Anthony Spencer Resigns With Cowboys

[Simpleton]

As long as this doesn't affect our draft strategy it's a no-risk move and with the status of our DL, I'm willing to take a shot on just about anything really.

 

[ravidubey]

Here's to hoping he can play even one meaningful snap.

 

[GForce78NJ]

there is nothing bad about this move unless we decide to neglect the DL in the draft. I'm glad spencer is back and I'm sure its a play to earn your money type of contract

 

[1bigfan13]

I'm ok with this and am actually kinda glad we brought him back. If, and it's a big if, he can get back to 100%, I think he'll be an excellent fit at 4-3 end.

Just as long as they don't view this as the DE position being solidified, I'm good.

That's always the concern with those nitwits.

 

[Carp]

Any idea how much it is for? I definitely like it for depth and would actually like to see Spencer in the 4-3. We will still go DL...they did sound like they learned a lesson from last year.

 

[boozeman]

 

[boozeman]

Cowboys cover bases with Spencer signing

April, 26, 2014
Apr 26

7:00

PM ET


By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com


IRVING, Texas -- By signing Anthony Spencer to a one-year deal the Dallas Cowboys have continued to add pieces to their defensive line, but none of the moves will take them out of selecting an end or tackle in the upcoming draft.



Spencer is the fourth defensive lineman the Cowboys have signed this offseason, joining Henry Melton, Jeremy Mincey and Terrell McClain.

According to a source, Spencer’s one-year deal contains no signing bonus but can be worth up to $3.5 million. He has a base salary of $1.25 million and up to $750,000 in roster bonus money based on him being on the active roster in each game. Spencer has additional incentives totaling 1.5 million in sacks and playing time.

Melton essentially signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. Mincey will earn $1.5 million this season. McClain will earn $1.05 million.

The Cowboys have not made a huge financial commitment that would take them out of selecting an Aaron Donald, Anthony Barr or Kony Ealy with the 16th pick in the first round.

What they have done has strengthened their position to stick to the best player available when it comes to their turn to pick. If it’s Donald or Barr or Ealy or safety Jimmie Ward or offensive lineman Zack Martin or wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., then they can make the move and feel good about the depth they have added to Rod Marinelli’s defensive line.

The Cowboys lack a true right defensive end in the mold of a DeMarcus Ware, who was cut before free agency began and signed with the Denver Broncos, but they have numbers they can throw at the position in Spencer, George Selvie, who had seven sacks last year, Mincey and Tyrone Crawford, who missed last season with a torn Achilles.

If a right defensive end, like Barr, is not available, then Demarcus Lawrence could be an option in the second round.

If healthy, Spencer will be the Cowboys’ best defensive lineman, but it is a big "if." The hope is that he will be ready to go for training camp, but returning from microfracture surgery is tricky. Patience is the most important aspect of the recovery. Spencer had 11 sacks in his last full season and made the Pro Bowl while the Cowboys were operating a 3-4 scheme. He is an underrated run defender as well.

He went into free agency in bad circumstances with the injury, but has a chance to earn a bigger deal next year with a good season.

The Cowboys are more than happy to give him that chance.

 

[1bigfan13]

Another contract where the player will have to perform in order to get paid. That's a plus.

 

[boozeman]

Big fear is that they count on him as a contributor and bypass the pass rush need. Far fetched, but we have done stupid things like that before.

 

[Carp]

Absolutely I understand that concern, but I do think they learned from a year ago. Our visits lean that way and I think they knew Spencer would be back.

 

[Carp]

PFT has a pic up of Ratliff to announce the Spencer signing.

 

[bbgun]

this guy is probably gone forever

 

[1bigfan13]

this guy is probably gone forever

I was at that game. I felt cheated because the offense didn't get in the end zone.

 

[boozeman]

I was at that game. I felt cheated because the offense didn't get in the end zone.

Gotta love both Jones and Ryan high fiving everyone after barely holding the Rex Grossman Redskins to 16 points.

This team. I swear.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

Absolutely I understand that concern, but I do think they learned from a year ago. Our visits lean that way and I think they knew Spencer would be back.

I tend to agree. They have to know that odds are he'll start the year on the PUP and that even when he comes back health/production is far from a lock. Seems like a low-risk gamble that they can get a reasonably productive player in the second half of the season.

That said, I can also totally imagine hearing Spencer's name among others (ie, Melton coming off injury and Crawford coming off injury/completely unproven) in a couple of weeks when Jerry tries to justify why DL wasn't more of a priority in the draft.

 

[ravidubey]

Melton*, Spencer*, Selvie, Mincey, McClain, Bass, Hayden, and Crawford*.

That leaves room for a high draft pick this year, but I think Jerry believes the position is solid. He's ignoring the injury asterisks and projecting everybody's best past season. There's also Brent (wink) waiting in reserve.

 

[Carp]

Completely get that line of thinking, but Steve has said many times he did not like the DL from a year ago and they will address it. It's funny that Jerry is painted as someone who likes bright shiny things, but after losing his bright shining star on the DL he is not going to at least try to replace that?

 

[Smitty]

Completely get that line of thinking, but Steve has said many times he did not like the DL from a year ago and they will address it. It's funny that Jerry is painted as someone who likes bright shiny things, but after losing his bright shining star on the DL he is not going to at least try to replace that?

We're bringing in way too many DLs for visits for our DL interest in this draft to be a complete smokescreen.

We will address it somewhere. Bet on that.

The question is, will it be addressed like in 2012 with picks that are not so hot, role players like Crawford and Wilber, or will we get a couple difference makers and steals?

 

[dallen]

We're bringing in way too many DLs for visits for our DL interest in this draft to be a complete smokescreen.

We will address it somewhere. Bet on that.

The question is, will it be addressed like in 2012 with picks that are not so hot, role players like Crawford and Wilber, or will we get a couple difference makers and steals?

Now that Ware is gone we have a spot for a difference maker so we won't have to draft special team players

 

[Cotton]

Anthony Spencer: Hopefully I’ll be back by training camp

Posted by Josh Alper on April 28, 2014, 5:28 PM EDT

The Cowboys have re-signed defensive end Anthony Spencer, which answers one question about Spencer’s future.

Still to be answered is the one about when he’ll be ready to get back on the field after having microfracture surgery on his left knee last year. Spencer said Monday that he won’t be participating in organized team activities this spring and that he will “hopefully” be ready to go when the Cowboys start training camp in late July.

“It’s getting there,” Spencer said, via ESPNDallas.com. “I’ve probably got another month or so. When I had the surgery, they said it was a six- to eight-month recovery. I’m in the five- to seven-month range now. I just need to continue to get it stronger and stronger.”

Spencer should be a starter come September, but his injury history means that the Cowboys can’t make too many assumptions about his availability. That’s one of several reasons why the team should be looking for help at defensive end in the draft next month.