Cowboys Mailbag: Cowboys need Spencer to show improvement next season
Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
While the identity of the cornerback the Cowboys will target in the draft remains a mystery, this much is certain:The rookie will have a much better chance of producing if the team's 2007 first rounder can come into his own.
Dallas made Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer the 26th selection last April. As NFL.com pointed out Monday, although he failed to match the production of other defensive
first-round picks (see 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, Texans defensive lineman Amobi Okoye and Giants cornerback Aaron Ross), there's no disputing Spencer had a solid campaign at outside linebacker that included flashes of his potential as an edge rusher.
Spencer started the first six weeks while Greg Ellis continued to rehab from injuries left over from the 2006 season and the 2007 training camp. In those six games, Spencer had 20 tackles and a sack. After Ellis returned, Spencer contributed eight stops and two sacks.
He also finished with seven quarterback pressures, three of which came as a starter.
With a rookie corner presumably playing a large role in the defensive backfield, the Cowboys will need more from Spencer this season. As the Giants showed in their remarkable playoff run last season, a dominating pass rush can make up for a pedestrian secondary.
At 6-foot-3, 257 pounds, the 24-year-old Spencer has all the tools to become a force in Wade Phillips' aggressive version of the 3-4 scheme. With another round of offseason work, minicamps and training camp under his belt, Spencer should be well positioned to significantly improve on his rookie numbers and aid Pro Bowl choice DeMarcus Ware and Ellis in their quest to make life miserable for Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning and Jason Campbell.
And if that happens, the corner the Cowboys choose in the first round April 26 should have a much easier time getting his feet under him.
Now on to this week's letters:
I heard DeAngelo Hall might be traded from Atlanta to Oakland for a second-round pick. If he's on the market, why wouldn't Dallas take a shot at him? I wanted Dallas to go after him before the end of last year. What's your take?
Rob McPeak, Richmond, Va.
Hall is outspoken and moody and has been known to yell at his coaches. Other than that, he's a great guy.
Is NFL commissioner Roger Goodell related to Bill Belichick? I question how Goodell handled the "spying" issue. He suspended 'Pacman' Jones for things not football related, but he does not suspend Belichick for what he did. I believe that somehow there is a history between Goodell and Belichick. Has anybody looked into that?
Leon Reyes, Bay City, Texas
Goodell has said he considered suspending Belichick for his role in Spygate but didn't "largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine ($500,000) and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension." That fine represented 12 percent of Belichick's scheduled 2007 salary (reportedly $4.2 million). Goodell also took away a first-round draft pick, the first time such a penalty has been handed down by the commissioner. Not exactly the kind of way you would treat a relative.
The Cowboys should continue to develop the young receivers they have and use their top two draft pick on a running back and a cornerback. Your thoughts?
Robert, Oklahoma
I like Sam Hurd and Miles Austin as the No. 4 and 5 receivers and for special-teams duty, but that's about it. The Cowboys desperately need a dynamic, young receiver who could man the No. 2 position in the event Terry Glenn goes down again. With that said, I'm drafting a corner and a receiver in the first round, though not necessarily in that order.
Go to YouTube.com and type in Chris Johnson. Then look at the clip that says, "This is what 4.24 speed looks like. This is what the Cowboys need. AMAZING!
Tom Hathaway, San Antonio
Johnson's blazing speed could propel him into the late first round, but more than likely, he'll go in the second. The Cowboys own the 61st pick. I don't think he will be around then. Regarding his speed, that's great. But I'd also like to know how well he blocks and understands audibles, two things Tyson Thompson never mastered.
San Antonio Express-News
While the identity of the cornerback the Cowboys will target in the draft remains a mystery, this much is certain:The rookie will have a much better chance of producing if the team's 2007 first rounder can come into his own.
Dallas made Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer the 26th selection last April. As NFL.com pointed out Monday, although he failed to match the production of other defensive
first-round picks (see 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, Texans defensive lineman Amobi Okoye and Giants cornerback Aaron Ross), there's no disputing Spencer had a solid campaign at outside linebacker that included flashes of his potential as an edge rusher.
Spencer started the first six weeks while Greg Ellis continued to rehab from injuries left over from the 2006 season and the 2007 training camp. In those six games, Spencer had 20 tackles and a sack. After Ellis returned, Spencer contributed eight stops and two sacks.
He also finished with seven quarterback pressures, three of which came as a starter.
With a rookie corner presumably playing a large role in the defensive backfield, the Cowboys will need more from Spencer this season. As the Giants showed in their remarkable playoff run last season, a dominating pass rush can make up for a pedestrian secondary.
At 6-foot-3, 257 pounds, the 24-year-old Spencer has all the tools to become a force in Wade Phillips' aggressive version of the 3-4 scheme. With another round of offseason work, minicamps and training camp under his belt, Spencer should be well positioned to significantly improve on his rookie numbers and aid Pro Bowl choice DeMarcus Ware and Ellis in their quest to make life miserable for Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning and Jason Campbell.
And if that happens, the corner the Cowboys choose in the first round April 26 should have a much easier time getting his feet under him.
Now on to this week's letters:
I heard DeAngelo Hall might be traded from Atlanta to Oakland for a second-round pick. If he's on the market, why wouldn't Dallas take a shot at him? I wanted Dallas to go after him before the end of last year. What's your take?
Rob McPeak, Richmond, Va.
Hall is outspoken and moody and has been known to yell at his coaches. Other than that, he's a great guy.
Is NFL commissioner Roger Goodell related to Bill Belichick? I question how Goodell handled the "spying" issue. He suspended 'Pacman' Jones for things not football related, but he does not suspend Belichick for what he did. I believe that somehow there is a history between Goodell and Belichick. Has anybody looked into that?
Leon Reyes, Bay City, Texas
Goodell has said he considered suspending Belichick for his role in Spygate but didn't "largely because I believe that the discipline I am imposing of a maximum fine ($500,000) and forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, or multiple draft choices, is in fact more significant and long-lasting, and therefore more effective, than a suspension." That fine represented 12 percent of Belichick's scheduled 2007 salary (reportedly $4.2 million). Goodell also took away a first-round draft pick, the first time such a penalty has been handed down by the commissioner. Not exactly the kind of way you would treat a relative.
The Cowboys should continue to develop the young receivers they have and use their top two draft pick on a running back and a cornerback. Your thoughts?
Robert, Oklahoma
I like Sam Hurd and Miles Austin as the No. 4 and 5 receivers and for special-teams duty, but that's about it. The Cowboys desperately need a dynamic, young receiver who could man the No. 2 position in the event Terry Glenn goes down again. With that said, I'm drafting a corner and a receiver in the first round, though not necessarily in that order.
Go to YouTube.com and type in Chris Johnson. Then look at the clip that says, "This is what 4.24 speed looks like. This is what the Cowboys need. AMAZING!
Tom Hathaway, San Antonio
Johnson's blazing speed could propel him into the late first round, but more than likely, he'll go in the second. The Cowboys own the 61st pick. I don't think he will be around then. Regarding his speed, that's great. But I'd also like to know how well he blocks and understands audibles, two things Tyson Thompson never mastered.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:44 PM
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