DeMarcus Ware 'Saves Seats' at Hall of Fame for Marion Barber

Barber came to the Cowboys in the same year as Ware and they were teammates together in Dallas for six seasons. Barber passed away in 2022.

Hillman was teammates with Ware for two years on the Denver Broncos. He was the team's leading rusher in 2015 when the Broncos won the Super Bowl. Hillman passed away in 2022 after battling cancer. Thomas was with Ware for three seasons in Denver and was the team's leading receiver during their 2015 Super Bowl campaign. He passed away in 2021 and was later found to have CTE.

DeMarcus Ware - on his day - thinking so graciously of others is typical of what made him a special player and what makes him a special person.

AUG 4 MALIK STAYING LONG-TERM Cowboys safety Malik Hooker is signing a three-year contract extension worth up to $24 million, a deal that includes an $8 million signing bonus.

Hooker - a playmaker as part of Dallas’ “Three-Headed Monster” at safety - will get $16.5 million guaranteed as part of the deal, which locks the former Colts first-rounder in through the 2026 season.

JULY 27 TWO OUT Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy revealed on Thursday morning here at camp that safeties Donovan Wilson (calf) and Israel Mukuamu (hamstring) both suffered “multiple-week injuries” in Wednesday’s first practice of training camp.

Wilson, we’ve been told, could miss a month as he gets rest and rehab.

As it happens, Wilson and Israel Mukuamu earned offseason awards for their work in the strength and conditioning program this spring.

Said McCarthy: “You know they’ve done the work.”

JULY 24 POLLARD ZOOMS Some star NFL running backs, including the Cowboys' Tony Pollard, got together for a Zoom call over the weekend to discuss how players at their position are now "underpaid.''

Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. Barkley and Jacobs are central to the debate as they've refused to sign their $10 million tag tenders. ProFootballTalk.com reports that Austin Ekeler organized the meeting.

As CowboysSI.com has suggested, there is action the players can take. But it'll require work by their union, the notoriously weak NFLPA. In the meantime, PFT suggests that among the ideas discussed was that players could fake injuries in games in order to bring attention to the cause. That seems ... not smart.

"Right now, there's really nothing we can do," Chubb said Sunday. "We're kind of handcuffed with the situation.''

True. Except for demanding that the union step in. Or fake some injuries. Or conduct some more meaningless Zoom calls.

JULY 21 DEION'S PROMISE Deion Sanders on Friday underwent another surgery to remove blood clots in his right leg, the Cowboys legend being represented by girlfriend Tracey Edmonds on social media as she spread the "Coach Prime'' via her Instagram.

“Thank you Lord for another successful surgery!!,” Edmonds wrote. “We thank you for giving #CoachPrime @deionsanders the strength to fight these challenges and we have Faith that you will give him the VICTORY! We are so GRATEFUL for all the doctors, nurses, and staff who have blessed him on his road to recovery!”

The Hall of Famer Sanders has been in the news all offseason due to his condition, which doctors at the University of Colorado - where he is now the head coach - have told him could result in the amputation of his foot.

Sanders, however, has used his Instagram page to make a promise to all Colorado fans. ... and really, all of his fans in DFW and beyond, too.

“I promise you that when we go out to TCU,'' looking forward to his Buffaloes debut in Dallas-Fort Worth when CU plays here on Sept. 2, "I’m running out in front of our team. I promise you that.”

JULY 20 SNYDER OUT A big day in Washington ... but a big penalty for the outgoing owner.

Cowboys boss Jerry Jones told us not long about that everything between him and pal Snyder was not "lovey-dovey.'' And while one big number today is about $6.05 billion - that's the approved sale price of the Washington Commanders from Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris that includes Magic Johnson - there is another big number in play.

Snyder is also being fined $60 million as he departs, with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stating, “The conduct substantiated in (an investigation's)  findings has no place in the NFL ... We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional. What (a Snyder victim) experienced is inappropriate and contrary to the NFL's values."

In Snyder’s 24 seasons as owner, Washington made the playoffs just six times, with two wins. In the end, he "wins''; He purchased the franchise in 1999 (with Jones as an ally) for $800 million ... and now sees a 700-percent return on his investment ...

Minus $60 million worth of embarrassment. Should he care.

JULY 13 HOF MOVES The NFL has announced 60 Hall of Fame semifinalists for the Senior and Coach/Contributor categories, and four men with Cowboys ties are among the nominees.

On the list: Bucko Kilroy, Dan Reeves, John Wooten and maybe the headliner, Everson Walls. Walls signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 1981 and played cornerback for the franchise for nine seasons. "Cubby'' led the NFL in interceptions in three of those seasons while also earning three First-Team All-Pro honors. He eventually won a Super Bowl with the Giants.

Reeves, who recently passed away, was a running back for the Cowboys from 1965-1972 and then a player/coach in 1972. He made his name as an NFL head coach, as he led the Broncos and then the Falcons to Super Bowls.

Kilroy was as a scout for the Cowboys from 1965-1970 and is credited as a key decision-maker in drafting of Roger Staubach. Wooten worked in scouting for the Cowboys from 1975 to 1991, and before that was a standout offensive lineman blocking for Jim Brown in Cleveland.

