Growing Wiser

Since Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys back in the late 1980’s, he has been in an intriguing position. Being the owner as well as General Manager, he is essentially the architect behind the entire team. And being the owner/GM, Jerry Jones has caught a lot of flak throughout the years for some head scratching moves.
 
But if the 2008 offseason is any indication, Jerry Jones has definitely grown into the role of a great GM.

          

Jones has always been a great owner. He has always been willing to spend whatever it takes, and to do whatever it takes to try and put a winning team on the field. He is also a great owner for the players, being almost too loyal at times to his veteran players.
 
The past few years have been an indication of this, as he has shelled out quite a bit of up-front money in signing bonuses and guarantees, showing stars like Tony Romo he wants to keep them, and fixtures such as Greg Ellis that he is just as wanted now as he was ten years ago.
 
But that is nothing new to Jerry. He was always willing to spend that extra dollar if it meant helping the team. That’s the great owner in him - his passion to win.
 
Now, however, he is also doing what is necessary as a great GM. With all of the rumors flying around the Dallas Cowboys this offseason regarding everyone from Pacman Jones to Roy Williams to Chad Johnson, old Jerry might have scratched an itch.
 
Everyone knows that the team is in negotiations to trade for troubled cornerback Pacman Jones. And because of this, the Titans have tried to get Jerry to cave, asking for far more than Pacman’s current value, which is at an all-time low right now.
 
But Jones hasn’t budged. He has stayed firm. Old Jerry might have given up whatever was necessary, because Pacman can be a ‘wow’ player for this team. He would add depth at CB, and a star on punt returns.
 
New Jerry realizes that eventually, the Titans would have to cut Pacman, meaning the Cowboys would give up nothing, so why sweeten the pot trying to get the Titans to trade him? Jones has learned from his mistakes, and is doing the right thing here.
 
Another fact about the Dallas Cowboys is that they’re actively trying to get a playmaker opposite Terrell Owens at wide receiver this offseason. Rumors have them dangling a first round pick for Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, or Anquan Boldin.
 
Most will undoubtedly remember in 2000, when the team was desperately seeking a replacement for Michael Irvin, Jerry giving up two first round picks (one in the late teens, one in the top ten) for Joey Galloway. This trade turned out to burn the Cowboys, as Galloway was often injured, and even when he was healthy, was not the game breaking player the team had hoped he would be.
 
Jerry has learned from the mistake of giving up too much for any one player, and will not make the same mistake again. Dangling one pick in the twenties is a lot more sensible than two picks in the top twenty.
 
And that is what makes Jerry Jones a great GM. He has learned from his mistakes, and makes sure to not repeat them.
 
Sure, he likes to be in front of the camera, and to bring flash and pizzazz to the Dallas Cowboys team. But that’s just a proud father showing off his child that he is so proud of. Jerry Jones wants nothing but the best for the Dallas Cowboys. He always has, and always will.
 
Only now, he is far better equipped to do what’s best for the team.

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Whitey's Weekly is a freelance column, whitey_aw@hotmail.com.