Jerry Jones Sure Makes a Good Scapegoat

[SultanOfSix]

Well, I've seen the argument that it all starts at the top, or that the only constant over the last 13 years has been Jerry, so he must be the problem.

I agree that Jerry was terrible post the 90s SB team, but he has significantly improved since then. Sure, it hasn't resulted in a SB championship, but I think our fan base is spoiled in its expectations. Likewise, I think JJ, was also spoiled by the early success after he bought the team, and that is why it took so long for him to realize certain things.

I think there are fundamental issues that are wrong with the team, but I think it has more to do with coaching than the GM. Personally, I also believe that the refereeing against us has been biased, only because the two coaches who coached this team most recently did not suffer the same problems in the past with other teams that they coached. Of course, one can blame the players, but some of those players have changed over the years. I've seen too many inconsistent calls by the refs to warrant my opinion. It's not rational, but neither is our team's recent string of bad luck.

How often do you see a team come back, only to have a team run two back to back 70+ yard TDs against them? How often do you see a team give up 17 points within 2 minutes of the first half ending due to ticky tack calls and turnovers? How often do you see a team start a comeback, only to have two fumbles within the red zone returned against them for TDs?

There are just too many things that have gone wrong in such weird fashion that it's hard to just blame a single person.

 

[t-rock]

Jerry, Jerry Jerry. Its so easy to single him out and bash them its not even funny. I see thread after thread and post after post stating that as long as this guy is around its impossible to win. I don't see clear reasons for this just a general consensus with little to no backing.

Other than refusing to fire Wade so far what exactly did he do wrong? Sure he meddles with the coaching staff but midseason with Stewart and Read floundering around he pushed some buttons and got Stewart on the backburner and other coaches helping out on ST. Both units improved especially the defense.

Supposedly meddling in coaching is bad but in this case it was not only necessary but it worked. Its also why I am not convinced that Jerry is 100% when he says that Wade will return. You really cannot give a more convincing vote of non-confidence then that action right there.

Maybe he values continuity or is so enamored with Garrett that he will suffer Wade for another year but I find it odd that he would have done that and REALLY be fully intent on preserving the coaching staff.

There are also allusions to Jerry's open door policy with the players undermining the coaching staff. This is something Galloway and Co love to spew but I have seen zero credible evidence to back this up.

Jerry's work as a GM has been superb.

On the free agency tip he has locked up quality guys like Newman, Romo, Ratliff, Barber, Kosier, Gurode, Columbo, Witten, etc. The feared implosions of Pacman and Tank never materialized and while people may try to play revisionist about 90% of the people on this board just loved the RW11 trade led by Host, theo and stash.

The draft has been excellent the last two years as well. The last Ireland draft was pretty good in getting us Spencer, Folk and Anderson who are all starters but this last year was a pure blockbuster with Jones, Choice, Jenkins, Scandrick, and Bennet all looking to be high caliber players.

Oh and btw aren't GMs supposed to hire the coaching staff too.

Regardless I am tired of all the Jerry fearmongering threads lately. Other than the 'the only constant for the last 12 years' and his refusal so far to fire Wade, what specifics can anyone point to as to WHY Jerry is the problem?

Enough generalities with no supporting evidence. Do you really think that Jerry was more detrimental than Romo, Kosier, Barber, Jones, Holland, Witten, Adams, TNew, RW11, RW18, Davis, Brown, Watkins, Burnett, Spencer, et al missing time and battling through major injuries.

Its easy, and for some people, fun to look to the easy excuse. Its just not that easy. Sorry but there is no panacea of 'fire Wade' or 'Stephen needs to replace Jerry.' There just isn't. Sorry about that.

spot-on post. couldn't agree more.

 

[Alexander]

Other than refusing to fire Wade so far what exactly did he do wrong?

He allowed the players to run the team. These players don't even know what is good for them and he (along with this staff) have done everything they could to coddle them.

There are also allusions to Jerry's open door policy with the players undermining the coaching staff. This is something Galloway and Co love to spew but I have seen zero credible evidence to back this up.

We knew that was happening in the Gailey and Campo era. What makes you think it is any different now?

Jerry's work as a GM has been superb.

Only when he allows those with sound football minds make the decisions. I wouldn't say trading for Joey Galloway part two was a great decision. Neither was the Pacman Jones gambit. The best things he does is when he gets out of the way and allows the football coaches to coach and the scouts to scout. I don't see that happening with Wade Phillips. Installing Jason Garrett has had the same effect Gregg Williams in Washington and Jim Mora had in Seattle, it has not helped.

The draft has been excellent the last two years as well. The last Ireland draft was pretty good in getting us Spencer, Folk and Anderson who are all starters but this last year was a pure blockbuster with Jones, Choice, Jenkins, Scandrick, and Bennet all looking to be high caliber players.

Last year's draft had great potential. We all saw how this staff squandered the talent, barely used some of them. Again, the staff is the realm of Jerry Jones.

 

[utrunner07]

Nice New but i still am waiting for specifics rather than the stupid fearmongering that is the rage.

