Commentary: Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones has jumbotron-sized ego
Posted by JEREMY ELLIOTT, For The Patriot-News Monday August 24, 2009, 10:18 PM
A simple punt in a preseason game never meant so much or caused so much commotion.
There was 8:07 left in the third quarter when Tennessee reserve punter A.J. Trapasso lined up to punt during an exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys at the new, high-tech, way-too-expensive Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The ball sailed off Trapasso's foot and caromed off the 432-ton videoboard hanging from the roof of this gaudy facility. Officials met after Titans head coach Jeff Fisher tossed his red flag on the field and wanted a review of the incident.
That's when we were greeted with the first "do-over" in Cowboys Stadium history. And you can expect more -- plenty more -- in the future.
One has to wonder what Jerry Jones was thinking. How can someone, who has the richest franchise in the history of the league and who is supposed to be so brilliant, make this sort of blunder by ordering a Jumbotron so big, so extravagant that a backup punter smacks it?
Well, that's Jones being Jones.
There have been so many times when the Cowboys' maverick owner has let his ego get in the way of common sense. So many times his arrogance has shown.
The Jimmy Johnson fiasco. Not paying Emmitt Smith and letting his team lose the first two games of the 1993 season. Hiring Barry Switzer and Dave Campo.
Just add this one to the list.
When Indianapolis built Lucas Oil Stadium, Colts punter Hunter Smith, now with the Washington Redskins, was brought in to punt balls and make sure they didn't hit the scoreboard. This classy organization did its due diligence.
Not Jones.
I don't have a problem with making something nice for the fans. They are the ones who should be pampered. And there is plenty to like about this stadium. But what we don't like is making something so big that it supersedes the game and isn't given a test run.
Ridiculous.
Jones was quick to mention that the punters tried to hit it. Does that really matter? Ever hear of a five-second hang time, Jerry?
This thing is either too big or too low, and something needs to be done. But that would require Jones to admit he is wrong.
Jones gave more excuses, saying that the league signed off on it. He took it to another level when he said he wasn't going to do anything about it, and that when someone hits it, they can replay the down.
Again, arrogance.
But that is Jones' way. Really, did we need a $1.2 billion facility? Apparently Jones does. Can you say, pretentious?
This screams of a little boy saying "I have more than you," or "Mine is bigger than yours." Or maybe it's just someone who wants people to focus on something other than the product on the field.
Maybe Jones should worry about something that matters, like the fact that he spent way too much money on Roy Williams. (Boy, did Detroit see him coming on that one.)
Maybe Jones should lock up DeMarcus Ware or get a quality receiver to help out Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo.
Now those are decisions that make sense.