Dionte Spencer

[jerrym]

Great article on Dionte Spencer, who I think has a great chance to be a great returner and receiver.


At 5’8 and 163-pounds, Spencer has always had to prove his worth. Not getting a scholarship offer from Louisiana State University was just added incentive early on.“Being from Louisiana you want to go to LSU and play in Tiger Stadium,” he said. “But my dream was to play college ball and I had a scholarship from McNeese just down the road. My family was still able to come and watch me play.”
Once he got there, he hit the ground running.
“I felt like I had something to prove. I always play with a chip on my shoulder.”
He earned national attention in his senior year when he posted a five-touchdown game in a Southland Conference win over Stephen F. Austin. He racked up 365 all-purpose yards, two kickoff return TD’s, a punt return TD and added an additional 152 yards and two scores in the air. ...
Size matters in pro football, but a potent blend of drive and athleticism can do wonders.“He’s just one of those guys who wants to be good,” said New York Giants receiver and close friend Odell Beckham Jr.
“He’s one of those guys who’s going to pick my brain and the brains of others because he wants to make it.”
After a couple brief training camp stints with the NFL’s Chicago Bears and St Louis Rams, he started talking about moving up north for a shot in the CFL. He’d never been so far away from home. There were hesitations about making the leap. A former CFL Most Outstanding Player and Toronto Argonaut, who also happens to hail from New Iberia, reached out. “Kerry Joseph encouraged me to make the move,” he said. ...

One play at a time, Spencer was fast-tracking his way into the fold. He played in 11 of the team’s remaining 14 games, starting in eight of them, including the Eastern Semi-Final vs. Hamilton where he led the Argos with eight catches.
He also finished the year with a team-high 1,146 all-purpose yards. A total he hopes to build on in year two as he continues to adjust to his new surroundings.
“I feel like Toronto isn’t that far from home now. I made the jump, I’ve embraced it and I like it. My mom is probably going to come up this year and she’s pretty excited.”...
“I can’t wait to get back. For me to have the opportunity to compete and do good things for the Argos, I’m ready to help bring a Grey Cup to the city of Toronto.”


http://www.argonauts.ca/2016/03/18/182353/

[Rich]

I think he's gonna have a monster season. He's the best YAC receiver we have (along with Durie if he ever plays). Ricky will love hitting him crossing underneath on the checkdowns, but he's also a deep threat who can race down Ricky's big rainbows.

[PullTogether73]

Diontae, not Dionte.

[jerrym]

I think he's gonna have a monster season. He's the best YAC receiver we have (along with Durie if he ever plays). Ricky will love hitting him crossing underneath on the checkdowns, but he's also a deep threat who can race down Ricky's big rainbows.

As much as I think Durie has been a great player for the Argos, his increasing fragility with age, especially for a receiver who engages in gaining brutal YAC yards, means he is not likely to be a major contributor due to injury if he makes the team.

[Will]

There is a certain degree of pressure on Spencer this upcoming season. His promising rookie season in the CFL is arguably what made Chad Owens expendable and hastened CO's departure to Hamilton.

[Stevoman]

There is a certain degree of pressure on Spencer this upcoming season. His promising rookie season in the CFL is arguably what made Chad Owens expendable and hastened CO's departure to Hamilton.

I agree. If he remains healthy, then I think he will adequately replace CO2. I feel like it was the right time to take the gamble. Will miss Owens passion and heart for the team though. Under all that Ticat gear, I know he will still bleed blue!

[jerrym]

I agree. If he remains healthy, then I think he will adequately replace CO2. I feel like it was the right time to take the gamble. Will miss Owens passion and heart for the team though. Under all that Ticat gear, I know he will still bleed blue!

I also agree and felt showed great passion on the field of play, but it would be hard to match Chad's heart on his sleeve approach both on and off the field.

[R.J]

Spencer made Owens replaceable, but Spencer and Gallon have a lot of work to do before we forget about Owens.

[AngeloV]

Spencer made Owens replaceable, but Spencer and Gallon have a lot of work to do before we forget about Owens.

Absolutely.

[Will]

Spencer made Owens replaceable, but Spencer and Gallon have a lot of work to do before we forget about Owens.

For sure.

[jerrym]

Spencer made Owens replaceable, but Spencer and Gallon have a lot of work to do before we forget about Owens.

I for one won't ever forget Owens but that doesn't mean Spencer has the potential to be a superlative player.

[PullTogether73]

I for one won't ever forget Owens but that doesn't mean Spencer has the potential to be a superlative player.

