Anthony Spencer gets tagged in Big D (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

I know this possibility had been discussed for a bit, but I'm still surprised by this move. To me, Spencer isn't franchise worthy. I would be surprised if they get a new long-term deal done unless they really load him up with guaranteed money because I would be shocked if they have any intention of having his annual contract value come anything close to the $9mm tag number.

 

[Chaos Commish]

 

[Bankerguy]

I know this possibility had been discussed for a bit, but I'm still surprised by this move. To me, Spencer isn't franchise worthy. I would be surprised if they get a new long-term deal done unless they really load him up with guaranteed money because I would be shocked if they have any intention of having his annual contract value come anything close to the $9mm tag number.

The Cowboys boards I frequent are not pleased.No legit back up is the biggest reason imo.He is very good against the run but on the down side he lacks a legit pass rushing skill set. Also of note, if Spencer doesn't sign the 1 year deal right away Dallas can still shop around and unfranchise him if they sign someone else.His deal will come with a trice tag just under 9 million. Based on their cap space this will allow Dallas to possibly re-sign Laurent Robinson and 1 big named FA. Nicks and Carr being the two most noteworthy.

 

[Ack88]

Jerry Jones strikes again! What a great move...don't even let a guy that should be paid $3-$4 million hit the market; instead make sure he gets at least $9 million so he can't play for anyone else! Boy, I bet the rest of the NFL is jealous now.

 

[valence]

guy has never lived up to expectations. I don't understand the love affair JJ has with this guy. I understand the no backup issue, but there's this thing called the NFL draft coming up next month

 

[cobalt_27]

Hate the move. Hamstrings their FA signings. If BG is right, and we still sign Robinson, MAYBE we make a splash in FA. But, very strong possibility that we don't.

And, if Jerry/Stephen think Spencer is more important than Nicks, Carr, or Finnegan, then...we're in for more of the same disappointment(s) year in, year out.

 

[Bankerguy]

This was posted at the Cowboys boards. Here is a poster who asks some good rhetorical questions:

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What are you guys are expecting out of our starting OLB opposite Ware? I don't think it is feasible that the guy who is assigned to play run-first be racking up 10-12+ sacks every year.

I may be completely wrong here, but from what I understand, when the SOLB is not dropping into pass coverage in this defense, his assignments are to 1) Stop the run, and 2) Rush the passer.

This would mean that after the snap, Spencer has to check to see if it is a running play. If it is, he plays the run. If it isn't, he then has to mentally process that there is somebody covering the RB in the flats, then finally proceed to rush the QB, giving him at least a 1.5 second late start in his pass rush. One and a half seconds doesn't sound like a long time, but it is an eternity when pass rushing. I don't think that it is required of his position to be a pass-rushing monster.

I personally am happy with Anthony Spencer, regardless of where he was drafted. He has been a very good SOLB for the Cowboys opposite Ware. It's not feasible to expect him to pin his ears back and just rush the QB all the time. Why do you think our run defense is so good?

I'm sure he's got a lot to do with it, and for the sake of my arguement I'll count TFL as a sack. It's negative yardage. I'll refer to it as NYP (negative-yardage plays). If you look at him compared to DeMarcus Ware:

DeMarcus Ware since 2007: 80 sacks, 34 TFL = 114 NYP.

Anthony Spencer since 2007: 21.5 sacks, 21 TFL = 42.5 NYP.

Now, I understand that Anthony Spencer looks horrid when compared to DeMarcus Ware. But, let's put him against some players in a comparable situation (opposite an elite pass rusher):

Brian Robison since 2007 (opposite Jared Allen): 21.5 sacks, 12 TFL = 33.5 NYP.

Robert Mathis since 2007 (opposite Dwight Freeney): 48.5 sacks, 13 TFL = 61.5 NYP.

Lamarr Woodley since 2007 (opposite James Harrison): 48 sacks, 15 TFL = 62 NYP.

So, over the course of the past 5 years, Anthony Spencer has made about 20-less NYP than the best.

Keep in mind that the Colts play in a horrible, horrible division, as do the Steelers and Vikings. Mathis has spent the past few years feasting on the likes of Garrard and Kerry Collins for goodness sake.

Steelers play the Browns and Bengals each twice a year. Lamarr Woodley isn't the guy going up against Joe Thomas, and the rest of that line is not good.

The Vikings get to go up against the sieve that is the Bears O-Line, and less recently, a piss parade of awful QB'ing within the Lions franchise.

The NFC East still is one of the toughest divisions to play in in the NFL. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if Anthony Spencer covered that ground, and made one more sack or TFL every 3 games over the past 5 years, would that all of a sudden make him that much greater?

Anthony Spencer is very good at his position, in my opinion. I think that it could be much, MUCH worse and a lot of Cowboys fans take him for granted. Maybe, try looking past the sack tally and search a little more in depth before you hate a player, or hate the organization for valuing him as a very good piece of the defense.

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[Bankerguy]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/3/2/2827578/solving-the-salary-cap-dilema-for-the-2012-dallas-cowboys

Great Vela write up.

 

[Bankerguy]

Todd Acher blurb...

IRVING, Texas -- Now that the Cowboys have placed the franchise tag on outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, let’s look at some other aspects of the tag.

** The $8.8 million is guaranteed once Spencer signs the tender. He could choose to hold off on signing, which is what Ken Hamlin did in 2008, and skip the offseason program, organized team activities and minicamps. But he also runs the risk of the Cowboys rescinding the offer at any point, especially if they use a high draft pick in April. By then teams would not have as much salary-cap room as they would entering free agency.

** The Cowboys can still trade Spencer to another team. If a team wants to sign Spencer to an offer sheet, then they would be required to fork over two first-round draft picks. Remember Joey Galloway’s deal with the Cowboys? But the Cowboys could also swing a trade for different (lower) compensation. In 2006, Atlanta traded for New York Jets’ franchise player, John Abraham, in a three-way deal with Denver that cost the Falcons their first-round pick. In 2001, Aeneas Williams was traded from Arizona to St. Louis for second- and fourth-round picks.

 

[cobalt_27]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/3/2/2827578/solving-the-salary-cap-dilema-for-the-2012-dallas-cowboysGreat Vela write up.

Phenomenal.