News: USAToday: News & Notes: Earl Thomas gone, but Eric Berry now in play for Cowboys

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In the end, the Cowboys didn’t get their man, or at least the man the fans wanted. Earl Thomas isn’t going the be wearing the star anytime soon after signing a big money deal elsewhere that the Cowboys weren’t willing to match.

Dallas, one of only two NFL teams not to agree to terms with an outside free agent prior to the official start of free agency, did retain two more of their own. One of those guys caused some head scratching. Meanwhile, there are plenty more safeties in the sea. Here’s a breakdown of Wednesday’s action.

Earl Thomas not coming home to Texas, agrees to Ravens deal | Cowboys Wire


Queue Beethoven’s 5th. Buh-buh-buh-buhhh. The ominous overtones have given way to the most likely of outcomes; Earl Thomas was just too expensive for the Dallas Cowboys.

Thomas has agreed with the Ravens on a four-year, $55 million contract with $32 million in guarantees. The Cowboys were believed to be in pursuit of Thomas, but could not match a deal at this level. They’ll have to look elsewhere if the want to upgrade the safety position.

Will they? There’s a report that says Dallas is going to sit out the rest of big name free agency, their modus operandi for much of the last half decade.

Chiefs release S Eric Berry | Chiefs Wire


The Cowboys will have a new name to consider at safety, as Eric Berry was released by the Chiefs in a cost saving measure. His $16.5 million cap hit this year was too high for it make sense for the Chiefs to roster him.

Berry is an interesting prospect. He is a cancer survivor, has faced injury issues, and has played in just four games the last two years, including playoffs. The Cowboys will have to do a deep dive on his medicals. According to Mike Fisher of 247 Sports they already are. (Pay wall).

That said, he was once considered one of the best safties in the NFL. Fan fervor will be rampant until he signs his next contract, David Helman of the Cowboys house media staff may have said it best.


Cowboys Twitter: guess we have to stop talking about Earl now

*Chiefs release Eric Berry*

Also Cowboys Twitter: pic.twitter.com/4N662jAYuE

— David Helman (@HelmanDC) March 13, 2019

Star Evaluation: Figuring Out Heath’s 2019 Role | Dallas Cowboys


Sticking in-house with the Cowboys media staff, they offered their take on what the Cowboys should do next with Jeff Heath, and what role he may play in the upcoming season.

Awkwardly, they dropped the link for the Heath evaluation less than an hour after the Earl Thomas-to-Ravens news broke. Check the time stamps. Head scratcher.


Jeff Heath has been a regular starter for the #DallasCowboys for two years, but if this team makes an upgrade at safety, how will that affect him in 2019?

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https://t.co/V3STQpxaXg pic.twitter.com/Uto5D0xOPu

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 13, 2019


Former Seahawks’ S Earl Thomas intends to sign a four-year, $55 million deal that includes $32 million fully guaranteed at signing with the Baltimore Ravens, league source tells ESPN. Deal includes $22 million in first nine months.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019

Scoop: Cowboys trade interest in Brown Ogbah not what you think : 247 Sports


Rumors circulated Wednesday that the Browns were shopping DE Emmanuel Ogbah, and that the Cowboys might make sense as a trade partner, since their defensive line is a bit lacking right now.

Mike Fisher of 247 Sports has a different take, arguing that “…I think the scouting department views this draft as being rich in defensive talent, all the more reason it would probably lean toward hoarding its picks rather than swapping one from the first half of the draft in exchange for Ogbah.”

Did you know that Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects over a million Americans each year? | David Irving


Sounds a bit like an infomercial, but Irving is out here living his best life on Instagram. The now-retired former Cowboys DL posted Wednesday on the effects CBD can have in treating TBI. This may offer insight into why Irving was suspended multiple times for marijuana use. Iriving can be counted among the masses who use CBD and marijuana to help alleviate stress, reduce pain, and help to heal the body.

Cam Fleming to return as Cowboys swing tackle on 2-year deal | Cowboys Wire


Fleming is coming back on a 2-year $8.5 million deal. The Cowboys have had a great offensive line for years, but they haven’t always been healthy. At times they’ve struggled for depth. Oh dear, sweet, hapless Chaz Green.

That lack of depth may be a thing of the past.

Going into 2019 the Cowboys offensive line looks stacked, both in the starting five and in the depth behind them.

LT​
LG​
C​
RG​
RT​
Tyron Smith Connor Williams Travis Frederick Zack Martin La’el Collins
Cam Fleming Xavier Su’a-Filo /
Parker Ehringer Joe Looney Adam Redmond Cam Fleming

Adding Fleming back is a big dang deal. The offensive line, the strength of the Cowboys, is now further solidified continuing into the 2019 season.

The Cowboys also brought back little used fullback Jamize Olawale.

No guarantee Sean Payton will still be Saints coach…Dallas rumors haven’t gone away | Clarence Hill Jr


One question with Bridgwater staying in New Orleans on the hope of replacing Drew Brees is there is no guarantee Sean Payton will still be there as coach, per source close to the QB. Those Dallas rumors haven't gone away and they have heard them. So https://t.co/4kC8eFYI6w

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 13, 2019


The implication here is clear. Jason Garrett has one year left on his deal. Sean Payton used to coach for the Cowboys, and Jerry Jones loves him. Payton has had a back-door exit from New Orleans to Dallas rumored for years. The noise of that rumor is now so loud that it’s noticeable to Saints players, and Teddy Bridgwater is taking notice.

Bridgewater, reportedly concerned that if Payton leaves he might have to impress a new coach and earn his right to replace Drew Brees all over again, walked away from a reported 1-year deal with Saints to start new negotiations with the Dolphins on a longer contract.

If Payton does leave New Orleans, and Garrett takes the Cowboys deep into the playoffs, Jones is going to be a very torn man.

You can follow Burke at @BurkeDowner.

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