"Almost Anthony" Starts Strong

by DavidH22 on Sep 28, 2010 9:55 AM CDT

After a couple of relatively unproductive and disappointing seasons in 2007 and (especially) 2008, and a slow start in 2009 where he seemingly just barely missed several sacks and interceptions, former first-round pick Anthony Spencer developed into a stud linebacker opposite DeMarcus Ware over the second half of the season. His 2009 totals (including postseason) were eight sacks and two forced fumbles, and a season-long excellence against the run.

I was anxious in 2009 because Spencer was replacing veteran Greg Ellis, who had 20.5 sacks from his outside LB spot in 2007-08. Spencer's performance in 2009 showed that Jerry and Wade absolutely made the correct decision in starting Spencer and letting Ellis go. Heading into 2010, I was anxious that, for whatever unjustified reason I might have, Spencer would suffer from another slow start.

But I am glad to note that through three games, Spencer already has a sack, a forced fumble, and has continued his stellar play against the run. "Almost Anthony" has apparently become "Always Anthony," because of his consistency and prominent play in a defense that has been doing pretty well so far. He looks like he is becoming the Carl Banks to Ware's Lawrence Taylor, and this will do nothing but benefit the defense and cause sleepless nights for oppsoing offenses. It is good to see that the Cowboys finally have at least two linebackers who can wreak havoc, perhaps for the first time since Lee Roy Jordan and Chuck Howley.

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Two pretty awesome references as standards for LB tandems

Just commented Spencer had a major role in getting HOU in the hole it was on the goal-line for the crucial 3rd down sack.

We live life forwards and understand it backwards

by tdships on Sep 28, 2010 10:55 AM CDT reply actions

i hope spencer , gets more sacksearly this year, but yess his play has been very solid.

woman !, dont try to understand em, dont try to make them understand you, for they are a breed apart ! lol

by demonbane on Sep 28, 2010 11:03 AM CDT reply actions

Spencer

is just a monster against the run. One of the best in the league, easily.

by foyesboys on Sep 28, 2010 12:44 PM CDT reply actions

Spencer

love this guy, NO ROMO
lol jk

Spencer is a absolute beast in run and pass rush what I like about him is he wants to put the QB into the ICU
Ware I love the man but instead of trying to kill the QB he goes for strips which I f’n love
my point is we have ying and yang
both are good at what they do and each brings their own bag of tricks to the magic party

Ware is the guy that shanks you from behind while Spencer is the guy that hits you in the face with his lunch tray shattering your nose into 6 pieces
D-Shanks and Beast Status

by Archie Barberio on Sep 28, 2010 9:37 PM CDT reply actions

I'm still waiting for Spencer to really emerge

He’s not the complementary player that Shaun Phillips was to Merriman like Wade had in San Diego.

If you play out his numbers through the string, he ends up with 5 sacks. Not nearly enough for the LB starting opposite Ware. He’s only got one guy to beat in almost all situations.

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

- John Wooden (God rest his soul)

by 5Blings on Sep 28, 2010 10:42 PM CDT reply actions

no way

Spencer is alot better than Phillips and I know alot of people agree there
also “playing out numbers” isnt realistic
Miles Austin was on pace for 160 catches
lmfao im sorry but I really do not agree at all with what your saying

by Archie Barberio on Sep 28, 2010 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I hate the idea of stats ruling the world, but the undeniable truth if he doesn't get more than 5...

he won’t be considered as good as those who have more.

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

- John Wooden (God rest his soul)

by 5Blings on Sep 29, 2010 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

ok ok so your saying you dont love stats

thats cool because you and me both know its more than stats out there its the other things
cool

by Archie Barberio on Sep 29, 2010 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Always remember that

The final score is a STAT and
The win/loss record is a STAT

I’d say those stats are pretty important in most sports

by BishopWest on Sep 29, 2010 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions

thats the biggest STAT, winning

by Archie Barberio on Sep 30, 2010 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions

He led the league in pressures last year

and has been what many people consider the best olb against the run….

There aren’t too many guys I would take over Spencer.

by foyesboys on Sep 29, 2010 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Who would you take?

Haggans? Clay Matthews? Woodley? Lawson? Orakpo?

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

- John Wooden (God rest his soul)

by 5Blings on Sep 29, 2010 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Haggans nope Woodley nope

Spencer is a better ALL AROUND FOOTBALL PLAYER

Orakpo is alot like Ware we have that guy already
but I would love to have Orkapo who wouldnt

Clay Matthews juices so he is a cheater
I like him and I guess I would take him over Spencer but Orakpo and Matthews would be the only OLB I would take over Spencer

Lawson Haggans arent even the same class as Spencer
Woodley I really like but Spencer is all around better

Spencer is one of the up and coming players in the NFL
Peter King said Spencer was damn near All Pro last year and I agree

by Archie Barberio on Sep 29, 2010 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Now I know...

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

- John Wooden (God rest his soul)

by 5Blings on Sep 30, 2010 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry, hit it too fast...

so…

You think Spencer is the best at his position?

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

- John Wooden (God rest his soul)

by 5Blings on Sep 30, 2010 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah maybe

the best at being the #2 guy I would say that
Orkapo and Matthews have to be the #1 guy like Ware
Spencer doesnt
so Spencer imo in his spot is the best at his position yes

by Archie Barberio on Sep 30, 2010 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions

I like Spencer

But I would take Woodley over him in a heartbeat.

by Cowboysaficionado on Oct 4, 2010 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

agree

by Archie Barberio on Sep 29, 2010 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Your exactly right +1

"Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk"

by sprewelllatrell on Sep 30, 2010 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Im waiting for "Almost Anthony' to become just "Anthony"

Im not very critical of cowboy players but he’s one guy I just havent witnessed be some beast of a plaer most people say he is. Im not being ahater, I want to see him play great and help this defense.

Okay so hes great against the run, thats awesome but you dont draft outside linebackers in the first round to be great against the run, you draft them to harass the qb!

With Demarcus Ware and Jay ratliff he should be producing allot more qb pressure IMOP. He’s got one sack in 3 games, thats not cutting it in that department. And that one sack shouldnt even count, he grabbed the facemask.
Untill I see him consistantly beat his blocker en route to the QB, not the RB I wont be calling him a beast.

"Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk"

by sprewelllatrell on Sep 30, 2010 4:43 PM CDT reply actions

I hate to tell you this

But Anthony is never going to put up Ware -like stats. Why you ask? Because that is not his job. The only time Anthony is supposed to go after the QB is on a Five man blitz. He is not like Ware in that he goes after the QB almost every play. His Job is to Help with Run Support , Drop in Coverage, then Rush the Passer in that Order. Ware ’s Job? Rush the Passer, Play Run Support, Drop in Coverage. Now will Anthony get a few Sacks? of Course. will He have multiple sack games? it is possible. will he get 15-20 sacks a season? no, cause that is not is job. He is will punish Opponents for selling out to Block Ware and Ratliff. But that is Not his Main Responsibility.

"Of all the things I have lost , I miss my mind the most-Random T-shirt

"There is a fine line between Genius and Insanity"-Unknown Author

by I draft the Cowboys!!!! on Sep 30, 2010 5:47 PM CDT reply actions