The Cowboys have been connected with Earl Thomas for years, but there’s “nothing” brewing on that front right now, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT. Thomas, of course, is newly available following his release from the Ravens. 
[RELATED: Ravens Release Earl Thomas]
The Cowboys tried to pry Thomas away from the Seahawks two years ago when he was entangled in a contractual dispute with the team. Thomas, meanwhile, added fuel to the fire by repeatedly expressing his love for the Cowboys. The multiple-time Pro Bowler bowed to the Dallas bench after an interception, cut plans short to catch the Cowboys on TV, and leaked further word of his interest to the press through backchannels.
Ultimately, those trade talks were not fruitful. Last year, the Cowboys stood pat as Thomas made the rounds in free agency, but that likely had more to do with his asking price than anything else.
Historically, the Cowboys have been willing to take chances on players with red flags, but Thomas’ rocky year with Baltimore may have dulled their interest. It’s also possible that the Cowboys are finally comfortable with their safety situation after adding Ha Ha Clinton-Dix earlier in the offseason.
As Thomas looks for his next opportunity, he’ll likely have his reps battle things out with the Ravens. The Ravens’ official announcement of the release cited “personal conduct that has adversely affected” the team. As Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) notes, that wording indicates that the Ravens will come after Thomas for money.
Between his asking price and the negative lockerroom presence, I don’t see why the Cowboys should bother. It’d be one thing if they were desperate for a safety upgrade, but Clinton-Dix and Woods are perfectly capable. While Thomas is a little better, the talent disparity isn’t high enough to make up for the potential baggage.
Dallas’ real problems like in the cornerback room after Byron Jones was permitted to walk away. Thus, I believe a more intelligent use of their cap space would involve pursuing Logan Ryan. Ryan is versatile, capable of wrapping up opponents in space, and dependable in coverage. He could defend the slot and even play as a third safety in dime packages. His asking price was initially too high, but logic dictates he’ll have lowered his demands amidst the shrinking market
As a packer fan….good luck w Clinton-dix
Ever since converting to strong safety, Clinton-Dix has been well above average. He’s not elite by any means, but he’s steadily improved the past two seasons and I’d consider him a reliable starter on a playoff contender. Last season, he whiffed on just 10% of tackles, yielded fewer than 60% of opposing targets, and graded a respectable 79 on PFF’s scale
The word from the Cowboys training camp is that Clinton-Dix looks really bad. Will not be a starter, sub package only.
Thanks for alerting me of this. I just read the report and it doesn’t sound too promising. I wonder what’s going on? I’m still not sure if Dallas would be an ideal fit for a lockerroom problem like Thomas, but it at least makes more sense. I still stand by my suggestion of signing Ryan however.
As for other potential suitors, I believe Houston would make the most sense. The Texans are set to compete, yet start an absolute liability in Eric Murray. Houston would also keep Thomas in check, as players like JJ Watt and DeShaun Watson promote a team-first atmosphere. Too bad BOB will either completely ignore or overpay to rectify the situation
If Thomas couldn’t buy into team first mentality in a stable organization like Baltimore, I highly doubt the Texans will keep him in line
Yeah that says a whole lot about Earl Thomas if a team is content having Clinton-Dix instead of him lol
And Ha Ha is NOT the player he was a few years ago. This is a major foul up in what “could” be a Super Bowl year for our Cowboys.
Big props for dropping the “entangled” in there. Shout out to the fresh prince.
I don’t like the “conduct detrimental to team” clause which could be anything management wants it to be. It’s merely a lowball way of trying to clawback money from a player. How about a “conduct detrimental to fans” clause for owners to even things up?
That’s not necessarily true. If players have a problem with management, they can file a grievance. In this case, Thomas’ actions certainly fall under conduct detrimental to the team, so it makes sense. Otherwise, players could run hog wild without consequence for their actions. If athletes don’t like it, they shouldn’t structure their contract that way
How about “conduct detrimental to Earl Thomas’ career and reputation”
I agree with you, the term is too vague and is a way for teams to cut a player and recoup some if not all of their money. In this case, what happened to the other player involved? Was he fined? Was his actions detrimental to the team? Or is he a younger, cheaper player the team would rather keep? It takes 2 people to fight, and I’m sure that Davis didn’t run away from Thomas.
Also interesting that the players association will be defending both sides in the dispute. Where does their loyalty lie?
That’s why a team can file and a player a grievance against that claim the team makes and then they have their day in court.
Apparently the incident wasn’t started by Chuck Clark so why should he be punished for something Thomas started and made physical? Then there was the off field incident earlier this year.
Clark doesn’t have to “run away” from somebody that comes to start a fight with him. If somebody comes up to me in the street and attempts to punch me or whatever, I am gonna knock the crap out of that person. I am not going to run away. I am allowed to defend myself.
Thomas also posted a video of the practice incident on the internet which is strictly prohibited by any player.
No matter how you peel this Thomas onion, he was in the wrong and he deserves exactly what he is going to get. Time for acting like a complete idiot to actually matter and maybe start making players think they can’t get away with everything simply because they can hit/catch a ball.
the cowboys not going after a top safety, what a shock.
to Jerry and the cowboys the position of safety does not exist on a football team. they havn’t drafted one higher than 5th rd since Roy Williams back in 02′.
i’ll take a locker room distracting Earl Tomas over the safeties they have now any day
Earl Thomas…the Antonio Brown of safeties.
If winning the Super Bowl is our ONLY goal, then having too much talent on the field and maybe also having some concerns in the locker room is our only problem, then heck — MAKE IT WORK. This is a team and a coaching staff of grown men. They don’t have to be best friends. You sign the best players because great players win games. Super Bowls require a little magic and all the things falling right for you. Well, this is one of those things just like CD Lamb. Earl has fallen in our LAP and people are all afraid all over the media. STOP WITH THE FEAR! We NEED better talent at safety. This is NOT a debate. This is EASY. You sign Earl Thomas RIGHT NOW. Jimmy Johnson wasn’t afraid of Charles Haley, and that’s the 92 Cowboys that won Super Bowls. Same thing here. San Fran had given up on Haley, but he helped get us to a Super Bowl even though he was a disruption in the locker room. Sign Earl Thomas. No one ever said winning a Super Bowl would be easy.