DALLAS — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ weekly appointment on the Shan & RJ show on 105.3 The Fan came Tuesday, where Jones talked about the latest with his team. Wins, losses, contracts, and general life philosophies are all on the docket when Jones speaks.
This week, the owner talked about the Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the team’s second consecutive embarrassing loss at home.
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“I think that what we didn’t fix against the Ravens will ultimately get fixed,” said Jones. “That’s not just optimism, I like our personnel. I like the way we’re going about fixing it. It’s pretty apparent we’ve got some pretty glaring areas we need to get better in. And I think we will be.”
Jones also added that they weren’t where they wanted to be, but misremembered a 2-3 start on the way to an NFC East title. Cowboys were never 2-3 last season, the closest they came to being .500 was at 3-2. But the point remains that there is time for Dallas to turn things around if they can address their issues.
How can the team make adjustments?
“Comes down to our individual technique, accountability is what it calls for, there’s no question about it,” Jones explained. “At this time of the year, you’ve really got to focus on what your part is on a team concept.”
The owner believes he’s got the right coaches who know how to get it done, and believes that new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer knows his players now, but he didn’t when he arrived. The staff knows what the team’s potential is and this is part of the ups and downs of a season, according to Jones.
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“I like where we are at all positions, Mazi Smith, that interior in there, I like the way he responded last week…” Jones continued, “I like where we are approaching the game with Dak [Prescott], we expected him to be better after his initial season with Mike [McCarthy] calling the plays. We expect him to be better, he can be and is better, we have to get it on the field.”
Jones mentioned being pleased with the wide receivers and tight ends before adding that he’s absolutely not satisfied with the results.
It would be silly for Jones to be fine with what his Cowboys have shown over the last two weeks and he’s fooling himself if he’s not second guessing the plan that the team put together during the offseason.
Is the defense trying to play hero ball?
“Any one who’s ever been part of a team knows that there’s very seldom a time when that team doesn’t have a come to Jesus meeting,” Jones said. “Nobody that’s ever been through success hasn’t had to look in the mirror and relook at what you’re doing.”
Jones additionally says it’s good to reinforce the team’s health, having talent, a great quarterback and great players on defense that can look towards getting better.
Does Jones accept blame for the slow start?
“That’s very fair,” Jones admitted. “That’s very fair; how could you think otherwise? Whether it be who's out there playing, out there coaching, whether it be the stadium you’re walking into, that’s the way it is.”
Jones does mention that when you look at who has won the most games in the last 4-5 years, the Cowboys are near the top of the pack, despite decades-long woes in the playoffs.
“But I accept that completely, I don’t know how you could look at it otherwise?”
This is some brutal honesty from Jones, who takes the lion's share of the blame for the team’s poor start but the pivot to pointing out regular season success in recent years seems like classic spin.
Is Thursday night a must win?
“I don’t want to minimize the importance of playing New York, they’re in our division, that says enough right there,” Jones on what’s ahead against the Giants. “We need a good game, it’s a tough place to play, but still, again, what’s a must win? We play 17 games.” Jones did say that the team is looking for a game where they can say that they’ve turned the corner.
Does Jones feel the frustration?
“I guess I got baptized when I bought the Cowboys, won only one game and made changes, changed out the only coach [Tom Landry] who had coached for 29 years and that would make what you’re seeing now child’s play,” Jones said in regards to the mounting pressure to meet expectations.
While Jones does acknowledge the criticism, he says he gets inspired by the emotion involved with the Cowboys. But he’s even more inspired by holding the Lombardi Trophy high, which hasn’t happened in Dallas in nearly 30 years.
Do you believe Jerry Jones is to blame for the Cowboys’ early woes in 2024? Share your thoughts with Ben on X (formerly Twitter) @BenGrimaldi.
