The Landry Hat
Fansided

Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones is responsible for the debacle in Big D

By Robert Rivera

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys stands on the field during warm ups before the game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys stands on the field during warm ups before the game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for DirecTV
Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for DirecTV /

Chan Gailey was gone after just two years, leading to the promotion of Dave Campo from defensive coordinator to head coach. The Campo reign saw the team fall to new lows. Three consecutive 5-11 teams, the last one 31st out 32 in scoring offense led to Campo’s dismissal and Dallas to the Bill Parcells era.

Parcells surprisingly lasted four years with the Cowboys, despite Jones’s insistence in bringing in locker room cancer at wide receiver, Terrell Owens. Parcells drafted defensive end DeMarcus Ware, one of the best defenders to ever suit up in Cowboy uniform. He also signed a little known undrafted free agent in quarterback Tony Romo.

Jones’s overbearing nature coupled with the heartbreaking loss to Seattle led to Parcells walking out the door, ushering in the Wade Phillips era. In doing so, Jones passed on the opportunity to bring in an offensive-minded coach and old friend Norv Turner.

Phillips was an accomplished defensive coordinator, who at that point in his career, had not won anything, anywhere as a head coach. Jerry erred in this election because Dallas had strong defense that was ranked 4th in the league in scoring. Despite being second in the league in offensive scoring the following year, the Cowboys were eliminated in the divisional round against the NY Giants.

Phillips laid back style reflected in allowing his two star players, Romo and tight end Jason Witten, take an ill-advised trip to Cabo during the bye week in 2007, just before a playoff matchup with the New York Giants.

Moreover, at the end of the second half against the G-Men, Phillips had his defense in “prevent mode” after a lengthy scoring drive. The Giants to drive down the field without applying any pressure, which resulted in a crucial score.

Phillips should have been dismissed after such a result. Instead, Jones stayed with him until the situation became untenable with the 1-7 start to the 2010 season. Jones fired Phillips and promoted offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

Home/Cowboys News