The Example of Randy Galloway - The Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, The Media & Sobriety

Well, the Dallas Cowboys are winners for the first time in this 2014 season! And the spirits are already flowing!

We've got the Cowboys Defense talking as if they're the second coming of Doomsday I & II, as well as Jimmy Johnson's top-ranked version of the 90's, all in one unit.

Then you've got the media, including all the so called professionals who should know better, leading the charge, practically agreeing with everything the Cowboys players are saying. Objective, unbiased reporting and analysis anyone?

Well, I say the media is leading the charge. Actually, that's not quite the case. The media is really following the inebriating trail of Jerry Jones. His 200 proof, vintage, smooth sipping Koolaid, aged all of 24 hours, has found a comfortable home among this close-knit group known as Jerryholics Anonymous. They trail Jones like the faithful all-in-one Bartender-Brewery Magnet he has become, afraid that too many hours without Jerry's special brew will lead them into the vast world of sanity most others experience on a daily basis. God Forbid!

Before we proceed any further, let's perform a Public Service Identification for all forced to suffer their personal space invaded by such second hand dribble this contingent of snared drunkards conspire to peddle as inspired journalism. We start with that bastion of Cowboys' informational integrity from Dallascowboys.com led by ole timer Mickey Spagnola. At one time a professional sports journalist beyond reproach among the likes of Randy Galloway, Frank Luksa and Blackie Sherrod, he now spends his time supporting all things Jerry & the Cowboys by offering the most incredible litany of excuses worthy of the most hardened Jerryholic, then accepting payment from Jerry's ever increasing vault of cash. Journalistic objectivity? Not that would be noticed!

After that comes the DallasCowboys.com underlings such as Nick Eatman, Bryan Broaddus, Rowan Kavner, David Helman, Derek Eagleton, Ed Cahill and Shannon Gross. They are simply paid patsy's of Jerry's and slovenly regurgitate the official utterances from the distillery at Valley Ranch, acting as human breathalyzers for the public to determine the specific level of inebriation being offered for consumption. Accurate reporting? About as much as you could expect from staff drunkards!

Next up are the local Newspaper Journalists, Columnists and Cowboys beat writers. They include, Rick Gosselin, Tim Cowlishaw, David Moore, Kevin Sherington, Jerry Fraley, Barry Horn, Gil LeBreton, Mac Engel, Clarence Hill Jr., Charean Williams and Drew Davison. This group includes some notable personalities known for their NFL expertise as well as concise reporting and analysis. But it seems that tenure has seen many imbibing for so long that Cirrhosis of the Reporter has set in. Too much of Jerry's Brew for too long has seen their Journalistic Liver unable to adequately process the impurities of Jerry's World. This condition finds them tender and unwilling to take in anything not offered through journalistic feeding tubes. Consistent Substance? Nah. Just public pablum!

Next up are the Local and National Television Network Affiliate anchors and analysts along with Local and National Radio Talk Show hosts. This highly visible and audible group may be the most hardened members of JA simply because they employ the most widely consumed broadcast mediums which, not only provide broad avenues for the high ratings Jerry covets, but also instant inebriation for the masses. Jerry readily admits that he monitors the media more than anyone else. What good Brewmaster wouldn't keep tabs on the public response, as well as the entire spectrum of transportation options available to directly deliver that special Brew the public craves. And deliver Jerry Brew they do!

This group is too numerous to mention them all, so I will limit this list to the Television and Cable Networks. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, ESPN1, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, CNN, FOX SPORTS1, NFL NETWORK, CBS SPORTS NETWORK, NBC SPORTS NETWORK, etc.

All of the above tend to form a very loyal, cohesive group, and at best, exist as incestuous parasites, living off of each other with Jerry's Boot Leg Brew providing the common sustenance while inbreeding genetically ingrained cohorts for Jerry's Recovery group. While a few abide on the fringes, offering opinion and analysis that borders on viable, the overall tendency is to remain true to the brand of Brew Jerry provides while offering an obtuse viewpoint for entertainment purposes only. The entertainment drama Jerry readily provides generally trumps hard cold facts, especially if those facts disagree with Jerry's official viewpoint in any way.

Such is the state of stupor the Jerryholic Media currently finds itself in. One Cowboys win has them staggering over each other to report the return of Jerry's 'Boys and their vaunted Defense. One mediocre win and the Cowboys are Super Bowl bound!

