Jerry Jones - Prophecy, Chaos & Discomfort

Jerry - pointing out flaws

While Jerry Jones holds the sports world in suspense, or rather discomfort, fans that reside closer to that elusive condition known as sanity should at least attempt to soothe their discomfort with repeated shots of logic. Forget the fact that the Cowboys General Manager, in spite of his age, is able to leave logic behind about as fast as Deion Sanders could view opposing return teams in his rear view mirror. Cowboys fans, however, owe it to themselves (and no one else, Jerry) to visit the past in order to bring about some semblance of order from this Valley Ranch imposed chaos. Please momentarily forget the fact that, in the real world, order does not proceed from chaos. Hopefully, my point will be made.

The first stop on this tour of chaos takes us back to just prior to the beginning of this past season. In spite of the hope of the new season about to begin, the upbeat attitude of Jason Garrett's players and the positive outlook of many football insiders, Jerry Jones takes it upon himself to inform the world that the Cowboys have a major flaw, the offensive line. Incredibly, he then takes it upon himself to shoulder the entire blame for this condition. As a GM, he pointed out his own failure in the area of acquiring adequate offensive linemen for the upcoming year. Nothing like a boost of confidence from your boss!

Inconsistent and Erratic Offensive Line

Think what you want about Jerry's managerial skills and his eye for talent, in this instance his cryptic statements turned out to be prophetically apocalyptic for the Cowboys. With the exception of Left Tackle Tyron Smith, erratic and inconsistent play across the offensive line was the norm for much of the season. In fact, only the more drastic injury trouble of the defensive unit kept the woes of the offensive line from constantly being the topic of choice for fans and media types.

Which Way Do We Go?

For those in the know about the psychological sensitivities of the Cowboys General Manager, the defensive tribulations were not what Jerry ordered. Precious attention was being diverted away from the area pin pointed by the man in charge of knowing what the Cowboys were all about. Believe it when  I say that Jerry really wanted, yes needed to get the focus back where it belonged, on him and what he had to say. He did all he could to relieve the defensive pressure. If you don't believe me, ask Jay Ratliff.

No Playoffs!

But, alas, this all culminated in an even worse scenario than Jerry envisioned, no playoff berth. As everyone knows, we still haven't escaped the reactionary wrath of the GM. He has simply gone dormant while everyone waits.

But, Jerry definitely left no one to guess who was in charge. He first dismisses the Running Backs Coach, Skip Peete. I believe it can honestly be said that this move was completely unforeseen. It also makes no sense at all.

Not a Happy GM

For a GM to publicly identify a problem area while taking professional responsibility for its existence is considered by most to be the ultimate in maturity and due diligence. However, blaming the running game by firing the RB coach speaks of a loss of professional equilibrium. Any running back or running backs coach will tell you that a good running game begins with the offensive line. The running back has nothing to do with injuries or the erratic and poor play of his blockers. So why fire the running backs coach if the offensive line was pegged as a liability before the season began?

Your guess is as good as mine, or maybe even Jerry's!

There are more points to come from this chaos. Until them, chaotic discomfort reigns. I just wonder if Jerry realizes that it's his world that is uncomfortable. I refuse to enter such chaos by clinging to logic.

Jerry Jones – The Only People Suffering Are The Fans

Jerry Jones - Not Smiling

After the disappointing loss to the Redskins to end the season and all playoff hopes, Jerry Jones went on the equivalent of a managerial tirade, warning coaches of the discomfort to come. Subsequently, Running Backs coach Skip Peete, Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan and Passing game Coordinator – Tight Ends Coach, John Garrett have been fired. Everyone seems to be walking and talking softly at Valley Ranch, not sure where the ax will fall next.

Meanwhile, the fans of America’s Team are watching what has to considered a type of torture. I’m not necessarily referring to any physical torment, but extreme discomfort of a more psychological nature. If you’ve ever had to endure the acting of a B movie, you know what I mean. The words are recited, the emotion is forced, the plot is too obvious, full of repetitious and trite cliché’s. As I said, torture.

Well, that is what has been emanating from the general Manager’s office for quite awhile, a second rate production that’s full of glitz and glamour, but no substance. In fact, this production is growing so monotonous that fans are growing tired of hearing and seeing the same thing year after year.

