|Mitch|

The New Orleans Saints have signed former Dallas Cowboys linebacker/defensive end Anthony Spencer to a one-year contract, the team announced Friday.

Spencer, 31, has spent all eight seasons of his NFL career in Dallas. He was selected in the first round (26th overall) out of Purdue in 2007.

Spencer started 61 games for the Cowboys from 2009-2012. Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who had the same role in Dallas from 2011-2012, presided over some of Spencer's best seasons, including his only Pro Bowl appearance in 2012.

Spencer was given the Cowboys' franchise tag in 2013, which carried a $9.6 million salary, but he played in only one game before undergoing season-ending knee surgery.

With his career in question, Spencer signed a one-year deal with Dallas before the 2014 season, becoming a valuable reserve. He forced two fumbles and scored a touchdown.

At 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, Spencer is sometimes identified as a defensive end, although the Saints introduced him Friday as a linebacker. With the Saints, he could be used in a strong-side linebacker role like the one played by Ramon Humber. He could also be used like Parys Haralson, who was often an extra outside linebacker in run situations. Spencer also has the background to be used as an edge rusher in the mold of Junior Galette.