The Facts: The Cowboys have held preliminary talks with Barber's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, according to multiple sources, and are offering a financial package in the $30 million range. Barber wants a package between $40 million and $60 million.

Diehards Line:According to DMN staffer Calvin Watkins, Rosenhaus' request that Barber, a restricted free agent, receive a contract similar to some of the top backs in the game caught the Cowboys somewhat by surprise. Barber's asking price is comparable to deals given to Larry Johnson (five years, $43.2 million), Clinton Portis (eight years, $50.5 million) and LaDainian Tomlinson (six years, $60 million). The Cowboys, according to Watkins' sources, believe the deal that free agent Michael Turner signed with Atlanta in March (six years, $34.5 million with $15 million in guarantees) is close to what Barber is worth. ... Dallas is also willing to give Barber a contract close to what Baltimore gave Willis McGahee last year, a seven-year deal worth as much as $40.12 million, if the last two years of it are picked up.