It doesn’t seem like an idea that makes a lot of sense – spending $8.8 million for one season on a player that hasn’t bust out as of yet – but it’s a possibility in Dallas.
According to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Cowboys have at least discussed the idea of using the franchise tag with outside linebacker Anthony Spencer, who otherwise is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Hill cites a number of reasons for this being possible, chiefly that there is a thin market to pick from in free agency and failing to retain Spencer could force the club into a corner entering the draft.
The first-round draft pick from 2007 has never had more than six sacks in a season but he finished fourth on the team with 74 tackles last year and is a dependable player vs. the run. According to club statistics, he had 31 QB pressures, just nine behind DeMarcus Ware, the other outside linebacker who also delivered 19