Why Can't fans accept the facts about Spencer?

[Chuck 54]

Blah blah blah....post after post about Spencer being a huge disappointment because he didn't get a bunch of sacks.

Could Spencer do more with his opportunities? yes

Should fans expect him to get more than 6-7 sacks per season? Probably not.

It's not like DWare and Spencer are both playing DE in the 4-3. They are OLBs, and only one of them rushes the passer 95% of the time; that's Ware. We all recognize that Ware is one of the great pass rushers in the NFL, and he had to get 3 sacks in the final game of the season to get to 15 sacks, still less than one sack per game average.

But for some reason fans think Spencer should have 10-12 sacks in far fewer opportunities.

From the 3-4, the standard pass rush comes from Ware and the front D-linemen. Spencer has other responsibilities...he's only coming on the pass rush when we bring 5 (and that's when the 5th guy isn't an ILB, CB, or S)...or when we try to surprise the other team by dropping Ware into coverage.

Spencer had a pretty good year for what he's asked to do. Is it fair to continue to expect him to improve? yes. Is it fair to want him to win more 1-1 battles when he does get turned loose in the pass rush? Of course, just as we should expect more wins in the 1-1 battles with our 3 DLmen.

But let's keep in mind that Spencer is not rushing the QB even half the plays that Ware is rushing the QB. You just cannot live rushing 5 guys most of the time.

I hope Spencer gets better, but fans need to stop thinking of Spencer as one half of a bookend DE pair...he's not. How many can even name the OLB who plays opposite Clay Matthews or list his sack totals compared to Spencer's?

 

[SDogo]

To add to this, he's not going anywhere. Please stop the trade Spencer posts. As unhappy as some fans are with him, the Cowboys are that more pleased with his play.

 

[CanuckCowboysFan]

To add to this, he's not going anywhere. Please stop the trade Spencer posts. As unhappy as some fans are with him, the Cowboys are that more pleased with his play.

Don't think it matters what the Cowboys think of him. I think it matters what Ryan thinks more so then anybody else. If Ryan thinks he should go, he'll go IMO or vice versa.

 

[BAT]

To add to this, he's not going anywhere. Please stop the trade Spencer posts. As unhappy as some fans are with him, the Cowboys are that more pleased with his play.

The Cowboys were not pleased with his play, Wade was. Wade is no longer here. The time to keep making excuses for the guy are over.

If I had a nice little slightly dinged volvo and had a chance to trade it in for a brand new high performance benz, then I take it. So would you.

 

[wileedog]

An aging Greg Ellis got 8 sacks from that position his last year here. 12.5 the year before. Its clearly not just the scheme.

Taking out the game against backups in Philly, Spencer got 2 in 15 games. And Wade was blitzing him like crazy the first 8 games when he realized we couldn't cover anybody and was desperate to get a quick pass rush.

Furthermore until late in the year his run containment was atrocious.

The whole point of using another 1st round pick on a pass rushing OLB was to create a threat opposite of Ware to keep the constant double teams off of him. So far other than a 5 or 6 game stretch last year, he has failed to do that.

He's not asked to be Ware, and no one expects him to be. But expecting him to be better than a 33 year old Ellis isn't too much to ask from a 1st round pick in his 4th season.

 

[The Natural]

Spencer had a pretty good year for what he's asked to do. Is it fair to continue to expect him to improve?

Oh really? He can't even do the fundamentals for his position: contain. He has no discipline at all on the edge.

 

[locked&loaded]

Blah blah blah....post after post about Spencer being a huge disappointment because he didn't get a bunch of sacks.

Could Spencer do more with his opportunities? yes

Should fans expect him to get more than 6-7 sacks per season? Probably not.

It's not like DWare and Spencer are both playing DE in the 4-3. They are OLBs, and only one of them rushes the passer 95% of the time; that's Ware. We all recognize that Ware is one of the great pass rushers in the NFL, and he had to get 3 sacks in the final game of the season to get to 15 sacks, still less than one sack per game average.

But for some reason fans think Spencer should have 10-12 sacks in far fewer opportunities.

From the 3-4, the standard pass rush comes from Ware and the front D-linemen. Spencer has other responsibilities...he's only coming on the pass rush when we bring 5 (and that's when the 5th guy isn't an ILB, CB, or S)...or when we try to surprise the other team by dropping Ware into coverage.

Spencer had a pretty good year for what he's asked to do. Is it fair to continue to expect him to improve? yes. Is it fair to want him to win more 1-1 battles when he does get turned loose in the pass rush? Of course, just as we should expect more wins in the 1-1 battles with our 3 DLmen.

But let's keep in mind that Spencer is not rushing the QB even half the plays that Ware is rushing the QB. You just cannot live rushing 5 guys most of the time.

