Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones comments to the media at The Star on Friday. He understood the incredible folly in which he’d be engaging if he traded away star linebacker Micah Parsons. Despite these uncertainties, Jones wasn’t second-guessing his decision. He’s been steadfast about how important it is to take calculated risks in the pros.
In his keynote address, Jones stressed the importance of a great supporting cast to accomplish big success. To drive his point home, he even made comparisons to legendary players such as Deion Sanders and Charles Haley. He can take you back in detail to getting Haley from the San Francisco 49ers in 1992. Haley was instrumental in bringing down the house for the team’s Super Bowl victories.
“You can’t spell Super Bowl without Charles Haley,” – Jerry Jones
Jones didn’t shy away from discussing the team’s financial situation. He stepped even further out on a limb with his great faith in his current roster and future prospects. He even expressed his concern on the establishing $200 million salary cap. Still, he remains optimistic about spreading this cap out across the next three-to-four years to maintain the team’s long-term flexibility and competitiveness.
Cowboys owner Stephen Jones pointed out Kenny Clark as their big free agent coup. These two moves are indicative of his extremely deep commitment to piecing together a championship-contending roster. After all, this was a man willing to make high-risk decisions in the past. Perhaps most importantly, he made the notorious Herschel Walker trade while in Minnesota and signed cornerback Brandon Carr in 2012 for five years, $50 million.
Jones compares his playing-day style of team-building to that of a “riverboat gambler.” He relishes in the danger that comes from making risky moves, even when the stakes are high.
“If anybody doesn’t think that this is rolling the dice, I don’t know what rolling the dice looks like,” – Jerry Jones
He elaborated on his philosophy, stating, “You make decisions like this and the consequences usually when they have this type of critique or this type of impact, you’re not out here playing pinochle… And we all are there, and if it weren’t risk then you wouldn’t have so many people probably disagreeing with my decision.”
Jones personally hopes to use every cent of the team’s cap space in order to retain core players. He’s doing the same for acquiring several other talents with draft picks, as evidenced by several deals. He stressed the importance of being strategic decision-makers while working with the limits of the salary cap.
“Remember you cannot have it all. You just cannot have it all,” – Jerry Jones
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