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09:09 AM ET 02.26 | From interviews with reporters to discussions with Spencer's representative at the NFL scouting combine, the Cowboys' team of executives has opened a dialogue concerning the outside linebacker's future. At 28, Spencer is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. But whether he will actually be able to test the open market has yet to be determined. That's because the Cowboys are contemplating whether to apply a costly franchise tag to Anthony Spencer who has collected only 21 1/2 sacks in his five-year career, but whom Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones considers a "hell of a player." For the Cowboys, this decision may be their most consequential of the off-season, and they have only nine days to make it before a March 5 deadline.

Anthony Spencer, Icon SMI

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February 26, 2012 09:17 AM ET

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I am staying out of this. That headline is red meat.

50yearfan

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February 26, 2012 09:30 AM ET

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They need to keep him.

Stuart MacDougal

Indianapolis, IN

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February 26, 2012 09:32 AM ET

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To have Ribbed or Lubed rubbers in the locker room for use in the showers?Sorry that would in the 49er's locker room.No in the cowpiles locker room they are thinking about have sheep of goats in the locker room.

HAIL TO THE VICTORS!

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February 26, 2012 09:33 AM ET

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Morning all, Keep Spencer, cut JJ!!

Mangler.

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February 26, 2012 09:46 AM ET

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Young guy lots of potential, make a deal with him!!! No Franchise!

Not4Nutten

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February 26, 2012 09:54 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:32 AM ET 02.26 by HAIL TO THE VICTORS!

To have Ribbed or Lubed rubbers in the locker room for use in the showers?Sorry that would in the 49er's locker room.No in the cowpiles locker room they are thinking about have sheep of goats in the locker room.

This is so the 49ers could use them on them "Cowgirls" while the Cowboys can watch and get lessons.Then the Cowboys could use them on each other.

redman01

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February 26, 2012 09:57 AM ET

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The conundrum... Pay Spencer, put Victor Butler in there, or go shopping for another outside linebacker when your primary needs are inside LB, secondary and interior OL.

Personally - the guy isn't worth the franchise tag. I don't know if Butler is the answer. And the secondary still sucks.

Oh - we need OL help and there is still this salary cap thing...

I say... move on. Don't lose sight that this is a rebuilding team. If Spencer was truly "that good" then this discussion wouldn't be taking place.

He's not.

Otis B. Driftwood

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February 26, 2012 10:01 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:57 AM ET 02.26 by Otis B. Driftwood

The conundrum... Pay Spencer, put Victor Butler in there, or go shopping for another outside linebacker when your primary needs are inside LB, secondary and interior OL. Personally - the guy isn't worth the franchise tag. I don't know if Butler is the answer. And the secondary still sucks. Oh - we need OL help and there is still this salary cap thing... I say... move on. Don't lose sight that this is a rebuilding team. If Spencer was truly "that good" then this discussion wouldn't be taking place. He's not.

If he's not that good then nobody will be making him an offer and the Cowboys can resign him cheap

Mr Steeler

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February 26, 2012 10:11 AM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 10:01 AM ET 02.26 by Mr Steeler

If he's not that good then nobody will be making him an offer and the Cowboys can resign him cheap

He's average in my eyes.

Average shouldn't get a franchise tag.

The sense I get though is that he will.

Otis B. Driftwood

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February 26, 2012 10:13 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:57 AM ET 02.26 by Otis B. Driftwood

I say... move on. Don't lose sight that this is a rebuilding team. If Spencer was truly "that good" then this discussion wouldn't be taking place. He's not.

And there is the problem...that JJ does not think he needs to rebuild. He thinks he has the pieces to get to the Super Bowl.

TxHeat

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February 26, 2012 10:18 AM ET

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Two corners and a safety in the first three rounds should be priority one.

SteveDallas

Amarillo, TX

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February 26, 2012 10:32 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 10:11 AM ET 02.26 by Otis B. Driftwood

He's average in my eyes. Average shouldn't get a franchise tag. The sense I get though is that he will.

Otis ...Blasphemy ! Are you insinuating Jerrah will make a bad decision ? ;-)

Harry Crack

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February 26, 2012 10:37 AM ET

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Have to agree with those that say good player but not good enough for a franchise tag. Work it out or cut bait.

DENVERROB

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February 26, 2012 10:57 AM ET

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QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:13 AM ET 02.26 by TxHeat

And there is the problem...that JJ does not think he needs to rebuild. He thinks he has the pieces to get to the Super Bowl.

JJ went to the stuper bowl I saw in a booth during a commercial when they were desperatly looking for something interesting

Eagles in 2020

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February 26, 2012 11:18 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:57 AM ET 02.26 by Otis B. Driftwood

The conundrum... Pay Spencer, put Victor Butler in there, or go shopping for another outside linebacker when your primary needs are inside LB, secondary and interior OL. Personally - the guy isn't worth the franchise tag. I don't know if Butler is the answer. And the secondary still sucks. Oh - we need OL help and there is still this salary cap thing... I say... move on. Don't lose sight that this is a rebuilding team. If Spencer was truly "that good" then this discussion wouldn't be taking place. He's not.

Victor Butler is a nickel pass rusher.
Spencer is not worth the franchise tag.
The Cowboys have no successor to Spencer in the pipeline
There are no viable free agents out there any better than Spencer

The real problem is the Cowboys have an undersized nose tackle (Ratliff) who could thrive at DE which would make Spencer's job much easier ... but JJ refuses to address this on draft day

Dr. B-f-G

Bubbaville, TX

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February 26, 2012 11:33 AM ET

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QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:18 AM ET 02.26 by SteveDallas

Two corners and a safety in the first three rounds should be priority one.

...and a reliable backup (starting quarterback)!

Daffy Duck

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February 26, 2012 12:01 PM ET

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21 1/2 sacks in 5 years and one of the best at stopping the run. Spencer is better than most starting OLB and you don't know what to do. Sign him to a 4 or 5 year contract fools!

jrcowboy49

Medford, OR

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February 26, 2012 12:20 PM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:33 AM ET 02.26 by Mangler.

Morning all, Keep Spencer, cut JJ!!

JJ is stifling America's Team. We haven't been the same since Jimmy Johnson rode off into the sunset. We need to sign a quality QB to push Romo and some DBs that can shutdown WRs.