Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones praised the work of outside linebacker and soon-to-be defensive end Anthony Spencer.

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Spencer will become a free agent in March, and the Cowboys could do one of three things: 1. Franchise him for $10.8 million; 2. Allow him to sign with another team; 3. Sign him to a long-term contract.

For a team that's roughly $20 million over the salary cap and has to make financial moves to get under it, Spencer's return in 2013 is uncertain.

Jones, however, talked about the Cowboys wanting to bring Spencer back. He didn't get into specifics as to how it would happen.

"Anthony Spencer represents everything we want to be about," Jones said Tuesday. "He plays hard, his leadership is tremendous and then, on top of that, he's just a great football player. He obviously played in the Pro Bowl this year and it was well-deserved. I think he had his most productive year since he's been in the NFL and been a Cowboy. All that speaks well for Anthony."

With the Cowboys changing their 3-4 scheme to a 4-3, Spencer would move from outside linebacker to defensive end. Spencer's Dallas-based agent, Jordan Woy, said his client would be open to changing positions.

"We're always in the business of keeping great football players, and he's one of those," Jones said. "... Unfortunately, you've got to make difficult decisions (regarding the salary cap). What they entail, we don't know quite yet. But we'll be moving forward in a quick way."