I think Jerry Jones is the absolute best owner in the NFL. I do think he has made a lot of mistakes as GM since as far as the drafts in 1994 although we did draft Larry Allen in the 2nd round. For many years our drafts were absolutely atrocious and directly lead to the serious decline of our Cowboys which noticeably begin in 1997.
We did occasionally get a good player here and there (Greg Ellis, Dat Nguyen, Flozel Adams & one or 2 others) but nowhere near enough and those coaches he hired didn't help. With the arrival of Parcells our drafts significantly improved particularly when Ireland took over as head of scouting. It was noticeable we also become much more successful in the later rounds, undrafted free agent signings & the FAs we had to sign to make up for all those poor drafting years.
The way I see it is that Jerry just doesn't have the eye for talent that he thinks he does. Real GMs like those with the Colts (Polian), Pioto of the Patriots, Smith of the Chargers, etc. I don't doubt for a second that Jerry is trying as hard as he can to be that kind of GM. Also no doubt in my mind that Jerry loves the Cowboys and would do everything he can (unlike so many owners) to win more SBs.
Agree that only an owner like Jerry would bring in TO (although Denver was also in the running but unwilling put out the kind of money Jerry did) even though I'm not sure Parcells was in favor of it. But then not all of Parcells decisions was right on either & his style of coaching might have hindered the team from taking the next step but all that remains to be determined. I do believe that w/o the TO signing we would not have the quality offense we do today. But then again w/o Romo who Sean Peyton brought in but Parcells kept around, we wouldn't be as good either. I was surprised when Parcells decided not to come back but may it's for the best cause he had nothing left to give this team but did leave a firm foundation.
There's no doubt in my mind that Jerry would not have signed Tank Johnson unless Wade Phillips expressed concern about our DL -- not sure if it is the NT position and/or DE as well. It's a gamble but Jerry sure has ensured it won't hurt the Cowboys financially. Admittedly I don't like the problems he brings with him, but hopefully he's not so dumb or unable/unwilling to change and will grasp the brass ring Jerry is offering him back to the NFL. And reality is if we hadn't sign him somebody else would have.
BTW: Don't think for a minute that the Pats signing of Randy Moss wasn't based on the success the Cowboys have had with TO.
