Stephen Jones & the Dallas Cowboys: From Splash to Caution

[BotchedLobotomy]

They make a yearly splash when it comes to the GM of this team. The splash is a turd landing in the toilet bowl.

 

[DallasEast]

While Jerry Jones remains the owner and public face, Stephen has become the real architect behind the team’s strategy.

It is amazing how far some people will go diverting appropriate blame from Jerry Jones.

 

[DallasEast]

Cody Warren is an American sports writer for InsideTheStar.com, a prominent website focusing on the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to his writing duties, Cody is also a devoted husband, father, and Law Enforcement Officer with close to two decades of experience in various assignments. Beginning his writing journey at InsideTheStar.com as a Junior Writer, Cody has pursued his passion for sports journalism and is now able to cover his beloved team, America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys.

 

[Stash]

Overall, much of the criticism is valid. But several of the cited examples do a poor job of supporting it.

By far, the biggest blunder is getting railroaded by the quarterback and stubbornly paying absolutely top dollar for a ‘good’ quarterback.

Next to Deshaun Watson, Prescott is the worst deal in the league.

 

[morat1959]

They've put stock into the position. Whether we like Romo or Dak they spent money on those two guys as well as their backups.

A FA and a 4th rounder….thats stock? Neither did or ever will win a championship or make a run at one.

 

[fivetwos]

Exactly. Jerry himself described it pretty accurately when he said they paid "retail". That doesn't mean the player or the deal were terrible just that maybe you overpaid a little.

I mean it's not like you paid an Albert Haynesworth and got virtually nothing for your dollars.

Get over it & get back in the game of trying to build a SuperBowl winning team.

I didn’t catch that Jerry comment. What was the context? That they overpaid?

I just think in general the kids attitude is like ‘why should we pay 10m a year for Bobby Wagner when we have Damone Clark (a rookie with a neck problem)?’

That would be perfectly acceptable is you’re in rebuild mode. They always seem to be somewhere in the middle of two situations and I can’t help but think that’s about those two not being on the same page.

‘Your way this time, my way next time.’

I really believe that goes on and it’s not good. One wants to build through the draft and the other throws away fourths like Halloween candy.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

A FA and a 4th rounder….thats stock? Neither did or ever will win a championship or make a run at one.

They've invested MILLIONS in the position. Just because it wasn't a high draft pick doesn't mean they didn't invest in it. The Rams invested in Stafford doesn't mean they spent a draft pick on him.

Draft status has nothing to do with how good or bad a player is. Romo and Dak's shortcomings weren't because of their draft status.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

well he has a cannon for an arm and the athleticism to put it together IF he can get the reads right, anticipate and slow the game down. He had 4 years in college, which is good, and only 1 so far in the NFL so developmentally this is a critical year. The initial reports from OTA's sounded like he was a positive standout with ability but needs to work on the elements that we have all read about. Additionally, love reading the work ethic and approach he has - something to be said about that.

He's lost right now and that's ok. New team. That's what this offseason is for. Get guys up to speed. I'm excited to see his progression.

 

[McKDaddy]

I didn’t catch that Jerry comment. What was the context? That they overpaid?

Yeah, specifically about Brandon but also how you almost always overpay in Free Agency for coveted players. Below is a summary.

Jerry Jones acknowledged that the Dallas Cowboys paid "retail" for Brandon Carr's contract in free agency, indicating he might have overpaid for the cornerback. While Jones has expressed his appreciation for Carr's ability and commitment to the team, he has also acknowledged that Carr's contract is a significant cap burden, particularly considering his performance.

 

[NotForLong]

Pickens was a bit more of a splash than they have made in a long time, Milton was as well so something has to be shifting slightly.

But for the most part yes very risk averse approach still

Can someone please explain to me why Milton is a Splash. Is it just the standard Cowboy Hopium

 

[IrishAnto]

“Daft focus roster building”….does putting NO stock in the most important position on the field for nearly 3 decades fall under this?