Fans couldn’t care less about the financial empire Jerry has created. But they do care about a team being put on the field that is successful. They expect it, especially since the legacy of the Cowboys is about winning consistently.

And the sad fact is that, in spite of the financial success of Jerry Jones, he has been nothing but a loser as a General Manager since their last Super Bowl Win which most think was won with the bulk of Jimmy Johnson’s efforts. That’s almost two decades ago.

The only consistent part of Jones’ production since is the football mantras repeated, the forced emotion, the trite cliché’s, the promises of a different plot year after year after year after year after year………and, oh yes, don’t forget the losing and mediocrity………..Torture, that’s what it is. And after a while, the ones being tortured can decide to invest their attention to something else, for the discomfort is too much.

After all, Fans have their limit when it comes to suffering needlessly.

For Old Cowboys Fans, Jerry Jones is Hard to Endure

Jerry Incognito?

 The current state of the Dallas Cowboys is especially hard for long time Fans to endure. By “long time” I mean pre-Jerry Jones.

This is not to imply that the Cowboys never had their on field difficulties resulting in a less than desirable win loss column. The initial years of Cowboys history records such struggles. It must be remembered that such difficulties are a part of what made the Cowboys available for Jerry Jones to purchase in 1989.

But there was one constant that could be counted on within the Cowboys organization. Ownership, Management and Team were separate, and essentially, at arms length. The flow of authority and responsibility was known and respected as all personnel were allowed to perform their jobs. And of course, occasionally, if their jobs weren’t performed satisfactorily, replacements were found. But the process worked.

But within the NFL family, this scenario was not always followed. Different business models were implemented which mingled positions, job descriptions, duties and authority. The concept of separation of power was not as adhered to in these models. In fact, sometimes, especially when Ownership was vested in a family, power seemed to collect within a particular individual and family members.

In Dallas, Jerry Jones implemented a rather ordinary business model when He purchased the Cowboys, one familiar to the NFL landscape. Yes, Jerry was a shoot from the hip, boisterous, cocky owner, but was relegated to trying to right America’s Team that had become a listing ship threatening to sink. His business acumen was the perfect antidote for such an economically sick, yet proud business enterprise.

A Celebration for all

The landscape began to change, however, with the arrival of success. Back to Back Super Bowl victories put Jones and the Cowboys on the pinnacle of the NFL universe with all the accolades that accompany those that prove to be the best in their business. Jones, however, wasn’t quite content with the acclaim that came his way. He decided, for whatever reason, that he wanted and/or needed more.

With this desire or need came commensurate meddling with coaches and players. At the head of the list was Jimmy Johnson and the authority he wielded through written contract over all personnel, coaches and players. Driving a wedge between himself and Johnson, they parted company on anything but amicable terms. Jerry was finally free to mold the personnel according to his image and prove that Jimmy Johnson the Head Coach wasn’t as necessary or significant as many thought. Partial vindication was won two years later when the Cowboys won another Super Bowl under Barry Switzer, yet the popular consensus among football insiders and fans was that the championship was won with Jimmy’s players.

3rd Super Bowl in four years - with Jimmy's players

The decline then started. The decline continued. The first  decade of the 21^st century saw the Cowboys experience their worst decade in team history. The second decade of the century has started with less than desirable results for Jerry Jones and his Cowboys. Though no longer languishing at the back of the NFL pack, they remain mired in mediocrity, unable to return to the elite status of years gone by.

Current Head Coach - Jason Garrett

 The second decade sees Jones seeking consolation for the long term, this time in the person of Head Coach Jason Garrett. Referring to Garrett as his “Tom Landry,” Jones seems to have long term plans for the even handed demeanor and varied abilities of Garrett. 

Jerry Jones' Tom Landry?

Long term Fans know different, though. The reference to a team Legend rings hollow, but not for any negative on Garrett’s part. In order for Jason Garrett to be considered the Tom Landry of his era, he must be free to have the final say on all coaches and players. Tom Landry never looked over his shoulder worrying about the next meddlesome move by management or ownership. In no way did this mean that he was unaccountable, but was free to be himself as Head Coach.

The Real Tom Landry

In the mean time, this mess is Jerry's creation. And it's hard to watch.

