DMN: Will McClay builds reputation

[FuzzyLumpkins]

et vous, blind to the facts.

No specific facts have been laid out.

This is an example of a factual account:

Throughout the '92 season several assistant coaches tried to talk sense to Johnson about Jones. Their point: The coaching staff had many more pressing problems; why waste time and energy stewing over Jones's rampant ego? Yet Johnson kept letting Jones get to him.

Midway through the season offensive coordinator Norv Turner said, "Sure, we hear all the stories about their clashes. But what does it matter, really? Why should Jimmy really care about what Jerry is telling his friends about how much he had to do with a trade?"

It is difficult to know for sure how important a role Jones played in the two deals—for defensive end Charles Haley and safety Thomas Everett—that propelled the Cowboys toward the Super Bowl. Not surprisingly, Jones and Johnson offer different interpretations of the Everett deal.

The deal came together at an NFL owners' meeting in September when Pittsburgh Steeler president Dan Rooney told Jones that the Steelers were about to cut Everett, a five-year starter who had refused the team's last offer of three years at $1.75 million, was holding out and had joined a lawsuit against the NFL demanding unconditional free agency.

Jones says, "I first got the idea on Everett last summer in a conversation I had with [San Diego Charger general manager] Bobby Beathard. Beathard said, 'The best free safety on the market may be Thomas Everett.' I asked [Cowboy and former Pittsburgh scout] Walter Juliff, and he really liked Everett. But Jimmy was cool to the idea."

Two games into the season, the Everett deal was made, and what a deal it was: In exchange for a fifth-round draft choice, the Cowboys acquired the starting safety they needed and promptly signed him to a three-year contract.

Although he was happy to have Everett, Johnson was incensed over the credit Jones was taking for the trade. "We had three conversations total [about Everett, who] was just a name [to Jones]," said Johnson. "He'd never seen a tape of the guy in his life. That's what I'm dealing with...."

as opposed to the characterization of

It's not realistic to think that some new wunderkind is going to come in here and reign Jerry in. Hell, he couldn't stand it when his teams were winning Super Bowls and someone else was getting "his credit."

 

[jobberone]

Not anymore. Teams can't even interview him without permission.

Yes, but not allowing him to progress and freezing him sends a bad message to those around the league. Teams will do that with coaches etc but generally temporarily. It's counter productive to do that in the wrong way.

 

[jobberone]

No specific facts have been laid out.

This is an example of a factual account:



as opposed to the characterization of

Great post Fuzzy. I don't remember seeing that but its golden.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Great post Fuzzy. I don't remember seeing that but its golden.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138516/1/index.htm

Skip Bayless of all people wrote it 20 years ago. It is a goldmine of quotes and events.

 

[jobberone]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138516/1/index.htm

Skip Bayless of all people wrote it 20 years ago. It is a goldmine of quotes and events.

Read the first page but I can't finish right now. Thanks for sharing. You may consider putting this out there in its own thread at some point. Thanks again Fuzzy.

 

[arglebargle]

It's not realistic to think that some new wunderkind is going to come in here and reign Jerry in. Hell, he couldn't stand it when his teams were winning Super Bowls and someone else was getting "his credit." Anyone thinking McClay is the answer to what ails the Cowboys is fooling themselves. They can hope all they want... it ain't realistic.

Are you the exactly the same person you were 20 years ago?

 

[Risen Star]

Are you the exactly the same person you were 20 years ago?

Is a 70 year old the same person he was when he was 50?

Jerry is.

Are we seriously trying to pretend Jerry Jones isn't as power hungry today as he's ever been?

 

[Alexander]

I would bet that Will McClay doesn't even do a quarter of what you guys give him credit for. Hell, Stephen Jones contradicted everyone a few months ago and said that McClay wasn't even in charge of the draft board. You really think any of us know what he actually does? Whatever it is, it hasn't resulted in a winning season since gas was $1-something per gallon.

He just represents hope. That is all. So yes, there is little doubt people are going to assume he does a lot more than he will really do. There is a reason why he is not allowed to grant interviews to clarify. It is all part of the "ambiguity".

If anything, he will probably play a far more political role than a substantive role. He's not going to make final decisions. From what I gather, he is a facilitator between the Joneses and the rest of the staff. If that means directing the noise that Jones gets confused with and means taking opinions from all, formulating a cohesive thought and presents that, so be it. All I know is that Jones "listens" to too many people because he lacks the ability to make an educated judgment on his own. Always has, always will.

 

[jobberone]

Is a 70 year old the same person he was when he was 50?