JUNE 30 COWHERD ON COWBOYS Fox Sports analyst Colin Cowherd has offered up his prediction for the Dallas Cowboys' 2023 NFL season. ... and it's not insulting. The TV guy has "America's Team'' finishing the regular season with a 10-7 record.

"That's exactly where I feel like the Cowboys are at. I don't think it's unrealistic," Cowherd said on Friday's episode of The Herd.

Cowherd has the Cowboys notching losses against the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and two against the rival Philadelphia Eagles.

Problems? Yes. Two of them, specifically.

One, Dallas' record against the Eagles since 2016 - we'll term it "in the Dak Prescott Era'' - cannot be ignored. The Cowboys record vs. the Eagles in the last five meetings is 4-1. In Dak's last three Philly games, he's 3-0. In his last eight Philly games, he's 7-1 vs. the Eagles. Since 2016 (Dak's rookie season), Dallas - with or without Prescott - is 9-5 against the Eagles.

We think they call that a "trend.'' And of course it's a thread that runs through the NFC East, as Dak's lifetime record against Philly of 8-3 is is right there with his lifetime record of 9-2 vs. Washington and 10-2 vs. the Giants.

In other words, to Dallas? The Eagles, good as they are, are "just another'' NFC East foe that gets kicked around in head-to-head meetings.

And two, just a few days ago, Colin said that if the over/under on Dallas wins is 9.5, he'd take the under.

JUNE 21 PSYCHEDELIC, DUDE! We will attempt to present without comment: Aaron Rodgers, having escaped from his "dark hole'' or whatever, will be a guest speaker at a "Psychedelic Science" conference in Denver. 

Who will join the new Jets quarterback as a speaker? Per FOX16News, rapper Jaden Smith, the son of movie stars Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith will be there. Oh, and former Texas Governor Rick Perry is also slated to speak at the conference, which is being organized by a "psychedelic advocacy group.''

Rodgers recently went on an "ayahuasca journey" in Peru to ingest the plant-based psychedelic, which he said "unlocked a lot of my heart.''

JUNE 8 COOK CUT The Cowboys already employ Pro Bowl running back Tony Pollard (on his $10 million tag contract) but now that the Vikings have as of Thursday morning informed Dalvin Cook that he’s getting cut?

Would Dalvin opt to take a cheap deal to play for Dallas? We don’t think it’s his plan … and it hasn’t been Dallas’, either.

We told you there would never be a trade here; CowboysSI.com has already noted the "kicked-around'' status in one sense with our exclusive story on May 17 via a source stating that Dallas has "no interest'' in trading for Cook.

Are the Cowboys going to bust up their mapped-out salary-cap plan for a running back to share snaps with Tony Pollard? It’s a fun idea. But we will stick with our belief that Cook would still to be paid like the $10 million APY player he's been. And that he will be hooking up with the Bills or the Dolphins, the two teams he reportedly prefers. We will of course monitor.

JUNE 6 CHASE OUT? The Washington Commanders face a challenge in the NFC East. They appear to be the worst team in the best division, and they need lots of things to go right for them in 2023.

And the Chase Young situation isn't going exactly right.

Yes, he was back on the field for practice Tuesday after not attending the first two weeks of OTA's. And yet there is a chance the former No. 2 overall pick won't be long for Washington, as Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer is reporting that the Commanders could look to trade Young this offseason.

"Teams coming out of the spring thinking they need more help may make trade calls on Young,'' Breer writes, adding, "I know (Washington would) be open to listening.''

For more on Young and the Commanders, read here.

MAY 31: UNDISPUTED BREAKUP? Shannon Sharpe's time with Fox Sports 1 (FS1) is coming to an end, as a report from the New York Post revealed that the NFL Hall of Famer has reached an agreement to a buyout of his contract with the network. 

Sharpe was part of the "Undisputed" sports debate show alongside muckraking former Dallas journalist Skip Bayless since September of 2016. 

This news of a "breakup" between Sharpe and Bayless comes in the months following a viral tweet from the ex-NFL reporter about Buffalo Bills' safety Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest during the Week 17 game versus the Cincinnati Bengals caused public disagreement between the pair. 

No statement has been given by either side at this, but according to the report, Sharpe will stay with FS1 until the NBA Finals concludes.

MAY 27: MADDEN MOVIE Will Ferrell - one of the best comic actors, mimics and sports-related stars in Hollywood, is reportedly in talks to play John Madden in a feature film chronicling the NFL legend’s life, per Deadline Hollywood.

The film will be directed by five-time Oscar nominee David O. Russell for Amazon/MGM. … and it seems the origin of the “Madden” video games will be a focus of the project.

It’s not yet known if the tone of the biopic on the late coaching and broadcasting legend will take a comedic turn. But that seems a logical idea … making Ferrell all the more qualified for the likely blockbuster role.

Madden’s TV work, combined with the drawing power of the Dallas Cowboys, in a sense made the quirky analyst the “voice of America’s Team” on television, especially during the club’s trio of 1990’s Super Bowl wins.

MAY 25 HOWIE RIPS FLORIO Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk has once again thrust himself into the news via a visit Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman that turned contentious this week.

Roseman, appearing on Florio's radio show, found himself being prodded repeatedly by the interviewer's questions about Arizona Cardinals being penalized for tampering after they hired Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon as their new head coach earlier this offseason. The teams worked it out, the league approved the solution, and that's the end of that. ... but not to Florio.

