Thank you Stephen Jones

[Bobhaze]

Thank you Stephen Jones for exerting a strong directional influence over this team, moving away from Jerry’s fantasy-football-circus-splash style of front office work to a solid, well thought out approach to building a team. We have yet to see the changes result in playoff success, but I am encouraged at the direction.

Here are some of the ways SJ has positively changed the way this team’s front office operates:

1. The philosophy of how to build and manage this roster in the last 5-7 years has become much more “NFL normal” by making the roster younger, cheaper, and more centered on building through quality drafting and being smarter with cap management. The cap management still needs improving (still using too many extensions to get under the cap) but it’s better than it used to be.

2. The draft and all the prep leading up to it is run much more professionally than when Jerry was the centerpiece. Will McClay is an excellent personnel guy, and as his influence has increased, so has the quality of our drafts. Stephen has clearly helped us avoid disasters like drafting Johnny Manziel or Paxton Lynch.

3. Roster/Cap Mgmt.- the days of trading two #1 picks for a WR are thankfully gone. The days of overvaluing and overpaying guys at the end of their careers with dumb contracts seems over. And the willingness to part ways with popular players who we shouldn’t keep on the roster anymore for financial reasons (Ware, Murray, Dez) have helped. Hopefully no more silly Jerry band aids like Greg Hardy. This roster today is a Stephen Jones roster.

Let’s face it- Stephen Jones is much more “mainstream NFL” and has a much better understanding of how the personnel part of things should be done than the old man.

Put it this way, when Stephen speaks, I listen. When Jerry speaks, I laugh.

We aren’t to the promised land yet, but we are headed in a much better direction with Stephen than we have ever been with Jerral Wayne. Let Jerry be a salesman. Let him have a few minutes to be the carnival barker. Then let Stephen run the show.

 

[Jake]

Time will tell.

 

[Bobhaze]

Time will tell.

For sure. As I said, we aren’t to the promised land yet and until this team starts winning in the playoffs, this is all just happy talk or window dressing. But SJ is the closest thing we’ve had in the last 22 years to being able to overcome Jerry.

 

[Captain-Crash]

I thought Jerry was still buying the groceries. I didn't see the video of the draft room. Was Jerry just setting their and Stephen was doing all the talking. Just curious, Jerry has to have learned something in all these years.

 

[jazzcat22]

Agree, since Stephen, and now McClay running the drafts, it is much better.

A lot has improved, and the drafts have been a lot better. Except this year, some like it some don't.
I didn't like it overall, felt they could have done better and that some were wasted picks.

I think some fans think they have to say it was good or great just because they want to be optimistic. But also some will be negative no matter what, citing the last 20 years stuff.

Sorry, I don't see it, and to some it may sound negative, but it really is not. It is my opinion, but hope I am wrong. We will see in about 3 years. LOL.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Stephen has a better approach in that he is far less enmeshed with the players, and that enables him to make more rationale decisions. That said, it all adds up to a hill of beans without post season success.

 

[Bobhaze]

Agree, since Stephen, and now McClay running the drafts, it is much better.

A lot has improved, and the drafts have been a lot better. Except this year, some like it some don't.
I didn't like it overall, felt they could have done better and that some were wasted picks.

I think some fans think they have to say it was good or great just because they want to be optimistic. But also some will be negative no matter what, citing the last 20 years stuff.

Sorry, I don't see it, and to some it may sound negative, but it really is not. It is my opinion, but hope I am wrong. We will see in about 3 years. LOL.

I hear you Jazz. But I wouldn’t get too excited either way about a draft for at least a year. I guarantee you there are fans loving their draft today that won’t love it in December. And vice-versa. I try to avoid having strong feelings either way about a draft until I see how they impact the team over time.

 

[lukin2006]

Neither Jones has any business making football decisions. This franchise is easily one of the worst 10 run teams. Who keeps a coach like JG for 8 years. JG has done nothing in his tenure with Dallas, if Stephen was the saviour JG, SL and RM and most of the rest of the coaches would have been put to the curb years ago...that's what makes the post draft not so much fun, we appear to have talent, but are handicapped by inept coaching and FO decisions.

 

[G2]

I am encouraged and optimistic moving forward. It's easy to just say "we've sucked for 30 years" why would it change, but clearly the staff is more realistic, calculating and disciplined.

 

[Bobhaze]

Stephen has a better approach in that he is far less enmeshed with the players, and that enables him to make more rationale decisions. That said, it all adds up to a hill of beans without post season success.

It’s simple: Less Jerry= good.
And I’m totally with you AC- nothing to celebrate until there’s playoff success.

 

[Risen Star]

Thank you, Stephen, for providing changes, real or imagined, that haven't produced any results.

We are forever in your debt.

Go Cowboys, my fat friend.

 

[Diehardblues]

Stephens been here all along. I give much more credit to Jason Garrett for his influence .2011 is when we begin to see these better drafts.

 

[Bobhaze]

Neither Jones has any business making football decisions. This franchise is easily one of the worst 10 run teams. Who keeps a coach like JG for 8 years. JG has done nothing in his tenure with Dallas, if Stephen was the saviour JG, SL and RM and most of the rest of the coaches would have been put to the curb years ago...that's what makes the post draft not so much fun, we appear to have talent, but are handicapped by inept coaching and FO decisions.

I agree with you that this has been one of the most dysfunctional organizations in football. And I agree that JG still being here is a joke. I would have fired him after three straight 8-8s. But I see all that as Jerry’s stuff.

And let me be clear- if there’s no playoff success, none of this new stuff from Stephen matters. I’m just saying I’m glad he’s exerting more influence.

 

[Diehardblues]

its really shortsighted and potentially agenda driven to believe Stephens in control but blaming Jerry for Garrett. Lol

We’ve seen this all before. Whenever we have a HC who influences Jethro and Son more we have better drafts and personnel decisions .

But we’re seeing just enough poor risk during this same time frame to know who’s still getting the last word. The same person Dez saw last before being released.

 

[Captain-Crash]

 

[DenCWBY]

I thought Jerry was still buying the groceries. I didn't see the video of the draft room. Was Jerry just setting their and Stephen was doing all the talking. Just curious, Jerry has to have learned something in all these years.

I think Jerry has forgotten much more than he ever learned over the years.

 

[Diehardblues]

Hiring HC is the biggest responsibility of the GM. Despite what other improvements you give credit to if you believe Garrett is a joke then that’s a direct attack on the FO. Stop trying to side step it.

I think it’s entirely possible that our HC isn’t as bad as some make it out and the lack of success we’ve had here has been more about the lack of talent in critical areas due to different contributing factors.

 

[Stryker44]

For Jerry to fire Jason, he would first have to fire Stephen.

Stephen has zero rings. Jason has 3. Jerry has 3.

 

[Diehardblues]

For Jerry to fire Jason, he would first have to fire Stephen.

Stephen has zero rings. Jason has 3. Jerry has 3.

Stephen has 3 rings too. He’s been a part of it since Jerry.

 

[Captain-Crash]

Gregg I thought you said we have no talent, but now Jason is the credit for bringing in the talent.. Which we don't have?