The Dallas Cowboys have locked up their Pro Bowl Tackle in Tyron Smith as he signed an eight year contract extension.  This extension is said to be worth with $98 million in new money and $28 million in new guaranteed money.  Now Smith isn't eligible for free agency until he's 32. It's a rare contract and it's born of some unique circumstances as well, according to sources familiar with Smith's thinking and his relationship with the Cowboys.

"Jones has become a father figure to Smith and has helped him navigate through some tumultuous and dangerous family issues, sources said.  Some of it has reached the media but the Cowboys and Jones have worked very hard to keep much of it private. Smith has been preyed on, financially and otherwise, by close family members, has been the victim of menacing threats and Jones has been integral in helping him wade through it and stay on an even keel."

Now it's just a matter of figuring out how to improve on back-to-back-to-back 8-8 finishes for a group that hasn't made the playoffs since the 2009 season.  The pre-season gets underway on August 7th when they take on the San Diego Chargers, while the regular season begins on September 7th against the San Fransisco 49ers.

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