FanPost

Will the Cowboys have to spend another draft pick on a OLB?

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The Anthony Spencer issue is starting to work my mind again. Entering this season, which happens to be a contract year for Mr. Spencer, I said to myself that this was Spencer's last shot at redemption. I won't make this post another bust type discussion, but if you were to consider Spencer a bust I really wouldn't have a problem with that theory. Spencer started the year off hot and looked like he was going to be a nice piece for Rob Ryan and his defense. Spencer recorded a sack in three consecutive games and 2 forced fumbles during that three game stretch. Since then in the last three games Spencer has gone quiet with zero sacks.

Of course we are not even halfway through the season yet and Spencer can pick it up at any time, but I am beginning to feel concerned. What drives me nuts is that you are the linebacker opposite DeMarcus Ware and you should be racking up more sacks than you have. Spencer has been doing a better job at getting pressure on the quarterback this year, I have noticed that upswing. But the point still remains the same, where are the results we should be seeing from Spencer?

This is Spencer's contract year and his 5th NFL season. If he was ever going to be a consistent threat opposite Ware it should have happened by now right? Rob Ryan will come out and speak positively about Spencer and that he is a great fit for his system. I agree somewhat to what Rob Ryan is saying. Yes Spencer is vital in the run game and is doing a great job there. But the main point I stress is that you have only 3 sacks opposite DeMarcus Ware? The guy who gets all the attention on the other side of the field allows you to get one on one's and you can't register more than 3 sacks?

Spencer has been a solid player for the Cowboys, but he hasn't been that pass rushing threat we all thought he was back in the 2007 draft. If I was running the war room, my pick would have been Lamarr Woodley, who went in the 2nd round.

The Lamarr Woodley Debate

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So the question is, would have Woodley been the better pick? In my opinion, yes. Spencer has 18 1/2 career sacks. Woodley has 46 career sacks. Their production on the field is not even close to being similar. One is a Pro Bowl caliber linebacker year in and year out. That linebacker consistently gets pressure on the quarterback and actually racks up the sacks. The other linebacker is inconsistent and will disappear for weeks at a time. Anthony Spencer was taken 26th overall and Woodley was taken 46th overall. Woodley fell over 20 spots later due to his size concerns at 6'2 265. This is why we should never let size be a concern when drafting an outside linebacker again.

LaMarr Woodley should have been the pick for the Cowboys, but Spencer was Wade Phillips all the way. That was his first pick as head coach and he got his way. Spencer is a physical player that likes to hit, but he is always a second late to the quarterback when rushing. This obviously has to be his lack of speed or maybe it's his lack of technique. Woodley on the other hand obviously has the speed and technique to dominate during games. Woodley also displays way more passion and enthusiasm towards the game of football. Being that this was a Wade Phillips draft pick, it doesn't shock me to see Woodley has more passion than Spencer.

I am going to end this discussion with this. The Cowboys made the wrong decision in 2007, but I will not bash them to death for it. What they need to do is fix the problem. If they can manage to solve the problem I will forget all about LaMarr Woodley being passed on. Because as of right now, I would not resign Anthony Spencer. He is not worth a long term contract and decent starter money with his career production. It's almost like a double edged sword here in my opinion. If Spencer has a bad year, we don't resign him and the bust label becomes official. If Spencer does play well the rest of the season, we resign him long term and pay him, but we would still not know if Spencer is consistent enough. He would still be an unknown commodity and that is a risk I would not take.

Let's take a look at some of the OLB prospects this draft.

Editors Note; I will only be previewing some of the OLB prospects in this fan post. I do not intend on doing an in depth look at each player. It is too early in the season for that. The purpose of this is to show you some names you should pay attention to and know at the OLB position in the upcoming draft next April.

Courtney Upshaw

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Perhaps the player most similar to Woodley is Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw. This guy is a beast and is all over the field. He plays on a defense that is loaded with NFL talent and reminds me a lot of the UNC program last year that was stocked with NFL talent. Upshaw is listed at 6'2 265, basically the same measurements as Woodley. Wes Bunting has mentioned on Cowboys Nation that Upshaw would be a great fit for the Cowboys and I have to agree.

Personally I really like any player from the SEC now a days and when you get a player that plays in front of 100,000 people on a consistent basis against top tier competition, you are usually getting a NFL ready prospect. Pass rushing may be Upshaw's best part of his game. He is just an animal on the field and is ultra productive. He has made a name for himself and I know the Cowboys will be interested in him. He is just a perfect fit for outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. Also keep in mind Jason Garrett is close to Nick Saban.

Rob Ryan would love this kid and I think you could insert him in the lineup instantly without major problems. Upshaw could be an instant upgrade over Spencer.

