By David Moore

The Dallas Morning News

Repeat after me: the Cowboys emphasis as free agency begins is to sign their own.

As revelations go, this ranks up there with learning that USA Network is about to show another episode of NCIS or Modern Family. But don’t let the repetition blur another key point.

The Cowboys will make a strong push for Earl Thomas.

The mutual attraction between Thomas and the Cowboys is no secret. But an assumption has developed in recent weeks that it will be nothing more than a public flirtation, that Dallas doesn’t have the financial wherewithal to land the Pro Bowl safety before the week is done.

That could be how this process unfolds. But to dismiss the Cowboys interest or chances of pulling this off is premature.

Executive vice president Stephen Jones was engaged in discussions with Seattle to acquire Thomas leading up to last April’s draft. The lines of communication remained open afterwards. Dallas was willing to part with a second round pick for Thomas, an offer that stood until the season for the Seahawks safety came to an end in Week 4 with a broken leg.

Dallas didn’t express interest in Thomas for that long to show no interest now that he’s about to become a free agent. That makes no sense.

Can Dallas throw as much money at Thomas as some other teams? No. But are you certain the contracts competitors offer the soon-to-be-30-year-old safety will be exorbitantly more than what the Cowboys put on the table?

The club pursued Sammy Watkins in free agency one year ago before the receiver signed a three-year, $48 million deal with Kansas City. The Cowboys offer was in the financial neighborhood. Watkins simply decided to go with a different offensive system in a market that would allow him to have a lower profile.