Jerry Jones on Cowboys starting out 3-1: 'I really didn't expect it'
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has never been accused of being a realist, and sometimes what he says about the state of his team — good or bad — is best served with a quiet eye roll.
But we can’t help take Jones at face value with his most recent comments about the 3-1 start for the team. Frankly, Jones didn’t see it coming with a familiar refrain in both Tony Romo and Dez Bryant (among others) missing time with injuries.
“I didn’t expect it,” Jones said Sunday, via the Dallas Morning News. “I really didn’t expect it.”
It’s refreshingly honest, and a bit surprising, really, for Jones to show this kind of candor. But it’s also exactly how we feel considering everything the Cowboys have endured to this point. And no, we don’t think he was feeling funny after being clocked in the head by a thrown helmet. Jones really seems to believe this — and for good reason.
In addition, to Romo missing the first quarter of the season and Bryant being out Week 4, the Cowboys also have been without Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith and top corner Orlando Scandrick the past two games, guard La’el Collins for one game (and likely out for the season), and suspensions to defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence (four games) and Randy Gregory (10) and linebacker Rolando McClain (10).
On top of that, the Cowboys feature rookies starting at quarterback and running back with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, respectively. Prescott has yet to throw an interception this season, and Elliott is leading the NFL in rushing. The kids are responding to the challenges set before them.
“We’ve got a bunch of young guys out there,” Jones said. “We know that we have some guys who will be coming back, but now to some degree we know we can win if they’re not back on time.
“This is a competitive league. I didn’t expect to do it without Dez, without our left tackle, without key players like Scandrick. It says a lot about our depth. It says a lot about Jason [Garrett] and our coaching.
“I’m really proud of those guys. They are doing a really good job. They are not looking back. They are lining up with literally who we have at game time. We warm them up out there. If they can go or if they can’t, we find out at warmup. That’s who is going to play.”
The Cowboys do feel slightly volatile right now, even though they very well could be 4-0. Bryant’s outbursts, missed meetings and health are big worries. There also might have to be a tricky decision at quarterback coming if and when Romo returns, perhaps after the Week 7 bye.
But for now Jones is honestly pleased with his team — and pleasingly honest, we must say.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
