And you’re a fool for forgetting it is April Fool’s Day. Sorry, but I had to do it.

But my little joke on you guys reminded me of this story I read today that is so ridiculous that I thought it was an April Fool’s joke.

First, read the story carefully. The headline is “Cowboys might make a run at Detroit receiver Roy Williams.”

Now, someone tell me where in the story does anyone give any indication, other than the reporter in his own subjective rumor mill of a head, that Dallas might try to obtain Roy Williams? Here is what Jerry Jones says:

“I don’t want to dismiss that we could look at a veteran situation, and we could look at a veteran situation before the draft,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “This is that time of year when you do get good value for players, and picks for players get good value. Players are depreciated right now right before the draft; picks are premium. You’ve got to have your eyes open, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Somehow, the Star-Telegram translates those comments into “Dallas might make a run for Roy Williams.” How? How do they get that? Jerry could have been talking about Reche Caldwell for all we know. He wasn’t talking about any particular wide receiver. Did Clarence Hill miss his story quota for the week, so he had to create his own story and hand it in. There is nothing in this story at all that should have led to that headline. The story goes on to say that Chad Johnson isn’t likely to come do Dallas. It also said Anquan Boldin could be on the radar. Unbelievable that this guy has a job. Unbelievable this paper still has a sports section.

I don’t see how the Cowboys could afford Roy Williams with the high-profile players in need of contract extensions this coming year. Not only that, although Williams has said he’d like to play here, he’s still under contract with Detroit. We have a better chance of getting Reche freaking Caldwell over Roy Williams.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Running back Marion Barber

Contrary to earlier reports, the Cowboys will give Barber a first-round tender at $2.017 million, which would net them a first-round pick if he goes to another team, rather than the high tender of $2.56 million, which would have returned a first- and third-round pick.

It turns out today we all shockingly, yet happily, found out Mr. Hill was completely WRONG.

As a fellow journalist, I would never think of reporting something in a newspaper of record as fact. Blogs are not “for-record” publications and can often fuel rumors. That’s what we do. It engages conversation.

But newspapers are left to state facts or CORRECT them if wrong. Hill has not corrected this erroneous statement story yet.

This was not a fact. Hill reported “contrary to earlier reports” Barber would get just a first-round tender. What reports was he talking about and who the hell is his source?

I have e-mailed Hill asking him why he did this to us. See, the problem with the Dallas Morning News and the Star Telegram is they report garbage. The Dallas Morning News turned into a tabloid this season with the Tony Romo-Jessica Simpson affair.

Guys, if I am overreacting, just say it. But I am real mad about this. Even though this is a blog, and I discuss rumors, I never want to mislead you all. I also cannot wait for the official Dallas site to report the news, because it doesn’t do it very quickly.

Yeah, to say I am mad is saying it lightly. And they are supposed to be the “media” that reports facts. I almost threw my computer against the wall.

I have good news to report, from here.

Marion Barber gets the high tender of $2.5 million, which means any team that wants him will have to give up 1st and 3rd round picks. That’s great news and it means he is likely to stay in Dallas.

Chris Canty received a first-round tender for $2 million (I think we should have given him the first and third, too). I like Canty and hopefylly he stays, but a lot of teams could use him.

Flozell Adams, Julius Jones, cornerbacks Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves and safety Keith Davis all will test free agency. We should all be concerned about losing Adams, which just seems inevitable.

Tyson Thompson, who was a third-string running back, is gone.