Anthony Spencer: So Close to Being a Playmaker
by Aaron Novinger on Nov 18, 2009 3:00 PM CST
40 comments
Instead of forcing game balls on an unproductive game against the Packers, I went back to take a look at one player who did have a productive game for the Cowboys: Anthony Spencer.
The Dallas rush defense in now ranked 10th in the league, allowing just over 103 YPG. Spencer is a big part of that. Often playing next to Marcus Spears with Keith Brooking behind him, Spencer rounds out the trio to provide the Cowboys with a physical presence that attacks opposing offense's strong side.
In Green Bay, Coach Phillips would sometimes line up Spencer across from the slot receiver and rush him at the quarterback. When he and DeMarcus Ware would flip, he often began in a three-point stance. Sometimes, he would backpedal from his stance to cover the short zone. On at least one occasion, Ware lined up next to him.
Obviously, moving Spencer around is a direct result of Phillips trying to get the best possible mismatches for Ware. Although Spencer still does not have a sack on the season, he is continuing to match Ware in quarterback pressures and is dropping running backs for losses.
On the Packers' second offensive drive, Spencer dropped back into a short zone coverage, read the HB-screen to Ryan Grant and darted forward to drop the RB for a one-yard loss. On the very next play, he collapsed the pocket by overpowering the LT and forced Aaron Rodgers to scramble. He ended up tackling Rodgers for a two-yard gain.
Make the jump.
Towards the end of the first quarter, up against the RT, it was his hit on Rodgers that forced a pass incompletion. So close to a sack, Anthony...again, so close.
In the second quarter, he showed what makes him such a solid strongside OLB. Using the weight and momentum of the Packers' tackle, he used an olé move to push him to the ground and ended up crashing into Grant. On the next play, he did a nice job in disguising a blitz, and then backpedaled quickly into covering the short zone. It was in this quarter that I noticed the Packers began using a RB to chip him when it became obvious that the RT was having problems with him.
In this game, Spencer also showed great hustle and athleticism to complement his physical style of play. This proved evident on the drive just before the half when, after failing to create a pass rush, he peeled off to sprint 20 yards downfield to make the tackle on Donald Driver. The other Dallas defenders were having a tough time getting Driver to the ground. The play may not have saved any points on the scoreboard, but it prevented any Brandon Marshall-type magic.
Spencer always seems just a step away from single-handedly owning a series or two. During one drive in the second quarter, he nearly had Grant two yards behind the line of scrimmage. It's too bad Grant was able to slip through his grasp because he ended up gaining 13 yards and a first down. Just two plays later, though, Spencer showed off his quickness by splitting the TE and RT to drop Grant for a two-yard loss. On several passing plays, he got his hands up in the lanes, but was inches away from blocking the throw.
On the day, Spencer registered 10 tackles with two going for losses. Indeed, that is a solid game for a strongside linebacker.
How many times have we each said, "if only he were there a split second sooner"? He could have some sacks, perhaps some forced fumbles, a pass or two batted in the air that leads to a pick-six, a pick-six or two of his own. In defensive battles like we witnessed on Sunday, such a play could change the outcome of the game. At the very least, it would have given the Cowboys the momentum they failed to muster.
If only...if only...if only Anthony Spencer can make those one or two big plays per game that he is so close to making. It would help add a another playmaking presence to an already improving defense. As the Cowboys enter their stretch run, another big-time playmaker on defense could make for a dominant unit.
Hopefully, he'll be able to get his first sack in this upcoming contest against the Redskins. If so, as we've seen with DeMarcus Ware earlier this season, that may be all it takes for the sack-floodgates to open.
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Yes.
I’d love to still have him, because while Spencer’s been very good, no sacks is no sacks. Ellis would have 5 or so by now.
And if Ware or Spencer gets hurt…………
WAIT! I didn’t say that!!
by Realist Larry on Nov 18, 2009 11:08 PM CST up reply actions
Agreed
Ellis would be great to bring in on obvious passing downs. Spencer is probably better against the run and in coverage, however.
That's what Victor Butler's for.
You keep Ellis and you can’t develop any young players. Remember, they also were supposed to have Brandon Williams as well.
