Jerry in touch with his mortality?

erod

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This might be the best quote I've read from Jerry in a decade and a half.

Asked about the "window" the team has remaining to win this the key players on this team, Jerry was surprisingly candid.


"Well, my window is getting shorter. Time goes by," Jones told NFL Network at the owners meetings in Atlanta. "I do feel real pressure because we do have players not only in (quarterback) Tony Romo, but (tight end) Jason Witten (and outside linebacker) DeMarcus Ware, to leave out several that are (also) in the prime of their career. And we need to strike and strike soon with those guys. Candidly, you're looking through rose-colored glasses if we all don't realize that now is the time to compete on the field."

Forget the typical Jerry speak about Super Bowls. Nothing new there.

I have never, not once, heard Jerry speak in a way that recognizes his mortality in any way. He'll be 70 this year, and perhaps he's acutely aware that he is now officially the Al Davis of the NFL - renegage, out-of-the-box owner/GM who'll go down with the ship until his dying breath. That equal parts admirable and destructive, but Jerry seems to finally understand the difference.

However, Jerry seems to have a bit of introspection these days that is unlike him. Perhaps watching Al Davis pass in the manner he did in his last years got Jerry's attention. Jerry desperately wants to be revered, but unfortunately, his reaction to mass criticism has always seem to make him just work harder the same way, which compounded the negative criticism even more, a la Davis.

But today, Jerry's got a different tone. He seems to be working differently than before, delegating to his son, and perhaps relegating himself to a smaller role.

Sure, Jerry is still Jerry. Never a microphone go by without a song and dance. But his actions and tone seem more relaxed and resigned to a new place, and for the first time, it is not begrudgingly so. He seems almost relieved that he's finally talked himself into settling down a bit.

I suppose turning 70 will do that to most anyone. Especially when your good friend and colleague dies, and you look around and see your family and a coach whom you trust on multiple levels. Garrett's lack of ego seems to have a calming effect on Jerry.

I've always said I love Jerry as our owner, and I appreciate greatly his commitment to winning. Finally, he seems to be letting others set the culture and construct the path to reach the franchise's lofty goals.

And guess what, Jerry. If you stick to that, that window of opportunity you have will be larger, not smaller.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/7961905/jerry-jones-says-dallas-cowboys-title-window-getting-shorter
 
To add a point:

After the loss to the Giants in the '07 playoffs, Jerry said "this is probably the toughest loss I've ever experienced".

Then, after 44-6 in Philly, he said it again.

Then after the 1-7 start the last year under Wade, he said it again.

And last year, after fumbling away the playoffs in the latter weeks, yet again.

I think the man is just finally tired of losing and looking in the mirror.
 
I don't think he is in touch with his mortality. If anything he is in touch with his age. He is an extremely wealthy guy who is only 70 years old. He still has some time.

I do think he might be coming to the realization that he is getting older and is falling out of touch with the changes going on within the NFL. You see this in Stephen Jones being present and speaking at most PC's. What stood out to me most is when Stephen said publicly in front of his father that he was "holding the gun to his head" during the 2nd round to prevent them from moving up. To say that publicly undermines his authority as an Owner/GM and shows that he really is losing/giving up a lot of power. He's old and can't keep up. He is in no way dying or on his way out. The guy could probably live until 95 years old.
 
I'm quite certain that there's something about the onset of age 70 that causes one to come to terms with his mortality. Most of those who have reached that milestone will be among the first to lend credibility to that notion. The natural aging process provides an undeniable awareness of that both physically and mentally.

I have found this to be true from a personal standpoint, my friends. Believe me, mother nature has a way of bringing one's mortality to light in an extremely clear and obvious manner. No doubt, Jerry has now come to grips with such a reality. Even the healthiest of individuals like myself experience aging. So will we all.
 
I'm not convinced he's speaking of himself, more likely of his patience with his coach.
 
a_minimalist;4570452 said:
I don't think he is in touch with his mortality. If anything he is in touch with his age. He is an extremely wealthy guy who is only 70 years old. He still has some time.

I do think he might be coming to the realization that he is getting older and is falling out of touch with the changes going on within the NFL. You see this in Stephen Jones being present and speaking at most PC's. What stood out to me most is when Stephen said publicly in front of his father that he was "holding the gun to his head" during the 2nd round to prevent them from moving up. To say that publicly undermines his authority as an Owner/GM and shows that he really is losing/giving up a lot of power. He's old and can't keep up. He is in no way dying or on his way out. The guy could probably live until 95 years old.

In effect, I think they're the same thing. This is the first time I've seen Jerry so much as hint about his age being a factor in anything. As he said, "time moves on." When has he ever said something like that about himself?
 
erod;4570457 said:
In effect, I think they're the same thing. This is the first time I've seen Jerry so much as hint about his age being a factor in anything. As he said, "time moves on." When has he ever said something like that about himself?

You might be right. I was thinking about it after I posted that. But, to me mortality implies death. I DO NOT think he thinks he is dying or will die soon, unless as you age time starts to confuse you and 15 or so years feels like 1 year. The optimist in me likes to think he will live to 90 or 95 though.
 
a_minimalist;4570471 said:
You might be right. I was thinking about it after I posted that. But, to me mortality implies death. I DO NOT think he thinks he is dying or will die soon, unless as you age time starts to confuse you and 15 or so years feels like 1 year. The optimist in me likes to think he will live to 90 or 95 though.

Perhaps not death, but an erosion of faculties and deductive reasoning capability. He watched Al Davis go downhill, and the profound effect it had on the Raiders. Perhaps he doesn't want to be seen in the same light his latter years, and he's making the change while he still has the capacity to recognize it.
 
erod;4570486 said:
Perhaps not death, but an erosion of faculties and deductive reasoning capability. He watched Al Davis go downhill, and the profound effect it had on the Raiders. Perhaps he doesn't want to be seen in the same light his latter years, and he's making the change while he still has the capacity to recognize it.

Being aware of an erosion of faculties and deductive reasoning capabilities IMO isn't a recognition of mortality, just age. A 50 year old who doesn't go out to play football just realizes he is getting too old for the game. Owning a team is a game. It's just proof he still has some business sense left in him and might be willing to bow out gracefully.
 
Not joking Jerry probley got word his kidneys are starting to deteriate or shut down.....He's been a big drinker for a long time, its gotta be taking a toll.
 
Bullflop;4570454 said:
I'm quite certain that there's something about the onset of age 70 that causes one to come to terms with his mortality. Most of those who have reached that milestone will be among the first to lend credibility to that notion. The natural aging process provides an undeniable awareness of that both physically and mentally.

I have found this to be true from a personal standpoint, my friends. Believe me, mother nature has a way of bringing one's mortality to light in an extremely clear and obvious manner. No doubt, Jerry has now come to grips with such a reality. Even the healthiest of individuals like myself experience aging. So will we all.

Except for 59 year old Randy White who I have no doubt could still whip Phil Costa for 60 minutes on a football field. NO DOUBT!

/sarcasm :)
 
Bullflop;4570454 said:
I'm quite certain that there's something about the onset of age 70 that causes one to come to terms with his mortality. Most of those who have reached that milestone will be among the first to lend credibility to that notion. The natural aging process provides an undeniable awareness of that both physically and mentally.

I have found this to be true from a personal standpoint, my friends. Believe me, mother nature has a way of bringing one's mortality to light in an extremely clear and obvious manner. No doubt, Jerry has now come to grips with such a reality. Even the healthiest of individuals like myself experience aging. So will we all.
Excellent post.
 

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