I hope Spencer gets better, but fans need to stop thinking of Spencer as one half of a bookend DE pair...he's not. How many can even name the OLB who plays opposite Clay Matthews or list his sack totals compared to Spencer's?

Pack have had alot of injuries at lb position. That is why it would be so hard. Barnett, Chillar, zombo etc etc

Think of Woodly and Harrison both sacking the Qb. Why cant Cowboy fans want two Lbs terrorizing the qb? Also, its natural for people to be upset since he seemed to have regressed since the later part of last year.

 

[burmafrd]

I question the BOYS staff being satisfied with Spencer. IF they were then they need to go

 

[superpunk]

The extent of your argument is "yo guys playing strongside rush end is hard" followed by some statistics you made up like "Spencer isn't even rushing half the time Ware is".

Filed under, pointless drivel.

 

[locked&loaded]

The extent of your argument is "yo guys playing strongside rush end is hard" followed by some statistics you made up like "Spencer isn't even rushing half the time Ware is".

Filed under, pointless drivel.

yeah, this thread blows.

 

[RS12]

How many times did I see Spencer run himself out of position and the opposition gash Dallas on the run this year? Way too often. After second half of 09 I thought he was the most dominant player on Defense, the guy completely regressed last year.

 

[MagicMan]

An aging Greg Ellis got 8 sacks from that position his last year here. 12.5 the year before. Its clearly not just the scheme.

Taking out the game against backups in Philly, Spencer got 2 in 15 games. And Wade was blitzing him like crazy the first 8 games when he realized we couldn't cover anybody and was desperate to get a quick pass rush.

Furthermore until late in the year his run containment was atrocious.

The whole point of using another 1st round pick on a pass rushing OLB was to create a threat opposite of Ware to keep the constant double teams off of him. So far other than a 5 or 6 game stretch last year, he has failed to do that.

He's not asked to be Ware, and no one expects him to be. But expecting him to be better than a 33 year old Ellis isn't too much to ask from a 1st round pick in his 4th season.

I second this.....great post....Spencer needs to step it up, he and Jenkins both. If they can't do it in Rob's system, they will both be gone with no extension.

 

[SDogo]

I'm thankful every day that many of you have no decision making power over this team and I reminded every day why.

 

[locked&loaded]

To add to this, he's not going anywhere. Please stop the trade Spencer posts. As unhappy as some fans are with him, the Cowboys are that more pleased with his play.

Our mysterious, yet to be named defensive coordinator already said he is pleased with Spencers play?

 

[SDogo]

Our mysterious, yet to be named defensive coordinator already said he is pleased with Spencers play?

If you think Rob Ryan or any defensive coordinator that is going to walk into Valley Ranch and have some presumption that Spencer is worthless let alone tell Jerry what to do with him then your off your rocker.

 

[speedkilz88]

To put in perspective, Spencer is better than any of the OLBs that Rob Ryan had in Cleveland last season. It's not even close.

 

[CATCH17]

Spencer disappears from games.

I've backed him before when nobody else would last season and this season I'm here to say that if we can find a better pass rusher than go for it.


He's a good 1st and 2nd down lineman but that's about it.

 

[locked&loaded]

If you think Rob Ryan or any defensive coordinator that is going to walk into Valley Ranch and have some presumption that Spencer is worthless let alone tell Jerry what to do with him then your off your rocker.

Worthless, no. The idea that we could greatly improve the side opposite of Ware, yes.

Jerry isnt coaching this defense.

 

[SDogo]

Jerry isnt coaching this defense.

He just signs EVERYONE'S check. I love the conception that now that Jerry has given power to Jason that he has relinquished all control and interest over this team.

Suddenly now Rob Ryan will have majority control over Jerry...........

 

[InmanRoshi]

How many times does this tripe have to be poured forth by the Spencer apologists? Greg Ellis averaged double digit sacks for two years in Wade's system opposite Ware, and he was being substituted out for Spencer for a good portion of snaps . The year before that Merriman and Phillips both had double digit sacks in San Diego under Phillips. Other SOLBs had no trouble getting double digit sacks with the "opportunities", funny how there suddenly weren't "opportunities" as soon Spencer started playing the position.

If anyone doesn't get "opportunities" it's Spears because he gets pulled in nickel packages. Spencer plays all three downs, including nickel packages, and rarely leaves the field. He also plays opposite the NFLs premiere outside pass rusher who draws an indordinate amount of slide protection, TE double teams and RB chips. The next time Spencer sees a double team will be his first.

Spencer doesn't average 4 sacks a season because he doesn't get "opportunities", he averages 4 sacks a season because he's mediocre at best and offensive tackles can block him easily in a one on one matchup.