The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for NFL free agent season, which opens on Tuesday. The team just received word that they will be hit with penalties for salary cap violations, which will reduce their offseason spending money by about $5 million. That may end up affecting the approach they were planning to take in pursuing players on the open market, but only time will tell.
In regards to their impending free agents, the Cowboys have made only one significant move this offseason. The team opted to apply their franchise tag to linebacker Anthony Spencer, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent. The team will now have through the 2012 season to attempt to work out an extension to one of their key defensive contributors.
Here is the full list of impending Cowboys free agents, courtesy of Mac's Football Blog:
Exclusive Rights Free Agents (4)
RB Chauncey Washington
WR Jesse Holley
OT Jermey Parnell
DE Clifton Geathers
Restricted Free Agents (3)
QB Chris Greisen
FB Tony Fiammetta
WR Kevin Ogletree
Unrestricted Free Agents (11)
RB Sammy Morris
WR Laurent Robinson
TE Martellus Bennett
OG Derrick Dockery
OG Montrae Holland
LB Keith Brooking
LB Bradie JamesLB Anthony Spencer- Received the franchise tag
CB Alan Ball
CB Frank Walker
S Abram Elam
For more on the Cowboys, visit SB Nation Dallas and Blogging The Boys. For updates on all the free agents in the league, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL free agency hub.