Dallas Cowboys: Ha Ha is bad, Earl Thomas available, here we go again

The Dallas Cowboys and Earl Thomas saga continues – because of course it does.

Remember back when the Dallas Cowboys and Earl Thomas rumors were rampant and dominating the news cycle? Well yes, free agency last year is correct, but I mean the other time. Ok, the 2018 draft is also a correct answer, but I mean the other-other time. Yes! Training camp 2018 is what I was thinking referring to! Nice job!

Ever since Earl Thomas uttered the words, “Come get me” back in 2017, the Dallas Cowboys have been stubbornly linked to the future Hall of Fame safety. It hasn’t mattered if Thomas was under contract or a free agent, the headlines were gold and they just wouldn’t go away.

We found reprieve last season when Dallas had their chance to sign him but passed. They opted out of a bidding war and let him sign with Baltimore virtually uncontested. But after a series of incidents in Charm City, old Earl is on the market again. And guess what? Dallas needs a safety.

Just yesterday Michael Gehlken from the Dallas Morning News dropped a bomb on Cowboys Nation. Not only was Dallas’ top free agent safety signing not an upgrade over the departed GOAT, Jeff Heath, but his play hasn’t even been good enough to warrant a starting job. That’s a bold statement considering how shallow the Cowboys are at safety.

Now, if you saw Ha Ha Clinton-Dix play in Green Bay, you probably didn’t have the highest of hopes for him. I was extremely skeptical of the signing myself but even my pessimistic view thought he would be, at the very least, a serviceable starter. Sadly, even that sounds like a stretch now.

But like a perfectly orchestrated soap opera drama, Earl Thomas fell back into the picture. His abrasive attitude combined with his  declined play made him more trouble than worth for the Ravens. And now the rumors are impossible to avoid and once again Cowboys Nation finds themselves drowning in Earl Thomas speculation.

Dallas Cowboys and Earl Thomas: Why it works

The Dallas Cowboys appear to be giving mixed messages regarding their interest (imagine that). They may be stringing us along just to stay in the news cycle or they may be just playing it cool hoping they can get him on cheap deal.

Obviously this is going to come down to money. Dallas simply doesn’t place high value on the safety position and we shouldn’t expect them to suddenly change course now.

Whatever the case, it’s clear the Dallas Cowboys have a need at safety. Ha Ha is not living up to expectations and Dallas is alarmingly suspect in their secondary. Adding a veteran like Thomas would be a huge upgrade – even if Thomas is on the decline.

Obviously this is going to come down to money. Dallas simply doesn’t place high value on the safety position and we shouldn’t expect them to suddenly change course now. They seem to overtly avoid the position in the draft and only consider short-term deals on the cheap in free agency. They probably won’t be offering Thomas a multiyear deal no matter how concerned they are with Clinton-Dix.

With reports of Ha Ha’s struggles, the Dallas Cowboys, once again, need help at safety. For a deal with Earl Thomas to happen, it’s Thomas who will have to change his demands, not Dallas. If Thomas is willing to sign a one-year deal, this deal gets done. The question is, will he?

• Published on 08/24/2020 at 11:01 AM
• Last updated at 08/24/2020 at 10:21 AM