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by Rainer Sabin
INDIANAPOLIS -- As the Cowboys contemplate whether to place the franchise tag on outside linebacker Anthony Spencer by the March 5 deadline, they have acknowledged they are eager to enhance their pass rush both with additional players and schemes that make it easier to harass the quarterback.
"For defense, I'm into pressure," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Friday.
Jones said the team would seriously consider choosing a "significant" outside linebacker or defensive end over a cornerback if one was available in the early rounds.
Although Jones conceded that the team plans to make changes in the secondary, he added, "We don't need to be cavalier on passing on a significant pass rusher."
In fact, Jones envisioned a scenario in which the Cowboys could apply the franchise tag to Spencer and still add another player in the draft who specializes in attacking off the edge.
Keeping Spencer in the fold, Jones said, "would not keep us from making that pick."
But the Cowboys have yet to make a call with regards to Spencer.
"We just have to continue to talk about it and figure out what we want to do," coach Jason Garrett said. "We've had a lot of discussions on this topic right now. We're not yet there with Spence."