Quick Thoughts – Jerry Jones Isn’t Firing Himself as GM 1/4/12
by Brandon Halsey
brandonhalsey@gettinAfterIt.com
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is the NFL’s only owner who is also the general manager. After another disappointing season in which expectations weren’t met and the playoffs weren’t attainable, Jones seems to be pleased. He was happy with the coaching and pleased with Dallas’ talent enough to think the Cowboys would’ve made a playoff run. And while Jones might take part in a small amount of responsibility, he doesn’t seem to think GM changes need to be made.
“The facts are that I’ve spent 22 years doing this exactly the same way,” Jones said Tuesday on KRLD-FM in Dallas. “I’ve made a lot of changes from year to year as time goes along, but frankly, I know that when we do not have the kind of success, when we don’t have expectations lived up to, the one that should get the most heat is the one that ultimately makes the decisions, period, with the Dallas Cowboys. And that’s me.”
The Cowboys have had six coaches and one playoff win in the last 15 seasons.
What Jones doesn’t understand, is that he doesn’t know football. To this day, Jones’ one and only shining moment as a GM was when he traded running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for five veteran players and eight draft choices. That trade would eventually lead to all the pieces he needed to build the dynasty of the 1990′s. Dallas wasn’t a good team when he took over. But after Troy Aikman’s 1-15 rookie year, and once the draft picks started coming to fruition, the Cowboys quickly improved. They went from 1-15 in ’89 to 7-9 and 11-5 in ’91. And the rest is history with 3 Super Bowl wins in four years and 6 years of winning 10 or more games and the NFC East. The pieces that Jerry Jones put together after the Herschel Walker trade gave Dallas the tools needed for years of success.
And Jerry Jones is jaded from his early success as owner/GM. Jones never had the right to be an GM. Anyone with a ton of money can buy a franchise. It doesn’t take any credentials except a gazillion dollars to buy professional teams, just ask Mark Cuban. Jones was just a wealthy man who bought a team and felt entitled to exercise complete control. And until his entitlement goes away (probably not until he’s dead) the Cowboys will never win again.
In an NFL when it is proven time and time again what it takes to win, shouldn’t Jerry Jones eventually take a look around and realize some things. Maybe he’d take a look at the Patriots, Packers and Steelers and realize their model for annual success is full-proof. Pittsburgh and New England have had one losing season in 12 years. Dallas has had one playoff win in 15 seasons. That’s perspective.
NFC East 2011 Predictions
Dallas Cowboys – 2010 was dreadful for the Cowboys after winning their first playoff game in 13 years in 2009, with high expectations the Boys fell flat with a 6-10 season. The news wasn’t all bad for Cowboys’ fans however, because Wade Phillips got the boot and the keys to the kingdom were handed over to assistant head coach Jason Garrett who brought the Cowboys from a 1-7 start under Phillips to finish 5-3.
Now, the expectations are still high but there’s a new attitude in Dallas. Rob Ryan, Rex’s twin brother, is the new defense coordinator and fans will see an edgier Dallas D with complicated blitz packages and improved all-around play despite the same personnel. People still think Dallas is as talented as any team in the NFL but that will have to proven on the field, not on paper. And proving that on the field will mean QB Tony Romo has to stay healthy which could be difficult behind a questionable young, but agile offensive line. Dallas will surprise people in 2011.
Dallas Cowboys 10-6
New York Giants – The Giants were a 10-6 team in 2010 but just missed out on the post-season because 10-6 Green Bay had the tie-breaker. Even though the G-Men were 10-6 which is a good season for any team, they could’ve and should’ve been better but QB Eli Manning had entirely too many mistakes, throwing for 25 interceptions with a team high 42 total giveaways.
Consistency on the special teams was also less than desirable for NY. Remember that game against Philadelphia when the Eagles had that magical comeback? That was just the icing on the cake for their total lack of special teams control throughout the year.
The Giants have key ingredients at all the skill positions and on no planet should this team not be in the playoff race in a very competitive NFC East. Great one-two punch at running-back, fast receivers and a very good O-Line keeps NY alive offensively. And defensively they just need to come together with more production from the starting linebackers because their line is always going to get after quarterbacks.
New York Giants 9-7
Philadelphia Eagles – 2010 was a special year for Philadelphia fans as Michael Vick and the Eagles gave everyone something to talk about for 16 games until a first round playoff exit for the second consecutive year. We all know the patience of fans in Philly is thin, and to correct their defensive woes what do they do? Make move after move after move in the 2011 off-season in an attempt to correct their inefficiencies at secondary which allowed a franchise record 31 TD passes and the league’s worst red-zone percentage in 25 years.
Some guy named Nnamdi Asomugha from Oakland landed in Philly, along with Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie to solidify the backfield along with veteran Assante Samuel. But they didn’t address the lack of depth at linebacker which could bite them in the long run.
Count on a few things with Philly in 2011. They will be very explosive just as they were in 2010, they will be well prepared and coached and they will be a deep playoff contender providing Vick can stay healthy because Vince Young damn sure isn’t going to get it done.
Philadelphia Eagles 12-4
Washington Redskins – At first glance Washington was headed for the gutter of the NFC East and possibly the entire NFC. At second glance after watching the Redskins play meaningless preseason football, they will be better than originally thought. There’s still some heavy concerns at the QB position because the battle between John Beck and Rex Grossman isn’t a battle of the best scenario to win games, it’s a war of the futile. Although Grossman was named week 1 starting QB does that really mean a whole lot?
However, the Redskins are finally doing things the right way. Instead of drafting the over-hyped top 10 QB in the draft or spending too much money on bring in a veteran, this is the route they’ve chose. And it could work out very well if the QB’s aren’t asked to take over the games. Every Mike Shanahan offense has a very well done run-blocking scheme. Think about all those Denver Broncos teams with running-backs you’ve never heard of running for 1,000 yards. Tim Hightower is poised to have a Pro Bowl season. The defense made improvements despite a questionable first round draft pick in Ryan Kerrigan, but will learn quickly from a guy like Brian Orakpo. And the safety position is the hardest hitting in the NFC with the addition of O.J. Atogwe from St. Louis to join Laron Landry. Redskins improve mightily.
Washington Redskins 8-8
