Cowboys' Spencer closer to starting in opener
By CALVIN WATKINS
The Dallas Morning News
MINNEAPOLIS – The possibility of first-round pick Anthony Spencer starting on opening night may become a reality.
Spencer, who has started every preseason game, is practicing at outside linebacker with the first team.
Thursday night against Minnesota, Spencer played the bulk of the snaps and ended the preseason game with two tackles. He had no sacks during the preseason.
Greg Ellis, the Cowboys' second-best pass rusher, is recovering from surgery on his left Achilles' tendon. Ellis, who says he's week-to-week, practiced once in training camp and hasn't played in the preseason.
But with the season opener against the New York Giants eight days away, if Ellis returns, he would play as a third-down rusher.
"I didn't think I'd get this opportunity because Greg has been here for so long and this injury is unfortunate," Spencer said. "I just got put out there, and I'm making the best of everything. It's a work in progress."
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he expects Ellis to return but is encouraged by Spencer's progress.
"I think he's smart, and he's gotten invaluable repetitions," Jones said after the Vikings game.
If Ellis had been healthy, it may have taken Spencer two years to get the amount of reps he's already taken, Jones said.
Coach Wade Phillips hopes Ellis could return, but he understands the team has to move forward.
"We just got to play him," Phillips said of Spencer. "He's going to need to play."
In college, Spencer played defensive end and in the pros he's moving to outside linebacker because of his speed and ability to reach the quarterback.
It's a difficult transition for Spencer, who struggles against the run, particularly in getting tight ends off him. Spencer is also working on his footwork and getting off quicker at the snap of the ball.
"It's tough when you're doing something different in college and now he's at a new position in the pros," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "Very rarely do you see guys come in like DeMarcus Ware."
It took Ware, who made the transition from college defensive end to linebacker in the NFL, two seasons to earn a Pro Bowl berth.
Spencer said he speaks to Ware and Ellis about making the switch. But right now, all the talking could be over, it's probably time to start a regular-season game.
"I've been preparing for this since I got here," Spencer said. "Whenever you get a chance to come to a team and play on the first team, it's definitely an exciting time."
NY Giants at Cowboys: 7:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9 (Ch. 5; KTCK-AM 1310, KFZO-FM 99.1 in Spanish)
The Dallas Morning News
MINNEAPOLIS – The possibility of first-round pick Anthony Spencer starting on opening night may become a reality.
Spencer, who has started every preseason game, is practicing at outside linebacker with the first team.
Thursday night against Minnesota, Spencer played the bulk of the snaps and ended the preseason game with two tackles. He had no sacks during the preseason.
Greg Ellis, the Cowboys' second-best pass rusher, is recovering from surgery on his left Achilles' tendon. Ellis, who says he's week-to-week, practiced once in training camp and hasn't played in the preseason.
But with the season opener against the New York Giants eight days away, if Ellis returns, he would play as a third-down rusher.
"I didn't think I'd get this opportunity because Greg has been here for so long and this injury is unfortunate," Spencer said. "I just got put out there, and I'm making the best of everything. It's a work in progress."
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he expects Ellis to return but is encouraged by Spencer's progress.
"I think he's smart, and he's gotten invaluable repetitions," Jones said after the Vikings game.
If Ellis had been healthy, it may have taken Spencer two years to get the amount of reps he's already taken, Jones said.
Coach Wade Phillips hopes Ellis could return, but he understands the team has to move forward.
"We just got to play him," Phillips said of Spencer. "He's going to need to play."
In college, Spencer played defensive end and in the pros he's moving to outside linebacker because of his speed and ability to reach the quarterback.
It's a difficult transition for Spencer, who struggles against the run, particularly in getting tight ends off him. Spencer is also working on his footwork and getting off quicker at the snap of the ball.
"It's tough when you're doing something different in college and now he's at a new position in the pros," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "Very rarely do you see guys come in like DeMarcus Ware."
It took Ware, who made the transition from college defensive end to linebacker in the NFL, two seasons to earn a Pro Bowl berth.
Spencer said he speaks to Ware and Ellis about making the switch. But right now, all the talking could be over, it's probably time to start a regular-season game.
"I've been preparing for this since I got here," Spencer said. "Whenever you get a chance to come to a team and play on the first team, it's definitely an exciting time."
NY Giants at Cowboys: 7:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9 (Ch. 5; KTCK-AM 1310, KFZO-FM 99.1 in Spanish)
posted by The Gryphon at 10:40 AM
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