FRISCO, Texas – The dance between the Dallas Cowboys and safety Earl Thomas resumed when he was cut off by the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys have had conversations about Thomas since Thomas ‘release and will not give details of Dallas’ level of interest.
“We’re very confident about our situation with the 80-man roster. As far as any prospects available, these are more conversations for Jerry. [Jones], Stephen [Jones] and Will McClay, regarding this situation, “McCarthy said Monday, reporting to the team’s front office.” So I really have nothing to report. “
The Cowboys’ bond with Thomas began in 2017, when the former University of Texas star played for the Seattle Seahawks. After a Week 16 game, Thomas walked arm in arm with Jason Garrett in the Cowboys locker room, telling the then coach to “come get me.”
In 2018, the Cowboys made a trade offer to the Seahawks that was rejected. And when Thomas became a free agent last year, there were talks between the Cowboys and Thomas camp, but nothing that came close to the $ 32 million the seven-time Pro Bowl safety would receive from the Ravens. .
And now this. The Ravens freed Thomas for “conduct that harmed” the team. The move was described this way so Baltimore could recoup Thomas’ guaranteed base salary of $ 10 million after he had a training altercation with teammate Chuck Clark. It was the second trade with a teammate of Thomas, who faced nose tackle Brandon Williams 11 months ago. Thomas also missed or was late for several meetings during his 17 months in Baltimore, a source told ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
So how important are camaraderie and chemistry to McCarthy?
“Everything has been looked at, and at the end of the day I think the most important question you need to ask yourself is, how does a player fit into the dressing room? Because for me, that’s usually a huge determining factor as to whether it happens or if it doesn’t, “McCarthy said.” And like everything in this business, there has to be a mutual understanding, you know, for bring these things together. At the end of the day, as a head coach, I focus on our current locker rooms. “
Once Thomas was released from the Ravens, he was almost immediately linked to the Cowboys. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter called Dallas a favorite to clinch the All-Pro triple. Given the bond between the Cowboys and Thomas, it’s worth considering where the team is now and whether veterans’ safety comes naturally.
Thomas would become the sixth former first-round pick the Cowboys have added this offseason, joining Aldon Smith, Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Cameron Erving.
If the Cowboys sign Thomas, then Clinton-Dix, who received $ 2.25 million guaranteed in the one-year deal he signed as a free agent, could be a strange man in the job. Clinton-Dix has shared her time for the past few days with Darian Thompson.
The Cowboys had seven interceptions in defense last season, tied for least in the NFL and also tied for least in franchise history. Thomas, 31, had two interceptions with Baltimore last season and has 30 in his career, but you have to realize that he’s not the same player who played for the “Legion of Boom”, who won the Super Bowl in Seattle. According to two staff executives with other teams, Thomas did not look like a voluntary tackle and was beaten more in cover during his only season with the Ravens.
Then there is the question of salary. What does Thomas want? Will he accept a friendly deal for the team, as other former first-rounders did to join the Cowboys? If he doesn’t get the $ 10 million from the Ravens he would get by filing and winning a grievance, would he want to be financially healed?
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Stephen A. Smith wants Earl Thomas paid the $ 10 million owed to him this season by the Ravens.
The Cowboys earned $ 3.25 million in salary cap space last week when they released McCoy, who suffered a quadriceps tear during the team’s first padded workout. Dallas added $ 7 million in ceiling space by restructuring left tackle Tyron Smith’s contract, but it’s more of a timing coincidence than a push for Thomas.
The Cowboys have been talking about reworking Smith’s contract for weeks and reportedly had no way of knowing Thomas would get into an altercation with a teammate in training that would lead to his release. The restructuring of Smith’s deal was primarily aimed at deferring money until 2021, as the league’s salary cap is set to be reduced next year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
While the Cowboys hope to sign quarterback Dak Prescott for a long-term deal, they have yet to prepare for the possibility of using the franchise tag on him again, which would cost $ 37.7 million.
As owner and general manager of the Cowboys, Jerry Jones has always been enamored with the big names in the game, but in recent years Dallas has not been swayed by the resumes of veterans. If Thomas’ former Seattle coach Kris Richard had stayed with the Cowboys and Dallas employed a Seahawks-like defensive plan, then it might be easier to sell Jones.
But Seattle and Baltimore, two of the NFL’s most stable franchises, have left Thomas.
Thomas and the Cowboys have been dancing apart for years, but will they finally get down to earth together?
There is a lot to consider.
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