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...
by Aaron Novinger on Nov 19, 2009 10:06 AM CST up reply actions
yep
I agree. If Ellis were here, I doubt Butler gets any plays in.
by what_the_crap on Nov 19, 2009 2:39 PM CST up reply actions
I like Spencer's game
he tackles well and is really physical at the point of attack. He’ll get the individual stats in due time.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Agree
And no, I’m not doubting the release of Greg Ellis. As much as I want the Cowboys to win a SB this year, I don’t think Ellis would be the difference either way. So why not let Spencer develop as well as the guys behind him who might have been cut if Ellis was here. It was the right move
by StillHateTheGiants on Nov 18, 2009 3:27 PM CST up reply actions
Ellis is gone no point of talking about him, but I want to see
Victor Butler to develop and start playing Spencer’s role last year ie coming on a passing downs and becoming a solid back up, god forbid Spencer or Ware missing playing time due to injuries.
Spencer is going to be a really good player for a long time...
You can tell he is getting more comfortable as the games go by…
"Austin made the play, Austin saved the day" Brad Sham
My only question is...
How many times have we each said, “if only he were there a split second sooner”?
How long do we allow this to be acceptable? Sooner or later he needs to finish.
That being said, I think he has stepped into this role fantastically, and has steadily improved since Week 1. I look forward to the Spencer/Ware combo, as long as things continue improving.
As Raf and Terry have mentioned repeatedly,
pressures are almost as if not as important as sacks. No way he keeps getting as many pressures as he has w/o some QB’s starting to drop.
His level of play is certainly acceptable
While I completely understand that...
I never said his level of play is unacceptable, I’m merely stating that at some point “almost finishing the job” isn’t the same as “finishing the job”.
To me, the difference between a pressure and a sack are not negligible. Pressures are great, but there is still the possibility of a given offensive play having success, while a sack means that the offensive play was not. Pressures are great, but if you “almost” sack the QB and he throws a 60 yard touchdown, it ain’t the same as a sack. Let me also state I realize that’s not going to happen all the time (Or better yet, rarely).
Again, I think Spencer has been great so far… But there’s still a lot of season left.
You got that right.
Pressures are great, but if you "almost" sack the QB and he throws a 60 yard touchdown, it ain’t the same as a sack.
I think Spencer will figure out how to take this last step. Well, and hanging on to interceptions, I guess, is another step.
But I do think he’ll get it. I’ve been watching him, especially since Ellis was let go. He’s really solid with run control and he’s starting to cover receivers pretty darn good, as Aaron points out.
"We'll see." --Bill Parcells
That out route to Knowshon Moreno in the Denver game...
(Their first TD) It still haunts my dreams. He was soooooo close to picking that sucker, and it literally went right through his hands.
It's 50/50
It’s 50/50, as what about if the Pressure leads to early throw that turns into pick 6? I take that over a sack any day & I’ll take Spencer over Ellis any day as well.
Sorry, should've worded that better
What I meant was that pressures can be a more revealing stat to show pass rushing effectiveness. If Spencer has 0 sacks on the stat sheet, you might be led to believe he was a nonfactor, when in fact he could’ve had 8 near-misses.
Sacks are definitely much better than pressures, I agree with you. As others have said, I think he has just gotten unlucky – if he keeps playing like he has the sacks will come
I got you, and I totally agree...
I certainly think the numbers will come… There’s just a part of me that will always be a pessimist, and doesn’t want to believe in our talent.
Set yourself up for the worst, and you’re never dissapointed. That’s my motto.
Yeh, I understand your point, too.
And some of those “pressures” are also “hits” even if they’re not “sacks”.
And Spencer can bring the wood, now.
"We'll see." --Bill Parcells
what about if you pressure him into throwing a pick
thats more than likely to happen than a positive offensive play
In Romo we Trust
Give me some more Vitctor Butler on some third-and-longs
not all the time, but in obvious passing downs. We’ve seen the kid make a difference and it’s not a slight on Spencer – he’s a good player. Butler just seems to possess a little something else
Victor Butler
Victor Butler was one guy, when I saw his highlights from Oregon State vs. Pitt, I was most excited about from last year’s draft class. (That sack/forced-fumble looks a lot like the play he made on Delhomme.)
And I agree with you and dcfanz that I’d like to see him in a few more obvious passing situations.
But after his possibly game-saving sack against McNabb, a lot of people seemed to be really down on Spencer and calling for Butler to start, just based on his sack numbers.
But here’s a few reality check points to keep in mind (again not addressing this to you, just to the general fan who thinks the above…):
1- In that sack against McNabb, he actually lost containment before he made the play, so while he saved the play, he also almost gave up the play, and was really recovering from his own mistake
2- All 3 of his sacks came from the DE position as a down lineman, not from the OLB position
3- There are 3 jobs an OLB must do, stop the run, cover, and rush the passer. Butler is not good at either of the first two, and he’s especially not good at making a decision about which one he would have to do on any given play.