And by the time the stuff hit the fan, Roseman called Florio a "conspiracy theorist."

Roseman's statement: "Really appreciative of (Gannon's) contributions, helping us win the NFC, and that was handled at the ownership level, and I think we need to move on. The less we focus on the past, the better we'll be in the future."

Florio's retort: "Do you not realize that answers like that make people like me think there's a hell of a lot more to this than anyone is ever gonna tell us and it was a much bigger deal than anyone ever let it on to be?"

(Sidebar: From our vantage point, no, we do not see that. What "more'' is there than the settling of a tampering charge? Why isn't that story "story enough''?)

"If I was making a list of the top five biggest conspiracy theorists around the National Football League," Roseman replied, "you would definitely be top five."

Florio has a style all his own, and a reputation for stirring up "news'' with his own personal speculative snark. He deserves credit. At the same time, yes, thinking that hundreds of moves that NFL teams make all deserve a treatment that is half-tin-foil-hat and half-Woodward-and-Bernstein seems ... excessive.

MAY 23 PHILBIN MOVE The Dallas Cowboys moved on from Joe Philbin after last year, surely a tough decision for coach Mike McCarthy, who is close to the offensive line coach.

But now the news: Ohio State has reportedly hired Philbin as an offensive analyst. Philbin is the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins and he won a Super Bowl as Green Bay’s offensive coordinator under McCarthy.

MAY 23 JUST A B-? The Dallas Cowboys can't please everyone. So they got to please themselves. Which they certainly did with an offseason that has featured the two big trades to fill needs (in Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks) and an NFL Draft harvest that has them giddy (just like all the other teams).

But in the end? PFF insists it all adds up to just a "B-minus.'' No biggie, we suppose. But when we read through the evaluation, we don't find PFF actually saying anything negative about what the Cowboys actually did.

Which is pretty much the way we feel ... which also makes us feel they merit a better grade.

MAY 21 WHAT HE DID Brett Favre has portrayed himself as an unknowing and tangential participant in a Mississippi welfare-embezzlement scheme. But as SI reports it, "it appears nobody benefited more. Interviews and an analysis of legal filings and records, which include dozens of text conversations—some of which have not previously been public—paint Favre as a ringleader from start to finish.''

SI continues: "Favre had promised his alma mater, Southern Miss, that he would build a volleyball facility for his daughter Breleigh’s team there. But he was obsessed with not paying for it himself. So he got Mississippi’s welfare agency to build indoor and beach volleyball facilities for him—using money intended for the poorest people in the nation’s poorest state—and then he kept pushing to get more for a business venture, with the governor often helping him, according to texts from those involved.

Read the full "daily cover story'' here.

MAY 20 RODRIGO RIP Rodrigo Barnes, a former Dallas Cowboys linebacker and Super Bowl winner with the Raiders, has died at 73, according to reports. Barnes, a Waco native, was chosen by the Cowboys in the seventh round of the 1973 Draft - with some saying his civil rights activism is what caused him to be selected so late.

Via to the Dallas Morning News: Barnes was one of first four Black athletes to integrate the Rice athletic program in the fall of 1968. In addition to his accomplishments on the football field – the linebacker became the first Black player to be named to the All-Southwest Conference defensive team – he helped form the Black Student Union and led a movement for the school to hire more minority teachers and coaches.

“Yes, I was an activist,” Barnes told The Dallas Morning News nearly six years ago. “But I wasn’t trying to change the Cowboys, just how you treat people.”

Barnes retired from the NFL in 1977 and earned his Masters degree in education from Prairie View A&M.

MAY 15 QB SURPRISE There is no insult meant here to Andy Dalton; he was highly successful during his time in Cincy and he was a pro's pro during his brief stint in Dallas.

But ... the Carolina Panthers have made a surprising decision on Bryce Young that involves Dalton: Though Young is the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, the Panthers will be giving another quarterback the first-team reps. And accordind to Carolina head coach Frank Reich, that "another QB'' is none other than Andy Dalton.

Is this just for OTAs? Is Dalton a placeholder for the inevitable? Are the Panthers being overly careful not to expose the kid to too much too soon? In any event, for now ... Well, congrats, Andy!

MAY 12 MAZI MONEY Mazi Smith's contract numbers are in: … as is he, as the Cowboys rookie minicamp is up and running here at The Star.

The numbers, essentially slotted but with some ESPN details:

Four years, $13.274 million, fully guaranteed. … Bonus: $6.654 million

Annual Base salaries: 2023 - $750,000, 2024 - $1.353 million, 2025 - $1.956 million, 2026 - $2.560 million. And of course Dallas can exercise it’s fifth-year option after the third year of deal.

MAY 4 THE NOOCH! Ben DiNucci, the former Cowboys backup QB, is getting another shot.

DiNucci has earned himself a tryout with the Broncos at their rookie minicamp, the XFL announced this week.

DiNucci, a seventh-round pick of the Cowboys in 2020, has been playing this spring with the Seattle Sea Dragons and led the league in almost every passing category.

The Broncos have Russell Wilson as the starter, with Jarrett Stidham and Jarrett Guarantano behind him.

