Jerry Jones Feeling Cowboys Super Bowl 'Pressure?' Camp Notebook Day 1
· Yahoo Sports
OXNARD, Calif. - We have heard Dallas Cowboys fans gripe for years that the front office doesn't feel job pressure because, well, billionaires Jerry and Stephen Jones aren't going to fire themselves.
In short, there is no fear of them losing their luxurious offices at The Star if things go wrong.
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Well, in 30 years, a lot has gone not-quite-right with your beloved Cowboys, now infamously not even having qualified for an NFC Championship Game in that time, let alone a Super Bowl.
So that is why all the hype around Dallas this offseason, after the moves made both on and off the field, is to many critics just "Sound-and-the-Fury'' white noise.
But on the other hand, as we got underway with Wednesday's Day 1 of practice here in Oxnard, there continued to be a very positive "football-first'' feel. ... as we explore in our Cowboys Camp Notebook ...
JERRY PRESSURE: What fans really want to know is if Jerry Jones, who has a hand in most decisions, is feeling the pressure of one of the most recognizable franchises in sports having fallen short during this troubling "30-year drought.''
READ MORE: Tony Romo Rumor: Could CBS Fire Cowboys Icon Following Arrest?
Jerry's answer?
"Yes, I do, for all the obvious reasons," Jerry said. "We've got certain things in place here that won't stay in place. I personally think that when you haven't done it before, I think that is a huge value to your associates.
"Obviously, it's a great thing to have experience of somebody that's done something for 20 years, but that is a good pressure to be involved with a group that can do something they haven't been a part of."
ABOUT THAT GROUP ...: For Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Quinnen Williams (who hasn't even been to the playoffs) and many others around here, postseason success hasn't been much of a thing.
READ MORE: Cowboys Open Quinnen Williams Contract Talks, 'Absolutely' Want New Deal With All-Pro
So, the carrot dangling in front of this group to be the first team since those famous '90s Cowboys teams to get it done is one large vegetable.
DOWNS' DEBUT: Coach Brian Schottenheimer said he didn't want to feed the first-round rookie too much responsibility too early.
But ...
As noted by colleague Joseph Hoyt, it appeared that on three straight plays during Downs' first-ever camp practice, he ...
- Played corner near the boundary ...
- Then lined up in the box ...
- And then played "centerfielder'' at safety.
Maybe there's no such thing as "too much.''
DAK'S (BIRTH)DAY: What does the now-33-year-old want for a gift? as reporter Jane Slater asked him.
“One thing,'' he replied. "Win.”
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING: Javonte Williams is the bell cow. But behind him?
Phil Mafah fumbled, and maybe was pulled off the field by coaches for the gaffe.
Enter Jaydon Blue, who immediately took advantage with a 45-yard sprint for a TD.
“My speed is what I’m best at,'' Blue said later, via Jon Machota. "Once I get in the open field and it’s one-on-one, I don’t think anyone in this league can stand a chance.”
Speed kills.
And in an opposite way, so do fumbles.
PLAY OF THE DAY: Joe Milton, who is jousting with Sam Howell for the No. 2 QB job, made the throw of the day with a 30-yard bullet to Jonathan Mingo (who deserves kudos on the catch).
In fact, it might be the best throw Milton has made in his one-year time in Dallas.
So, Day 1 was a good day for "Bazooka Joe.''
INJURY UPDATE: Backup safety PJ Locke was being evaluated after being forced out of practice. ... but it seems he just banged knees awkwardly. All is fine.
FISHELLANOUS: DaRon Bland and Cobie Durant were the first-team corners, as Shavon Revel got work with the first- and second-team groups, as did Caelan Carson. ... Quinnen Williams says he “definitely” wants to be with the Cowboys long term. But even as he's involved in extension talks, he said, “I want to win, and that’s kind of the only thing I’m really focused on is winning.” ... Schottenheimer announced his 11-man "Leadership Council'' featuring Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Javonte Williams, Tyler Smith, Tyler Booker, Jake Ferguson, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Jalen Thompson, Rashan Gary and Bryan Anger. Worth noting, in addition to the honor for second-year man Booker: None of the four defensive guys were on this team a year ago.
THE MAKEUP: Jerry feels good about the roster. ... which was fun to watch work on Day 1.
"I like the makeup," he said. "I'm aware that we're doing some things for the first time in a lot of places, but I think that's going to be offset with our coaching, the makeup of the coaching, and frankly the mix of some of the new guys. They are veteran players as they mix with some of the newer guys that are. I think all that is a big plus. We'll see."
Maybe, for the first time in decades, Jerry is finally feeling the pressure to bring that elusive Super Bowl back to Dallas.
THE FINAL WORD: Tyler Guyton said Dak Prescott has coined a new slogan for this year’s Cowboys offense: "GOTI.''
What's that stand for? “Greatest Offense There Is,'' Guyton said.