IRVING – The drafting of Purdue defensive end Anthony Spencer in the first round Saturday could lead to some serious changes for the defense.
The Cowboys hope Spencer will eventually start at outside linebacker, but as a rookie he will be asked to play defensive end on passing downs, possibly keeping veteran outside linebacker Greg Ellis off the field.
Ellis was moved from defensive end to outside linebacker at the start of the 2006 season, and he flourished with 4 ½ sacks and 24 solo tackles before tearing his left Achilles' tendon in the ninth game of the season.
But on the nickel and dime schemes, Ellis was the defensive end.
"He'll get plenty of playing time," coach Wade Phillips said of Spencer. "You have to have enough good players to rush the passer, and I think you saw that when Greg went out. I think it's obvious if you don't have them, you can get in trouble."
Phillips said Spencer's arrival doesn't mean the end of Ellis' career with the Cowboys. Ellis will start at outside linebacker in 3-4 schemes.
Bobby Carpenter, last year's No. 1 pick, was an outside linebacker and defensive end at Ohio State, but the Cowboys moved him inside at times last season. Now, the team is trying to determine where he fits.
"We have great hopes for Bobby," Phillips said. "The more good players we have, we'll fit them."
Phillips said he isn't opposed to using multiple players at linebacker. He does, however, want his best pass rushers on the field.
Spencer said Saturday that he prefers playing end but understands he will change positions. "I was more comfortable playing defensive end because I played it for so long," Spencer said. "But I'm excited about the challenge of playing outside linebacker and learning new stuff, because I love playing football and it's an exciting time for me."
Adding Spencer also puts pressure on Kevin Burnett, a 2005 second-round pick, to establish himself at outside linebacker. Burnett has yet to start a game in the NFL.
Dallas considered drafting a wide receiver in the first round, particularly Tennessee wide receiver Robert Meachem, but decided its pass rush was a bigger concern.
AP
Anthony Spencer had 10.5 sacks last season at Purdue.
Last season, the Cowboys finished with 34 sacks, tied for 19th in the NFL. In 2005, they finished with 37 sacks, tied for 14th.
Spencer is expected to become the impact pass rusher the team was looking for in the draft.
In his final year at Purdue, Spencer had 10½ sacks with 93 tackles and 26½ tackles for loss.
Scouts say Spencer is athletic and has an explosive first step with good closing speed.
"I've hardly heard of a defensive end having 93 tackles in one season," Phillips said. "He gets to the football, and he's really a good pass rusher. A lot of tackles that we talked to in this draft, almost every one said Spencer [was good]. So he has respect of the guys coming into the league."