DiNucci played in three games with one start during his career in Dallas as a Dak Prescott backup and went 23-of-43 for 219 yards passing while in the lineup.

APRIL 29 MAX TO LA The Dallas Cowboys long ago identified TCU QB Max Duggan as the right guy to take a late-round flier on, with owner Jerry Jones saying he was the best quarterback at the Senior Bowl.

But the Chargers obviously saw some of the same things as they have used the No. 239 overall pick, in Round 7, to make their move ... so Max moves from Fort Worth to make SoFi Stadium his new home.

APRIL 28 HOOKER TO DETROIT Hendon Hooker, thanks to the Lions having used the 68th pick in this Round 2 of the NFL Draft, will get his shot in Detroit.

The Cowboys have talked about drafting a developmental QB, and they still may do that. But they did have some affection for this quarterback. Hooker is recovering from a torn ACL, but he should be able to play this year.

Jared Goff is the starter in Detroit, so ... a healthy Hooker could eventually make things interesting there.

In the meantime, in the Dak Prescott-led QB room in Dallas, the Cowboys could use a later pick on Purdue's Aidan O'Connell, Houston's Clayton Tune or Max Duggan of TCU.

APRIL 26 THAT HURTS Not that Texas running back Bijan Robinson has a choice, but ...  Robinson joined NFL Live on ESPN this week and was asked by Dan Orlovsky which quarterback he'd most like to play alongside.

"Jalen Hurts," Robinson said, creating visions of dominance in Philadelphia and creating some nightmares for Cowboys watchers who in some cases are going insanely overboard with panic that Dallas might have to play against Robinson (on the Eagles) rather than with the Cowboys ...

The illogic of course being in part that Philly has the No. 10 pick and Dallas has the No. 26 pick, so Philly gets to pick first and that's just kinda how the NFL Draft works.

APRIL 20 EAGLES HIRE … ? The Eagles apparently “announced” their hiring of controversial coach Matt Patricia - a failure as the Lions head coach and last year an embarrassment for the Patriots as Bill Belichick inexplicably put the defensive-minded staffer in charge of the offense - or did they?

It reportedly popped up on the Eagles website … then was taken down … And right now Eagles boss Nick Sirianni is at his pre-Draft presser trying to explain the mess.

“It’s trending in that direction,” Sirianni said of the planned hiring that wasn’t … but apparently will be again.

APRIL 10 STARS WORKOUT Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons needs a workout.

University of Texas running back Bijan Robinson, prepping for the NFL Draft, needs a workout.

Why not work out together?

APRIL 8 OBJ IN NY Free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is to meet with the New York Jets on Monday. ... with, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, some specific parameters.

Per Rap Sheet: "The Jets long-awaited meeting with WR Odell Beckham Jr. will be multi-faceted. It will include not only a physical but also a thorough discussion of what to expect in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense with a deep receiver room. How will it all fit together is a big point of discussion."

OBJ, 30, was once the apple of the eye of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones despite the fact Beckham hasn't played a down since tearing his ACL in Super Bowl LVI. His rumored asking price was $20 million APY, though sources tell CowboysSI.com that he at one point envisioned a "Michael Gallup-like'' deal, meaning $13 million APY.

Dallas has moved on with its Brandin Cooks trade. The Jets could be battling with the Ravens for OBJ's services now.

APRIL 4 AARON TO THE BAY? Wherever Aaron Rodgers goes - or doesn't go - drama follows.

So he will be taking his drama from Green Bay to the New York Jets via the trade that is taking forever ... Unless radio shock jock Craig Carton is right as he's claimed the San Francisco 49ers might chase Rodgers in a deal involving multiple premium picks.

"They become the team to beat," Carton said of the 49ers should they land Rodgers.

That's not really the argument; it's true enough. The question is whether Carton's report itself is true.

Surely the Cowboys would like their long-time nemesis Rodgers (who does have Bay Area roots) out of the NFC ... even though Dallas is scheduled to play the Jets in 2023.

MARCH 27 NEW NUMBERS The Dallas Cowboys have assigned numbers to their newest roster additions which included two trades and two free agent signings. 

• Brandin Cooks, WR: #3
• Stephon Gilmore, CB: #21
• Ronald Jones, RB: #32
• Chuma Edoga, OL: #71

Gilmore is taking No. 21, which was worn by ex-Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was released this offseason after seven seasons in Dallas.

It's certainly significant that Deion Sanders was once No. 21 here. But "Zeke's 21'' being given away just says after his departure? That says something about the door closing there, but also about the respect being shown Gilmore.

MARCH 26 BIJAN TO PHILLY? No offense to Ezekiel Elliott, but as notable as it would be if the Cowboys ex signs with the rival Eagles - as suggested by ESPN's Adam Schefter in what turns out to be a botched blockbuster of a "story'' - a maybe even more scary thought is circulating.

Another running back with Texas ties - Longhorns star Bijan Robinson - recently had a pre-draft visit with the Eagles, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Garafolo notes that Eagles GM Howie Roseman has never selected a running back in the first round, and that the franchise hasn’t taken a first-round runner since 1986.

But Philly with the No. 10 pick? And Bijan being viewed by our scout pals as a top-10 talent? Given what the Eagles already do on offense ... yes, a scary Cowboys thought.

