|
MOBILE, Ala. - Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones is well aware of the recent criticism hurled at his franchise following its disappointing 9-7 finish. "Not just a teaspoon-full, but a real large amount," he says - a byproduct of the team's visibility, talent and expectations.
Jones has admitted some areas, including his own approach, must be tweaked for better results next year. This week in Mobile, he has focused on evaluating some of the nation's top senior prospects as the Cowboys begin to build their draft board.
He has respectfully declined to discuss certain hot button issues (i.e. rampant speculation on Terrell Owens' future, the reasons for Adam "Pacman" Jones' release and the recent movement on his coaching staff).
But Jones did address several other topics following Tuesday's practices at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, including free agency, the draft and Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware's contract negotiations.
Ware, who had a league-high 20 sacks this season, has one year left on his rookie deal. But Jones said the Cowboys and Ware's representatives have held preliminary discussions this week about a contract extension.
The following are highlights from Jones' interview with a few Dallas-area reporters:
What are your impressions of these Senior Bowl participants?
JONES: "We're looking for guys that give us a chance, to help on special teams - of course you're looking for a starter. But good looking kids out there, and of course we found out yesterday how many (underclassmen) were coming out for the draft. It's an unbelievable number of juniors that are coming out, too, so that's interesting."
With so many extra draft picks this year, do you expect teams to call you about potential trades on draft weekend?
JONES: "Yeah, with that number of picks you should be able to do some positioning. Of course, we don't have that one (first-round pick), but still, you sure should be able to. It's always part of it."
Would you like to trade back into the first round?
JONES: "Not necessarily. Not necessarily at all, not this year. You can have some issues this year signing first-round picks."
Because of the potentially uncapped season in 2010?
JONES: "That's correct."
With most of your starting spots settled, what are your expectations for free agency this year?
JONES: "I don't expect much in free agency. I don't for that reason, because we've made a lot of commitments on our roster. It's a positive. I view it as a real positive, the strengths that we have, and that's why I want to take a lot of what we've got - and certainly we'll make some changes where we think we can improve - but basically get this team back out on the field. We've got something to prove."
When you say you've got something to prove, is that an organizational thing that trickles down to the players?
JONES: "Well, I'd like to not be down here at the Senior Bowl. I'd be out getting ready for the Super Bowl, and that's an organizational thing, that's everybody and that includes everyone. I think that's what we want, to take each thing as it turns out. This is the time of year when we're looking at these players and we'll shortly be headed up to the combine and we're just now initiating our evaluations, specifically our games. So all of that is at this time of year, and this is a real chance. During the year you've pretty much got your focus on week-to-week. Now we can step back and look at the big picture and evaluate this year."
Head coach Wade Phillips discussed making adjustments in an effort to improve. What changes would you like to see?
JONES: "I don't know what those are now. But certainly as we evaluate, as we do assess, then that's when those will come and should be pretty easily identifiable."
Were you disappointed in linebacker Anthony Spencer's recent arrest for public intoxication and disorderly conduct?
JONES: "I don't know the details and I haven't seen the details on it. But I wouldn't want to comment because I haven't sat down with Anthony. I have the reports. I do have the reports, but I think we'll just have to see where that goes and I will reserve my comment."
There always seems to be speculation about safety Roy Williams' long-term future with team. He missed most of this season with injuries. What is his status?
JONES: "Again, he's a part of our evaluation and assessment. And a big part of it. There're things that Roy can really, with Wade's scheme and what we're trying to do defensively, there's an area that Roy can really excel and help us excel. So we've got to really evaluate that."
Could you envision him playing a hybrid safety/linebacker position?
JONES: "We've always thought he would really, at any time, be an impact player up near the line. And certainly, when you're talking about putting pressure on a team, we've always thought he was capable of doing that. That comes to my mind immediately when I think of what he can contribute."
Do you expect to re-sign Ware this off-season before he enters the final year of his contract?
JONES: "We've had initial visits and did today. And (Cowboys executive vice president) Stephen (Jones) spent a quite of bit of time with his representative today. And so certainly that's something we will be working on."
Have you prioritized your free agents, specifically defensive end Chris Canty and linebacker Kevin Burnett?
JONES: "I don't want to do that (publicly) at the risk of not putting the emphasis, because the players you just mentioned are really top football players for us. But that's a part of what we do during this time of the year is make that assessment. You must do that so that you address where you are going to spend your money."
You've mentioned you felt like the team let its fans down this season. Are you more sensitive to the criticism surrounding your team?
JONES: "I am very sensitive to how our fans are feeling and our fans being disappointed or our fans being excited about our team. I am very aware that we have the visibility that we have. We are the most visible team, period, and with all of that goes a lot of criticism when you get it. Not just a teaspoon-full, but a real large amount of criticism. It's structured that way. On a management basis, we push a lot out. I push a lot out on the table every time I throw. It hurts when it comes up snake eyes or when it doesn't come up right. It hurts. But by pushing a lot out - I've said this before - my style is not to lay up, but it's to drive the ball across the water. And that's disaster, or that hurts when it doesn't get in there. But I believe ultimately that's how we can get where we want to go, to a Super Bowl."
So that means you'll push even harder this year?
JONES: "Absolutely - with the fresh sensitivity of a lot of criticism and a lot of disappointment."
When you evaluate this off-season, do you factor in the team's chemistry, or is that not an issue?
JONES: "Again, I am not going to get into what we do. I would just comment that this is the time we do that. As to the specifics about that, I don't want to get into that."
| Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS |
|
Rob Phillips - 
