Anthony Spencer Won This Game

by Big D Bam Bam on Nov 9, 2009 6:33 AM CST

#93 has been getting a lot of (deserved) flack here for not having registered a sack yet, but I believe that he made the most important play of the game, with just one hand.

First things first. I was having trouble enjoying this win, for the simple fact that I thought the refs really did make a bad spot on the 4th-and-inches sneak, which was by far the most important play of the game. Watching in real time, it seemed to me that McNabb had made it by sliding down the back of his O-Line, and that Dallas had been the beneficery of a bad call, and a worse review.

But after checking the tape, I saw what really happened. If you look at where the first down marker is on that play, you can see that it's just barely touching the white outline of the Eagles midfield logo, on the small triangular extension just above the eagle's beak. That's what Michaels and Collinsworth were talking about when they said the officials could use the logo as a reference point for the spot.

Watching in slow motion, you can see McNabb sliding down the pile, in good position to reach out with his elbow or the ball to make the marker, but at the last second Spencer (who was on his feet, mostly out of the play) reaches out with his left hand, puts it right on the top of McNabb's helmet, and pushes him backwards just a few inches. Donovan tucks in his elbow as he starts to slide back and to his right (insert JFK joke here), and ends up landing on the green painted portion of the logo, exactly where the zebras called it.

Great call, great hustle by Spence.

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Spencer Shows Up

Spencer makes a play every once in a while, but his pass rush is still so weak. He never really gets to the passer and that was supposed to be his role opposite Ware. I actually like Spencer in coverage and run support but he just never gets there when he rushes the QB.

More and more it seems like Ratliff and Ware are the only players who are a threat to get to the QB. Maybe that’s enough, but if Spencer was dangerous it would really amp up the attack.

by Taoboy on Nov 9, 2009 8:32 AM CST reply actions

Spence is half a hair away from having 8 sacks and 2-3 pick 6's on the year.

Good physical player.

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...
http://twitter.com/BloggingTheBoys

by Aaron Novinger on Nov 9, 2009 8:46 AM CST reply actions

This

Sacks are great, but pressures are good too. And Spencer definitely applies pressure. He may not be quite where I had hoped at this point as far as a rusher, but you can tell he’s still developing. And every other facet of his game has exceeded my expectations.

by Mandmeisterx on Nov 9, 2009 10:17 AM CST up reply actions

I got news for you

That play didn’t win the game as there is no guarantee the Eagles would have even scored on that drive with the way our defense was playing.

If Eagles fans think that play decided the game, they’re delusional.

It was a total team victory, all 45 men contributed to this win.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Nov 9, 2009 9:58 AM CST reply actions

Allow me to indulge in a little hyperbole then.

I think if you put two of my best seasons together it wouldn't come up with the numbers he's going to have at the end of the season. -Troy Aikman on Tony Romo

by Big D Bam Bam on Nov 9, 2009 10:10 AM CST up reply actions

maybe not Terry......

but it made Reid burn his last challenge which turned out to be huge for us. It was a great victory, but that play was huge as well.

by texstar on Nov 9, 2009 11:05 AM CST up reply actions

I think Ware benefited most when Greg Ellis played opposite of him

He was a beast for us and teams had to respect him, Spencer is ok but not even close to Greg Ellis at anytime so far.

by Keys80 on Nov 9, 2009 10:08 AM CST reply actions

I was a little surprised how well Peters did against Ware, but he did have help at times

"Austin made the play, Austin saved the day" Brad Sham

by Boyzfan94 on Nov 9, 2009 12:53 PM CST up reply actions

Seemed to me

Ware was getting chipped almost every time he came on a rush…..Unless it was a screen. They killed us with those.

by Mandmeisterx on Nov 9, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

I agree on Greg Ellis. We are definitely missing him this year. Spencer doesn’t have the same ferocious pass rush.

by Taoboy on Nov 9, 2009 5:46 PM CST up reply actions

Spencer was very close to McNabb several times

including on the Eagles’ only explosive offensive play of the game, the 45 yard catch and run to McElroy. That was just an incredible play by McNabb to get away like that.

by DavidH22 on Nov 9, 2009 10:53 AM CST reply actions

Any thought to Butler being a situational pass rusher a la Ellis?

I’ve seen it suggested before, suspect there may be some reluctance to putting a Rookie, who missed a fair amount of TC/Preseason time in that position

Note: No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced

by tdships on Nov 9, 2009 11:16 AM CST reply actions

Just read da SI Burger King Column

After the Cowboys’ win at Philly last night, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King talked to our rising star Miles Austin:

I asked Austin, after all of his recent success, if he was getting a little testy out there, not catching a ball in the first 50 minutes of a big game. And what he said is why the Cowboys like the kid so much.

“Well, there’s times when I think I’m open, and I wish I’d get the ball,‘’ he said. "But I’m not Tony. And I have no idea what he’s going through back there. Usually he’s got some 300-pound guy back there chasing him, trying to rip his head off. So no, I don’t get too upset by that. Right now, we’ve got a good thing going. Guys are making plays when they’re called.’’

I kept the faith in #19… and I’m extremely glad that da King, Wade, Red Ball, and Romo did, too.

For more of King’s column, click here.

Is playing smart too much to ask?

by silverblue5 on Nov 9, 2009 11:57 AM CST reply actions

First I get to sing the Electric Slide all day and now you made me read that frickin' idiot

You deserve a pox, but I’ll settle for a zit.

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. - Thomas Jefferson

by Fighter15 on Nov 9, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions

hahahahaha - you're hilarious, man!

Is playing smart too much to ask?

by silverblue5 on Nov 9, 2009 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

On a completely different tack - 3 FA NT's available

Look further down in King’s column, we could go NT shopping (not sure if the rules in the cap-free year prevent this…). While Junior has played ok in relief – I would hate to have to count on him for any more than that.

1. Vince Wilfork, NT, New England. With more teams valuing 3-4 tackles, Wilfork will be in demand.

4. Aubrayo Franklin, NT, San Francisco. The best run-stopper you’ve never heard of, and he won’t cost what Wilfork will get.

6. Ryan Pickett, NT, Green Bay. Three nose men in the top six. Dr. Z would be so proud of me.

"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson

by BoyfromOz on Nov 10, 2009 1:49 AM CST up reply actions

FWIW, "da King" is King Jerry. The Burger King is SI's Fat Blowhard Peter King.

Is playing smart too much to ask?

by silverblue5 on Nov 9, 2009 11:59 AM CST reply actions

Burger King AKA Fatty McButterpants

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Nov 9, 2009 1:23 PM CST up reply actions

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!

Is playing smart too much to ask?

by silverblue5 on Nov 9, 2009 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

Spencer

The guy does everything well (play the run, cover, locate the ball), except pass rush, which is bizarre since when he was a rookie, he looked like a great pass rusher. I’m not as down on him as some, but still I expect a little more in the pass rush aspect of his game. Hopefully it will come as the season progresses.

I think BPS had a good idea about letting Butler play more on the obvious passing downs. That guy looks so quick coming off the edge. He really does make things happen when he gets chances.

You can't stop Patrick Crayton, you can only hope to contain him.

by APerfectStar on Nov 9, 2009 9:26 PM CST reply actions

Spencer looks good

I don’t really pay too much attention to what the media folks say about his sacks and what have you. Guy pressures the QB, plays well against the run, etc. He’s playing well.

The spot was right on. Eagles fans can bitch all they want about the officiating, but that one was the right call.

Epic Fail since 1985

by the red scare on Nov 10, 2009 1:13 AM CST reply actions