Raiders Camp Battle: DeMarcus Van Dyke vs. Spencer

DemarcusVanDyke
Cornerback
DeMarcus Van Dyke vs. Shawntae Spencer
Tale of the tape:
Spencer: 9th season, 6-1, 190, Pittsburgh
Van Dyke: 2nd season, 6-1, 180, Miami

With seven years experience on Van Dyke, Spencer would seem to have the upper hand here...by a long shot. But no less an authority than general manager Reggie McKenzie said at the end of the Raiders' three-day mandatory minicamp in June that "nobody got it locked down." Spencer endured an injury-filled 2011 in San Francisco and lost his job after having a "burn rate" of 44.4 percent, giving up four receptions on nine targets. "It doesn't matter who you are or what you've done," Spencer said. "They want everyone to embrace the team concept and playing together and playing within each scheme." Van Dyke, meanwhile, is intriguing with his blazing speed -- he ran a 4.25-seconds 40-yard dash at the Combine -- and potential as a cover corner. He had a Raiders CB-best burn rate of 43.8 last season, giving up 14 receptions on 32 targets for 167 yards and a touchdown while being credited with four passes defensed. "It’s vision defense," he said. "You see a lot of stuff and we’re going to make a lot of plays next year." Indeed, we will see.


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(csncalifornia.com)
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