Jerry is.

Are we seriously trying to pretend Jerry Jones isn't as power hungry today as he's ever been?

I don't think Jerry is the same person he was pre-Parcells. I think he made a mistake with Wade as HC but he didn't have a lot of choices at the time if I remember correctly. I think Parcells left him high and dry which is his pattern. I see him evolving but we are both guessing from a distance so it's hard to tell.

 

[jobberone]

He just represents hope. That is all. So yes, there is little doubt people are going to assume he does a lot more than he will really do. There is a reason why he is not allowed to grant interviews to clarify. It is all part of the "ambiguity".

If anything, he will probably play a far more political role than a substantive role. He's not going to make final decisions. From what I gather, he is a facilitator between the Joneses and the rest of the staff. If that means directing the noise that Jones gets confused with and means taking opinions from all, formulating a cohesive thought and presents that, so be it. All I know is that Jones "listens" to too many people because he lacks the ability to make an educated judgment on his own. Always has, always will.

And you're assuming everything you typed above. I think you're way off base but we'll see.

 

[Alexander]

And you're assuming everything you typed above. I think you're way off base but we'll see.

That is why I used "probably". Yes, it is a guess. Just like everyone else is doing when they assume there is some massive paradigm shift now that McClay has been given a name in the process.

 

[Alexander]

I don't think Jerry is the same person he was pre-Parcells. I think he made a mistake with Wade as HC but he didn't have a lot of choices at the time if I remember correctly. I think Parcells left him high and dry which is his pattern. I see him evolving but we are both guessing from a distance so it's hard to tell.

If he changed and evolved thanks to Parcells, he would not have gone right back to the same special "unique" structure. He also went running right back his old drinking buddies in Lacewell and Switzer after Parcells effectively drowned them out. But yes, he's changed. Really. Honest.

 

[Risen Star]

I don't think Jerry is the same person he was pre-Parcells. I think he made a mistake with Wade as HC but he didn't have a lot of choices at the time if I remember correctly. I think Parcells left him high and dry which is his pattern. I see him evolving but we are both guessing from a distance so it's hard to tell.

Well considering Jerry announced that Parcells way didn't work, despite the team dramatically improving under his watch, and going right back to the puppet coaches like Wade and Garrett....I beg to differ.

All teams have assistant directors of personnel. This isn't meaningful. It doesn't reflect any change in the power structure at Valley Ranch. That is just fans desperately looking for some hope. The same fans who told you gems like Jerry was a good GM or that GM's don't even matter.

He's the GM of this team until death do they part. Will McClay will never have that kind of power here, so he'll never be the architect of anything.

 

[Brooksey]

If this guy is really that good it's a shame he can't be the GM for this team.

Jerry at some point just has to come out and say these guys are better then me at this, they can put in the 60-70 hours per week. As an owner he doesn't have half that time.

I don't see why he's so stubborn about letting it go, no one will fault him, is it because some may say he was a failure as a GM? The man has three rings, he hired JJ, he was a big part of a dynasty. He has to let it go.

It really is a bad business decision from a very good business man.

 

[jobberone]

That is why I used "probably". Yes, it is a guess. Just like everyone else is doing when they assume there is some massive paradigm shift now that McClay has been given a name in the process.

I don't think there is a 'massive paradigm shift' nor do I think most do. And I don't think McClay is just a name and a conduit to Jerry. That's just unreasonable to assume everything is just Jerry Jerry Jerry and all his little puppets. There is really only one way to run an organization that large and complex.

 

[jobberone]

If he changed and evolved thanks to Parcells, he would not have gone right back to the same special "unique" structure. He also went running right back his old drinking buddies in Lacewell and Switzer after Parcells effectively drowned them out. But yes, he's changed. Really. Honest.

The fact he discusses things with old friends doesn't mean he runs the organization based on any small conversations and input they choose to give Jerry. People in our past represent a tie to the 'good ole days' and a remembered safe environment. They aren't generally driving forces in our jobs.

I'm sure Jerry had an internal struggle between the old and the new post Parcells. But the organization had been changed already by Parcells and AFAIK it has continued to evolve esp in the area of player acquisition. I'm sure Jerry can regress into the ole wildcatter at timesbut I know for a fact he gives those placed in position to give their input the opportunity to exercise it. You appear to see Jerry the micromanager and that is just unrealistic given the overall size and complexity of an organization that big.

To the point, McClay is running the acquisition of players and of course Jerry is watchfully waiting. If you seem to think Lacewell and Switzer the bad advisors have that much effect on Jerry then you should assume McClay does as well. And I see McClay as a good thing given the improvements in player acquisition lately.