MARCH 21 OFFENSIVE LINE ADDITION The Dallas Cowboys have added to their offensive line by signing Chuma Edoga, the ex-Atlanta Falcon who played in just two games this past season. 

Edoga brings experience at both tackle and guard, having played in 24 games with the New York Jets over the span of three seasons. The 25-year-old replenishes depth upfront that was lost when the Buffalo Bills signed starting left guard Connor McGovern via free agency.

The Cowboys worked to trade for him a year ago as a depth piece. Maybe that’s the likely path now, with this one-year deal, depending on the team’s positional plans for Tyron Smith and Tyler Smith.

MARCH 18 RONALD JONES VISIT The Dallas Cowboys are hosting a trio of NFL vets on Monday here at The Star, including former McKinney North High running back and second-round pick Ronald Jones.

The Dallas News reports that Jones, 25, will be joined by linebacker Travin Howard and offensive lineman Chuma Edoga.

Jones (5-11, 205) was drafted by the Bucs out of USC and was on the Chiefs' Super Bowl roster last year. He could be a helper behind Tony Pollard with Ezekiel Elliott having been cut.

Howard, a Texas native, played at TCU and was a rotational player on the Rams' recent Super Bowl winner.

The Jets drafted Edoga in the 2019 third round and he played last year with the Falcons.

MARCH 17 SLAY STAYS The Eagles reversed course after essentially announcing they were going to cut 32-year-old cornerback Darius Slay, instead finding a contractual way to retain him.

But for a moment there, he was on the trade block. And there was that Cowboys rumor ...

That gave Slay a belly laugh.

ESPN initially tweeted that the Eagles called the Cowboys to gauge their interest in a potential trade for Slay; that turned out to be inaccurate (see below). But before the network could clarify, Slay weighed in.

“Lol I don’t think they would trade me in the division,” Slay said with a crying laughing emoji.

Of course, the Cowboys and Eagles have made trades before, but ... point made.

Dallas instead pulled off a trade for another name cornerback, Stephon Gilmore of the Colts, also 32, who will start opposite Trevon Diggs next season. 

The Cowboys gave up just a fifth-round  pick for the five-time All-Pro Gilmore, who will make $7.9 million next season. ... and who the Cowboys hope will help make trouble for the NFC East rival Eagles.

MARCH 15 SLAY CUT The Eagles will save $17 million in cap space, it is being reported, by making cornerback Darius Slay a post-June 1st cut designation.

But in any event, the 32-year-old standout - who was on the Cowboys' radar before the Tuesday trade for Stephon Gilmore - is now free.

Philly, by the way, tried to trade Slay, maybe even in a relative giveaway, and why? Because Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was right: Eventually, even the "empty the bucket'' teams have to pay the piper.

MARCH 14 NOAH TO TEXANS The Cowboys need wideout help … and Noah Brown is no longer a candidate.

The Texans, after already having agreed to a deal with veteran wideout Robert Woods, are now also adding Dallas’ Noah Brown.

Brown was a Cowboys seventh-round pick in 2017 who has spent his entire NFL career in Dallas, mostly as a deep backup … though he had a career year with 43 catches for 555 yards and three touchdowns.

Is there one more Texans-Cowboys receiver connection coming in the form of a Brandin Cooks trade?

Stay tuned.

MARCH 14 WILSON RETURNING The Dallas Cowboys made a major move on Tuesday morning, re-signing impact safety Donovan Wilson to a three-year $24 million deal, per reports. 

The first two years and $13.5 million of Wilson's deal will be fully guaranteed.

Wilson, who came to the Cowboys as a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Texans A&M, emerged as a major playmaker for Dallas in 2022, playing in and starting all 17 games in the regular season, as well as both playoff games. 

Wilson finished the 2022 season with 101 tackles, seven tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and two pass deflections, as well as an interception. 

He also had 14 tackles and two pass deflections in the Cowboys' two playoff games. 

MARCH 14 GIFFORD LEAVES The Cowboys are quietly suggesting they're playing a bit of a waiting game on Leighton Vander Esch and Bobby Wagner ... but while they wait, another linebacker is out the door.

Luke Gifford is signing with the Titans on what ESPN reports is a two-year deal worth up to $5 million.

Gifford was a centerpiece of the Cowboys on special teams in 2022 but Dallas opted to not prioritize him ... while they wait.

And about that wait: It's being reported that Wagner has been asked to hang tight while Dallas tries to work on Vander Esch. That's a tricky game, as there hasn't been much real movement in talks with Vander Esch (as of late Monday) and Wagner has no real obligation to twiddle his thumbs here.

MARCH 13 GALLUP MONEY MOVES The Dallas Cowboys haven't yet moved any new players into The Star ...

But they are again moving money to create room under the salary cap.

The latest "flip of the switch'' (as always, not requiring negotiation or sacrifice) involves the team having restructured the contract of wide receiver Michael Gallup.

The move saves Dallas $7 million of room (dropping Gallup's cap hit from just over $13.8 million to around $6.4 million) and now the Cowboys have about $22 million of room.

MARCH 12 WHY NOT COWBOYS? The Cowboys are talking about making moves but one just got made ... and it would've fit the roster nicely.

Would it not fit the finances nicely?

The Los Angeles Rams are trading All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins.

