Anthony Spencer: The Latest Weapon In Cowboys Arsenal

An article by Raina Middleton    3 Comments

As most Cowboys fans know, we have plenty of  talent within our defensive huddle: DeMarcus Ware, J-Rat, Brooking, etc., I could go on and on.

However, one player that has really come in to his own this season is linebacker Anthony Spencer. In the last few games number 93 has been on fire.  In 12 games he has played this season, he has tallied 45 tackles, 2 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble.  He is quickly making a name for himself and has become relied upon as much as fellow defensive play-makers Ware and Ratliff.

In 2007, the Cowboys’ scouts knew what a talent they where getting when they selected Anthony Spencer as their #1 pick.  He has athletic ability and is fast enough to offer a change of pace and give the team another solid pass rushing option. He played in all 16 games his rookie season and started 6. The only other Dallas Cowboys that have achieved this their rookie year are Lee Roy Jordan in 1963, Robert Jones in 1992, and DeMarcus Ware in 2005. Pretty good company of you ask me.

So, where did this young power house come from?  Let me tell you a little about Anthony Spencer before the Cowboys drafted him and he slipped that famous silver helmet on for the first time.

Anthony E. Spencer II is 6-3 and weighs in at 256. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on January 23, 1984.

As a teenager, Spencer was a 3 year starter playing nose guard and full back at Bishop Luers High School, in Fort Wayne. While playing fullback, he absolutely dominated in the backfield and he ran for more than 600 yards, averaging solid 9.1 yards per carry. By the time Spencer was through, he ended his high school career by setting team records in tackles and sacks.  Anthony lettered in both football and basketball, and this helped him get accepted at Purdue University.

While at Purdue, Spencer majored in African American Studies and minored in law society, but it was on the gridiron that he would make his impact and make scouts take notice.  He started 36 of 47 games for the Boilermakers and recorded 155 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries,13 pass deflections, and a blocked kick. If you were to look into Purdue’s record books, Anthony’s name would appear for sacks, tackles, and forced fumbles.  He already has his name written in the Dallas Cowboys record books thanks to an impressive rookie campaign. and I am looking forward to see what else this exciting and intimidating linebacker will achieve in the future.

What are your expectations for Spencer going forward, and do you seem becoming an integral part of the Cowboys defense?