You don't think Spencer has the potential to be a superlative player?
I would disagree. I believe the potential is there. Whether or not it is realized remains to be seen.

[AngeloV]

You don't think Spencer has the potential to be a superlative player?
I would disagree. I believe the potential is there. Whether or not it is realized remains to be seen.

Sure he does, but for most of us that have followed the CFL for many years know, many players have had great starts to their CFL careers and then for one reason or another, were not heard from again. Not saying that will be the case here, but it wouldn't be a rarity.

[jerrym]

You don't think Spencer has the potential to be a superlative player?
I would disagree. I believe the potential is there. Whether or not it is realized remains to be seen.

My mistake in wording. I meant to say "I for one won't ever forget Owens but that doesn't mean Spencer hasn't the potential to be a superlative player."

[argolio]

I expect Spencer won't be a flash-in-the-pan type of player, but, as with anyone, only time will tell.

[jerrym]

Spencer's potential is reflected in the results from one of his college games.


Spencer was McNeese State's Swiss Army Knife, doing a little bit of everything with the ball in his hands. Along the way, he posted one of the most memorable games in the country with 365 all-purpose yards against Stephen F. Austin, a school record. Included in the damage were two kick returns for touchdowns, one from 93 yards and another from 85. He also had a 35-yard punt return for a score.

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/9351/get-to-know-a-rookie-diontae-spencer

[Thegooch111]

How bad is Spencer's injury? Or what is even wrong with him? I haven't heard anything. Thanks guys

[ArgoRavi]

How bad is Spencer's injury? Or what is even wrong with him? I haven't heard anything. Thanks guys

I believe that he has a back or hip problem and it has been bad enough to sideline him since the first preseason game.

[Thegooch111]

Any word on when he is coming back/ start practicing?

[Will]

I believe that he has a back or hip problem and it has been bad enough to sideline him since the first preseason game.

I think it is a back issue. He had sat out the mock game during training camp, but seemingly came back for the preseason game and didn't look bad at all there, but must have re-aggravated the injury or suffered another one?

[ArgoRavi]

Any word on when he is coming back/ start practicing?

I thought that he would be back soon but haven't heard anything in the media. When the injury occurred, it sounded like it would truly be a six week thing.

[paulwoods13]

I seem to recall he came off the field favouring his back or hip in the home preseason game. Amazing we are without three of our projected four INT receivers and almost lost the fourth last night.

[ArgoGabe22]

Like Spencer-Owens last season, what do we do with Shaw when Spencer gets healthy? Same thing with Wylie (who impressed me) when Elliot returns? I hope they somehow manage to have them dressed as backup rather than a scratch.

I have no problem taking Bates out of the lineup though.

[AngeloV]

Like Spencer-Owens last season, what do we do with Shaw when Spencer gets healthy? Same thing with Wylie (who impressed me) when Elliot returns? I hope they somehow manage to have them dressed as backup rather than a scratch.

I have no problem taking Bates out of the lineup though.

I would dress Wylie to replace Taylor as KR, because unlike Taylor, he can really help the offence as well. I don't see Spencer getting his job back from Shaw. Such is life in football, where getting injured often results in losing your spot.

[Argo]

I would dress Wylie to replace Taylor as KR, because unlike Taylor, he can really help the offence as well. I don't see Spencer getting his job back from Shaw. Such is life in football, where getting injured often results in losing your spot.

I'd think that a spinal injury (IIRC), even after a return to the field, means that concern is a constant companion.

[paulwoods13]

If all of our INT receivers were healthy, I'd rank them something like this:

Hazelton
Shaw
Gurley
Spencer
Wylie
Bates
Elliott
Miles

Spencer and Wylie seem to have the most pure speed, plus elusiveness. I like the size and hands of Hazelton and Gurley. Shaw catches everything thrown his way. Bates is a good downfield blocker (most of the time) but hasn't been thrown to often. Elliott might have lost his spot because too similar to Hazelton and Gurley. Miles is just a depth guy.

[AngeloV]

If all of our INT receivers were healthy, I'd rank them something like this:

Hazelton
Shaw
Gurley
Spencer
Wylie
Bates
Elliott
Miles

Spencer and Wylie seem to have the most pure speed, plus elusiveness. I like the size and hands of Hazelton and Gurley. Shaw catches everything thrown his way. Bates is a good downfield blocker (most of the time) but hasn't been thrown to often. Elliott might have lost his spot because too similar to Hazelton and Gurley. Miles is just a depth guy.

I have Elliott much higher, and definitely higher than Bates. I still think that Spencer is going to have a tough time getting in, if everyone else is healthy.

