Thursday’s game might be the most important in regards to a potential NFL career in the life of Diontae Spencer.
But as a two-time CFL All-Star who broke records with the Ottawa Redblacks and in college at McNeese State, it will take more than that to faze the 27-year-old Spencer.
“At the end of the day, I feel like with God, the plan is already in place,” Spencer said after Pittsburgh Steelers practice Tuesday. “I feel like I need to just keep faith and keep believing in myself and just believing what they have in mind. So I don’t really focus on (the fight for a roster spot) too much. It’s not my first go-round, and I just feel mentally and physically in a good place.”
And why not? Spencer has been one of the most pleasant surprises in his first NFL preseason. The quick and shifty wide receiver has the Steelers’ longest rushing attempt, longest kickoff return (35 yards) and longest punt return thus far.
Spencer is averaging 16.9 yards per touch, most impressively breaking a 38-yard punt return and end-around runs of 29 and 19 yards.
A 5-foot-8, 170-pounder who spent four seasons in the CFL, Diontae Spencer has a resume as an explosive playmaker.#SteelersCamp https://t.co/5qO7VFvs8g
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 18, 2019
That perhaps shouldn’t be surprising for a player who set the CFL record for all-purpose yards in a game (496 for Ottawa against Hamilton on Oct. 27, 2017: 133 receiving, 165 on kickoff returns and 169 on punt returns)
Spencer was tied for seventh in the CFL in catches last year and was among the league leaders in all three return-yardage categories (punt, kickoff and, yes, field-goal returns) each of the past two seasons.
“I feel like going to the CFL, it gave me the opportunity to get more tape and just going up there and maturing,” Spencer said. “Just being a mature football player, understanding the nuances of this whole game, the speed of it. And I feel like this go-round when I came back, everything has been pretty smooth and it’s just been a blast and a blessing.”
#Steelers 2-a-days: Can Diontae Spencer translate CFL success? What’s Cameron Sutton’s role? https://t.co/kQehbGyzrl
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) July 21, 2019
Spencer’s playmaking has been as obvious on the practice fields as it has been in games.
So why is Spencer no shoo-in for a roster spot? His height (5-foot-8) probably is the biggest reason he wasn’t invited to an NFL camp during any of the five summers after college. The closest Spencer came was organized team activities with the St. Louis Rams in 2014.
So maybe that’s partially why Spencer can stay so relaxed. Worst case, he still has made it farther along the NFL journey than any previous season. And he seemingly would be welcomed back into the CFL quickly, too.
Spencer is probably fighting with Eli Rogers and perhaps Johnny Holton for a final roster spot among receivers. Or maybe the Steelers can keep him as a return specialist.
Even if Spencer doesn’t make the 53-man roster, he’s a strong candidate for the practice squad. Who better to serve as a scout-team stand-in for an upcoming opponent’s quickest players?
Spencer insists he believes in his NFL ability. He has one more chance to showcase it against NFL competition Thursday night.
“I know I am going to make plays once I get the ball into my hands,” he said, “but whatever I am actually doing on the field, I am trying to do it 110% and do it without making any mistakes. So that’s all I am focused on, just going out there, being who I am and continuing to keep doing what I am doing. Keep making plays.”
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