DMN: Cowboys' Spencer making strides
By CALVIN WATKINS
The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Anthony Spencer, the Cowboys' No. 1 pick, has made two preseason starts, registering only one tackle. But the rookie is showing progress in his development in moving from defensive end to outside linebacker.
On Saturday night, Spencer displayed good pressure skills.
He forced Denver quarterback Jay Cutler to scramble out of the pocket and hurry a pass to the back of the end zone.
In coverage, Spencer tipped away a Cutler pass that was completed anyway.
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Spencer said he's still learning the pro style of playing on the left side as an outside linebacker. In college and high school, he mainly played the right side of the defensive line.
"I was better on the right," he said. "So I have to get used to things on the other side. But equally there is no real difference, it's just a comfort level that I have from playing on the right."
Spencer said he needs to work on his footwork, especially at getting his steps in line when he rushes the passer and leaving the line of scrimmage faster when the ball is snapped.
Code of conduct: Several Denver Broncos players voiced concern with the Cowboys game-planning in Saturday's victory. There's a belief that teams just run plays and not game-plan during the preseason, because there is an evaluation of players going on.
Cornerback Jacques Reeves said there was no game-planning, because everything the Cowboys did in practice was duplicated in the game.
Was there some level of code of conduct broken Saturday night?
"I know we probably did some more things in the defensive package," quarterback Tony Romo said. "On offense, we didn't do much other than what we installed in camp."
Most of the new things the Cowboys showed on defense were blitzes. The team didn't blitz as much against Indianapolis in the first preseason game because the Colts used a three-receiver set and quarterback Peyton Manning rarely gets sacked.
Denver is more of a run team, and the Cowboys wanted to put more players, such as Roy Williams, closer to the line of scrimmage.
Injury update: Tight end Anthony Fasano said he expects to practice today, but coach Wade Phillips wasn't sure. He needed to speak with the trainers for more information. Fasano tweaked a shoulder injury in the second quarter and didn't return.
Defensive end Jason Hatcher (hamstring) is questionable to return to practice today. Hatcher has been out two weeks with the pull in his left hamstring. He was running well over the last few days of practice. With Hatcher out, the Cowboys moved Jay Ratliff to defensive end with positive results.
Running back Jackie Battle, who was hurt in the second half against Denver, was wearing a protective boot on his left ankle and will probably miss practice today. Battle had a good first week of training camp but slowed a little bit. With Tyson Thompson (16 carries for 75 yards Saturday) playing well, Battle's chances to be the No. 3 running back are becoming slim.
Cornerback Quincy Butler (TCU) said he will return to practice today after his recovery from a hamstring injury.
The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Anthony Spencer, the Cowboys' No. 1 pick, has made two preseason starts, registering only one tackle. But the rookie is showing progress in his development in moving from defensive end to outside linebacker.
On Saturday night, Spencer displayed good pressure skills.
He forced Denver quarterback Jay Cutler to scramble out of the pocket and hurry a pass to the back of the end zone.
In coverage, Spencer tipped away a Cutler pass that was completed anyway.
More Cowboys
Spencer said he's still learning the pro style of playing on the left side as an outside linebacker. In college and high school, he mainly played the right side of the defensive line.
"I was better on the right," he said. "So I have to get used to things on the other side. But equally there is no real difference, it's just a comfort level that I have from playing on the right."
Spencer said he needs to work on his footwork, especially at getting his steps in line when he rushes the passer and leaving the line of scrimmage faster when the ball is snapped.
Code of conduct: Several Denver Broncos players voiced concern with the Cowboys game-planning in Saturday's victory. There's a belief that teams just run plays and not game-plan during the preseason, because there is an evaluation of players going on.
Cornerback Jacques Reeves said there was no game-planning, because everything the Cowboys did in practice was duplicated in the game.
Was there some level of code of conduct broken Saturday night?
"I know we probably did some more things in the defensive package," quarterback Tony Romo said. "On offense, we didn't do much other than what we installed in camp."
Most of the new things the Cowboys showed on defense were blitzes. The team didn't blitz as much against Indianapolis in the first preseason game because the Colts used a three-receiver set and quarterback Peyton Manning rarely gets sacked.
Denver is more of a run team, and the Cowboys wanted to put more players, such as Roy Williams, closer to the line of scrimmage.
Injury update: Tight end Anthony Fasano said he expects to practice today, but coach Wade Phillips wasn't sure. He needed to speak with the trainers for more information. Fasano tweaked a shoulder injury in the second quarter and didn't return.
Defensive end Jason Hatcher (hamstring) is questionable to return to practice today. Hatcher has been out two weeks with the pull in his left hamstring. He was running well over the last few days of practice. With Hatcher out, the Cowboys moved Jay Ratliff to defensive end with positive results.
Running back Jackie Battle, who was hurt in the second half against Denver, was wearing a protective boot on his left ankle and will probably miss practice today. Battle had a good first week of training camp but slowed a little bit. With Tyson Thompson (16 carries for 75 yards Saturday) playing well, Battle's chances to be the No. 3 running back are becoming slim.
Cornerback Quincy Butler (TCU) said he will return to practice today after his recovery from a hamstring injury.
posted by The Gryphon at 5:36 PM
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