An NFL team recently concluded a seven-win season and brought in Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman to help turn their ship around.
No, it wasn’t the Dallas Cowboys, the team he led to three Super Bowl victories in the 1990s.
Rather, it was the Miami Dolphins. They asked Aikman to help them find their next general manager, who will then hire the team’s next head coach.
Meanwhile, back in Texas, the Cowboys’ general manager just ended his 30th consecutive year as head of the front office that has failed to even make a conference championship game.
Most GMs would have been canned long ago. Probably right after the third-straight 5-11 season in 2002.
Then again, none of the NFL’s other 31 GMs aren’t also the owner.
What Aikman Brings
Aikman, if given free rein in Dallas, who bring much-needed discipline and leadership to the front office.
He has the gravitas of those three rings that he went out and earned. Unlike Jones, who has his three rings courtesy of Jimmy Johnson’s blood, sweat, and tears.
Also, unlike Jones, Aikman can correctly evaluate talent.
From potential draft picks to free agents, Aikman is a superior judge of NFL-caliber talent than anyone currently sitting in an office at The Star.
Aikman would not screw around with contract negotiations. He would get deals done in a timely manner, not waiting so long he lets the market reset numerous times.
How many millions has Jones burned through with his failed gamesmanship over the years?
Were Aikman to head into a draft needing an offensive lineman and a standout running back as the top needs, he would not burn his first two picks on a defensive tackle and an old tight end with a bad foot.
Aikman has the football smarts to turn the Cowboys back into regular championship contenders.
A State Of Delusion
At his end of the year press conference, Jones spoke about the team’s 7-9-1 record.
“I’m disappointed that we aren’t in the playoffs, and we aren’t in good shape to be in the playoffs. That is a disappointment.”
He then added that his goal was to depart the NFL as the owner with the most Super Bowls.
Jones currently trails New England’s Robert Kraft by three.
The Patriots are in the playoffs this year. The Cowboys aren’t and have now gone 30 seasons since winning a championship.
With the exception of Jones, his family, and the sycophants that roam the hallways at The Star, everyone knows why this is so.
Jones is determined to prove that it was he, and not Johnson, that was responsible for those three championships three decades ago.
There is one thing he has proven without a doubt. It was in fact Johnson who built that dynasty.
Jones’ sole contribution was picking up the check.
Time For A Change
Before the Cowboys hire their next DC, or does anything regarding their roster, they need Jones to come to his senses.
It’s time for Jones to step down as GM and hire Aikman. Then get the hell out Aikman’s way.
Within three years tops, the Cowboys would be hoisting their sixth Lombardi Trophy.
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We could only wish
We could only wish !
I disagree. Will McClay should by far be the GM. He’s proven he knows talent. I like Troy, but just because you won SB rings doesn’t mean you can run a team. Magic Johnson nor Michael Jordan could do it.
You make a good point I’m with you but what scares me about Will McClay is the Jerry affect have Jerry inability to evaluate talent affected McClay the drafting of theyre number one pick out of Alabama nose tackle who name evades me let’s not forget the second round TE who can barely get on the field oh ya I forgot his name as well and that should tell you that my memory is some what questionable or those players contribution to the team hasn’t been enough for me to remember their name
I understand what you are conveying. Jerry would do the same to Troy, Emmett, Irvin, and anyone we choose just so he can say if it worked out, it was his decision. We all know he chose matt eberflus but now he says that Marty had a say so. Who believes this?
Your argument for Troy to be the Cowboys GM is delusional but guess what I’m right there with you if Jerry hadn’t figured out that he’s the worst GM to have ever lived he we want be talking about how good of a GM Troy has been for the Cowboys our delusional hopes live on
Either you had a stroke typing this, or I had one reading it.
It would certainly be the right move to hire Troy Aikman as the GM . It’s a NO BRAINER !
How long do we have to suffer and be a laughing stock of the League? Jerry Jones will always be involved but Troy Aikman would be someone Jerry would TRUST.
Troy has no experience being a talent evaluator nevertheless a GM. It’s one thing to sit in a booth and say this guy is good or not. Heck, thats the same thing we do, for free. Why not bring him on as an advisor first and let him get the feel for it. I just dont see former superstars, i.e. hof’s being any good. I haven’t seen it yet.
Google John Lynch and Ozzie Newsome. Then return here and delete your comment.
That’s a little harsh. lol.
For every Lynch or Newsome there is a Matt Millen.
Listen, its just starting the feel like Jerry has become the boogeyman for all that ills this team. Every failure us somehow projected onto Jerry.
Not McCarthy, who was praised at the time of hiring, who fired Kellen because ‘he wouldn’t run the ball’ or was ‘to interested in scoring points’ only to watch him coordinate a SB team.
