Jerry Jones on Cowboys’ 3-4 start: ‘It was harder than I expected’

FRISCO, Texas — Despite the losses of independent agents, the dearth of independent agent additions and the reliance on internal development, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones never expected his team could have 3- 4 and then seven videos. games.

Speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday, Jones was asked about Zack Martin’s insurance plays and Terence Steele’s proper portrayal, but he had a broader view of the list.

“I think we’re having a tougher situation than I anticipated. Let’s put it that way. Let’s not conflate that with just those two,” Jones said. “But keeping me in the loop has to be there. It’s tougher and I didn’t anticipate the challenges we’re having with this team, but I remember the teams I’ve seen that have had a lot of success and they got in position to shoot and they were 3-4.” .

The Cowboys take on the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons (5-3) on Sunday to begin a four-week stretch against teams that are a combined 22-10 and also include the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Washington Commanders.

On Thursday, Dak Prescott called Sunday’s game a must-win.

“Heck, I mean, for me every game is, but obviously, I mean 3-4, like I said, there’s a lot of season left, but the first start to be able to say that with confidence is to get back to being even, especially. true , having a couple of them home after that,” Prescott mentioned.

Jones no longer has to look for ways to explain the team’s sub-.500 start.

“When I look at the whys we’re here, it’s really hard for me to get over the sheer youth, the sheer inexperience on the offensive line and it’s hard for me to get over that turnover. [ratio]. I’m telling you, when you look at that and know what turnovers mean to you, we’ve had seven games, we, the Cowboys, have turned the ball over 13 times. In all of last year we only turned it around 16 times. We went around it thirteen times. … It’s really an advantage that we won three games.”

The Cowboys have handled a lot of injuries on defense and will be without running back Micah Parsons (ankle) for the fourth straight game. Cornerback DaRon White (sustain) was added to the 53-man roster at this time, but he has not practiced now and will not play in games against the Falcons. Cornerback Trevon Diggs has not practiced this performance due to calf tightness and is listed as questionable.

What encourages Jones that things can change?

“First of all, I’ve seen players that are on the field do what I’m talking about doing to address turnovers or address communication on their offensive line, improve their running game, improve their protection,” Jones mentioned. “I’ve seen Dak make the type of plays that would cause us to have a different turnover rate, for example. So your question is correct, but I’ve seen these guys do it. I know Mike McCarthy, I know the caliber. It’s one of the coaches with the highest winning and losing percentage in the NFL and has won a Super Bowl.

“So although you have clearly done it in football, then you already know that they are capable of doing it. The closest thing that gives you reasons to say what I say is that we can improve.”

Since Jones bought the team in 1989, the Cowboys have had five 4-4 starts and made the playoffs twice (2006, 1999) in those situations. They have made six 3-5 starts and made the playoffs just once (2018) in those seasons. That year, the Cowboys made a trade for wide receiver Amari Cooper that boosted their season.

The deadline to make changes is Tuesday. The Cowboys have ample cap space to make a major move, but Jones said the Cowboys wouldn’t make a trade just for the sake of it.

“We are in search of meat to the bones that can improve our staff,” he mentioned.