Anthony Spencer

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Dallas Cowboys
currentnumber=93
currentpositionplain=Outside linebacker/Defensive End
birthdate=birth date and age|1984|1|23
birthplace=Fort Wayne, Indiana
heightft=6
heightin=3
weight=257
debutyear=2007
debutteam=Dallas Cowboys
college=Purdue
draftyear=2007
draftround=1
draftpick=26
pastteams=
* Dallas Cowboys (2007-present)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=36
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=3.0
statlabel3=Interceptions
statvalue3=0
nfl=SPE434038

Anthony Spencer (born January 23, 1984 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States) is an American Football Linebacker and American Football Defensive End in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He is a Bishop Luers High School and Purdue University graduate, where he played college football. [ [http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spencer_anthony00.html Player Bio: Anthony Spencer :: Football ] ]

College career

Spencer played defensive end for Purdue University. Dubbed the "Den of Defensive Ends," the Boilermakers have sent Akin Ayodele (Miami Dolphins), Rosevelt Colvin (Houston Texans), Ray Edwards (Minnesota Vikings), Rob Ninkovich (New Orleans Saints), Chike Okeafor (Arizona Cardinals), and Shaun Phillips (San Diego Chargers) to the pros since Joe Tiller arrived as Purdue's head coach.

Spencer spent the 2002 season on the Purdue scout team as a redshirt freshman. He appeared in 10 games during the 2003 season, managing six tackles, one stop behind the line of scrimmage.

In 2004, Spencer played in 12 and started in 11. He registered 33 tackles and finished third on the team with 7.5 sacks and 9.5 stops for losses. He also batted down six passes and forced three fumbles, earning All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention.

Even though he started all 11 games in 2005, Spencer failed to match his 2004 exploits due to several minor injuries. He was limited to 23 tackles, three sacks, and 7.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused three fumbles and recovered another while also deflecting one pass.

Spencer's production exploded during his senior season. The Ted Hendricks Award (nation's top defensive end) finalist ranked second in the nation with 26.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, the fifth-best season total in Big Ten Conference] history. He finished second on the team with 93 tackles and first with 10.5 sacks. He also caused five fumbles and recovered another while batting away six passes and blocking one kick.

Anthony received a degree in African-American Studies, with a minor in Law Society.

Professional career

Spencer was drafted 26th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2007 NFL Draft, after a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles at the last minute on Draft Day. Both Philadelphia and Dallas are rivals that play in the same division and Dallas traded their previous first round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns so they could draft Brady Quinn with their second first round pick. He has now signed a 5-year contract to play for the Cowboys through 2012. He recorded his first NFL sack against the Chicago Bears on "NBC Sunday Night Football".

References

External links

* [http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spencer_anthony00.html Player Bio]
* [http://www.nfl.com/players/anthonyspencer/profile?id=SPE434038 NFL.com Profile & Stats]