So I do think he’s got a lot of potential, and would like to see him get some more reps rushing the passer in obvious passing situations, but he is a long, long way from being anywhere near ready to actual replace Spencer, as some have called for.
agreed
Just like Spencer was a long way from replacing Greg Ellis a couple of years ago.
With young talent like Felix, Choice, Jenkins, Free, Phillips, Ogletree the team has shown it has a solid foundation to build on..this is the more important message.
As long as a team continues to develop talent it should continue to succeed. Leadership and coaching plays a major role and in this respect a lot of the Cowboys position coaches deserve some credit..
by SDTrueblue on Nov 18, 2009 4:43 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
indeed
and Spencer himself is still young, in his first year as a starter, and based on what he’s shown so far has a lot of potential to continue to improve and be a really great player for years to come, with Butler developing and rounding out his skills behind him while starting to play the role that Spencer played with Ellis.
and Marty B
Though his disposition isn’t what I’m after for this team..I want more time learning from Jason Witten and less Marty B TV.
*His blocking has been very good at times though
by SDTrueblue on Nov 18, 2009 4:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Great Read Aaron ... EXCELLENT stuff
After all the hand-wringing about letting Ellis go, this is proving to be yet another solid decision by Jerry. Spencer will get his stats, but the bottom line, as you point out, is how solid his production has been. I’d take Spencer over Butler any day, and I don’t see that changing any time in the next few years.
That said, Butler deserves reps on passing downs … giving Spencer a rest can only improve the overall production of the defense. I’ve never understood this affinity for 1950’s – style “play every down” thinking… with the depth of today’s team, it only makes sense to keep people fresh.
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
Why cant we? Did we already?
How come Pittsburgh can find pass rushing OLBs on the trash heap and 2nd round or later.
We got Demarcus Ware, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Spencer. All first round picks. So far D WARE is the real deal and expect only better of him………..Carpenter is finally finding a place on the nickel defense? That aint what you spend a first rounder on……..and Spencer is playing well against the rush but needs a little help in pass rush. To his credit he gets dropped back in coverage occassionally because some rocket scientist figured out even though WARE can do it he is our best pass rusher………let him rush the passer.
It would be nice if we had that second feared threat at OLB. I hope spencer can develop. Maybe the guy that does it is already on our roster and only plays a handful of time.s. Watching the Rookie catch McNabb from behind……….with visions of him dancing around for 11 seconds then throwing a bomb complete………well it was a thing of beauty.
I bet you as the season goes on
Offensive coordinators will spend more time on Spencer. Once he gets that first sack, I hope the dam just bursts. And once he gets those sack numbers, I hope even non-Cowboys fans can begin to appreciate what a complete player he is.
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by accidental innuendo on Nov 18, 2009 6:14 PM CST up reply actions
+1
He’s disruptive enough to warrant extra planning for. The talent is there.
You can't stop Patrick Crayton, you can only hope to contain him.
by APerfectStar on Nov 19, 2009 12:52 AM CST up reply actions
agreed.
Spencer’s development rushing the passer is the difference in us being a good defense and an elite defense..
With that being said, I am not worried about the defense, they have been solid recently.
Our offense is on the brink of being special. It appears Roy and Romo are on the same page. This would be the perfect game for Romo to get both Miles and Roy going..
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
Really?
With our OL?
No.
This has to be about the quick outs, the draws, the slants.
We’re not on the brink of being special — not any longer. We now have to adjust our game play (as if we hadn’t needed tweaks already). Don’t drink the koolaid.
we have the pieces
It is isn’t an accident we are 4th in total offensive and 10th in scoring.
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
Any chance
at some point maybe we’ll start seeing a line of Butler, Spencer, Ratliff, and Ware on the nickel a la the Giants with Tuck inside? We may be able to create some mismatches with those guys against interior linemen.
The most telling part of the story.
Obviously, moving Spencer around is a direct result of Phillips trying to get the best possible mismatches for Ware. Although Spencer still does not have a sack on the season, he is continuing to match Ware in quarterback pressures and is dropping running backs for losses.
What if we moved Spencer around to get the most favorable match ups. Might his sacks go up?
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
Spencer's a semi-stud...
and is getting better each game; plus he’s not the whiner Ellis was.
"What we've got here is failure to communicate"
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