PRO: Though injuries at the beginning of his second season slowed him, Anthony Spencer still managed to show flashes of playmaking ability in 2008 as an integral part of the Cowboys linebacker rotation. He is expected to challenge for a starting spot at outside linebacker opposite DeMarcus Ware in 2009. With Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips' emphasis on athletic pass rushers, Spencer was a solid choice as the 26th pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft and played in all 16 games with six starts as a rookie. He is strong enough to bull rush opposing linemen, fast enough to offer a change of pace and provides the Cowboys with another pass rushing option along with Pro Bowlers Ware and Greg Ellis.
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
4/28/07: Drafted in the first-round (26th overall) by Dallas.
2008:
Played in 12 games to tally 59 tackles, 1.5 sacks, six quarterback pressures, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
Also made seven special teams tackles.
Underwent knee surgery on August 20 and missed the rest of the preseason.
Made his season debut against Philadelphia (9/15) to the tune of two tackles.
Had his first career kickoff return for 18 yards against Washington (9/28) after recovering a pop-up kick from Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham while also contributing two special teams tackles.
Recorded two tackles and a fumble recovery against Cincinnati (10/5).
At Arizona (10/12), posted three tackles before suffering a hamstring injury.
Returned to action at the N.Y. Giants (11/2) after missing the previous two games to injury (hamstring) and notched eight tackles and one quarterback pressure.
Registered three tackles, one sack and a quarterback pressure against San Francisco (11/23).
Finished with eight tackles and a half sack against the N.Y. Giants (12/14).
Posted a season-best nine tackles and two quarterback pressures against Baltimore (12/14).
Tied a season-high with nine tackles at Philadelphia (12/28).
2007:
Started the first six games of the season to become the fourth Dallas rookie linebacker to start a season-opener (Lee Roy Jordan-1963, Robert Jones-1992, Ware-2005) - and played in all 16 games at linebacker.
Finished with 27 tackles, three sacks (tied for fourth on the team), three tackles for loss and 11 special teams tackles.
Made his NFL debut as the starter at outside linebacker in place of Ellis against the N.Y Giants (9/9) and tied for the team lead in quarterback pressures with two and added four tackles.
Recorded the first sack of his career along with two tackles, one tackle for a loss and one special teams stop at Chicago (9/23).
Posted a career-high eight tackles and one tackle for a loss at Buffalo (10/8).
Had his second sack of the year along with one tackle, one pass breakup and two stops on special teams at the N.Y. Giants (11/11).
Against Philadelphia (12/16), recorded two tackles, a sack, one pressure, forced one fumble and two special teams tackles.
In his postseason debut against the N.Y. Giants (1/13/08) posted one tackle and a stop on special teams.
COLLEGE:
Started 36-of-47 games at Purdue, recording 155 tackles (106 solos), two fumble recoveries, 13 pass deflections and a blocked kick.
Ranked fifth in school history with 21 sacks and seventh with 44 tackles for a loss. His 11 forced fumbles ranked second in school history.
Earned first-team All-American honors from The NFL Draft Report, second-team honors from Rivals.com and the Walter Camp Football Foundation, third-team honors from The Associated Press and honorable mention from Pro Football Weekly.
Was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the top defensive end in the nation, and a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy, given to the defensive impact player of the year.
Defensive co-captain as a senior at strongside defensive end, ranking second on the team with a career-high 93 tackles (69 solos) and led the team with 10.5 sacks - good for seventh in school history.
Also added 26.5 tackles for a loss, which ranked first in the Big Ten - second in the nation, second in school history and fifth in Big Ten history. Also had five quarterback pressures, one blocked kick, six pass deflections, five forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Started all 11 games at strongside defensive end as a junior and posted 23 tackles (16 solos), three sacks, 7.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass deflection.
As a sophomore, was named to Ted Hendricks Award watch list and went on to earn All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention from the league's coaches and media and started every game at strongside defensive end and tied for the conference lead with three forced fumbles along with 33 tackles (18 solos), 7.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for a loss and deflected six passes.
Appeared in 10 games as a reserve defensive end but mostly played on special teams as a redshirt freshman and finished with six tackles. Played in just one of the first four games because of a foot injury he suffered in spring camp. Was redshirted as a true freshman.
PERSONAL:
Anthony E. Spencer, II, was a three-year starter at nose guard and fullback at Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Was a two-time all-state selection and three-time all-area and all-conference selection. Named the Indianapolis Star's Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior, when his team won the Class 2A state championship.
Posted 65 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, seven fumble recoveries and one interception. As a fullback, rushed for more than 600 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 9.1 yards-per-carry. Closed his career as the school's recordholder with 73 tackles for a loss and 27 sacks.
Also lettered twice in basketball.
Majored in African-American studies at Purdue and minored in law society.
COMMUNITY:
2007 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Club.
Annual team Holiday Hospital Visits.
Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Program.
Dallas Cowboys Kickoff Luncheon and Cowboys Family Cookbook benefitting Happy Hill Farm.
