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Scoring system dependent. Sack heavy leagues could see Spencer at LB2-3 value, tackle heavy and neutral leagues will blunt Spencer's value no matter how much he plays.
Also position dependent.If he becomes DL like SUGGS, he could have solid value.If DAL lists him as a LB, he'd be a 2007 bye week play at best.
He is playing LB for Dallas.JOBOOZOSO said:
He's like Phillips with a better presence in run support. Coincidentally, Both were Purdue defensive ends (Ray Edwards from Minnesota is another DE this program recently produced)
I was going to say a Poor man's Merriman,but like the Phillip's comparison better...............He's like Phillips with a better presence in run support. Coincidentally, Both were Purdue defensive ends (Ray Edwards from Minnesota is another DE this program recently produced)
I am so (blanking) (blanked) right now. I got home from practice last night and spent a solid hour writing up my practice report. The entire document...lost...and it cannot be retrieved. Just not cool. I have not visited the boards since May and that is what I get the first day back. Technology gives me the proverbial finger. Nice...Give me this evening. All kidding aside I was blessed with a photographic memory and I should be able to recall just about everything I had down including my feelings about Rowdy.
Gold, Jerry, Gold...WhoDat said:
Just with the A team in general it was Carpenter and another player. I never got a good look at the number. I immediately caught onto 53, 93 and 97. I watched those guys all pratice. I really just watched a TON of 53 and 85. Those kids were that impressive yesterday.On passing downs/drills/snaps...these drills were being held at the other end of the practice field going away from my field of vision and I had moved down towards field level...it appeared 31 (Williams) was spending some time at what appeared to be an ILB position. I am not sure who else rotated in and out with him...Carpenter was nearby... but 31 got snaps there. Don't take that as any sort of gospel, which is saying that 31 will be moved to a LB position on nickel downs...but I saw him get some snaps. I was more focused on 9 and his inability to get the ball out and away. Most of his reads/throws were to check down receivers. Also, 82 was being used in a more aggressive down field fashion...coming across the field on drags/outs behind 81 (Owens). My feeling is that the jobs on defense are open. There was a very heavy rotation of players yesterday at each end of the field. If I go again during the week, it will be minus Our Gang. I'll be with clients and it will be much easier...much easier...to take some notes and watch a few different things. Also, I will probably be at each session this coming Saturday.Thanks, WhoDat. Your insights, analysis and rants were missed. Could you tell what was up with the ILBs (nickel package, etc) between the boys heckling the outsiders?
Assuming an owner knows their scoring they then have to determine how rookie players whose status, in this case is either DE or LB, is listed. In the case of Spencer his listing on the software that my league participates in, ESPN, is that of a DE.
ESPN changed the status of Terrell Suggs from a DE to a LB. He goes from a top five DL stud to a low point LBer. Two years ago Suggs was listed as a LB and ranked well below third tier LBers, last year he was the third highest scoring DLman. Greg Ellis has been listed as a DE and so has DeMarcus Ware so Spencer has to go up on any ESPN IDP draft board.
ESPN is terrible if they are doing the above.
Rector was a successful Parcells project. Why they drafted Skyler Green with Jamaica working so hard (from the practice squad) and improving so much was strange to me. We've yet to see anything of him, but as I understand it, he is freakishly quick and major RAC threat who makes highlight reel snags at almost every practice. Thanks Who Dat. That was an entertaining read. :X
Seriously, that broadcast is not for the casual fan, which is why I...Cowboy hater...tune into the show. They...know...what...they...are...talking...about. It is worth the listen.
Applaude the write up but have a difference of opinion on some points.
Well, let's hear it.
Good stuff! ... Thanks WhoDat, really appreciate it!You guys might want to pick up the Cowboy Report via the web. They are broadcasting live from lovely San Antonio and the show runs either 10:00-11:00 or 10:30-11:00 CST. If you are a hardcore fan, it is worth a listen. Despite my hatred for the Cowboys I even listen. The emphasis at practice and or the BIG talk right now is that the Phillips' 3-4 is a one gap defense. Parcell was running a 2 gap scheme. If you want a VERY educational break down of what that means, check the radio show's broadcast history and see if the show from 7/27 is still available. Total hardcoreSeriously, that broadcast is not for the casual fan, which is why I...Cowboy hater...tune into the show. They...know...what...they...are...talking...about. It is worth the listen. What does the one vs. two gap mean in less than 10 seconds? (There are a number of very inappropriate jokes available here but I am supressing my desire to type something snappy.)Roy Williams could be in for a legit, pad cracking Pro Bowl season. Additionally, players like Spears and Canty could come up over the course of the year. Spencer fits in there too. They will be able to use their athleticism to get stuff done minus dual responsibilities. Rozelle, Spears looked decent. He had a good practice. He was a person of interest on the show this morning, as was Canty. Each are gaining some notice and have positive talk surrounding their early play.
