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Anthony Spencer (1 Viewer)

Bracie Smathers

Footballguy
Hoping to hear any Cowboy perspectives on what is expected and any chatter of his progress to date. Also the status of Greg Ellis and I'm not sure that Wade Phillips plan of moving DeMarcus Ware to the opposite side of the TE so he's constantly on the weak side is foolproof. I know the plan is to ease Anthony on the field gradually, i.e., slowly but any insights into how he's progressing from a down lineman to a stand-up LB and what he is flashes in training camp would be appreciated. Haven't found anything substantial on him and I haven't seen him discussed here yet and figured others would also like any insights. Thanks in advance.

 
Hoping to hear any Cowboy perspectives on what is expected and any chatter of his progress to date. Also the status of Greg Ellis and I'm not sure that Wade Phillips plan of moving DeMarcus Ware to the opposite side of the TE so he's constantly on the weak side is foolproof. I know the plan is to ease Anthony on the field gradually, i.e., slowly but any insights into how he's progressing from a down lineman to a stand-up LB and what he is flashes in training camp would be appreciated. Haven't found anything substantial on him and I haven't seen him discussed here yet and figured others would also like any insights. Thanks in advance.
Notes from a Cowboys.com story found on the FBG Blogger:Cowboys.com articles cannot be cut and pasted, but the upshot is that Greg Ellis is hoping to be ready for training camp and will be the starter if healthy, according to Wade Phillips. Spencer got the usual "good things, bad things" OTA quote from Wade Phillips. He'll probably work in as a rotational rusher until he learns the nuances of run support from a standup linebacker perspective. Ware will be on the weak side primarily, although they moved Spencer around to get him into the playbook during OTAs.

Spencer has seen some discussion in the Forum, although not since OTAs have ended. Sig and CC debate him here and here (scroll through for the discussion. There were some early thoughts on Spencer's potential value in the IDP draft thread.

For my part, I still think Spencer will do well as a strong side OLB. I don't think he has Shawne Merriman upside, but I don't see any reason he can't provide at least what Ellis did in 2006 over the long term -- good run support and another outside pass rush threat. Between the unhappiness Ellis has with the situation (contract issue, feeling inadequate with the Cowboys frequent drafting of OLBs in the first round) and an injury that is difficult to return from at his age, I think the Spencer era begins relatively soon, if not Week 1.

 
Shaun Philips with better presence in run support is doable for this talent. This guy has the big play killer instinct to be a very startable IDP LB in sack heavy leagues.

 
He appears to be a natural pass rusher. I am not crazy about the position they have him in, and the crowded LB corps they have there. But if we are talking dynasty, I guess that second concern is minor.

I'd rather see him being the DaMarcus on his team, rather than playing across from DaMarcus.

 
Shaun Philips with better presence in run support is doable for this talent. This guy has the big play killer instinct to be a very startable IDP LB in sack heavy leagues.
I missed the dynasty issue in the title.I agree with every word from Sig. Spencer's value is solely tied to the scoring system you play in. Even with his above-average run support potential, he's not going to have much value in leagues that don't go four LBs deep or don't give big points for sacks.
 
Jene Bramel said:
Bracie Smathers said:
Hoping to hear any Cowboy perspectives on what is expected and any chatter of his progress to date. Also the status of Greg Ellis and I'm not sure that Wade Phillips plan of moving DeMarcus Ware to the opposite side of the TE so he's constantly on the weak side is foolproof. I know the plan is to ease Anthony on the field gradually, i.e., slowly but any insights into how he's progressing from a down lineman to a stand-up LB and what he is flashes in training camp would be appreciated. Haven't found anything substantial on him and I haven't seen him discussed here yet and figured others would also like any insights. Thanks in advance.
Notes from a Cowboys.com story found on the FBG Blogger:Cowboys.com articles cannot be cut and pasted, but the upshot is that Greg Ellis is hoping to be ready for training camp and will be the starter if healthy, according to Wade Phillips. Spencer got the usual "good things, bad things" OTA quote from Wade Phillips. He'll probably work in as a rotational rusher until he learns the nuances of run support from a standup linebacker perspective. Ware will be on the weak side primarily, although they moved Spencer around to get him into the playbook during OTAs.

Spencer has seen some discussion in the Forum, although not since OTAs have ended. Sig and CC debate him here and here (scroll through for the discussion. There were some early thoughts on Spencer's potential value in the IDP draft thread.

For my part, I still think Spencer will do well as a strong side OLB. I don't think he has Shawne Merriman upside, but I don't see any reason he can't provide at least what Ellis did in 2006 over the long term -- good run support and another outside pass rush threat. Between the unhappiness Ellis has with the situation (contract issue, feeling inadequate with the Cowboys frequent drafting of OLBs in the first round) and an injury that is difficult to return from at his age, I think the Spencer era begins relatively soon, if not Week 1.
He has a great burst on the edge. I think he'll get nice sloppy seconds playing opposite of DeMarcus as I'm sure OCs will slide protection schemes Ware's way much like Kamerion Whimbley got a boost from having Willie McGhinnest playing opposite him but Kam was a hand-glove fit for Crennel's system and didn't have to learn how to man up with the TE as Spencer apparently will be tasked with. Thanks for the read, lil dated May 12 but I hadn't heard anything recently.
Per Sig:

Shaun Philips with better presence in run support is doable for this talent. This guy has the big play killer instinct to be a very startable IDP LB in sack heavy leagues.
The obstical is Ellis but he's holding out and the Boys are losing patience from what I have gathered. The conversion from a down lineman to a stand up OLB is very difficult. Then add in the SAM TE responsibilities and its a pretty big chunck to digest all at once. He's not tall but his lift stats were off the charts so he's got quicks and explosive burst on the edge and with his lack of height he gets a very low center of gravity. The big question marks are pass coverage since if they plan to play him at SAM he'll that to learn as well. Odd coaching decision on Wade's part IMHO to place him their as a rook.
Per Mass Raider:

He appears to be a natural pass rusher. I am not crazy about the position they have him in, and the crowded LB corps they have there. But if we are talking dynasty, I guess that second concern is minor.

