If you have yet to realize that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is potentially missing the “in touch with reality” button in his brain, his latest comments may very well convince you.
Following the Cowboys disappointing 0-4 preseason in which they yielded an average of 29 points and 393 yards per game, Jones had this to say about the defense (via Star-Telegram).
I think the defense is much improved, much improved. Awareness, the player we’re going to ask to do the job, I think we’re much improved from the team that was on the field the last four games when we ended the season.
This is a better defense. We know our limitations. We know our scheme better and we got players that can execute. We’ve got better players, healthier players to execute the scheme. Even the ones who aren’t healthy, including them, we’ve got healthier players that can do it.
Let’s just pretend for a second that losing Seen Lee for the year with an offseason injury and releasing DeMarcus Ware makes this defense a better overall unit. Let’s also assume that the Cowboys’ projected starting safeties (Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox) aren’t atrocious.
Even then, the Cowboys have no real pass rush and are playing two journeymen (George Slevia and Jeremy Mincey) at the defensive end positions. This doesn’t even take into account the unfortunate career-ending injury to second-year standout DeVonte Holloman and that rookie second-round pick DeMarcus Lawrence is likely going to miss the first month of the season.
Needless to say, Jones’ grasp on reality isn’t too strong at this point.
Dallas opens up at home against a talented San Francisco 49ers offense Week 1 before traveling to Tennessee to take on an improved Titans offense the following week. Let’s hope Tony Romo and Co. can keep their end of the bargain, because there are going to be some high-scoring affairs in Big D.
Photo: SI.com