The cost? The Rams get a paltry 2023 third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long.

Why so cheap? Surely that is due to the salary that Miami is taking on ... maybe in conjunction with Ramsey desiring a new and richer deal. And yet, right now?

Here are Ramsey's dollars:

For 2023, it's a $17 mil base salary.

For 2024, it's a $14.5 mil base salary plus a $4 mil roster bonus.

For 2025, it's a $15.5 mil base salary plus a $4 mil roster bonus.

There is nothing especially outrageous about any of that ... meaning there are going to be those in Cowboys Nation who feel their own outrage.

MARCH 11 RIP BUD GRANT To a now-Texan born and raised in Minnesota, the best way I can describe “the meaning of Bud Grant” is this:He was “our Tom Landry.”

“We are absolutely devastated to announce legendary Minnesota Vikings head coach and Hall of Famer Bud Grant has passed away this morning at age 95,” the team said on Saturday. “We, like all Vikings and NFL fans, are shocked and saddened by this terrible news.”

Grant is a “weatherproof” icon in Minnesota, the coach of all four Vikings Super Bowl teams, a capable rival of the great Cowboys teams through three decades, and to the end, an avid outdoorsman who lives on as an undying symbol of achievement in my home state. - Fish

MAR 9 TEXANS PUNISHED The Houston Texans are now down to 10 picks entering the 2023 NFL Draft, with the team being forced to forfeit their fifth-round pick (No. 137 overall) due to a salary-cap violation involving former star quarterback Deshaun Watson.

The NFL ruled that the Texans violated the league's COVID-19 protocols by providing Watson an off-site athletic facility in 2020 for workout purposes when NRG Stadium was closed due to the pandemic.

In addition to losing a fifth-round pick, the NFL has also fined the Texans $175,000. The Texans released a statement not agreeing to the ruling but will comply. See more here.

MARCH 6 GENO'S BAG The Seahawks on Monday beat the tag deadline and locked up Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith, with the two sides finalizing a new multi-year contract that Jordan Schultz reports will be worth $105 million over three years.

Smith, 32, could’ve become a free agent or could've been tagged. Instead, the QB who re-made himself in Seattle in 2022 - as he won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year - will continue on.

MARCH 5 TROY TO TOM Tom Brady will not be starting his broadcasting career until the 2024 season, but the speculation regarding the legendary NFL quarterback, who is retiring from the game to eventual work in the booth at FOX, is everywhere.

And the always helpful Cowboys icon Troy Aikman, now of ESPN, is here to help.

“Just to be himself,” Aikman said of what would be his advice to Brady. “I have no illusions as to what it might look like for Tom. I think he’ll be fantastic. He’s been great at everything he’s done. The reason he has been so good is because he puts in the work. And that’s the key. You can fake it for a little bit, and then it catches up to you. 

"You’ve got to put in the time. I think the fans deserve that – and Tom will give that to him.”

MARCH 4 CB MOVES The Texans announced Friday afternoon the contract termination of center Justin Britt, while signing defensive back Kendall Sheffield.

Sheffield played his first three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, where he recorded 101 tackles and six pass deflections in 38 career games from 2019 to 2021. He spent last season as a member of the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad. 

MARCH 2 TOUGH CHOICE The Los Angeles Rams have seen a complete coaching staff overhaul this offseason but they still need a running backs coach.

And despite some recent searching, it looks like that will remain the case for now.

Per a report, Texas Longhorns running backs coach and former Cowboys running back Tashard Choice "turned down" the Rams job to remain under coach Steve Sarkisian at Texas.

Choice could've been an impressive get for the Rams based on what he did during his first year at Texas last season. The Longhorns, which boasted a backfield of future 2023 draft picks Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, were considered one of the deepest running back rooms in the country for a reason.

But Bijan is now going to the NFL. And Choice ... isn't.

FEB 23 KOBE ON CEEDEE The late Kobe Bryant is an idol with popularity that reaches far beyond his reach as a Lakers legend …

As established by Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb’s new full-back tattoo … 

The photos are courtesy of artist Andres Ortega out at Onder Ink in Arizona, one of four people who worked together on the art.

Per TMZ Sports: “An iconic photo of Kobe chewing on his jersey now sits on Lamb's right shoulder blade, accompanied by a black mamba with its tongue out. On his left shoulder blade, there's a huge image of a jaguar. Just below that, there's a Spartan warrior -- and to the right of that, there's an I-45 sign that represents the highway that runs through Dallas. There's also a crucifix, a crown and the words "My Story Isn't Over."

FEB 21 SKIPPING OFF Former Cowboys running backs coach Skip Peete - a mentor and teacher to Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard - is moving on with a new job.

NFL Network’s Jane Slater reports that Peete is headed to the Tampa Bay Bucs in the same role (of running backs coach.) Peete notably coached a trio of backs in Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard and Malik Davis who all finished the year without any fumbles and is credited with Pollard’s development.”

Peete was let go by coach Mike McCarthy at the end of the 2022 season in a shuffle of the coaching staff.

FEB 17 EX COWBOYS SIGN WITH RAVENS The Ravens have always like Brent Urban. And they have come to like Daryl Worley. So both of the former Cowboys are re-upping in Baltimore.