Hey fuzzy I can give you 100 examples of why Jerry is not a good GM, but I will give you just two right here:

1) Coaches, Jerry has hired ONE successful coach in his tenure here

2) QBs, remember GM Jerry searching frantically for the next QB after Troy. Remember how bad that got with him parading in QB after QB...then Tony falls into our lap and what does Jerry do? Fails to learn from his mistakes and begins to ignore the position again just to have it come back and bight him this season...

Im not kidding though I could really give you at least 98 more reasons...to defend Jerry at this point is just ignorant.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Fuzzy, I was just like you. I was a really strong defender of Jerry Jones but at some point, you have to see that there is one common factor.

As long as the players know that Jerry Jones, the man that signs their paychecks has their back, they have absolutely no fear of the Coaching Staff.

Wade is not the optimal coaching choice. He just isn't but unfortunately two year ago there really wasn't much choice to be had. If I remember correctly it was either him or Norv. I also remember the Ravesna nd Bears DC's being in the mix but the talent pool just wasn't there.

I dont think with a hands off ownership group like the Fords or the Rooneys that a roster would fear Wade Phillips. Its just not his style. He expected the payers to be able to hold themselves accountable and they didn't do it.

I am also not an at all costs Jerry supporter. For example, his apparent need to hold onto Garrett no matter what is troublesome at best but I am willing to wait and see how this all plays out before I judge what he is doing.

Really though I would like to see some specific examples of what he has done wrond and so far all I see is the 'one constant' generality BS. I just see it as fans looking for an easy answer and thus an easy fix. Its easier for them that way.

 

[vta]

Jerry's work as a GM has been superb.

 

[Doomsay]

When Jerry has been in control (ex Jimmy, Bill) he has hired 4 average to bad coaches that didn't challenge his authority. His excessive meddling during their tenures undermined their authority and hence there effectiveness with the players. The results are obvious, it's nonsensical to argue otherwise.

Have you ever seen a more dysfunctional Cowboy team? It took him only 2 years to wreck a solid organization, amazing.

 

[percyhoward]

Jerry's work as a GM has been superb.

Better than his work as HC, in fact.

 

[Tass]

Nice New but i still am waiting for specifics rather than the stupid fearmongering that is the rage.

Trading too much for RW.

Giving huge contracts to players who didn't deserve it (Hamlin, Flozell, RW, RW, MB3)

Being the safety valve for his 'star' players

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Hey fuzzy I can give you 100 examples of why Jerry is not a good GM, but I will give you just two right here:

1) Coaches, Jerry has hired ONE successful coach in his tenure here

2) QBs, remember GM Jerry searching frantically for the next QB after Troy. Remember how bad that got with him parading in QB after QB...then Tony falls into our lap and what does Jerry do? Fails to learn from his mistakes and begins to ignore the position again just to have it come back and bight him this season...

Im not kidding though I could really give you at least 98 more reasons...to defend Jerry at this point is just ignorant.

Ignorant, eh? No I'd say its just not popular. What I think is ignorant is to think its that simple.

Garrett and sttaff said that Johnson could hold the fort. To an extent the Johnson fiasco could be laid at his feet but accounts were that he was furious when he found out how wrong Garrett et al were.

Who would you have hired that was available in 2007 other than Wade?

Parcells was a bad hire now? Given the circumstances and how many people were spouting the same tripe about how he couldnt get anyone to coach here, I find that hire a shot over the bow.

He did hire Jimmy.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Good post, Fuzzy. But I think it's just me and you on this one.

Thanks mang. People just want the easy scapegoat. Its sad really.

 

[utrunner07]

Ignorant, eh? No I'd say its just not popular. What I think is ignorant is to think its that simple.

Garrett and sttaff said that Johnson could hold the fort. To an extent the Johnson fiasco could be laid at his feet but accounts were that he was furious when he found out how wrong Garrett et al were.

Who would you have hired that was available in 2007 other than Wade?

Parcells was a bad hire now? Given the circumstances and how many people were spouting the same tripe about how he couldnt get anyone to coach here, I find that hire a shot over the bow.

He did hire Jimmy.

Ok fine I will for the sake of argument say Jerry had nothing to do with the QB fiasco here this year...does that explain the years of not having a serviceable QB because Jerry wanted to fix the position himself?

Henson, Carter, Leaf, Hutchinson, Wright, Stoerner, Bledsoe, Testeverde...yeah we had a wonderful GM picking those guys..

 

[theogt]

Thanks mang. People just want the easy scapegoat. Its sad really.

Just think if RW38 had been on the field. There might have been death threats.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

I've got a few for you, Eistein:

• The ONLY time Jones has had a championship calibur team is when he lucked out on the outrageous amount of picks he got for Hershel Walker from the Vikes. Even then, he would have blown it if he hadn't given Jimma more power in the draft process than he has with any coach since. He also let Jimma kick out the malcontents (more on that later).
• Since winning their last Super Bowl with Jimma's team, JJ hasn't even smelled a championship. He has made poor decisions on coachs & players.
• Lately he has lost his freaking mind. He signs Me-O when NO OTHER TEAM would touch him. He signs Lack-man Jones when NO OTHER TEAM would touch him, then brings him back when he breaks the law AGAIN!
• Me-O has a history a mile long of not getting along with his position coachs, OCs, and QBs. When he repeats his tantrums in Dallas, what does Jerra do? Does he allow the coach to decide what to do, like ANY OTHER OWNER would? No. He dances for joy that his team is falling apart at the seams.
• It seems that ANY attention to the Cowboys is good attention--to Jerra. While Cowboys fans everwhere cringe every time they watch TV or listen to the radio & hear the most revered team in pro sports made into a laughing stock, Jerra relishes it. What the ****?!!!