I'd rather see him being the DaMarcus on his team, rather than playing across from DaMarcus.
Concur. This coaching decision makes no sense. DeMarcus is a far better fit over the TE.
Back to Jene B:

I missed the dynasty issue in the title.

I agree with every word from Sig. Spencer's value is solely tied to the scoring system you play in. Even with his above-average run support potential, he's not going to have much value in leagues that don't go four LBs deep or don't give big points for sacks.
We get 4 pts. per sack so a sack happy LB is gold in my league but the real kicker is he's listed as a DE so I'd get LB points from a DL which I have with Terrell Suggs so if I could get another LB/DE hybrid I'd clean up. My main concern is Ellis and then this odd coaching decision by Phillips to put him on the strong side. It just makes soo much more sense to put him at WILL and keep Ware at SAM. Ellis is coming off injury, over age 30, and holding out for a big contract. I'm sure Spencer isn't nearly ready now and I see no way he'll be ready to take over on the strong side especially making a difficult transition from a down lineman. I think if anyone drafts him in my league they'll get frustrated that he's not getting early season points and will drop him. Otherwise he's just not getting the play that some other DL are getting and he could go undrafted in my league and I can pick him up on the wire.

Err, we've already conducted our first two of four rounds of our rookie/FA draft with only two rounds to go and Jammaal Anderson is still on the board. I traded for a high third round selection so I am torn between LaRon Landry and taking a shot at Spencer but I'm talking myself into gunning for Landry if he's still available when I select near the top of the third.

 
Two other quick things, Bracie.

Neither Ware nor Spencer/Ellis are going to be used much in coverage on TEs, especially one-on-one, in Phillips' scheme. Those responsibilities often fall to the LB or SS in this scheme; the LBs often come to the QB after the run-pass recognition. Donnie Edwards and Keith Brooking tended to be the cover guys in San Diego and Atlanta. It's a different setup than what your Browns run. Shawne Merriman played on the strong side in San Diego and was used in coverage only a small percentage of the time.

Also, by the time the season starts, Anthony Spencer is going to be listed as a LB in MFL leagues, if that's where you are. Those changes aren't made until the MFL guys get "official" word from the teams. There's almost no chance the Cowboys will send something to the league that lists him as a DL. And I'll defer to Sig but I'd guess that the biggest obstacle to transitioning from DE to LB in this league is athleticism rather than understanding the increased responsibility. I think Spencer will do fine there.

While Ware definitely has improved in his pursuit and coverage ability as a LB over the past two seasons, I think he a better fit on the weak side than Spencer given that Spencer should do better taking on blockers on run downs. Ware should be left in space both to pursue ballcarriers and to limit the trash he'll face as a pass rusher.

 
Two other quick things, Bracie.Neither Ware nor Spencer/Ellis are going to be used much in coverage on TEs, especially one-on-one, in Phillips' scheme. Those responsibilities often fall to the LB or SS in this scheme; the LBs often come to the QB after the run-pass recognition. Donnie Edwards and Keith Brooking tended to be the cover guys in San Diego and Atlanta. It's a different setup than what your Browns run. Shawne Merriman played on the strong side in San Diego and was used in coverage only a small percentage of the time. Also, by the time the season starts, Anthony Spencer is going to be listed as a LB in MFL leagues, if that's where you are. Those changes aren't made until the MFL guys get "official" word from the teams. There's almost no chance the Cowboys will send something to the league that lists him as a DL. And I'll defer to Sig but I'd guess that the biggest obstacle to transitioning from DE to LB in this league is athleticism rather than understanding the increased responsibility. I think Spencer will do fine there.While Ware definitely has improved in his pursuit and coverage ability as a LB over the past two seasons, I think he a better fit on the weak side than Spencer given that Spencer should do better taking on blockers on run downs. Ware should be left in space both to pursue ballcarriers and to limit the trash he'll face as a pass rusher.
I know Roy Williams is supposed to get up in the box more this year but I'm not familiar with their ILBs or who is a good match on the TE. Well this is promising news if Anthony is cleared to pass rush. I'm confident in his pass rush abilities but if he were to play a traditional SAM as I falsely assumed then it would have been a highly suspect coaching move by Phillips so this makes much more sense. Crennel's scheme is the same base as he had with the Pats tweaked for personnel of the Browns. That scheme has UP and DOWN LBers. D'Qwell is an UP LB who drops in coverage but its a NE deep safety zone coverage and not man. Also we don't have Richard Seymour and company so our DLmen are not athletic enough to do drops as the NE scheme allowed. Oh and now I do recall how Phillips said his defense was going to be more of an attack scheme so Spencer is a good long term play.I remember seeing Ware make a sensational pick in his rookie year during preseason, he looked purty good in coverage but I later heard he struggled.I'm in ESPN and I don't think they are swift in updating player assignments as they had listed T. Suggs as a LB when he actually was playing DL fora few years before they finally switched him over last year but the Raven scheme has him dropping and playing off the LOS so he's a hybrid so I get points. ESPN also listed Ellis as a DE and lists Ware as a DE so I'm pretty certain Specner will retain his DE listing.
 
We just talked to Calvin Watkins from the Dallas Morning News about the Cowboys on the Audible, and he had some things to say about Spencer's prospects for this year and beyond.

 

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