Of course, I must mention the one personality to escape this fellowship of Jerry's. Yes, Randy Galloway is the only one able to grab his cigars, nag betting lines, bottle of Jose Cuervo and find the nearest retirement exit. Battered and scarred from Jerry's repeated attempts to convert him to his select group of Brew Master assistants, Randy has faithfully executed his duties without succumbing to the enticements of perpetual inebriation. Randy has performed the journalistic equivalent of Drinking Responsibly by ending a long career as a faithful soldier should, finishing the battle, but on his terms, not Jerry's.

And what do we attribute as the key to Randy's success and survival? Was he just too smart? C'mon, Randy would be the first to nix that idea. Good looking? I think Randy has spoken many time over the years about that issue!  Was he too tough for Jerry? Nah! He's not the combative type!

Randy Galloway has been one thing that Jerry Jones has not consistently been over the years. The word is "sober."

And sobriety, devoid of any of Jerry's flowing spirits, resides in reality, which is where the Cowboys and the rest of the media need to return to as quickly as possible!

Here's to sobriety!

The Education of Jerry Jones - The Dallas Cowboys, Jimmy Johnson & Contracts

"I intend to have a complete understanding of contracts, jocks, socks, and TV contracts.           There’s no way I can look in the mirror if I don’t understand anything about this business."

-- Feb. 25, 1989, the day he purchased the team

It is interesting indeed that Jerry Jones specifically mentions contracts the day he agreed to buy the +Dallas Cowboys. In fact, it was a "complete understanding" of these contracts that he intended to possess.

As a successful business man from the slippery wildcatting world of oil, it is to be presumed that Jerry Jones brought a certain level of understanding about contracts to his new venture. We can also presume that the above quote had more to do with becoming more familiar with contracts in the world of The National Football League.

It can be presumed also that the man he hired to succeed Tom Landry as Head coach of America's Team, Jimmy Johnson, already possessed a certain level of understanding regarding professional football contracts, at least those binding agreements of the Head coaching variety. Connected to this understanding is also the necessary prerequisites for a successful team, for it is the existence of this dual understanding that provided the germination leading to back to back Super Bowl wins for Owner Jones and Coach Johnson as well as the demise of perhaps the greatest team in NFL history.

This dual understanding is taken from the fact that Jimmy Johnson refused to sign a contract to coach the Cowboys unless he had full and final authority over all personnel.

The inglorious beginning of a 1-15 season, coupled with the fact that Jerry Jones was extremely busy trying to plug the huge financial losses the Cowboys were experiencing when he bought the team, kept this vital term of their contract from surfacing. When the next year saw the on-field reward of a playoff berth thwarted only by losing the last two games as a result of a Troy Aikman injury, it was evident that the Cowboys' Star was on the rise. With the financial outlook also corrected, the attention of the General Manager could now be focused elsewhere, including a complete understanding of contracts. And focusing on contracts was what Jerry Jones began to do with a vigor he brings to every business endeavor.

During the next season, Jones approached Johnson about deleting the contractual term giving Johnson all power over personnel. 

And the saga was on!

It would continue until Jones made the following famous quote weeks after their second consecutive NFL Championship in 1994.

“I think there are 500 coaches who could have coached this team to the Super Bowl."

-- March 23, 1994, Jones to the Dallas Morning News on Jimmy                          Johnson after consecutive Super Bowl titles

“Nothing new. Just another day in the life of the Dallas Cowboys."
-- March 24, 1994, when asked about why Johnson stormed out of the NFL owners meetings

It was also just another day in the education of Jerry Jones regarding contracts. With Johnson's continued refusals to cede contractual authority over personnel, Jones came to realize that there was only one way to eliminate that vital term. Eliminate the person holding that power. 

So two months after rare back to back Super Bowl victories, Owner Jerry Jones was now a General Manager holding the authority he so desperately desired. 

The Dallas Cowboys have never been the same. They have never recovered. 

Yes, Jones achieved his third Lombardi Trophy two years later, yet the victory has proven hollow. Jones  has failed to receive credit for that championship. Popular opinion holds that it was achieved with "Jimmy's" players and coaches. 

While the education of Jerry Jones regarding contracts can be considered complete, the gridiron profit has been nil. The Cowboys have just experienced their 18th consecutive season without a championship, an unprecedented stretch of futility in their history. 

And Jerry retains full authority over all personnel.

Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones - Did He Finally Get it Right?

With the addition of Passing Game Ccordinator Linehan, it's nice to know that Jerry finally got it right!

Congratulations should be extended for a job well done!

Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones - The Thoughts & Smells of Old School Fans

For many fans who are used to seeing their beloved 'Pokes in the NFL playoffs on a very, very regular basis, this mire of mediocrity produced by the current General Manager has become unbearable. I regularly hear fans who grew up with The Cowboys in the 60's and 70's tell me that they no longer watch the Cowboys.

And the reason for this behavior?

You guessed it! General Manager Jerry Jones!

Believe it or not, they don't seem overly enamored with the product on the gridiron. OK, OK!!! I'll modify that. They're not enamored at all with the product on the field!

In other words, compared to the tradition of winning that most have grown up with, the last decade and a half has been everything but desirable. And the lingering staleness of continuing mediocrity seems to have created a rather unsavory aroma to the noses of fans used to the refreshing air of success.

In short, there is a stench wafting public from the offices at Valley Ranch.

So, in an effort to do my part to assist Jerry Jones perform due diligence as General Manager, I highly  recommend that Jerry Jones the Owner freely mandate the following product as a necessity for all walking through the turnstiles at AT&T Stadium this next season. 

Dallas Cowboys Mediocre? - Read the Article and Decade of Futility

Jerry Jones and a few of his Cowboys

This article by +Bart Hubbuch  on Jerry Jones, the Cowboys and mediocrity is right on. +Ryan Bush has published a detailed account of the state of the Cowboys under the tenure of Jerry Jones. Go to RyanBush.biz to order your copy of Decade of Futility: How the Leadership of Jerry Jones Transformed America's Team into a 21st Century Debacle, Resulting in the Worst Decade in Dallas Cowboys History.

Jerry Jones is Not in Control of the 2013 Dallas Cowboys

In spite of the  refusal of Jerry Jones to admit it, the fate of the 2013 Dallas Cowboys could be decided by the same issue that relegated them to another season on the outside looking in at the playoffs this past year. That issue is nothing more than injuries.

Anthony Wright is One Reason for Dallas Cowboys' Decade of Futility

Anthony Wright, shown here in a game against Oakland, started six games for the Cowboys after Troy Aikman's career-ending injury in December of 2000. Wright never topped the 200-yard mark in passing, a big reason he left the Cowboys with a 1-5 mark as a starter. His 9-yard performance against the Titans to end the 2000 season will forever be remembered as one of the most uninspiring outings in the history of America's Team.

For a hard-copy of Decade of Futility, click here:

For the Kindle version of Decade of Futility, click here: 

Jerry Jones & the Super Bowl - A Cowboys' Traditon of Futility

 by Ryan Bush

 

In Thursday's "State of The Cowboys" address, Jerry Jones showed several signs that three consecutive seasons without a playoff berth were taking its toll, admitting that the Cowboys "have got a lot of work to do."
 
Yet, being the cheerleader that he is, he couldn't help but talk about how much better the team is at this juncture than a year ago, and even managed to insert a comment - though tongue-in-cheek it may have seemed - about making a run at the Super Bowl.

This pre-training camp talk about a push to the Super Bowl is a Jones trademark. During the writing of Decade of Futility, I was shocked to learn just how much so. Since the "One Year Away" Cowboys shocked the world in 1992 by destroying Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII by a 52-17 score, Jones has neglected to thrill listeners with Super aspirations a grand total of four times. That's four out of a possible twenty-one opportunities. Truly incredible.

Even more incredible are the circumstances surrounding those times when he deemed it better to be humble, rather than bold. The first occurrence was in the wake of Troy Aikman's retirement in 2001, when all the Cowboys were leaning upon was the unproven right arm of Georgia rookie Quincy Carter. Yes, Jones was magnanimous that day in his respect for the dark hour that his Cowboys found themselves in, foregoing any Super Bowl predictions, prophesying instead for a ho-hum mediocre campaign filled with only - yes, only - ten wins.

The only other times that Jones was silent on any personal visions of impending glory just happened to be during the first three years of Big Bill Parcells' four-year reign of pigskin terror, when Jones was effectively kept under wraps.

Jones talks so boldly because he wants the fans to know that he cares, and that he - in his position as the team's General Manager - has pieced together a roster that everyone will be proud of. He envisions himself as the sharpshooter in a darkened gym that calls his own shot on one three-pointer after another.

More importantly, is the fact that Jones believes these predictions are within the bounds of reason, even when others around him are pleading with him for patience, and temperance. 

