FanPost

"Almost Anthony" Starts Strong

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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