Hazelton
Gurley
Shaw
Elliott
Spencer
Wylie (may be higher, but still only 1 game)
Bates
Miles

[R.J]

Hazelton
Shaw
Elliott (when healthy)
Gurley
Spencer
Wylie (Too early to put him any higher, but I beleive he could be in our top 3)
Bates
Miles

[mchesher03]

I would dress Wylie to replace Taylor as KR, because unlike Taylor, he can really help the offence as well. I don't see Spencer getting his job back from Shaw. Such is life in football, where getting injured often results in losing your spot.

agree with Angelo here - I think Kenny Shaw has taken Spencer's spot for the time being... I think he played a heckuva game on Monday and hope that continues...

As for the lists I am also of similar mindset to those - put Hazelton as our go to guy and the others (Elliott and Gurley) as top three for now, can see Wylie and/or Shaw breaking into the top three as the season goes on however which isn't a bad thing...

[paulwoods13]

Shaw has taken *a" spot, but not necessarily Spencer's. I could definitely see both guys dressing and one of the Big Three (IMO most likely Elliott) not dressing even if all are healthy. I like Elliott, I just like Hazelton and Gurley more, and I feel the three are all fairly similar to one another in terms of speed and size.

[Argo]

I have Elliott much higher, and definitely higher than Bates. I still think that Spencer is going to have a tough time getting in, if everyone else is healthy.

Hazelton
Gurley
Shaw
Elliott
Spencer
Wylie (may be higher, but still only 1 game)
Bates
Miles

If Elliot's completely healthy and back in his groove, I'd rank him 2nd, behind only Hazelton.

Shaw and Gurley would be pushing second in my ranking. It's very close near the top.

[R.J]

If Elliot's completely healthy and back in the groove, I'd rank him 2nd, behind only Hazelton.

Shaw would be pushing second in my ranking.
I agree with this. Elliott IMO was our best all round receiver last season, but with his injuries, along with Hazelton's and Shaw's play so far this season I give them the edge (as of right now). I hope Elliott can regain his form from last season (and get healthy) - we could really use him IMO.

[Reggiemac]

Why was Gurley benched in the last game?

[Will]

Why was Gurley benched in the last game?

Gurley is injured.

[Will]

Shaw has played well, but I think you still need to give Spencer his shot. It was my impression that Shaw came on during training camp, and that's ultimately what training camp is for I guess, but the Argos did cut one of the most popular players in team history because they deemed Spencer to have the tools to be a worthy replacement on the field. I know you don't really want to take the productive receiver out of the lineup, but that's honestly how I feel.

[Wobbler]

Spencer can take Wylie's or Bates' spots, but not Shaw's (unless he gets hurt).

[Will]

With injuries to Elliott, Hazelton and Gurley the Argos might not have a problem getting both Spencer and Shaw in the lineup (at least in the short-term).

[ArgoRavi]

With injuries to Elliott, Hazelton and Gurley the Argos might not have a problem getting both Spencer and Shaw in the lineup (at least in the short-term).

Was Hazelton injured during the Ottawa game?

[Will]

Was Hazelton injured during the Ottawa game?

He was definitely banged up.

[ArgoRavi]

He was definitely banged up.

Maybe that was why he had two drops tonight that would have been first down plays. Uncharacteristic of him (and Durie too who had a key drop late).

[Will]

Hazelton also dropped a pass or two against Saskatchewan.

[paulwoods13]

He was definitely banged up.

It looked to me like he was out of action for most of the fourth quarter. We had both Durie and Coombs in there at the same time, as well as Whitaker, which never happens. So one of the two NATs was subbing in for Hazelton (altho no mention of this by the TSN crew, as usual).

If we can get one or two receivers healthy during the bye week, maybe we can replace Taylor with Wylie or Spencer. Would hate to take Wylie out of the offence (and even if he became our primary returner I could see him being used in some offensive sets), so maybe Spencer can return kicks.

[AngeloV]

It looked to me like he was out of action for most of the fourth quarter. We had both Durie and Coombs in there at the same time, as well as Whitaker, which never happens. So one of the two NATs was subbing in for Hazelton (altho no mention of this by the TSN crew, as usual).

If we can get one or two receivers healthy during the bye week, maybe we can replace Taylor with Wylie or Spencer. Would hate to take Wylie out of the offence (and even if he became our primary returner I could see him being used in some offensive sets), so maybe Spencer can return kicks.
I would definitely replace Taylor. He hasn't been bad, but both Spencer and Wylie can play receiver as well as return kicks. Might allow to dress an extra D-lineman once Bulcke and Waud are healthy rather than dress a specialist.