RADIO
Most of the Dallas Cowboys problems can ultimately be traced back to one source: Jerry Jones' meddling. Jerry's best move is to step back and let a real GM be the GM. John breaks down why.
As an owner, his job is to sell a product to NFL fans and increase the value of his franchise -- game tickets, team memorabilia, and merchandise -- and to increase the "mind share" of his franchise globally, among other things. While he's certainly helped the team's value skyrocket, his football-specific work has left something to be desired.
So what's wrong with Jones as the GM, and why should he step away from those duties?
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What Jerry Jones Has Done Wrong In 2024
The chief duty of the general manager is personnel management -- choosing who to draft, handling contracts, and coaching management. JJ's decisions often leave his team in very poor positions. He has a long history of bizarre decisions, but we can just look at recent moves he's made.
The lack of any effort to sign now Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry was asinine. Henry described Dallas as the "perfect situation" and lives in Texas during the offseason. But saying he "didn't fit" and wouldn't be having a career year if he was with Dallas is just absurd. Henry has 1,185 rushing yards and 13 rushing TDs so far this season.
.@danorlovsky7 responds to Jerry Jones saying Derrick Henry "didn't fit" the Cowboys.
"If Derrick Henry doesn't fit your offense, change your offense." 😅 pic.twitter.com/u7uhYCTJRC
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 24, 2024
Dallas simply does not have an answer at running back, and even aside from quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) having a season-ending injury, teams need good run games. A future Hall of Famer on a relatively cheap contract would make perfect sense for a competitive team. The Cowboys weren't competitive even with Prescott healthy.
Jones also let Dan Quinn walk, and the defense has predictably regressed. Meanwhile, Quinn is 7-4 with the Washington Commanders and is now leading a formidable divisional ally, presumably for years to come. Quinn has built an excellent coaching staff, shored up the defense, and now has a good offensive system led by a great rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
There will be a ton of eyeballs on Dan Quinn, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders as they play the wretched Cowboys on Sunday.
A bounce back game would be good for ROY and COY business among other things. pic.twitter.com/s1GhPq8Hm5
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) November 22, 2024
In Week 12, the nation will watch as the Commanders likely embarrass the Cowboys on national television. Washington looks like a well-coached team. Big D does not. The defense was clearly the engine behind the success of "America's Team" in recent years, and that's evident now.
He also traded a fourth-round pick for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, a receiver who may be one of the worst WRs that has gotten significant playing time in the last few seasons. It was easy for anyone familiar with the situation to predict how it would work out -- Mingo would continue to be bad and not do much of anything.
First-read targets are earned. Unless you're Jonathan Mingo.
First-read target share: 22.2% (40th)
1D/RR: 0.029 (108th of 112 qualifying WRs)
YPRR: 0.81 (101st) pic.twitter.com/BmI48lP5eP
— Ryan Heath (@RyanJ_Heath) March 11, 2024
Most GMs would have an extremely short leash and be fired quickly after making all these terrible decisions. But Jones can't be fired, because he owns the team.
Why Should Jerry Jones Step Down As General Manager
He's been doing things like this his whole career, and his decisions are some of the many reasons why the team never sees playoff success. His mismanagement ensures the team is always at least a few steps away from being a good postseason team, despite at times having some of the most stacked rosters in the league.
It's not like he's terrible. The Cowboys have consistently drafted good offensive linemen and star players at other positions, and regularly boast excellent rosters. The problem is that most other things are mismanaged. To the great chagrin of most Cowboys fans, it will probably stay that way.
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