Stephen Jones on how Dak can improve and Cowboys' biggest offseason need

boozeman

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Stephen Jones on how Dak can improve and Cowboys' biggest offseason need

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones recently joined Ben and Skin on KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan. Here are some highlights.


On Jaylon Smith's recovery


Stephen Jones: We feel so good about him, what he's been able to accomplish. I think he's getting better each day. We're very optimistic about him and are penciling him in as a big-time contributor for our team. People haven't really had a chance to understand what type of man this guy is as well. You can turn on his Notre Dame tape and see what an amazing player he was. In terms of his accomplishments on the field, he would have no question been a top-five pick. You never knew what Dak was gonna to be until he actually arrived. Well this guy has gotta be the same way. In terms of his leadership skills, his people skills, his passion for the game of football and what this guy stands for is special.

Is the expectation for him to return to his Notre Dame status?


Stephen Jones: Well any time a guy is coming off an injury, it's gonna be speculation. We think it's gonna be good. Until we actually see it in action, you won't know for sure. What we've seen is plenty good. Our medical understanding is he's only gonna get better and better, day by day, week by week, month by month.




What are the areas where Dak can improve?


Stephen Jones: That's a tough, tough, tough question because he did everything so well. The biggest thing is time on the job. The guy's got an insatiable appetite to wanna be the very best and to ultimately win a championship. I know he'll get in there with coach Garrett, with Scott Linehan, with Wade Wilson, with our offensive crew and, obviously, his teammates and work to be better. It's hard for me to sit right here and right now single out what he's gotta do better because he was pretty good - not pretty good - an All-Pro type player as a rookie. But at the end of the day, there's nothing like time on the job. As he continues to work harder at his trade, he's only going to get better. No one's gonna outwork him. He knows what this is all about and he's all in. What an amazing future to look forward to in terms of what it holds for Dak Prescott.


Is finding an edge rusher still the biggest offseason need?


Stephen Jones: There's no question. That's why we always have to continue to be better. We haven't done a good job of that. We've tried in several different ways to make that happen. But as we sit here today, we don't have that player. We saw glimpses of that with Randy Gregory, but that's a huge question mark as to when he might be able to come back and be a football player in the NFL. Getting his life off the field in the right order is the most important thing. But in the mean time, there's no question what our needs are. The focus is gonna be on defense. You don't ever shut your eye to a player who can help improve you on the offensive side of the ball either. We showed that last year when everybody knew how bad we needed defense and we obviously picked Zeke. Had the right rationale for it. I don't think anything could have gone more according to plan than picking Zeke. I don't think you ever rule out anything. That's how you make huge mistakes. But I think it's obvious to anyone who watches our football team that the defensive side of the football, especially our front seven, is where we need the most improvement.
 

Genghis Khan

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Is finding an edge rusher still the biggest offseason need?


Stephen Jones: There's no question.

Oh, thank god.

Honestly, I'd like 2. Sign a guy and draft a guy.
 

Texas Ace

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Stephen comes across as a very logical and level-headed guy.

Some might see it as stating the obvious, but the problem with this organization for so long was that they ignored the obvious.

I think the Cowboys are gonna be pretty good for a while and the direction of the team looks good.

The only issue is coaching. It's not up to snuff and I'll always be fearful of them costing us in January.
 
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UncleMilti

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Thank you Jesus. With Stephen, at least theres some semblance of understanding what the team needs.

Jerry? He is still talking about coachin' em up.

:picard
 

Rev

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Thank you Jesus. With Stephen, at least theres some semblance of understanding what the team needs.

Jerry? He is still talking about coachin' em up.

:picard
Its actually better now. We still get the team going in the right direction And we get to see Jerry make a fool of himself.
 

boozeman

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It is pretty clear to me that Jerry in his old age is not nearly as assertive and sure of himself.

He can be talked into things. But it takes work. That is what Stephen is around for I guess.
 

Texas Ace

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It is pretty clear to me that Jerry in his old age is not nearly as assertive and sure of himself.

He can be talked into things. But it takes work. That is what Stephen is around for I guess.
It's his emotional attachments that he has to be talked out of.

The good news is, they do tend to be successful in doing that.

Whether it was T.O., Manziel, and now Romo, it may take some doing, but Stephen and Co. are able to sway him with enough effort.
 

dallen

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It is pretty clear to me that Jerry in his old age is not nearly as assertive and sure of himself.

He can be talked into things. But it takes work. That is what Stephen is around for I guess.
I think it is a combination of the fact that he respects Stephen, and the fact that he can take some of the credit for any success Stephen has.
 

fortsbest

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I think it is a combination of the fact that he respects Stephen, and the fact that he can take some of the credit for any success Stephen has.
He may have donated the sperm? :unsure

Stephen is football smarter.
 

UncleMilti

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Stephen still pulls the PT Barnum Jerry shit every once in a while, but for the most part the guy isn't afraid to admit the teams weaknesses and at least throws it out on the table.

And as a bonus he doesn't talk in circles and talk about shit that makes you scratch your head like crazy uncle Jer.
 

townsend

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Letting Murray walk was a key demonstration of post-Jerry mindset.

decentish guys like Free, Austin, and Barber got handed long commitments thanks to Jerry never wanting to let a mediocre talent walk. Letting the guy who owned our single season rushing record walk was literally unprecedented.
 

Genghis Khan

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He may have donated the sperm? :unsure

Stephen is football smarter.
Not to get too deep here but Jerry had to build his fortune, and part of that was taking risks, because if he stayed status quo he'd have sunk. His formative years as an adult were built on risk.

Stephen was born into it. From his perspective, staying status quo you float. When you risk, you have a lot to lose. Jerry was formed with little to lose.

I think that goes a long way to explaining their differences. It's not really genetics.
 

Cotton

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Not to get too deep here but Jerry had to build his fortune, and part of that was taking risks, because if he stayed status quo he'd have sunk. His formative years as an adult were built on risk.

Stephen was born into it. From his perspective, staying status quo you float. When you risk, you have a lot to lose. Jerry was formed with little to lose.

I think that goes a long way to explaining their differences. It's not really genetics.
That's a very interesting take, and one, I would bet, with a lot of truth to it.
 

Jiggyfly

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Not to get too deep here but Jerry had to build his fortune, and part of that was taking risks, because if he stayed status quo he'd have sunk. His formative years as an adult were built on risk.

Stephen was born into it. From his perspective, staying status quo you float. When you risk, you have a lot to lose. Jerry was formed with little to lose.

I think that goes a long way to explaining their differences. It's not really genetics.
It was very telling all around when he made the comment to Stephen about taking Martin over Manziel.

First that he chastised him for not being willing to take that risk and second for allowing him to actually make the decision without overruling him.
 

fortsbest

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Not to get too deep here but Jerry had to build his fortune, and part of that was taking risks, because if he stayed status quo he'd have sunk. His formative years as an adult were built on risk.

Stephen was born into it. From his perspective, staying status quo you float. When you risk, you have a lot to lose. Jerry was formed with little to lose.

I think that goes a long way to explaining their differences. It's not really genetics.
I believe you are right, but I was joking not serious.
 
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