Cowboys News Links: Eric Winston Debate, Dez Bryant Quotable, Mike Jenkins Moves On

Yesterday, Adam Schefter stirred things up with a tweet claiming the Cowboys were in discussions with tackle Eric Winston. That was met with much skepticism among some local Cowboys media, including Clarence Hill who tweeted:

Per a cowboys source, team is not in contract talks with Eric Winston. So pump your brakes please.

— Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) April 8, 2013

But Ian Rapoport claims there is interest.

A source who has spoken with free agent Eric Winston and a Cowboys source have both told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport on Monday that there is mutual interest between the two sides. A source who has spoken to Winston adds that talks are "heating up."

So do we have a case of agents and players trying to create their own market, or is there really something going on with Winston and the Cowboys? Guess we'll just have to wait and find out. Meanwhile, Winston had some things to say about free agency and the lack of movement so far, including what he'd like to make a year.

"In the $3-4 million range is something that I think is more than fair for a starter who has played pretty well throughout his career," Winston said. Although Winston had an offer from the Chargers and has talked to the Cowboys, his sense so far is that teams are being extremely careful with money this offseason.

If the Cowboys don't sign a new tackle, they could always draft one if they are uncomfortable with the Free/Parnell combo. Bryan Broaddus offers some "under the radar" tackles available in the draft.

The big quote from Dez Bryant that all the media is playing up is the one about how the fans of other teams hatin' on the Cowboys makes him and the team train and try even harder. But what was substantial about the interview was the things he said about his own maturity. It's funny how they go for the sizzle over the steak. There were some real concerns about Dez off the field for a while, but if you read some of his quotes in the interview here, you really come away with the sense that the guy has grown up. For example:

On if he's turned a corner on the field and off it: Yes sir. It's always a dream to be a positive figure. I know on my end it is. I understand that I have a lot of little kids looking up to me. Of course, I have my little boys. I want them to see me as a positive figure. I'm a great guy. You have to surround yourself around the right group of guys, and I feel like I've done that. You always change whenever you want to be different, you want to be positive, you want to make the right choices. You've got to put yourself in the position to do all of that.

On transitioning to be an instant millionaire: I know for me, you’re going from zero to a lot. I never had that kind of money. I never had thousands of dollars, so me having that, it was very difficult. I didn’t know what to do with it. I found great help and I got everything under control. For the people who will reach that someday, it’s always best to get you a great financial advisor, try your best to put yourself on a budget. That’s the best advice I can give you.

In ex-Cowboys news, Mike Jenkins has finally landed in Oakland. Meanwhile, the Bengals are taking a look at Felix Jones.