Spencer confident he'll impact Dallas' defense
By STEPHEN HAWKINS
Associated Press
IRVING - Anthony Spencer is economical with his words, responding politely to sometimes repeated questions with short, concise answers.
Still, the Dallas Cowboys' first-round pick doesn't have to say much to make it clear that he's confident about being a starting linebacker even though he last played the position as a sophomore in high school.
"Yeah, I feel comfortable with it," Spencer said Monday.
With growing uncertainty about when or even if 10-year veteran Greg Ellis will return from a torn left Achilles' tendon, it seems ever more likely that Spencer will be a rookie starter when the Cowboys play their season opener Sept. 9 at home against the New York Giants.
"I feel like they're counting on me right now," Spencer said. "So I don't think it will change from the season to right now."
Like former first-round pick and Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware did two years ago, Spencer is making the transition from college end in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense.
Ellis, also a former first-round pick and now the longest-tenured Cowboy, made the switch last season when former coach Bill Parcells moved him from end to outside linebacker so he'd be a better fit in the scheme. Ellis had a team-high 4 1/2 sacks when he got hurt in the ninth game.
Playing the first half in the Cowboys' 23-10 preseason-opening victory over Indianapolis, Spencer got credited with only one assisted tackle. But the Colts also didn't really run Spencer's way or throw to secondary receivers that he had to cover.
Spencer said he felt comfortable and didn't have any mental mistakes. His goal is to continue working on his footwork, the biggest adjustment when having to drop into pass coverage at times.
Teammates already get a sense of what Spencer can do when blitzing.
"I think he's going to turn out to be a great pass rusher," defensive end Marcus Spears said.
"We see out here at practice, we know he can get to the passer," cornerback Aaron Glenn said. "To be an overall true linebacker, time will tell on that. I'm sure he has the ability to do it, but to be able to go out there and do it is a whole different story."
The last time he was truly a linebacker was for "like five games" in high school: "It was easier then, run sideline to sideline."
Ware has 19 1/2 sacks and 16 tackles for losses in his 32 games with the Cowboys. He had eight sacks as a rookie and 11 1/2 last season - three of them in the regular season finale.
The advice Spencer has gotten from Ware in making the transition: "It just takes time and reps. You've got to just keep working."
Ware admittedly wasn't comfortable with the switch until he had played a complete season.
"I know it will be a while for me to get everything the way it needs to be," Spencer said. "Before the play starts, my mind's probably thinking a lot. But once it starts going, I'm basically just reacting to everything."
Ellis went through an aggressive rehabilitation to be ready for training camp. He made it but lasted only a few minutes because of pain above his heel and below the surgically repaired tear.
Even though an MRI shows no problems and the team lists Ellis as day-to-day, he again worked on the side Monday. Ellis sounded pessimistic over the weekend, wondering publicly if he'd play again.
But the Ellis saga hasn't change Spencer's outlook.
"Just because when I came here, I wanted to play," Spencer said. "I expected to play."
EXTRA POINTS - When the Cowboys' two-hour workout in 100-degree heat ended, the field cleared quickly - except for Jason Witten. For several minutes after everybody else had gone inside, the three-time Pro Bowl tight end remained in full pads running different pass patterns, breaking from the line of scrimmage and making his cuts. ... Safety Ken Hamlin, who missed the preseason opener after taking a shot to the head during a drill last week, returned to practice Monday. ... OL Jason Hilliard, who played in the Arena Football League this season, signed with the Cowboys. He has spent time in the NFL with Green Bay, the New York Giants and St. Louis.
Associated Press
IRVING - Anthony Spencer is economical with his words, responding politely to sometimes repeated questions with short, concise answers.
Still, the Dallas Cowboys' first-round pick doesn't have to say much to make it clear that he's confident about being a starting linebacker even though he last played the position as a sophomore in high school.
"Yeah, I feel comfortable with it," Spencer said Monday.
With growing uncertainty about when or even if 10-year veteran Greg Ellis will return from a torn left Achilles' tendon, it seems ever more likely that Spencer will be a rookie starter when the Cowboys play their season opener Sept. 9 at home against the New York Giants.
"I feel like they're counting on me right now," Spencer said. "So I don't think it will change from the season to right now."
Like former first-round pick and Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware did two years ago, Spencer is making the transition from college end in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense.
Ellis, also a former first-round pick and now the longest-tenured Cowboy, made the switch last season when former coach Bill Parcells moved him from end to outside linebacker so he'd be a better fit in the scheme. Ellis had a team-high 4 1/2 sacks when he got hurt in the ninth game.
Playing the first half in the Cowboys' 23-10 preseason-opening victory over Indianapolis, Spencer got credited with only one assisted tackle. But the Colts also didn't really run Spencer's way or throw to secondary receivers that he had to cover.
Spencer said he felt comfortable and didn't have any mental mistakes. His goal is to continue working on his footwork, the biggest adjustment when having to drop into pass coverage at times.
Teammates already get a sense of what Spencer can do when blitzing.
"I think he's going to turn out to be a great pass rusher," defensive end Marcus Spears said.
"We see out here at practice, we know he can get to the passer," cornerback Aaron Glenn said. "To be an overall true linebacker, time will tell on that. I'm sure he has the ability to do it, but to be able to go out there and do it is a whole different story."
The last time he was truly a linebacker was for "like five games" in high school: "It was easier then, run sideline to sideline."
Ware has 19 1/2 sacks and 16 tackles for losses in his 32 games with the Cowboys. He had eight sacks as a rookie and 11 1/2 last season - three of them in the regular season finale.
The advice Spencer has gotten from Ware in making the transition: "It just takes time and reps. You've got to just keep working."
Ware admittedly wasn't comfortable with the switch until he had played a complete season.
"I know it will be a while for me to get everything the way it needs to be," Spencer said. "Before the play starts, my mind's probably thinking a lot. But once it starts going, I'm basically just reacting to everything."
Ellis went through an aggressive rehabilitation to be ready for training camp. He made it but lasted only a few minutes because of pain above his heel and below the surgically repaired tear.
Even though an MRI shows no problems and the team lists Ellis as day-to-day, he again worked on the side Monday. Ellis sounded pessimistic over the weekend, wondering publicly if he'd play again.
But the Ellis saga hasn't change Spencer's outlook.
"Just because when I came here, I wanted to play," Spencer said. "I expected to play."
EXTRA POINTS - When the Cowboys' two-hour workout in 100-degree heat ended, the field cleared quickly - except for Jason Witten. For several minutes after everybody else had gone inside, the three-time Pro Bowl tight end remained in full pads running different pass patterns, breaking from the line of scrimmage and making his cuts. ... Safety Ken Hamlin, who missed the preseason opener after taking a shot to the head during a drill last week, returned to practice Monday. ... OL Jason Hilliard, who played in the Arena Football League this season, signed with the Cowboys. He has spent time in the NFL with Green Bay, the New York Giants and St. Louis.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:49 PM
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