Spencer thrilled to be a Cowboy by Jeff Washburn
By JEFF WASHBURN
As Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer sorted through all of the relevant factors, the Dallas Cowboys' decision to select him during the first round of Saturday's NFL Draft isn't surprising.
However, the reality that he is a first-round pick does surprise the fierce defender.
Having traded the 22nd pick to the Cleveland Browns, the Cowboys acquired the 26th selection in a swap with the Philadelphia Eagles and used it to snag the 6-foot-3, 266-pound Boilermaker.
New Dallas coach Wade Phillips was credited with converting former Purdue defensive end Shaun Phillips to outside linebacker in the San Diego Chargers' 3-4 alignment.
Now, Wade Phillips is getting an end who made 93 tackles during Purdue's 2006 season, including a nation-leading 26.5 for losses. Spencer recorded 10.5 sacks last season.
"Dallas is a great fit for me," Spencer said during a noisy celebration at his parents' Fort Wayne home. "I think I can come in and have a big impact right away. Coach Phillips did a great job converting Shaun Phillips at San Diego.
"With the 3-4 defense, I think I'm athletic enough and fast enough to play in that scheme and still be able to rush the quarterback."
That's exactly what Wade Phillips has in mind.
"I think he's the right size for an outside backer who can run," Phillips told The Associated Press. "He reminds me of a guy that's going to pressure the passer, which is certainly what we need."
Spencer becomes the seventh Purdue defensive end drafted during the Joe Tiller era.
But he is the first Boilermaker defensive end picked in the first round since the St. Louis Cardinals picked Don Brumm in 1963.
Five defensive ends were selected Saturday among the first 26 picks. Ends also were picked with the fourth, eighth, 13th and 17th selections.
While NFL draft analysts projected Spencer as a late first-round pick, most targeted him for New England, Baltimore or Denver.
Spencer, however, thought Dallas was a possibility after visiting the Cowboys' headquarters this spring.
"I took a visit to Dallas, and it was a really good meeting," Spencer said. "I had the opportunity to meet (owner) Jerry Jones, and I really like coach Phillips and his staff."
After participating in Purdue's NFL Workout Day on March 9 in the Mollenkopf Athletic Center, Spencer staged individual sessions for New England and the New York Jets.
He also visited Dallas, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Detroit, St. Louis and the Jets.
Spencer finds it ironic that he spoke briefly this spring with Shaun Phillips, who sang his former coach's praises.
"He said (Wade Phillips) really helped him develop with the Chargers," Spencer said. "Now, I'm going to be playing for (Wade Phillips)."
Spencer will join a Dallas Cowboys roster that includes former Purdue defensive end Akin Ayodele and former Boilermaker cornerback Jacques Reeves.
An ecstatic Spencer said Saturday's events will take some time to sink in.
"To be selected in the first round is huge for me," Spencer said. "I never imagined it. I had a huge senior year at Purdue, and that helped me a lot."
Spencer chuckled when asked if he was a Cowboys fan before Saturday's draft.
"Hey, it's America's team," Spencer said. "I had to like them."
Purdue coach Joe Tiller is thrilled for Spencer, who anchored the Boilermaker defense.
"Anthony had an outstanding senior season, and it's great to see him rewarded by being a first-round draft pick," Tiller said. "It seemed like his stock improved over the last couple of weeks, which tells me teams were impressed with his workouts and with him as a person.
"He is a high-motor guy who makes plays, and he's a high-character guy. We look forward to watching him develop in the NFL as he did for us over the last five years."
Former Cowboys executive and draft expert Gil Brandt told NFL.com that Spencer is a wise selection.
"He's very good as a pass rusher but needs to be better against the run," Brandt said. "Very solid individual."
Spencer was a first team All-American by Scout.com, becoming the first Purdue defensive lineman to earn first-team honors since Ken Novak in 1975.
He is the first Boilermaker defensive end to be selected a first team All-American since Harold Wells in 1964.
Spencer's 11 career forced fumbles are one short of James Looney's school record set from 1977-80. Spencer's 21 sacks rank fifth in school history, and his 44 tackles for loss rank seventh.
As Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer sorted through all of the relevant factors, the Dallas Cowboys' decision to select him during the first round of Saturday's NFL Draft isn't surprising.
However, the reality that he is a first-round pick does surprise the fierce defender.
Having traded the 22nd pick to the Cleveland Browns, the Cowboys acquired the 26th selection in a swap with the Philadelphia Eagles and used it to snag the 6-foot-3, 266-pound Boilermaker.
New Dallas coach Wade Phillips was credited with converting former Purdue defensive end Shaun Phillips to outside linebacker in the San Diego Chargers' 3-4 alignment.
Now, Wade Phillips is getting an end who made 93 tackles during Purdue's 2006 season, including a nation-leading 26.5 for losses. Spencer recorded 10.5 sacks last season.
"Dallas is a great fit for me," Spencer said during a noisy celebration at his parents' Fort Wayne home. "I think I can come in and have a big impact right away. Coach Phillips did a great job converting Shaun Phillips at San Diego.
"With the 3-4 defense, I think I'm athletic enough and fast enough to play in that scheme and still be able to rush the quarterback."
That's exactly what Wade Phillips has in mind.
"I think he's the right size for an outside backer who can run," Phillips told The Associated Press. "He reminds me of a guy that's going to pressure the passer, which is certainly what we need."
Spencer becomes the seventh Purdue defensive end drafted during the Joe Tiller era.
But he is the first Boilermaker defensive end picked in the first round since the St. Louis Cardinals picked Don Brumm in 1963.
Five defensive ends were selected Saturday among the first 26 picks. Ends also were picked with the fourth, eighth, 13th and 17th selections.
While NFL draft analysts projected Spencer as a late first-round pick, most targeted him for New England, Baltimore or Denver.
Spencer, however, thought Dallas was a possibility after visiting the Cowboys' headquarters this spring.
"I took a visit to Dallas, and it was a really good meeting," Spencer said. "I had the opportunity to meet (owner) Jerry Jones, and I really like coach Phillips and his staff."
After participating in Purdue's NFL Workout Day on March 9 in the Mollenkopf Athletic Center, Spencer staged individual sessions for New England and the New York Jets.
He also visited Dallas, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Detroit, St. Louis and the Jets.
Spencer finds it ironic that he spoke briefly this spring with Shaun Phillips, who sang his former coach's praises.
"He said (Wade Phillips) really helped him develop with the Chargers," Spencer said. "Now, I'm going to be playing for (Wade Phillips)."
Spencer will join a Dallas Cowboys roster that includes former Purdue defensive end Akin Ayodele and former Boilermaker cornerback Jacques Reeves.
An ecstatic Spencer said Saturday's events will take some time to sink in.
"To be selected in the first round is huge for me," Spencer said. "I never imagined it. I had a huge senior year at Purdue, and that helped me a lot."
Spencer chuckled when asked if he was a Cowboys fan before Saturday's draft.
"Hey, it's America's team," Spencer said. "I had to like them."
Purdue coach Joe Tiller is thrilled for Spencer, who anchored the Boilermaker defense.
"Anthony had an outstanding senior season, and it's great to see him rewarded by being a first-round draft pick," Tiller said. "It seemed like his stock improved over the last couple of weeks, which tells me teams were impressed with his workouts and with him as a person.
"He is a high-motor guy who makes plays, and he's a high-character guy. We look forward to watching him develop in the NFL as he did for us over the last five years."
Former Cowboys executive and draft expert Gil Brandt told NFL.com that Spencer is a wise selection.
"He's very good as a pass rusher but needs to be better against the run," Brandt said. "Very solid individual."
Spencer was a first team All-American by Scout.com, becoming the first Purdue defensive lineman to earn first-team honors since Ken Novak in 1975.
He is the first Boilermaker defensive end to be selected a first team All-American since Harold Wells in 1964.
Spencer's 11 career forced fumbles are one short of James Looney's school record set from 1977-80. Spencer's 21 sacks rank fifth in school history, and his 44 tackles for loss rank seventh.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:26 PM
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