Jerry Jones doesn’t regret giving Anthony Spencer the franchise tag

The Dallas Cowboys placed the franchise tag of outside linebacker, turned defensive end Anthony Spencer. In late July he had arthroscopic surgery on his knee and missed training camp and the season opener. He played in the following games in a limited role, before the Cowboys officially put him on injured reserve ending his season.

Essentially, owner Jerry Jones has paid Spencer $10.6 million for 34 plays

“I really look at it as, that goes with it,” Jones said, from Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “That’s the life we’ve chosen. I don’t in any way, second-guess the commitment we made to him because of the caliber of player he was. We certainly would like to have those dollars, but I’d rather have Spencer. I can’t look at the obvious any time something doesn’t work out.

“I can tell you, if anybody was going to get the money under these circumstances, I’m glad it’s him. He’s worked hard. He’s that quality of an individual and that quality of player.”

The Cowboys might have gotten the better deal though since they avoided signing him to a long term contract. This could impact Spencer’s next deal.

“Once we made the commitment, I spent no time [looking back] because that don’t do you any good right there,” Jones said. “We knew what we were doing when we [gave him the franchise tag]. You got to assume that he did what was good for Anthony, and I think that he did. He had his logic and it was good logic. We did what we should’ve done in my mind with the Cowboys. We wanted him on the team.”