Worley and Urban - each of whom had a cup of coffee in Dallas (Worley in 2020, Urban in 2021) - provide depth for a Ravens defense that was playing at a high level over the second half of the season.

Worley, 27, appeared in eight games last year for the Ravens. Urban, 31, came to the Ravens for a second time when he was signed prior to last season and played in 16 games.

FEB 3 COWBOYS MOVE ON The Jaguars have signed running back Qadree Ollison and the Ravens have signed cornerback Trayvon Mullen, both of whom were part of the Cowboys late in the 2022 season.

Ollison spent the entire 2022 season on the Cowboys practice squad but was elevated to play in three games during the regular season. Mullen, a former second-round pick, was part of Dallas' revolving door at cornerback at year's end but was no longer on the roster for the playoffs, freeing the Ravens to sign him off waivers.

The Cowboys have made similar moves with their own futures contracts. Among the 90-man signees: receivers Antonio Callaway, Dennis Houston (who started the 2022 season on the 53-man roster) and Dontario Drummond, offensive linemen Issac Alarcon, Alex Taylor, Alec Lindstrom and Brock Hoffman, tight end Seth Green and defensive backs Juanyeh Thomas, Tyler Coyle and Sheldrick Redwine.

FEB 12 SUPER BOWL CONTROVERSY, CHIEFS WIN To the delight of Cowboys Nation ... the Kansas City Chiefs are hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after a 38-35 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The game was one of the Super Bowl's most entertaining games, coming down to the final drive.

In the red zone, the Chiefs drove down inside of field goal range to take the lead with just under two minutes to go. On 3rd-and-8 with just under two minutes to go, Eagles cornerback James Bradberry IV was called for holding on Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Harrison Butker knocked down the game-winning field goal with just seconds to go, leading to a Chiefs Super Bowl win.

And the NFC East enemy Eagles fall short ... much to the delight of Cowboys fans.

FEB 8 IRVIN BENCHED Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin says he is “baffled” by NFL Network’s decision to bench him as an analyst on Sunday's Super Bowl in the wake of a woman’s complaint about his conduct this week in Arizona.

 “Honestly, I'm a bit baffled with it all," Irvin said to The Dallas Morning News. “It all happened in a 45-second conversation in the (hotel) lobby. … I came into the lobby and I talked to somebody. I talked to this girl. I don't know her, and I talked to her for about 45 seconds. We shook hands. Then, I left. ... That's all I know." 

NFL Network did not specify the details of the woman's complaint. A Glendale Police spokesperson told the Morning News that they had no knowledge of any incident involving Irvin, the three-time Super Bowl champ and Pro Football Hall of Famer.

FEB 5 DIGGS VS. DIGGS Trevon Diggs 

vs. Stefon Diggs? It's bragging rights within the family, and otherwise sort of silly fun.

What happened? Little brother Trevon of the Cowboys picked off big brother Stefon of the Bills after the star wideout - "playing QB'' in the flag-football game that is now the centerpiece of the Pro Bowl - tried to throw a pass.

Trevon grabbed the interception in the red zone and almost returned it for a touchdown.

Big deal? Hardly.

Fun deal? Sure!

FEB 4 DALTON TO DC? We've seen this "reported'' but we will more honestly put in under the heading of "buzz'' ...

The Washington Commanders are thinking of moving on from Logan Thomas ... and thinking of making a free agency bid on Dallas' Dalton Schultz.

They'd have to find the cap room to do it; maybe dumping veteran quarterback Carson Wentz would help. At the same time, the Cowboys have their cap challenges in keeping Schultz, who has spent the first five seasons of his career building to this point, last year earning the franchise tag (and the $10.9 mil salary) and this time around maybe expendable at The Star as Dallas has developed two kids who might take over the tight end spot.

One issue for the Commanders: If they opt to rely on rookie Sam Howell at QB, this sort of move is affordable. But if they decide to spend in the quarterback market, Schultz likely wouldn’t work there ...

But we still wonder if he'll work in Dallas.

FEB 2 TYRON BACK? All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith has undergone surgery this week ... But this doesn't sound like a worrisome one.

Tyron, who made his 2022 debut late in the year after the early injury in which he "tore his hamstring from the bone,'' this time had arthroscopic surgery on his knee - a relatively minor thing.

And what's the plan going forward for Tyron, who turned 32 in December?

"I have no reason to believe he won't be (back in 2023,'' said COO Stephen Jones of the Cowboys, who have the future Hall of Famer under contract for one more season, with a $17.6 million cap number (and no real saving if he departs).

FEB 1 TOM AND GISELE Tom Brady has officially retired, and while details on how the retirement decision went down are emerging, his ex-wife Gisele is "trending.''

"Tom Brady informed the Bucs today at 6 am he’d be retiring," ESPN's Jeff Darlington said on Twitter this morning. "One aspect I’d been mentioning for a bit now: Brady for months implied to many close to him that it was going to be either a return to Tampa or retirement. Tough for many to believe, including those close, but he meant it."

Brady's statement is above, and some Cowboys-related thoughts are here.

The Cowboys got to say the last official on-field goodbye to Brady, 45, who, despite his 2022 divorce from model Gisele, reportedly maintains a close relationship with her and their children.

JAN 30 ANOTHER PRO BOWLER The Dallas Cowboys will have another guy in the Pro Bowl Games … but not for the preferred reason.

