Well, the whirlwind that is National Football League free agency started on Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. Central Standard Time.
Jokingly, I asked Bowie Fire Department volunteer Lee Adams if the crew could sound a siren of some sort, like a symbolic gesture.
But nothing came from it. Not a peep.
So, here I was in The Bowie News office as the rush of free agency began like a tidal wave, except for a 90-minute drive south of here.
But, hey the Dallas Cowboys made a couple of signings.
First, Dallas retained the services of middle linebacker Rolando McClain for another year. Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones was smart to give McClain a one-year deal.
I will give Dallas credit for getting the most out of McClain in recent years, because the same could never be said for the Baltimore Ravens or Oakland Raiders.
McClain made 50 tackles in 11 games during the 2015 campaign, and he also returned an interception for a touchdown.
Once again, I like the value move the Cowboys made here.
Then Thursday afternoon, Dallas made another favorable move in my opinion – the team signed former Philadelphia Eagle defensive tackle Cedric Thornton.
Thornton inked a four-year, $18-million deal, with $6 million of that guaranteed. It was an excellent move for both sides.
I like stories like Thornton because he came out of college from Southern Arkansas as an undrafted free agent. He’s one of only five players from the Muleriders to play in the National Football League. Read more from this column in the March 12 Bowie News.

Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.

Former Philadelphia Eagle Cedric Thornton signed with the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday as free agency frenzy began in the National Football League this past week. (Courtesy photo)