 

[jobberone]

Well considering Jerry announced that Parcells way didn't work, despite the team dramatically improving under his watch, and going right back to the puppet coaches like Wade and Garrett....I beg to differ.

All teams have assistant directors of personnel. This isn't meaningful. It doesn't reflect any change in the power structure at Valley Ranch. That is just fans desperately looking for some hope. The same fans who told you gems like Jerry was a good GM or that GM's don't even matter.

He's the GM of this team until death do they part. Will McClay will never have that kind of power here, so he'll never be the architect of anything.

He didn't say things under Parcells didn't work. Show me where he said that in the context of the entire extent of all those changes in the organization and esp in scouting. He said he was glad to not have to walk on eggshells constantly and Parcells admitted his ways grow old and difficult for people. Like anything else you try to merge what appears to be improvements into the organization and remove those that aren't. To characterize Jerry dumping everything and completely going back in time is just not correct. I'd be flabbergasted if he hasn't said some things under Parcells and any other coach didn't work. Of course they didn't.

If you can't see the difference in the direction of the team now and then we have no common ground. And please don't counter this with the tired of rhetoric of 8-8 and same stuff different day. Now if we have a healthy team the next two years and we are still 8-8 I will climb the mountain and crow time for an intense evaluation and some changes cause we are stuck in a rut.

Until then Go Boys!

 

[jobberone]

Jerry at some point just has to come out and say these guys are better then me at this, they can put in the 60-70 hours per week. As an owner he doesn't have half that time.

I don't see why he's so stubborn about letting it go, no one will fault him, is it because some may say he was a failure as a GM? The man has three rings, he hired JJ, he was a big part of a dynasty. He has to let it go.

It really is a bad business decision from a very good business man.

Word from multiple sources is McClay is there very long hours and not sleeping much so you have him and others putting in all the time looking at film and making necessary calls. They are probably spending as much or more time getting their big board ready. Jones isn't spending that kind of time doing that.

 

[Risen Star]

He didn't say things under Parcells didn't work. Show me where he said that in the context of the entire extent of all those changes in the organization and esp in scouting. He said he was glad to not have to walk on eggshells constantly and Parcells admitted his ways grow old and difficult for people. Like anything else you try to merge what appears to be improvements into the organization and remove those that aren't. To characterize Jerry dumping everything and completely going back in time is just not correct. I'd be flabbergasted if he hasn't said some things under Parcells and any other coach didn't work. Of course they didn't.

If you can't see the difference in the direction of the team now and then we have no common ground. And please don't counter this with the tired of rhetoric of 8-8 and same stuff different day. Now if we have a healthy team the next two years and we are still 8-8 I will climb the mountain and crow time for an intense evaluation and some changes cause we are stuck in a rut.

Until then Go Boys!

He did say Parcells way didn't work. Sorry, I didn't save a quote from 7 years ago but I know he said it.

I don't see any difference whatsoever in the way the team is run now vs. pre-Parcells. Jerry is as large and in charge as he's ever been. Heck he was even quoted this year that that's the case.

Which kind of goes along with Bill's comment when he left here. "Before long you won't even know I was here."

I know you guys like to pretend and live in a fantasy land to make rooting for this fatally flawed team more palatable. I'd rather be a straight shooter and deal with the facts.

 

[jobberone]

He did say Parcells way didn't work. Sorry, I didn't save a quote from 7 years ago but I know he said it.

I don't see any difference whatsoever in the way the team is run now vs. pre-Parcells. Jerry is as large and in charge as he's ever been. Heck he was even quoted this year that that's the case.

Which kind of goes along with Bill's comment when he left here. "Before long you won't even know I was here."

I know you guys like to pretend and live in a fantasy land to make rooting for this fatally flawed team more palatable. I'd rather be a straight shooter and deal with the facts.

Of course I root for the team and if you watched carefully you'd see me criticizing Jerry at times, too. In fact pre-Parcells I was one of the biggest critics of Jerry on the previous site. Ranting and raving at times would be applicable.

You keep seeing this as a black or white situation and I see shades of grey. This is almost always going to be the case in life as it is here. Jerry has done some things right and some wrong. See one of my posts in a related thread in response to @Crown Royal. The organization is righting itself. It's difficult for me to understand how people can't see that. But then it's been my anecdotal but also professional opinion people see what they wish. I love a skeptic being one myself. A true skeptic looks for the truth in the observations.