Jerry Jones – The Uncomfortable Search Continues

Just so you understand who's in charge!

With the Dallas cowboys once again left lonely on the sidelines to gaze upon post season activity, Jerry Jones continues his quest to make everyone uncomfortable. While telling the world that he is searching for the right combination of coaches to propel the Cowboys back into Super Bowl glory, the stark reality is one Jerry doesn’t want to conform to.

Right relationships are important!

 While having the right combination of coaches is important and not to be discounted, it is no less important that the relationship of the General Manager to those same coaches and players. And if a return to past glory is so important to Jerry, then a return to that initial relationship between himself as GM and the coaches and players is necessary.

But, this remains an extremely sensitive area with Jones, one which receives an immediate reaction when raised in his presence. As well it should, for it was Jones who destroyed that relationship years ago when he fired Jimmy Johnson after back to back Super Bowl victories. To date he has yet to re-establish it.

Why? Oh, the reason for that is easy and Jerry is will eagerly inform anyone willing to lend an ear to hear, camera or microphone. Jerry wants total control on all final decisions regarding players, personnel and staff within the Cowboys organization. This is why he fired Johnson. Jerry wanted what Jimmy had written into his contract and was unwilling to share with Jerry. Soooooooo, Jerry easily remedied that. Bye bye, Jimmy. The glory slowly departed and has failed to appear within sight of Jerry and his mission.

Bye, Bye Jimmy

In the meantime, everyone is uncomfortable in the presence of Jerry. They all know that the emperor, though fully clothed, is wearing the wrong attire. The mantle of General Manager is unsightly, does not fit and is threadbare. Even Jerry knows this.

Scapegoat

So, leave him alone to his task. If he keeps on, who knows?! The odds may be on his side. He may hit upon the right combination of discomfort and make it to the playoffs, maybe win a playoff game and, dare we dream, win a Super Bowl. Until that happens, the nightmare continues and the coaches fired are nothing more than scapegoats.

A Decade of Infamy – The Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones & Destruction

Jerry Jones does not like losing!

 The current malaise of the Dallas Cowboys is constantly being chronicled by journalistic types across a broad spectrum of media. Whether a blog post or a tweet or, imagine this, a legitimate product consisting of professional content and integrity, the daily machinations of General Manager Jerry Jones is under the watchful magnifying eye of lovers and haters alike.

Jerry Jones has his own decade of infamy.

And like the infamous bombing of Peal Harbor more than 60 years ago, the Cowboys have finished their own decade of infamy, though not from the expected sources of exterior enmity. No, this extended residence in the cellar of the NFC East was the result of a direct barrage of an Owner who exuberantly exercised his official duties as General Manager as if he were the incarnation of every Cowboys enemy in history. Misguided drafts, star crazed, misfit free agents and Coaching intervention of various types have all combined to leave the Cowboys of the 21^st Century professionally shell-shocked and with their worst decade in history.

How did this happen? Well, the details are in the forthcoming book by Ryan Bush entitled, Decade of Futility – How the Leadershipof Jerry Jones turned Americas Team into a 21st Century Debacle andresulted in the Worst Decade in Dallas Cowboys History. It is due for publication this Spring and will be available in the United States and Europe through Amazon.

For more information, please visit Decade of Futility – byRyan Bush. You are encouraged to leave your e-mail address to receive immediate notification of publication.You are also invited to take part in the conversation at the Decade of Futility Blog.

The Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones & Decade of Futility by Ryan Bush

This blog is about the Politics of Heaven. Since the Dallas Cowboys have the reputation of having God watch them through the hole in their stadium roof (The old Texas Stadium & the new Cowboys Stadium), I thought it only appropriate to mention the following news.

 +Ryan Bush from Central Texas is soon to publish a book, Decade of Futility - How the Leadership of Jerry Jones Transformed America's Team into a 21st Century Debacle and resulted in the Worst Decade in Dallas Cowboys History. He decided to initiate this project after publishing a weekly column about the Dallas Cowboys, Cowboys Corner, in several small newspapers in Texas for three years.

Ryan has just initiated a blog and website (still under construction, but partially operable). Please visit the sites, take part in the conversation, and remember to leave your email address for immediate notification upon publication through Amazon, United States and Europe