The passing years have revealed that Jones is oblivious to any personal prohibitions related to drinking that most seductive of drinks, Cowboy Kool-Aid. The Cowboys have reaped the rewards this millennium of changing head coaches a mind-boggling four times. Five losing seasons, countless melodramas, one measly playoff victory, and a decade (2000-2009) that houses the lowest winning percentage in franchise history. 

And there, impervious to reality, criticism, and countless glaring statistics, stood the Cowboys owner yesterday, handing out a beverage that has enslaved the innocent and gullible for more than a decade. Yes, drinks are always on the house at Valley Ranch, no matter the hour, the venue, or circumstance.

Read more about Jerry Jones and the Worst Decade in Dallas Cowboys History in my new book Decade of Futility.

For a hard-copy of Decade of Futility, click here:
https://www.createspace.com/4161551


For the Kindle version of Decade of Futility, click here: http://www.amazon.com/Decade-of-Futility-ebook/dp/B00DXFGLSE/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373808496&sr=1-1&keywords=decade+of+futility

Dallas Cowboys' Decade of Futility - Jerry Jones and Bill Parcells were just one part!

Jerry & Bill - Not exactly a match made in Heaven!

Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells on working with Jerry Jones for four years:
“He’s a straightforward, honest guy,” Parcells said. “He really is. That’s all I look for. He was very supportive of me as a coach. Now were there things going on that occasionally I didn’t like? Yeah, there were, but that didn’t inhibit me from going to him, talking things out. He’s really great about that.”


So what drove these two apart? Find out in Chapters 15 and 16 of Decade of Futility.

For a hard-copy of Decade of Futility, click here:
https://www.createspace.com/4161551


For the Kindle version of Decade of Futility, click here: http://www.amazon.com/Decade-of-Futility-ebook/dp/B00DXFGLSE/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373808496&sr=1-1&keywords=decade+of+futility

Will The Cowboys Decade of Futility Continue? Is Tony Romo the Answer?

 

2004 Pre-season game against Raiders

That Tony Romo has had his share of difficulties in win-or-go-home games has been well documented, but nobody can rightly question the fact that he is a championship-caliber quarterback. Romo is the reason that Jerry Jones and a whole host of expectant Cowboy fans can hold out hope that America's Team can get back to the top of football's steep, and winding, staircase. Yes, Romo often drives coaches crazy with ill-advised impulse decisions, but has also used this same gunslinger mentality to give his team many more victories that otherwise would have been improbable, if not impossible.
What, you ask, is his most important last-minute effort over his ten-year career? Well, only a meaningless preseason contest from the Black Hole in Oakland where Romo's go-for-broke mentality not only won a game, but might very well have saved a franchise with it.

Read the full story in Chapter 13 of Decade of Futility by Ryan Bush.

For a hard-copy of Decade of Futility, click here:

For the Kindle version of Decade of Futility, click

All Is Well - Jason Garrett's In a Unique Position!

Uncomfortable? Can't tell!

If you've been keeping up with the bizarre and unreal at Valley Ranch, especially this season, you will probably be like me when you here this video. If you haven't really cared to keep pace with the Cow Nation, then this will be much ado about nothing.

The fact is, I'm still shaking my head over this one. I saw this two days ago, and.......well,,..........all I can do is shake my head!

Here's the Link to the Propaganda Machine that is Jerry Jones speaking about Jason Garrett being in a Unique Position!.

If you can, please get some enjoyment out of it! Poor Mickey Spagnola!

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.

Dallas Cowboys Open Home Schedule With Sloppy 16-10 Win Over Tampa Bay

by Ryan Bush

Hey, it’s only fair to give credit where credit is due.  And, for once, the Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager nailed it perfectly.  Arlington was, in fact, the sight of spectacular and improbable happenings on this second afternoon in autumn.  An attraction was in plain sight for all to see at Cowboys Stadium.  Yes, everything was bigger – and dumber – in Texas.

Jay Novacek was there.  Randy White.  So were 80,000 other fans.  If only the Cowboys didn’t have to show up the afternoon would have gone by without a single hitch.

The starred ones were out and about Sunday, ready to prove to the football world that last week was an absolute aberration.  Don’t trust them to inform you of what, because there were too many similarities that surely had many in attendance making early dinner reservations.

Jason Witten was dropping passes.  Tony Romo spent four quarters in life-preservation mode.  And Dallas receivers were running enough dysfunctional pass patterns to make Romo wish for the return of Roy Williams.

Just maybe the Cowboys didn’t realize that there was an actual game to be played.  It is, after all, quite possible in these parts.

