Anthony

Spencer

Spencer is expected to be franchise tagged if no long-term deal can be reached. The sides met at the Combine, but apparently made no progress toward an extension. The franchise tag number for linebackers is roughly $8.8 million.

Spencer recently signed his one-year, $8.856 million franchise tender. “He did sign the tender,” Jones confirmed, “probably more than likely because he feels like he can have one of those years and up his value, then more than likely he’ll play that tag out and we’ll see where we are.” Look for Dallas to use an early- to mid-round pick on a pass rusher as long-term insurance behind Spencer.

The Cowboys are considering placing the franchise tag on Spencer, but may want to see if they can work something out that wouldn’t be so cumbersome on the salary cap. “It’s obviously usually a pretty decent [salary] number and it’s not a cap-friendly deal,” said Cowboys Executive VP Stephen Jones of the franchise tag. “But at the same time it allows you some protection.”

The 26th pick in the 2007 draft, Spencer has developed into the category of “solid starter” but fallen short of elite. Now entering his fourth season as a starter and sixth season in the league, Spencer has 21.5 career sacks with a single-season high of 6.0. He’s forced ten fumbles. Pro Football Focus did grade Spencer as the NFL’s best run-stopping 3-4 outside linebacker last season. The Cowboys hope to sign Spencer to a long-term deal, though that may be difficult after guaranteeing him nearly $9 million in 2012. It’s likely that he’ll want that much, at least, on an annual basis.

“A good football player can impact a game in a lot more ways than just how many sacks he has,” said executive VP Stephen Jones. “Pressure is important ... but you also pay for good football players. And I think Anthony fits in that mold.” Jones’ comments are the latest piece of evidence suggesting Spencer will be hit with the franchise tag.

Phillips has joined ESPN Dallas and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in touting Spencer as a candidate for the franchise tag. Phillips believes Spencer would be able to land a "(Chris) Canty-like deal” on the open market, and that the Cowboys would likely lose him. Canty signed a six-year, $42 million contract in 2009. The Cowboys have until March 5 to franchise Spencer.

Dallas could have rescinded the one-year, fully guaranteed tender after the draft if it emerged with a replacement for Spencer, so he smartly got it signed early in the week. Spencer will return as DeMarcus Ware’s bookend, primarily rushing off the strong side and setting the edge on running downs. The 28-year-old recorded 66 tackles, six sacks, and four forced fumbles in 2011.

The sides are talking, but a long-term agreement doesn’t seem to be in the offing in the next two days. The tag would guarantee Spencer $8.8 million, steep for a mediocre pass-rushing outside ‘backer. The Cowboys have worked out deals prior to the season after franchising Flozell Adams and Ken Hamlin in the past.

It’s a sign Spencer, who was absent from the beginning of voluntary workouts Monday, has no plans to simply sign his $8.8 million tender. The sides have until July 16 to hammer out a long-term contract.

As are 49ers FS Dashon Goldson and Cowboys OLB Anthony Spencer. They’re joining fellow franchise players Drew Brees, Matt Forte, Wes Welker, Dwayne Bowe, Ray Rice, Cliff Avril and Calais Campbell in sitting out. Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff hinted at the time of Grimes’ franchising he anticipated reaching a long-term accord, but the sides haven’t made any public progress. The deadline to sign franchise players to long-term deals is July 16.