Thanks for posting that information, WhoDat. Those interested in that kind of thing should check out our IDP Audible podcasts. We discussed the Phillips 3-4 in depth on the IDP 401a podcast which discussed the nuances of most NFL defensive schemes.Still working on a 3-4 uber-article. Hoping to have it up by mid-August.The emphasis at practice and or the BIG talk right now is that the Phillips' 3-4 is a one gap defense. Parcell was running a 2 gap scheme. If you want a VERY educational break down of what that means, check the radio show's broadcast history and see if the show from 7/27 is still available. Total hardcore
Its their free boards. I've been screwed and benefited from the listings. This year, I have Suggs and am targeting a couple of different IDP replacements based on the changing whims of ESPN listings. If I don't replace T-Suggs then I'm screwed. But the broad brushed statement about the value of Spencer and others with 'iffy' positional status has to be directed to how those players are listed vis-a-vis each owern's software. T-Suggs goes from stud to dud status instantly and a sleeper like Spencer emerges. I gain no advantage, just trying to tread water but others are prolly in the same ESPN IDP ocean and need a head's-up. Jes toss'n that caution out there as I don't know how other leagues list hybrid players.
I would be interested in Craytons role in the offense - with slight injury to T Glenn - thinking he might get more looks.Thanks WhoDat
GOOD chance I am back out for Sunday's practice. I have not noticed him but, if I go tomorrow, I will make a point to watch how/when/where/why he is being used.
From The'Boys Blog: Kevin Burnett also returned and was flying around on the second team standard defense, getting plenty of reps with the first team nickel and manning one corner on the field goal teams.Bobby Carpenter and Kevin Burnett got lots of reps inside with the first team 3-4.
As it relates to Carpenter, either the P.M practice was different from the A.M. which is what I attended, or me and the person that wrote that watched two different teams yesterday. Carpenter was strictly second unit the entire morning session.
Thanks. Hadn't started my daily rounds yet.I think both notes are meant to say that Burnett was playing with the first team nickel. Elsewhere on Vela's blog and other Cowboy sites, it appears that James and Ayodele both look quicker to their assignments this year. Neither are playing in the nickel currently, including a 4-2-5 wrinkle that has Ware, Spencer, Burnett and Williams in the game as the ends and backers. There was also a note elsewhere that Burnett has looked good but missed a couple of practices with a knee issue which put him behind in whatever competition there may have been with James.Still a situation to watch closely, but there is unlikely to be a Donnie Edwards to be found in Dallas this year.
MFL usually updates around the second preseason game. Spencer will be a LB.
Burnett was flying around last night in the second half. I think they need to get this guy on the field more. He's missed time with nagging injuries during this camp, but he's turned heads when healthy. He has expressed some serious frustration with the situation, and I suspect he is more dynamic inside or out than players being given longer ropes. On topic, I watched Spencer closely last night (and really tried to keep an open mind). I wasn't impressed. He seemed very hesitant when things were open. He was unblocked on an occasion and had a very slow reaction to it. He was engulfed by any lineman he engaged, but I had the sense he was working on a technique. Rather than explode upfield and try to get the edge with a speed rush, he consistently ran right into the RT and tried to bounce a move from there. It didn't work, but on ONE passing down he did give the RT a serious problem after engagement. There's hope. He was driven and manhandled against the run. He didn't show any flash or explosion in this game (or during his overrated college career but that's another story). Obviously, he's trying to learn the position, but he'll be a big downgrade from Ellis. I would love to see Burnett "out of position" on the outside the way he's exploding to the play. He looks like he has a little Steve Foley in him. Wade wouldn't miss that if I'm right.
Burnett is having surgery for a bone spur in his ankle. Carpenter is getting snaps outside with Ellis still recovering. That's left little competition for James and Ayodele. The better position in Phillips' scheme has been the RILB in recent seasons. That appears to be Ayodele in this case, but since he isn't playing in the nickel and James is, it's going to be much closer if not reversed for the 2007 Cowboys.Ayodele could be an interesting situational play but I'd roster James first.
