Cowboys: Jerry Jones takes responsibility for defensive woes

Jerry Jones claims he’s to blame for the Cowboys shoddy defense.

The Cowboys 3-9 start to the 2020 season is far from where fans thought they’d be at this juncture, and a playoff spot is almost guaranteed to evade them this year. Much of Dallas’ disappointment can be dated back to the offseason, as Dallas lost the likes of Byron Jones in free agency without adequately replacing them.

Jones, to his credit, has come to terms with his failures. On his weekly radio hit, Jones was willing to put a face on much of the frustration Dallas fans are feeling right now.

Blame the owner, not the players, was the primary message by Jones

“You think anybody is talking sweet about me right now?” Jones asked hosts Kevin Hageland and Cory Mageors. “The one that should and does get heat in various forms. You don’t get a chance, when you don’t do it right, to touch that Lombardi Trophy. Do y’all have any idea how much I’d write a check for if I knew for sure I could get that Lombardi Trophy?”

Jones also defended his players after a perceived “lack of effort” was exposed by fans, and even brought up by coach Mike McCarthy privately.

“When you have ups and downs and you don’t win, you can see people criticizing, quote, ‘Heart, effort.’ You can see that,” Jones said. “You can hear it if you want to listen to it. And that’s fair to say it. But, boy, I see guys trying to work the problem, trying to get better.”

If Jerry could get a re-do on “how we approached defense this year,” he would, per the interview. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works.

Accountability by any owner is always appreciated, and a breathe of fresh air. However, that doesn’t solve the Cowboys problems. At least Jones has identified the problem.