OAKLAND, Calif. — The enthusiastic way he attacks this camp is what teammates and coaches mention first. Praise for his focus follows.

Anthony Spencer no longer blends into the background. He can’t. That luxury vanished the moment the Cowboys released Greg Ellis.
On the eve of the preseason opener, Spencer is poised to fulfill the promise that led the Cowboys to select him in the first round of the 2007 draft. And who will be there, making his Oakland Raiders debut when these teams kick off on Thursday night at 9 o’clock CDT at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum?
Greg Ellis.
What must Spencer do to get away from this guy?
“Actually, I hadn’t thought about that at all,” Spencer said. “It will be good to see him, though.”
Spencer’s first two seasons were spent behind Ellis on the Cowboys depth chart. Spencer maintains he didn’t get discouraged. But when he talks about his elation for the opportunity to start, when he acknowledges he’s more focused now because teammates count on him, you can’t help but think he came to accept his backup role rather than challenge to change it.
Linebackers coach Reggie Herring notices a greater commitment from Spencer in the two months Ellis has been gone. He’s become much more serious.
“He’s had a big shadow lifted,” Herring said. “Sitting behind a Pro Bowler like Greg Ellis, it’s discouraging day in and day out, knowing you’re probably not going to get your shot unless he’s injured.
“He understands what’s transpired. He understands the commitment, the accountability. He understands that with this move we’re saying we believe in him that he can get it done.
“Now the pressure is on him to go get it done.”
Spencer sounds comfortable with his new accountability.
“You’ve got to be able to put some kind of pressure on yourself, otherwise you’re just out here,” he said. “It’s good to have people relying on you. If you didn’t have those responsibilities, you wouldn’t take it as seriously.
“I embrace the pressure I have right now.”
Spencer does a good job defending the run. His coverage skills are above average for an athlete his size. He knows how to adjust to routes.
But the reason the Cowboys invested a first-round pick in Spencer was to put pressure on the quarterback. Coach Wade Phillips calls him a natural pass rusher. He said the outside linebacker has become even more evasive with his moves in this camp.
“He’s a tremendously good athlete,” Phillips said. “He has all the attributes you need to be a good player.
“Staying healthy and having the opportunity is the biggest thing for him.”
The biggest thing is to make an impact. Spencer can talk about how DeMarcus Ware has taught him to use his hands to get off the block.
He can tell you he recognizes formations quicker while others cite his improved work habits and consistency in training camp.
But all of this will ring hollow if Spencer can’t dramatically improve on the 4› sacks he’s collected in his first two seasons.
“Spence is really enthused,” Ware said. “He’s come into this season knowing, ’I’m No. 1 now.’ I think that’s a good thing.”
Spencer’s time is now. Pressure?
“I’m really not worried about the outside world,” Spencer said. “I’m just worried about the guys I’ve been practicing with.
“Them depending on me is pressure enough.”