They say that an early rise to stardom and success has its own pitfalls. Those pitfalls usually have something to do with thinking more highly about yourself than you should. In other words, excessive credit is sometimes given to oneself. Sometimes, it's simply that enough credit is not given to others.
Anyone familiar with the history of The Dallas Cowboys knows what I'm referring to. Jerry Jones has had to learn some tough lessons. Some of these lessons he has partially acknowledged in public. Others remain unacknowledged. Which leaves me to wonder if he's really learned as much as he or others think he has.
It must be admitted, though, that the hiring of Bill Parcells was quite an admission in itself. Jerry was admitting that his way wasn't working. So he brought in a man who was not only successful everywhere he had coached, but was known for doing it his way. Hiring Parcells was the beginning of an education in Football fundamentals for the current General Manager. And learn he did. While not disrespectful in his actions toward Jones, Parcells, nevertheless, rarely deferred to Jones on purely football matters, especially when it came to evaluating talent. Parcells first of all, surrounded himself with Football people he trusted, which did not include Jones. Though Jones was around much of the time, Parcells listened to his people because they knew what type of players he was looking for. On occasion, but not often, Parcells would choose his own player, trusting his football instinct, something which rarely failed him.
Which brings us to the current situation. The Cowboys are poised for gridiron success for the next several years, thanks to Bill Parcells. The question becomes whether or not Jerry Jones can maintain and extend what Bill Parcells constructed. Has Jerry learned enough that he can continue to implement the types of policies and decisions necesary to remain a winner?
It's obvious that Jerry Jones doesn't like the idea or concept of rebuilding. He wants to win now and continue to win every year. Of course, if the right decisions are made, that is a possible scenario. However, it must also be confessed that Jerry's decisions, both in personnel and in dealing with salary cap in the 90's, led to the decline of what Jimmy Johnson had previously built. But like any good businessman, he recognized what was wrong and went out and remedied the situation. It wasn't immediate, but it was slow, steady and stable. It will take that same approach to continue the success.
Therein lies the rub. It's not in Jerry's nature to be slow, steady, and stable. Jerry's fortune was made being fast, flashy and flagrant. You see this evidenced in his affinity for the high powered Cowboys offense and wanting to bring in high profile players. But this is tempered by his desire to win and his bottom line acumen. So far, in this Post Parcells era, so good, even though we are less than two years removed.
But, I still wonder just how much penetrated that thick skull. We'll find out, won't we?
No comments:
Post a Comment