FRISCO, Texas — Regardless of the free agent losses, the dearth of free agent additions and the reliance on in-house enchancment, Dallas Cowboys proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones by no means anticipated his staff can be 3-4 after seven video games.
Talking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday, Jones was requested concerning the play of proper guard Zack Martin and proper deal with Terence Steele however took a broader view of the roster.
“I believe we’re having a rougher go than I anticipated. Let’s put it like that. Let’s do not couple that with simply these two,” Jones stated. “However having me within the loop must be there. It’s rougher and I didn’t anticipate the challenges that we’re having with this staff, however I’m reminded of groups that I’ve seen which have had a number of success and put themselves in place to take a shot and so they had been 3-4.”
The Cowboys tackle the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons (5-3) on Sunday to start out a four-week stretch in opposition to groups which might be a mixed 22-10 and in addition consists of the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Washington Commanders.
On Thursday, Dak Prescott known as Sunday’s sport a must-win.
“Hell, I imply to me each sport is, however clearly, I imply 3-4, as I’ve stated, a number of season left, however the first begin to have the ability to say that confidently is getting again even, particularly, proper, having a few dwelling ones after that,” Prescott stated.
Jones doesn’t have to go looking far to elucidate the staff’s under-.500 begin.
“Once I have a look at the whys that we’re right here, I actually have a troublesome time getting previous simply sheer youth, sheer inexperience within the offensive line and I’ve a troublesome time getting previous that turnover [ratio]. I am telling you once you have a look at that and figuring out what turnovers will do for you, we have had by means of seven video games, we, the Cowboys, have turned the ball over 13 instances. The whole yr final yr we did not flip it over however 16 instances. 13 instances we turned it over. … It is actually a plus that we have received three video games.”
The Cowboys have handled plenty of accidents on protection and will likely be with out go rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) for a fourth straight sport. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) was added to the 53-man roster this week however has not practiced and won’t play in opposition to the Falcons. Cornerback Trevon Diggs has not practiced this week due to a calf pressure and is listed as questionable.
What offers Jones’ encouragement that issues can flip round?
“To begin with, I’ve seen the gamers which might be out on the sector do what I am speaking about doing that will tackle turnovers or do tackle having your communication in your offensive line, enhancing your working sport, enhancing your safety,” Jones stated. “I’ve seen Dak make the sorts of performs that will trigger us to have a unique turnover ratio, as an example. So your query is correct on, however I’ve seen these guys do it. I do know that Mike McCarthy, I do know the caliber of coach he’s. He is one of many highest proportion successful/shedding coaches that is been within the NFL. And he is received a Tremendous Bowl.
“So once you’ve seen it achieved in soccer, then you understand they will do it. Then that offers you causes to say what I say and that’s that we will get higher.”
Since Jones purchased the staff in 1989, the Cowboys have had 5 4-4 begins and made the playoffs twice (2006, 1999) in these conditions. They’ve had six 3-5 begins and made the playoffs simply as soon as (2018) in these seasons. That yr, the Cowboys made a commerce for large receiver Amari Cooper that jump-started their season.
The commerce deadline is Tuesday. The Cowboys have ample cap area to make a serious transfer, however Jones stated the Cowboys wouldn’t make a commerce for the sake of doing so.
“We’re in search of meat on the bone that may enhance our staff,” he stated.
