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Dallas Cowboys: Simply Put, The Cowboys Need A GM

By Dink Kearney

Sep 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; (L to R) Dallas Cowboys chief executive office Stephen Jones, owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Jerry Jones Jr. pose for a photo before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; (L to R) Dallas Cowboys chief executive office Stephen Jones, owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Jerry Jones Jr. pose for a photo before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys allowed several of their own players to sign with other teams during free agency, causing major holes to be filled. This team needs a bona fide general manager.

Once upon a time, the Dallas Cowboys were big spenders in free agency. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones would sign the best of the best free agents available. In fact, Jones’ biggest free agent signing ever was of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.

The signing of Sanders paid big dividends for Dallas, as the ultra talented corner helped the Cowboys win their third Super Bowl in four years, solidifying a dynasty.

The signing of Sanders was the beginning of Jones opening up his wallet to spend lavishly on super star free agents, regardless of how it crippled his franchise moving forward.

From good free agent signings (Terrell Owens, $25 million, $5 million signing bonus) to the bad ones (Brandon Carr, $50 million, $10 million signing bonus), Jerry kept the Cowboys in salary cap purgatory.

Because of Stephen Jones having more control in the Cowboys decision making process, the reckless spending habits of the elder Jones came to an immediate halt. Matter of fact, since Carr’s massive free agent contract, the Cowboys are thrifty with their free agent signings.

If Dallas cannot sign a player for cheap, then it’s not for keeps!

Basically, Dallas went from the equivalent of dining at expensive restaurants to eating at McDonalds on a daily basis. This approach works to a certain degree, but more has to be done.

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Yes, Dallas believes in building a team through the draft, which is one of the best ways to build a dominant team. This method is paying off. However, after watching Dallas lose so many key players to free agency, this team needs a TRUE general manager!

For the record, Jerry is more of a GM in name because Stephen has more say in football decisions these days.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m happy Dallas is no longer spending lavishly on free agents and believes in developing its own players. It was long over due.

But besides that, this organization needs to do more to get back to winning Super Bowls or at least being a top contender in the NFL.

The only way to do that is find a bona fide GM who knows how to do more than bargain shop for players as opposed to spending big bucks on free agents. For example, the Cowboys have no contingency plan on how to replace four players from its secondary.

Of course, some of you believe Dallas will fix this issue by drafting a corner or two in the up coming draft, or sign a veteran on the cheap. It makes sense, considering the circumstances.

Stephen Jones wears more hats than a super model in a fashion show.

But a really good GM with foresight never would of been in this position in the first place. First of all, the team would be under the salary and in position to re-sign key contributors. In this scenario, Dallas could of re-signed Carr and allowed the others to walk without any regrets.

Better yet, a true GM would of had the Cowboys in position to re-sign Carr and Morris Claiborne easily. Dallas’ inability to keep neither one has more to do with not managing the salary cap and quite frankly, not having a GM who knows how to wheel and deal.

As much credit as Stephen deserves for changing the organization’s philosophy, the simple truth is that Stephen is not a GM. The younger Jones wears to many hats in the organization to simply be a GM.

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According to the Dallas Cowboys website, Stephen is the CEO, Executive Vice President, Director of Player of Personnel, President of AT&T Stadium, and Stephen supervises the franchise’s employees. Plus, the younger Jones oversees the organization’s salary cap.

Stephen Jones wears more hats than a super model in a fashion show.

Now does that sound like a legit GM? Besides, how can a man have so many responsibilities and be a successful general manager?

In reality, you cannot do it and expect outstanding results.

Going from one extreme to another does not make you a good GM either. Dallas needs a GM who can cover all bases, from handling the salary cap to identifying the right players to making major moves to keep the team competitive.

I believe Stephen would make be a good GM if he could focus primarily on his general manager duties. But right now he believes in bargain shopping for players when this team needs immediate upgrades throughout its roster.

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Cowboys assistant director of player personnel Will McClay will make an outstanding GM, since he’s responsible for most of the talent on the Cowboys roster. Whether its setting up Dallas’ draft board to finding hidden gems, McClay has his signature on it, not Stephen or Jerry.

If Dallas had a true GM, Tony Romo wouldn’t be on the roster and the elusive “war daddy” would of sacked the Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs. Since Dallas doesn’t have a good GM to upgrade its major flaws, their troubles will persist.

If you want to see a winning franchise, it starts with the GM. One of the best examples is the New England Patriots (it hurts to give the cheaters credit).

Bill Belichick is the head coach, but Belichick has complete control of the Patriots football team. Essentially, Belichick is the general manager.

Instead of resting on its laurels after winning the Super Bowl, Belichick went into action by wheeling and dealing and upgrading the Patriots roster tremendously.

Belichick’s shrewdness paid off when he re-signed linebacker Dont’a Hightower to a four-year contract, made key acquisitions of wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the New Orleans Saints, defensive lineman Kony Ealy from the Carolina Panthers, and acquired tight end Dwayne Allen from the Indianapolis Colts for an undisclosed draft pick.

Further, Belichick signed former Buffalo Bills corner Stephon Gilmore to a lucrative contract. Also, the Patriots placed a first-round tender on corner Malcolm Butler, which means any team that signs Butler has to give the Pats a first-round pick.

Did I mention the Pats still have Rob Gronkowski? Yeah, they’re the favorites to win the Super Bowl next year.

Next: Dallas Cowboys: For Better or For Worse in the Secondary

This is the type of GM the Dallas Cowboys need, someone making savvy and shrewd deals to win the Lombardi trophies.

Until Dallas finds a legitimate GM, Cowboys Nation will continue to watch America’s Team struggle to find consist success.

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