Closer to 4 decades than 3 now

 

[Jipper]

Can someone please explain to me why Milton is a Splash. Is it just the standard Cowboy Hopium

Couple reasons

1 position he plays and fact that he looked decent in his rookie season action

2 fact that he has a massive arm and athleticism yet with raw potential and could literally be the starter at some point this year should dak get injured - that alone is massive

3 splash is a relative term and Pickens was a splash, he's not as much but still is a big deviation from typical cowboys behavior

The reports out of otas have been very positive on him both in his approach and development, all exciting things that make this look like a much better trade every day

 

[NotForLong]

Couple reasons

1 position he plays and fact that he looked decent in his rookie season action

2 fact that he has a massive arm and athleticism yet with raw potential and could literally be the starter at some point this year should dak get injured - that alone is massive

3 splash is a relative term and Pickens was a splash, he's not as much but still is a big deviation from typical cowboys behavior

The reports out of otas have been very positive on him both in his approach and development, all exciting things that make this look like a much better trade every day

I get you I have been following the story as well. So yes I understand the narrative. But tgjs js not a Splash Move He is just another Guy

1. He looked Meh in his action

2.Facts are He will be a starter at some point but tbjs does not raise His value. Just because Jerry has resorted in having Milton as the backup does not make it a splash move (It is actually a little pathetic for Cowboys to think so but that is where Jerry has us)

Yeah he has. Big arm but there js not much hope in WBs drafted in the 6th Rd to finally have something click

Late round players that blossom have the intangiBles and lack the Athleticism not the other way around

 

[shabazz]

"Delaying contract extensions"

This bullet point should have really said;

"Pays High Contracts AFTER other teams comps have been paid"

The GM in Philly recognizes talent and gets it under contract before the high point is set..........I dont know why our FO thinks that media PR is worth the high price thay pay for it?

 

[Bobhaze]

Some observations about Stephen Jones:

• If he were to become the next GM of the Dallas Cowboys, he would immediately become the oldest GM in the league. (Jerry is currently the oldest and the oldest in NFL history)
• Serious question: Is there another team that would hire Stephen Jones if he were available? Answer: No. And that speaks volumes.
• If you listen to Stephen Jones talk about the salary cap restrictions then watch the better NFL GMs like eagles Howie Roseman, chiefs Brett Veach, rams Les Snead and lions Brad Holmes, you would realize he doesn’t know what he’s doing…or he’s lying.
• SJ’s greatest qualification and accomplishment is his birth certificate.

 

[FanofJerry]

Stephen supposedly veto'ing Jerry selecting Manziel kinda makes it seem like Stephen has some say so.

And that was years ago

 

[Johannes44]

“Daft focus roster building”….does putting NO stock in the most important position on the field for nearly 3 decades fall under this?

This is more Cowboys PR nonsense. Geared towards trying to sell you this idea that they know what they are doing.

 

[Johannes44]

Explain how delaying extensions has helped this franchise? All they have achieved is paying more for subpar talent.

 

[FanofJerry]

Explain how delaying extensions has helped this franchise? All they have achieved is paying more for subpar talent.

This has been discussed at length here many times...

The owners have no control over a player or agent dragging out contracts.

In fact, it's better for everyone involved if stars hold out.

Teams have to end up paying a little more, but it's better than having a disgruntled star.

Slowly drag out contracts every offseason with stars being paid last so that they get a fair deal. No star wants to sign a deal 4 months early only for a sub-star to get a better deal.

The way the owners/agents have it set up now is best for all involved.

Unfortunately there is incorrect opinions that teams are stupid for dragging contracts out...as if they had control of it anyway.

Stars being last to be signed every offseason prevents the league having a bunch of issues with disgruntled players.

Slowly sign players from the average player leading up to the star player.

 

[Johannes44]

The owners have no control over a player or agent dragging out contracts.

This is utter bullcrap as there are enough examples of other franchises getting ahead of such contracts. But that would require a front office whose idea of negotiating contracts does not involve bending over.