Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Jones: "We Weren't Close Enough"

By Scott Crisp

When the Dallas Cowboys were unceremoniously whipped out of playoff contention by the Minnesota Vikings in January, ending a promising late run by the team, Jerry Jones wasn't pleased; and he wants his players to know it.

Speaking to reporters in Indianapolis, at the NFL Scouting Combine, Jones hinted that the 34-3 beat-down might precipitate some change in Dallas.

"After the Minnesota game, we weren't close enough and good enough for anybody to get comfortable about where we are," Jones said, per the Dallas Morning News. "If that thing had been taken away from us at the last second or we had played at a high level there, but we didn't. We've got to do something to change that.

"Again, we feel good about the system we're in right now and have got some guys under contract. But it wouldn't surprise me to have 10 or 11 new faces on our team."

Whether this dramatic figure will materialize on the roster, or if the comments were merely a sort of management tool, is unclear; what is exceedingly clear is Jones' message: a first round playoff win is simply not enough to keep him happy. And since Jones signs the checks in Valley Ranch, this should stand as cause for concern on the part of players.

"I want some people nervous," Jones said. "I want our players nervous."

Interestingly, Jones would go on to all but guarantee Roy Williams a starting job next season. We'll explore this achievement in the field of contradiction a little later.