For the first time in the 43 years I have been a Cowboys fan....no wait, fan is too soft a word....loved & counted the days when I could watch MY TEAM play the best football on the planet!....I have lost hope in the entire organization. Of course, there have been devastating losses in the past, but we always knew things would get better. With the owner of the team bringing in more outcasts than even nutjob Al Davis, and turning a once proud franchise into a freak show, I feel totally lost & hopeless about my team's future. I am not alone.

 

[percyhoward]

Just think if RW38 had been on the field. There might have been death threats.

theo, do you think RW11 should have been on the field as much as he was?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He allowed the players to run the team. These players don't even know what is good for them and he (along with this staff) have done everything they could to coddle them.



We knew that was happening in the Gailey and Campo era. What makes you think it is any different now?



Only when he allows those with sound football minds make the decisions. I wouldn't say trading for Joey Galloway part two was a great decision. Neither was the Pacman Jones gambit. The best things he does is when he gets out of the way and allows the football coaches to coach and the scouts to scout. I don't see that happening with Wade Phillips. Installing Jason Garrett has had the same effect Gregg Williams in Washington and Jim Mora had in Seattle, it has not helped.



Last year's draft had great potential. We all saw how this staff squandered the talent, barely used some of them. Again, the staff is the realm of Jerry Jones.

We have to see how RW11 works out. That one is up in the air. I dont know how you fell on that one pre facto; I know I hated RW11 for a first much less more than that. At the same time i think half a season is premature to evaluate. If he turns into a productive receiver which he can dop if he stays healthy, I think he is worth the 15th or so pick in the draft which is where the picks we gave up equate to.

I really think the Jerry hate boils down to his statements so far to retain Wade. I get that but i still say its to simplistic to lay it all on his feet.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Jerry Jones, the one constant of our playoff/SB drought.
I think that sums it up.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Wade is not the optimal coaching choice. He just isn't but unfortunately two year ago there really wasn't much choice to be had. If I remember correctly it was either him or Norv. I also remember the Ravesna nd Bears DC's being in the mix but the talent pool just wasn't there.

I dont think with a hands off ownership group like the Fords or the Rooneys that a roster would fear Wade Phillips. Its just not his style. He expected the payers to be able to hold themselves accountable and they didn't do it.

I am also not an at all costs Jerry supporter. For example, his apparent need to hold onto Garrett no matter what is troublesome at best but I am willing to wait and see how this all plays out before I judge what he is doing.

Really though I would like to see some specific examples of what he has done wrond and so far all I see is the 'one constant' generality BS. I just see it as fans looking for an easy answer and thus an easy fix. Its easier for them that way.

First off, good points and thanks for responding intelligently.

I don't believe that Jerry Jones giving up his General Manager duties would automatically fix the Dallas Cowboys. However, I do believe that it is one of the problems that has to be fix to get the Dallas Cowboys on the road to recovery.

Here are some specific problems I have with Jerry Jones:

1) He really made a huge mistake in not having a better Backup Quarterback than Jason Garrett. Every General Manager makes mistakes, so this example is somewhat a small one over the grand scheme of things.

2) When Adam Jones got into trouble, I believe Jerry Jones should have immediately cut him and sent a message to the team. Instead, Jerry Jones and his crack investigative team stated that there was no real issue and Adam Jones was fine. Even though everyone knew that Adam Jones had 2 1/2 strikes against him and couldn't afford to have a mishap. Adding insult to injury, the NFL came behind Jerry Jones and basically said it was an issue and suspended him.

3) After the supposed discord between Witten/Owens, Jerry Jones got on TV and said basically that we love drama in Dallas. This is exactly the wrong thing the Owner and General Manager should be stating on TV.

4) When Terrell Owens did the interview with Deion Sanders and bascially threw Jason Garrett under the bus, Jerry Jones later even agreed with Terrell Owens and basically took the side of a player over his Offensive Coordinator.

5) We also know that Jerry Jones talks to Terrell Owens. During the segment of Inside the Huddle, Michael Irvin was telling Terrell Owens about how Jerry Jones was so mad about how Brad Johnson played. Jerry Jones knows just how close Terrell Owens and Michael Irvin is. I believe Jerry Jones making those type of comments whether publicly or privately to Michael Irvin is problem, given his closeness to Terrell Owens.

6) The Roy Williams trade was unnecessary.

 

[LRcowboy Fan]

 

[theogt]

theo, do you think RW11 should have been on the field as much as he was?

That's hard to say. I don't know how severe his plantar fasciitis was and whether that affected his play. And I don't know what was the cause of some of the miscommunications between Tony and the rest of the receivers, Witten included.