Because Eagles center Jason Kelce is going to the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl festivities in Las Vegas need a replacement … so Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz has been added to the Pro Bowl.

That gives Dallas eight honorees: Biadasz, Zack Martin, CeeDee Lamb, Tony Pollard (injured), Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, DeMarcus Lawrence and KaVontae Turpin.

JAN 29 QB ARREST University of Georgia star quarterback Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships and is now eligible for the April NFL Draft, has been arrested in Dallas for public intoxication.

Bennett, 25, was taken into police custody around 6 a.m. CT on Sunday morning after police received reports of a man banging on doors in the 1600 block of Tribeca Way.

According to DPD, when officers arrived, they found Bennett and "determined he was intoxicated."

Bennett was taken into custody, transported to the City Detention Center and booked. Authorities did not release any bond information at this time.

Bennett started his college career as a walk-on and was a Heisman Trophy finalist this past season after leading the Bulldogs to a 15-0 record and SEC championship. 

JAN 28 ZIM IS IN Former Cowboys coach Mike Zimmer, who became close with Deion Sanders during their time together in Dallas, is joining Deion’s  staff at the University of Colorado.

Sanders confirmed that in a YouTube visit. Zimmer - in 2021 the Vikings head coach - having served as an analyst for Sanders at Jackson State in 2022.

“Coach Zimmer’s coming,” Deion said, with the possibility that he’ll be the Buffs’ defensive coordinator. “Forget the titles; (his hires( know this game and they know kids and they’ve been capable of making tremendous decisions with the kids and the young men in mind. So that’s what I adore the most — understanding how to establish the relationships with these young men.”

JAN 27 EAGLES 'RIPS' Jalen Hurts has been dealing with that shoulder injury since way back on Dec. 18, but he will be playing for the Cowboys rival Eagles in the NFC Championship Game against the Niners ...

And on Friday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni offered an update on his star quarterback.

"He's still getting treatment and stuff like that but he's ripping it like any normal week," Sirianni said.

Before this year, Hurts wasn't considered much of a thrower. That has changed to so degree ... and he remains a dangerous runner. On Saturday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, he had 154 passing yards, 34 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in a beatdown of the Giants.

Now Hurts gets the 49ers defense that topped the Cowboys last week in the playoffs while causing Dak Prescott to throw a pair of interceptions.

The 49ers-Eagles game will kick off at 2 p.m. CT.

JAN 27 MORE FUTURES The Cowboys continue to sign up their Reserve/Futures guys, with 11 players so far this week coming back from the practice squad - now including popular offensive tackle Isaac Alarcon.

Alarcon has been with the Cowboys for three seasons on the NFL International Pathway program but has "run out of eligibility'' there. But Dallas believes he's developed enough to merit a spot on the 90-man offseason roster. ... in addition to his presence as a way to connect with the international fan base.

Others signed to futures contracts this week are wideouts Antonio Callaway, Dontario Drummond and Dennis Houston, tight end Seth Green, O-linemen Alex Taylor, Brock Hoffman and Alec Lindstrom, and DBs Tyler Coyle, Juanyeh Thomas and Sheldrick Redwine.

JAN 26 MCCARTHY AS LANDRY? As part of his Thursday season-ending presser, Mike McCarthy dropped a bomb of sorts. ...

McCarthy said that team owner Jerry Jones told him this week that he wants McCarthy to coach the Cowboys as long as Tom Landry did. “I said, ‘OK, that’s a long time.’”

How seriously are some fans and media taking this?

Way too seriously, of course.

Jerry is obviously not only speaking hyperbolically (what's new!) but also figuratively ... and symbolically.

He's trying to express his support for the coach, who has won 12 games in back-to-back seasons ... and who despite that seems to be somewhat of a punching bag for critics.

For what it's worth, the legendary Landry coached the Cowboys for 29 seasons.

Mike McCarthy, with three seasons under his belt, is presently 59. 

So Mike, to fulfill Jerry's "vision,'' would coach the Cowboys until age 85.

Again ... Jerry is talking hyperbolically (what's new!) but also figuratively ... and symbolically.

In actual news, Dan Quinn tells CowboysSI.com that he's staying ... and McCarthy, when asked by us about Kellen Moore's job security, could not promise the same outcome.

JAN 26 PFT 'BEHIND THE SCENES' The Cowboys have given every indication that they are keeping coach Mike McCarthy.

But ProFootballTalk.com - as it so often does - has other, more conspiratorial ideas.

The Cowboys have "parted ways'' (i.e., fired) a number of assistant coaches. All of this is painful. None of this is unusual.

And yet Mike Florio at PFT writes ...

"And it makes me wonder whether something else is going on behind the scenes. Something like owner Jerry Jones discreetly lining up the replacement for the head coach before firing the head coach, because Jones will fire the head coach only if he gets the replacement Jones wants. ...

And then Florio mentions "Sean Payton’s candidacy.''

We think it's odd that the firing of assistants somehow equals the firing of their boss, though anything is possible. We don't think it's odd to float the name of Payton here, even though it's being done (again and again) without any real evidence.

And I guess we should no longer be bothered by the idea that a report is going to take us "behind the scenes.'' ... regardless of whether there is any such access to that place "behind the scenes.''