Most people think that the Indianapolis Colts are about to do it, releasing or trading Peyton Manning and drafting Andrew Luck. The 49ers are doing it and are on the verge of getting back to the Super Bowl. But why won't Jerry Jones do it?
Is it ego, fear, or misguided loyalty? I think it is a mixture of all three with ego being the primary reason. Jerry just doesn't want to admit that his team is broken and is not headed in the right direction. When Public Policy Polling recently surveyed people asking them who is "America's Team" 22% gave Green Bay the nod, double that of the Cowboys. That had to make Jerry twinge. The lack of playoff appearances and wins by the Cowboys has rightfully led America to look for a new winner. The luster the Tom Landry and Tex Schramm put on the star has worn off.
This team IS broke. It is time Jerry puts his ego aside and give Jason Garrett all the tools he needs. Mark Cuban, Nolan Ryan, and the new owners of the Stars have all admitted their franchises were broken at one point and have taken painful steps to get their franchises going back in the right direction. The Rangers and Mavericks are back and the Stars have a bright promise.
I think Jerry is afraid if he uses the world rebuild it will mean an admission that HE messed up. It will mean that he is NOT the football genius he thinks he is. It will be failure and Jerry does not want to admit failure. Call it ego or hubris it's one and the same.
Where does fear come in? With his massive debt on the Death Star/Stajum/Cowboys Stadium, Jerry needs to put people in the seats. Many forked out tons of money on seat licenses. If he admits that rebuilding is needed could he perhaps fear that the season ticket and suiteholders will abandon him? Why would they pay a premium price for a low end product that is rebuilding? So he continues to make minor adjustments and relentlessly saying that the team is headed in the right direction. Jerry needs to trust the diehard Cowboy fan and ignore the bandwagoners. Rebuild, set a plan, commit to it, and ask the fans to stay for the ride. Put fear aside.
Misguided loyalty is a weakness of Jerry Jones. He loves his players and will do anything for them--even giving some huge contracts that outweigh their talent. This past season big names and contracts were finally released but more needs to be done. Jerry is a businessman and knows how to make money. Sometimes losses need to be cut. Long time players he likes need to be shown the door. Bit the bullet and cut overpaid and underperforming players. He can give them a job in the organization if he wants but it's time for some to go.
Rebuilding is not a death sentence for a team. Young, exciting, and hard working players can be added to energize a team. The Cowboys can define themselves for who they want to be: a smash mouth team, an offensive juggernaut, or a defensive stalwart. Rebuilding can also ease a bit of the fans' frustration and get some of the media off the Cowboys' back.
Hiring a GM or addressing the talent evaluation aspect is another topic but it all starts at admitting: Time for the Cowboys to rebuild.
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