Dallas Cowboys | No 'Nonsense - Super Bowl Is Cowboys Goal,' Says McCarthy + Earl Thomas at Safety

FRISCO - The concept of "Super Bowl or Bust'' is a goofy one, when you take it even semi-literally. What's "bust''? If the 2020 Dallas Cowboys fail to win a Super Bowl, are they folding up the franchise? Moving it to Europe? If Jerry Jones selling it? If "Super Bowl or Bust'' was real, it would've "busted'' Dallas sometime in the last quarter-century, if you know what I mean. So there is no "bust.'' But to new Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, there is "Super Bowl.'' "I think conversation like that, frankly, respectfully, is nonsense," McCarthy said when asked about Super Bowl-or-bust expectations. "If you're not trying to win the Super Bowl, I don't know what you're even doing in this business.'' McCarthy can speak from experience. His 2010 Green Bay Packers team won Super Bowl XLV. And in his 13 seasons, they made the playoffs nine times, with four trips to the NFC Championship Game. No, the Packers didn't "bust'' when they fell short - just as the Cowboys, who haven't won a Super Bowl or even played in a conference title game since 1995 - haven't "busted.'' The Cowboys in the quarter-century have won just four postseason games. Still, no "bust.'' But still, annual talk about "how great Dallas is going to be this year.'' That sort of talk resonates around this 2020 team, too. Part of it is Jones' optimistic salesmanship. Part of it is "America's Team'' hype. And part of it is that Jones' front office has often assembled talented rosters - and that includes this one. But none of it - none of the talk - scares McCarthy. In fact, he took a subtle shot at any of his colleagues who are unwilling to state the goal. "I think that (goal is) what every team starts their offseason with,'' he said. "The ones that don't want to talk about it, they're probably just trying to 'Underpromise and Overachieve.' But I've always been very upfront about it with every team I've ever coached: We're in this to win a championship. Make no bones about it." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ravens sent Earl Thomas home Friday after fiery on-field argument with Chuck Clark OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas was sent home Friday after a fiery on-field argument with teammate Chuck Clark. The incident was sparked by a missed assignment by Thomas, he confirmed in an Instagram post in which he shared video of the play. He wrote: "Being sent home sucks. I can't take the reps I need to keep momentum going. But I can reflect on things and keep working my plan to help the team win." He added: "A mental error on my part. A busted coverage that I tried to explain calmly [met] with built-up aggression turned into me getting into with a teammate." He later deleted the post. Thomas and Clark yelled at each other on the sideline and had to be restrained by teammates and coaches, a source said. Thomas put up his fists at one point, according to the source. It's unusual to see a heated argument like this between two players in the same position group. Thomas was not present at Saturday's practice. Clark was practicing Saturday. When asked about disciplinary action for Thomas, a source said the situation is "fluid." "That's an organization decision that [head coach] John [Harbaugh] will address," Ravens assistant head coach David Culley said after Saturday's practice. Harbaugh wasn't scheduled to talk Saturday, and he wasn't made available to reporters. This is the second time Thomas has had a confrontation with a teammate in two seasons in Baltimore. Last year, Thomas had a heated exchange with nose tackle Brandon Williams after a game against Cleveland. Thomas, a seven-time Pro Bowl safety, signed a four-year, $55 million deal with Baltimore in March 2019. His nine-year run in Seattle ended with him extending a middle finger to Seahawks coach Pete Carroll while being carted off the field with a leg injury. Parting ways with Thomas would be financially difficult unless Baltimore can avoid paying his $10 million in guaranteed salary this season. If the Ravens released or traded Thomas, he would count $15 million against their salary cap this season as well as $10 million in dead money in 2021. If the Ravens make a move with Thomas, DeShon Elliott would likely take his spot in the starting lineup. Ravens officials are high on Elliott, but the 2018 sixth-round pick has finished his two NFL seasons on injured reserve and has played in a total of six games.