IRVING, Texas – Monday marked the opening of a two-week window during which NFL teams can place the franchise tag on their own free agents. We continue to be told that the Dallas Cowboys do not wish to use the tag on defensive standout Anthony Spencer, choosing instead to continue negotiations on a long-term contract.
"We're always in the business of keeping great football players and he is one of those,'' team VP Stephen Jones said.
Added agent Jordan Woy: "Anthony wants to stay here and the Cowboys smartly want to keep him. Hopefully there will be some creativity available to get something done.''
The Cowboys placed their franchise tag on Spencer a year ago, paying him $8.8 million. As he makes the move from linebacker to defensive end in the team's new 4-3 scheme, he could be franchised again at a cost of $10.6 million. That would be difficult to do even if Dallas wished to, as the Cowboys are $20 million over the cap and need to make an assortment of moves to re-sign Spencer to any sort of deal.
Spencer was a standout on the Dallas defense this season, with 11 sacks and a team-high 106 tackles.
