Bobby Carpenter is an excellent LB, and will provide the Dallas Cowboys with years of solid play. However, he is not & never was the type of playmaker Anthony Spencer is, and that is what you need at the SOLB position in the Phillips' 3-4 scheme. The particular player who plays this position must have a history of making plays behind the LOS. Last year at Purdue, Spencer led the entire nation with 26.5 Tackles For Loss, 10.5 sacks, and 93 total tackles. That is the type of player you put at that position.
Also, Spencer is pound for pound one of the strongest, most athletic players that came out of the 2007 draft. He bench presses 530 lbs. at 265 lbs.--already! That's twice his body weight. He can also squat 620, & power clean 365. You will not find those three numbers associated with ANYONE in this year's draft class not named Manuel Ramirez. Add to that the fact that he runs the 40 in approx. 4.65, and you see the kind of athlete we're talking about. He's quick enough to run around you, or strong enough to stand you up.
Our defense needed help with its 3rd down efficiency-badly. When you have that problem, you do one of two things-bring in a top-notch CB, or improve the pass rush. Either way, one feeds off the other. I'm sure you were watching with me as, beginning with the Bengals pick, one by one, the best secondary players began falling off the board. First, Leon Hall, then Michael Griffin, Aaron Ross (ouch), & finally, Reggie Nelson to the Jags. By the time the Cowboys got back into the first round at #26, Brandon Merriweather was also gone.
Personally, I believe Spencer would have dropped into our lap at #36, but that's why I don't own the team, I guess.
I feel, just from his history, and from watching tape, Spencer has just touched the surface of what he will finally become. I love the pick.