Elaboration pertaining to in-game matchups was minimal this week.  Everybody was too busy talking about kneel-downs to concern themselves with worrying about Ronde Barber, Vincent Jackson, or anyone else on the Tampa Bay roster.

Oh, and the owner was busy trying to conceive of a magical way to attract fans to Arlington’s glass-plated mosque for a Dallas-Tampa Bay home opener that held little local appeal.  Who really cares about banners from two decades before anyway?  The magic from those years departed from Valley Ranch in a windstorm the minute Jerry up and kicked Jimmy out of his trophy-lined office.

The last time Tampa Bay was in town for a home-opener was in 2001 at the dawning of the infamous Quincy Carter era.  I guess Jerry’s busy trying to usher in a new era of his own.  Oh, well.  Just the latest operation of futility around here.  What’s one more?

And speaking of futility, how about pegging these 2012 Cowboys.  Love’em one week, spit on ‘em the next.  What should the proper attitude be this week by Dallas’ world-famous reception committee?  It surely won’t be as forgiving as today’s.

Let’s give a shout out to the home faithful who stuck it out through three hours of perplexing miscues.  It would have been understandable had they walked out.  Especially after such a familiar start.

For the second consecutive week, Dallas received the game’s opening kickoff only to turn the ball over.  In Seattle it was Felix Jones offering up a fumble as an offering – no surprise registered here – and this time it was Tony Romo celebrating an early Christmas with an early interception to former Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib.  Tampa Bay used that early gift to move 29 yards and go ahead 7-0 on a Josh Freeman touchdown pass.

But if there were any concerns of a impending re-run from last week when Seattle used an early score as impetus to run away with the game, those were as wasted as all those high-flyin’ pre-game predictions.

Romo didn’t throw for 500 yards like Eli Manning did against these same Bucs a week ago.  His 283 doesn’t even come close.  But he was able to move the offense, blessed with a short field after a Sean Lee interception, in position for a Demarco Murray touchdown run to tie the score.  Murray finished the day with just 38 yards on 18 carries.

Romo, meanwhile, was dealing with his own set of problems.  When it wasn’t his receivers running ill-advised patterns, it was his offensive line breaking down in their protections, leaving Romo primed and ready for a Texas-sized beating.  Romo was hit from every angle throughout the course of the game, resulting in two second-half fumbles that did nothing but keep the score close.

The Dallas defense completely shut down Tampa’s passing game, holding Freeman to just 110 yards through the air on ten completions, about half of those yards coming in the final two minutes.

As much as team officials try to shrug off Dallas’ 13-11 record inside the palatial Cowboys Stadium, it’s evident that the Cowboys possess anything but a home-field advantage.  Some might say they don’t have any advantage, but that’s beside the point.  Today was a day of homecoming, a day to salute the raising of five banners commemorating championships from so long ago.  While we’re at it, let’s honor Jason Garrett’s team for walking with Lady Luck in a game that each team seemed content to give away.

It wasn’t pretty, but they got the job done at the end of the day.  There was a blocked punt that wasn’t, and a fumble return for touchdown called back, even when replays showed that it shouldn’t have been.

It was a game the Cowboys could not afford to lose.  But enthusiasm should be tempered by realizing that it was a victory with as much meaning going forward as Jerry’s overdone banner raising.

This mess is going on two weeks running, and needs to be cleaned up in a hurry.  Otherwise, it could be another seventeen years before the next banner is hoisted.

Wanting NFL To Bar Kneel-Downs Doesn’t Mean It Will Happen For Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones

by Ryan Bush

Jerry Jones

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones thinks the NFL should do away with all kneel-downs.  Don’t expect it to happen, though. Jones, who considers the end-of-game kneel downs as anti-climactic, envisions a rule change as beneficial to the league.  It’s hard to understand why.

To eliminate kneel-downs would do nothing more than turn the final few plays of a game into a menagerie that is neither aesthetically pleasing to watch, nor productive for fantasy owners.  Instead of the usual scene of quarterback receiving snap from center and kneeling to stop the play, fans would be treated to a meaningless handoff to the tailback which is followed up by the runner falling unaided to the turf, where he will remain until the whistle blows the play dead.  It would be a lot of wasted movement for the same result, that much is for certain.

The teams that have the ball and the lead in the final two minutes of the game deserve the opportunity to milk the clock while protecting the football, and shouldn’t be forced to put their lead at risk unnecessarily.  The clock is their friend.  Letting them use it as such is a reward for a hard day's work, and a fitting conclusion for a captivating two-horse race against time.