DMN Blog: Spencer needs to split time

Bambam, my favorite Flintstones character, asked yesterday whether first-round pick Anthony Spencer is good enough to start over Greg Ellis.

My answer after watching Spencer run around without pads: Perhaps, but it's in the best interest of the Cowboys and Spencer for him to split time this season.

Spencer is learning a new scheme and a new position. It'd be asking a lot for a rookie in that situation to play every down. (DeMarcus Ware did it, but the Cowboys didn't have the luxury of easing him in by splitting time with a guy like Ellis.)

Ellis' presence will allow the Cowboys to be selective about when Spencer is put on the field. They can tailor his role in the game plan to suit his strengths and comfort zone.

Ideally, Spencer's role would get bigger as the season goes, because he'd become more comfortable with the scheme and all the responsibilities of his new position. But if Spencer makes an impact as a pass-rusher -- either by getting to the QB or forcing opponents to stop sliding protection toward Ware -- you have to consider his rookie season a success.

Posted by Tim MacMahon at 1:28 PM