IJS
Who keeps overpaying players?
Who keeps letting quality players go while shopping in the bargain bin in free agency?
Who keeps reaching in the draft?
Who keeps drafting undisciplined players that make mistakes in crucial situations?
Who is more interested in being the most valuable franchise than winning Super Bowls?
Who keeps meddling with the team, undermining coaches, and blabbing the strategy for upcoming games to the press?
The answer to all of the above is the same: Jerry Jones.
So he brings (3) rings and discipline. No experience, no skins on the wall. Nothing. Jerry has (3) ring and discipline. You may not like his discipline, but it’s there.
Why would Aikman be better than Will McClay? The current process in the front office is “consensus thinking” with the “tie broken by Jerry”. All you would be doing is replacing Jerry with Aikman for the final choice.
I’ve said it so many times: I feel like reading these columns is like reading about the Browns. Since 2000, only 7 losing seasons, 10 playoff appearances, 7 NFC east titles.
Again, I’m no Jerry apologist. He’s horrible .500 at best at hiring coaches, but there is no argument that this is not a talented team and has been for a long time. If Aikman can hire better coaches, great. But this team loses games on the field, mostly as a direct failing of play calling. Can I get a write-up on that? IJS
How much experience and skins on the wall did John Lynch have before he became the 49ers GM in 2017? He went from player in 2007 to FOX broadcaster in 2008 to 49ers GM in 2017 with no stops in between.
Jerry’s “rings” are courtesy of Jimmy Johnson and ONLY Jimmy Johnson. Jerry’s sole contribution was having the checkbook handy.
And replacing Jerry with Troy would be at minimum a 1,000,000% upgrade.
Finally, the reason why the Cowboys lose games on the field is because Jerry makes horrid, undisciplined decisions regarding coaches and players by selecting undisciplined coaches and players who screw up in key situations.
Couldn’t have said it better !
So we really believe that Jerry is the reason why the team hasn’t won a Superbowl. I say, won a Superbowl because this IS a winning team. 50 wins in the last 5 years.
Facts: Detroit has never won a s SB. Before these (2), the Eagles last championship was 1960. The Vikings, the Chargers, the Bills, the Bengals.
I could go on, but my guess is that folks would trade this situation for those in a heartbeat! I guess I just don’t get it.
Its a given that Jerry is not firing himself; What else can be done?
To me, the team is off to a good start under Shotty at the helm on offense. Resign Javonte, Pickens and Clowney. Hiring Leonhard or Daronte Jones as DC. Draft an Edge, LB, CB & S. Shuffle the OL and get rid of Steele. Practice hard, stay humble, stay patient and as Parcells said “Find out where you are by Thanksgiving, then make the tournament”.
Absolutely.
Any dolt can put together a team that wins in the regular season. Jerry has proven that.
But not everyone can build a roster capable of winning Super Bowls.
BTW, stats can be twisted to say whatever you want them to say, as you just proved.
50 wins in the last 5 years – 10 wins a year – sounds great.
But they’ve only won 7 games in each of the last two years of those 5 golden years, haven’t they?
Not to offend, but John Lynch is “cherry picking”. There is not indication that Aikman would be that good. Maybe he would be a 1,000,000% upgrade over Jerry, but if Jerry is horrible then they’d go from horrible to bad.
Gailey, Parcells, McCarthy at the time or hiring were near universally praised. They all won tons of games. They all made the playoffs. And lost. I’m on board with the hating Campo and Wade (even though he won here). Garret, eh, 50/50.
Here is a fact: Jerry doesn’t call plays. He doesn’t have a play sheet in the booth. Its funny, I read and article about the Colts new owner Irsay-Gordon stationed on the sidelines with a headset on and a call sheet and pen in her hands. Imagine if that was Jerry.
Is Ozzie Newsome also “cherry-picking”? Or any other number of former players in the past that have become GMs?
Is this another one of Stephen Jones’ burner accounts? Because you cannot be a real person saying this and not be a member of the Jones family…
Why do you go after people about their opinions? Everyone agrees Jerry hasnt been a good GM. Practically anyone would be an upgrade. Will McClay gets calls every year from other teams to interview as a GM. Jerry blocks it by paying him more money. He respects his knowledge and his decisions. You act like Jerry wouldn’t override Troy. Let everyone have their opinions and you respond by not attacking. Thanks.
I only go after the stupid comments.
Ok, name them? Name the former players that turned GM and won a SB. Its a reallt short list.
Now we’re moving the goal posts and demanding a former player that becomes a GM HAS to win a SB? Newsome got the Ravens a chip, Lynch has gotten the 49ers to a SB. Jerry Richardson would be another. There are more, but I’m not Google, so get off the couch and do something other than collect welfare.