Dallas Cowboys Rumors: Team Has Had ‘Preliminary Talks’ With Anthony Spencer
By Josh Sanchez
Dallas Cowboys defender Anthony Spencer was one of the team’s breakout stars in 2012. Spencer had career highs in tackles (95) and sacks (11) a year ago, but there is some doubt regarding his future in Big D.
The Cowboys are transitioning from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 under new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
Spencer played outside linebacker in the Cowboys 3-4 scheme, so there is some doubt over whether they should open the checkbooks for a man who will have to change positions and put his hand in the dirt in the new 40 front. To be fair to Spencer, he did play defensive end in a 4-3 during his college days at Purdue.
The 29-year-old has said that he is willing to move to defensive end in the new scheme and it appears that the Cowboys are listening.
“He told me, ‘I feel like I can play that position. I feel like I can do a great job at it,’” Spencer’s agent, Jordan Woy said. “I talked about it with him. He’d love to stay in Dallas but ultimately it is a business and sometimes that works out and sometimes that doesn’t.
“He’s prepared for whatever the situation it is. But if he had his first choice it would be to stay in Dallas.”
Woy continued on to say that the ball is in Dallas’ court.
“Now it’s obviously a matter if the [Cowboys], . . . feel like he’s a great fit,” Woy said. “And if they do we’re really hopeful we’ll be able work a deal out and have him stay there. If that’s not where ultimately their heads are at and what they think, then we’ll have to go out in the marketplace.”
With Spencer ready and willing to make the change, Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas is saying that the two sides have had “preliminary talks” about a contract to keep Spencer in Dallas.
There is always the chance that the Cowboys could use the franchise tag on Spencer for a second-straight season, but if they are going to tie that much money up for his services they would be better suited to get a long-term deal done.
If Spencer ends up hitting the open market, he will be heavily pursued by teams that run all defensive schemes.