Jerry Jones Smokescreen: Words vs. Action

Jerry Jones, the mercurial owner of the Dallas Cowboys, is all talk and no action, but fans know this about the never-hit-his-prime owner/general manager.

Jones and the front office have made a mess of a playoff-caliber team, and fans and the media are tired of his actions and lack of actions.

As the latest news cycle unfolds, Jerry Jones has not only put his foot in his mouth, but the growing media backlash is a clear sign that his latest blunder has not gone unnoticed.

The media is usually Jones’ best friend, and he uses his title as owner/general manager as a rite of passage to sell his circus to the public.

That may be about to end as the cancel culture is strong among this generation of fans. His latest threats and lack of movement with players to help the team win are at the forefront of most news outlets.

The Current Issue in the Media

Fellow Inside The Star writer Shane Taylor wrote, “Jerry Jones threatens radio hosts during a weekly appearance on Tuesday.” This is the current issue Jerry Jones is facing in the media.

The latest media outburst is one Jerry Jones may not soon live down. Threatening local radio hosts does not sit well with the big media or fans.

A side of Jerry Jones people have not seen came out after he was criticized for the team’s lack of roster moves.

It was all on Jones, as he is the owner/general manager and prides himself on making all the moves involving the team. Not only does he pride himself on making the moves, but he also loves to tell the media how great of a general manager he is for the team.

Being a great general manager couldn’t be further from the truth.

What has Jerry Accomplished that he Thinks is so Great?

He has accomplished nothing. He takes credit for moves that others have made, but we all know that is his calling card.

What are the accomplishments he hangs his hat on? Well, here is a list:

In 1989, he bought the Dallas Cowboys and fired legendary coach Tom Landry.

Hired Jimmy Johnson

Drafted two of the three legendary Dallas Triplets, who consisted of Troy Aikman (Drafted in 1989) and Emmitt Smith (Drafted in 1990). Michael Irvin was drafted in 1988.

Super Bowl wins in 1993, 1994, and 1996

Hiring Barry Switzer and winning the Super Bowl in 1996

Jerry’s only real accomplishments are buying the Cowboys for $140 million and hiring Jimmy Johnson.

The other accomplishments he so dearly calls his own belong to Tom Landry, Tex Schramm, and Jimmy Johnson.

Tex Schramm and Tom Landry laid the groundwork for Super Bowl appearances and drafted Michael Irvin. Jimmy Johnson was the architect behind the three Super Bowl wins and drafted Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith.

Sure, Jerry Jones was there, but Jimmy Johnson was the man with the plan and stuck to it —building a dynasty. Jerry just supplied the finances to finish the job.

So, all the accomplishments Jerry Jones is so fond of were nothing more than financial backing.

Words vs. Action

Jerry Jones says many things, but not many of them come true. When it comes to being a general manager, he talks a big talk but does not walk the walk.

During the offseason, Jerry and his son Stephen told every media outlet they could that the Dallas Cowboys were “All In” on winning this year.

The words “All In” are one of the many instances of the owner/general manager talking the talk but not walking the walk.

All in must mean signing a way past his prime, Ezekiel Elliott, trying to relive the glory days when Elliott could run over defenders.

All in, it must mean not re-signing your All-Pro Left Tackle, Tyron Smith, and instead replacing him with a not-ready-for-the-NFL rookie left tackle who played right tackle in college.

All in, it must mean not signing your superstar wide receiver and quarterback until the season begins, keeping cap space tied up.

The ultimate “All in” move was not signing Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley to help the team win this year or upgrading the defensive tackle position.

Words vs. action, Jerry, don’t say things without backing them up.

The Hand that was Dealt

Now, Jerry Jones must live with the hand he was dealt this year—a hand he created by his own doing.

Deal with the media backlash and learn to take criticism when it is due. The local media outlet that called you out was not wrong, but it cut you deep because it was true.

The unforgiving fanbase is tired of the smokescreens, your constant use of the media to sell tickets, and you think that you are the best general manager in the league.

Every other team in the NFL would have fired you around the 2000 season. You couldn’t put a team together until Bill Parcels came in and saved you in 2003.

All the accomplishments and all the glory are not because of you, Jerry Jones. You were just money, and it was proven over and over again when you had puppets for head coaches.

You cannot build a team, and, to be completely honest, Will McClay should be getting credit for the talent you have now.

To sum up, Jerry Jones needs to step back and be the owner. Stop using all the words, stay out of the media, and just take a backseat to someone who knows how to build a football team that can win a Super Bowl.