Ronnell Lewis

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Now this is one mean and physical player right here. Ronnell Lewis is only a junior but rumor has it he will be entering the NFL draft this year. Lewis is listed at 6'2 237, a little on the small side for some teams. I have preached about not overlooking one's size when it comes to the outside linebacker position. Lewis is only a junior and will be more muscle on that frame of his. Lewis plays mostly as a defensive end but he was a converted linebacker. He has the skills to be an outside linebacker in the 3-4.

He might be the most physically intimidating player I will talk about in this fan post. He is mean and physical, that about sums him up in a nutshell. Lewis is still developing pass rushing moves to his arsenal and will only continue to get better. Rob Ryan would love this type of player and I think we are lacking a truly intimidating physical presence on this defense.

Lewis will be a big riser on draft boards once he works out at the combine. I see him having a great performance there and that is where you will see him start to rise on mock drafts and big boards. Pay close attention to this guy.

Brandon Jenkins

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Florida State players usually don't do it for me, I don't know the exact reason why but I have been turned off by them over the recent years. Brandon Jenkins may be the best prospect I have seen from Florida State in a while. They tend to churn out a lot of busts the past couple of drafts, but Jenkins may buck that trend. Jenkins is listed at 6'3 265 which is the typical size I look for in outside linebackers for the 3-4. He is another junior but most are saying he will enter the 2012 draft.

Jenkins possess a nice combination of size and speed. He may have the quickest burst out of all the pass rushers in college football. Jenkins has remained consistent throughout his career at FSU and has produced in a big way. He will be a big time prospect in the upcoming draft and will blow the combine away. You could see him take another rise after the combine because of his raw physical ability. If a guy like Aldon Smith can go in the top ten, than Brandon Jenkins can easily go in the top 20, maybe higher.

Like I said, FSU players just don't do it for me. But this is a prospect we must pay close attention to because he is one of the best pass rushers in college football.

Bruce Irvin

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Bruce Irvin is kind of an interesting story. If you get a chance, go Google his him and read up on it. Most will say he is the RKG, but I think he is the RKG. Football saved this kid's life and has found a talent he could use his immense physical skills towards. Irvin is listed at 6'2 245. He possess great speed and is just an amazing physical talent. When you watch him play, you just see him fly around the edge and get to the quarterback. West Virginia has done a great job with Irvin and really have done a great job in his development.

Teams will have to do their homework on Irvin and that will ultimately decide his draft stock. I think he is a great 2nd round pick because he is a guy I would take a chance on. His physical ability is off the charts and with continued coaching on the next level he could become unstoppable. Irvin is one the best pure pass rushers in the draft and the Cowboys should take a close look at him.

Brandon Lindsey

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Unlike the Florida State program, Pitt is a program I am very high on. More often than not, their players are quality NFL prospects that come from good coaching. Pitt does a good job of preparing their players for the next level. Brandon Lindsey is kind of a homer pick for me. He went to the same high school Darrelle Revis went to, Aliquippa PA. Aliquippa has produced some great football players for a long time. Lindsey is listed at 6'2 250 and will continue to add to his frame.

Lindsey has been a productive player throughout his career at Pitt and I think he is a player that will continue to get better. He is intelligent and will use his smarts to make good plays. The speed and burst are there for him to be a productive pass rusher on the next level. The only gripe I have with him is that he could be more physical. Regardless his is one of the best pass rushing prospects in the upcoming draft.

I just like players from this state and program. The Cowboys have a big time scouting hold of that area, so I am pretty sure Lindsey will be a player the Cowboys scout.

Melvin Ingram

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Melvin Ingram is a five year senior that has really burst onto the national radar this year. South Carolina is a program that I am definitely sold on. Once again it is the SEC, the hardest conference in college football. Steve Spurrier does a great job in preparing his players for the NFL. Ingram is listed at 6'2 276. He has the speed and physical skills to play OLB in a 3-4 scheme, but one could also make the argument he might be a fit as a five technique in the 3-4. The team that drafts him will have to make that decision, but I think I like him as a OLB in the 3-4 and as a DE in the 4-3.

What I really like about Ingram is his versatility. Now this is a guy you can use in a variety of ways and Rob Ryan loves versatility. Ingram has filled up the stat sheet this year in a variety of ways. He can rush the passer and be a dominant force in the run game. He can drop into coverage and make plays in that area as well. Ingram is a beast on special teams and I know that is something that will intrigue the Cowboys, they love players that play special teams. Not too long ago this was a kid who was returning kicks. Ingram is an amazing athlete that will see his stock rise big time after the Senior Bowl and combine.

I watch South Carolina play every week because of the talent they have. Alabama is another team I watch every week because of their talent. Pay close attention to Melvin Ingram.

Conclusion

At the end of the day I know it will pain most of you to think about drafting another linebacker high in the draft. But you have to consider the possibility of doing that. The Cowboys cannot go into another season with DeMarcus Ware doing everything, we need another pass rusher to lighten his load and elevate his game at the same time. Drafting a outside linebacker isn't a theory set in stone, but it is something we should consider.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.