ILB.

In Wade's 3-4 the ILB not only has to contain inside runs but also must be good at covering tight ends and running backs.

And those are the two things that Spencer does best.

I also don't think Spencer has that edge burst you need to ever be a supreme pass rusher. You have to be able to beat your man to the outside, which then can also set up the spins to the inside. Spencer doesn't have elite burst to beat tackles to the quarterback.

I think Anthony can be a top tier linebacker but I don't believe he will ever be that on the outside.

Tell me, who you know that converted from a Defensive End, to a Outside linebacker position in the 3-4, to an inside linebacker in the 3-4?

 

[goshan]

Nope.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Something like this is basically gone unheard of.

You only see guys like Urlacher or Lofa Tatupu playing inside in a 3-4...

 

[AbeBeta]

He seems ideally suited to 3-4 OLB in pretty much any 3-4

 

[BAT]

Tell me, who you know that converted from a Defensive End, to a Outside linebacker position in the 3-4, to an inside linebacker in the 3-4?

Is this a trick question? Okay I'll play, answer is: Bobby Carpenter


Played a 4-3 OLB and DE at OSU, then drafted to play OLB in 3-4, finally converted into a 3-4 ILB.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

edge burst and speed were considered strengths of Spencer when he was drafted....

Scout.com Profile:

Anthony Spencer Photo LSU Uni Player Evaluation: Coming off a sensational senior campaign, Spencer has significantly elevated his draft stock. Could be used as a conventional defensive end or a rush linebacker in a 34 defense. Needs to improve his playing strength, yet has all the skills necessary to produce at the next level.

STRENGTHS: Explosion, Pass Rushing Skills, Speed

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Disengaging Skills, Size, Strength

Anthony Spencer Photo Civies Biography: Three-year starter and All-Conference selection as a senior after posting career-best totals of 93/26.5/10.5. Also broke up six passes last year. Junior totals were 23/7.5/3 in a rotational system.

Pos: Outstanding athlete who took his game to another level last year. Quick off the snap, fast off the edge and shows a burst of speed in every direction. Plays with terrific balance, leverage and body control. Fluid changing direction, makes plays down the line of scrimmage and goes hard until the whistle blows. Agile, slips blockers and shows an array of moves. Possesses a decent head, immediately locating the ball.

Neg: At times easily controlled by a single blocker. Rarely used in space or asked to make plays in reverse.

Analysis: Coming off a sensational senior campaign, Spencer has significantly elevated his draft stock. Could be used as a conventional defensive end or a rush linebacker in a 34 defense. Needs to improve his playing strength, yet has all the skills necessary to produce at the next level.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

edge burst and speed were considered strengths of Spencer when he was drafted....

Scout.com Profile:

Anthony Spencer Photo LSU Uni Player Evaluation: Coming off a sensational senior campaign, Spencer has significantly elevated his draft stock. Could be used as a conventional defensive end or a rush linebacker in a 34 defense. Needs to improve his playing strength, yet has all the skills necessary to produce at the next level.

STRENGTHS: Explosion, Pass Rushing Skills, Speed

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Disengaging Skills, Size, Strength

Anthony Spencer Photo Civies Biography: Three-year starter and All-Conference selection as a senior after posting career-best totals of 93/26.5/10.5. Also broke up six passes last year. Junior totals were 23/7.5/3 in a rotational system.

Pos: Outstanding athlete who took his game to another level last year. Quick off the snap, fast off the edge and shows a burst of speed in every direction. Plays with terrific balance, leverage and body control. Fluid changing direction, makes plays down the line of scrimmage and goes hard until the whistle blows. Agile, slips blockers and shows an array of moves. Possesses a decent head, immediately locating the ball.

Neg: At times easily controlled by a single blocker. Rarely used in space or asked to make plays in reverse.

Analysis: Coming off a sensational senior campaign, Spencer has significantly elevated his draft stock. Could be used as a conventional defensive end or a rush linebacker in a 34 defense. Needs to improve his playing strength, yet has all the skills necessary to produce at the next level.

This means the Cowboys need to get Spencer more invovled in rushing the passer.

 

[Hostile]

Certainly not this year and maybe not even next season, but i say Anthony Spencer's future is as an ILB.

In Wade's 3-4 the ILB not only has to contain inside runs but also must be good at covering tight ends and running backs.

And those are the two things that Spencer does best.

I also don't think Spencer has that edge burst you need to ever be a supreme pass rusher. You have to be able to beat your man to the outside, which then can also set up the spins to the inside. Spencer doesn't have elite burst to beat tackles to the quarterback.

I think Anthony can be a top tier linebacker but I don't believe he will ever be that on the outside.

Oh heck no. He is where he needs to be. He has the exact same number of QB pressures as Ware. Now he needs to get there.

Don't over react to a stat.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Oh heck no. He is where he needs to be. He has the exact same number of QB pressures as Ware. Now he needs to get there.

Don't over react to a stat.

GOOD POINT:starspin

 

[VACowboy]

Tell me, who you know that converted from a Defensive End, to a Outside linebacker position in the 3-4, to an inside linebacker in the 3-4?

Didn't Vrabel play some ILB?

 

[RealCowboyfan]

I could see Victor Butler playing inside linebacker before I could see Spencer.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

Oh heck no. He is where he needs to be. He has the exact same number of QB pressures as Ware. Now he needs to get there.

Don't over react to a stat.

I couldn't agree more. He's a talented player who's working pretty hard. We're all looking for results. Right now, we're seeing a team getting results, rather than just individuals.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

I couldn't agree more. He's a talented player who's working pretty hard. We're all looking for results. Right now, we're seeing a team getting results, rather than just individuals.

That what everybody is looking for, results. That's why Spencer will remain on the Outside Linebacker in the 3-4 instead of inside.

 

[Bluefin]

This means the Cowboys need to get Spencer more invovled in rushing the passer.

Anthony Spencer is going to eventually breakout as a pass rusher, but everyone needs to remember the strongside 'backer has a different role than the weakside 'backer.

Spencer drops in coverage with more frequency than Demarcus Ware.

Spencer has also had to adjust to a starting role this year with few opportunities to rest after only being a part-time player before this season.

And despite being sackless, he has clocked some passers this year.

Spencer will do nothing but improve as we move forward.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Anthony Spencer is going to eventually breakout as a pass rusher, but everyone needs to remember the strongside 'backer has a different role than the weakside 'backer.

Spencer drops in coverage with more frequency than Demarcus Ware.

Spencer has also had to adjust to a starting role this year with few opportunities to rest after only being a part-time player before this season.

And despite being sackless, he has clocked some passers this year.

Spencer will do nothing but improve as we move forward.

Good Point. I also believe Spencer and Ware need a breather to let Butler come in and get some reps.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Spencer inside?

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Spencer inside?

Same thing I asked myself.

 

[21Savage]

Spencer inside?

Why not? It's not like he's ripped or anything :laugh1:

 

[TwoCentPlain]

I don't think Spencer is athletic enough for the middle nor quick enough. I don't want to see Spencer trying to cover anyone 10-15 yds down the field.

Spencer's frame just seems a little too big for LB and too small for DL when watching the games. I don't know what he weighs but he just seems like he is in-between.