Todd Archer, ESPN Writer Nov 1, 2024, 1:02pm ET
CloseTodd Archer is an NFL reporter for ESPN covering the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has covered the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010. You can follow him on Twitter at @toddarcher.
FRISCO, Texas – Despite free agent losses, a lack of free agent additions and a reliance on internal improvement, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones did not expect his team to be 3-4 after seven games.
Speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday, Jones was asked about the play of right guard Zach Martin and right tackle Terrence Steele but took a broader look at the roster.
“I think we’re going through a tougher time than I thought it would be. Let’s put it that way. Let’s not just pin it on those two,” Jones said. “But being in the ring has to be there. It’s tougher and I didn’t anticipate the challenges we have with this team, but I remember teams I’ve seen that had a lot of success and ‘they put themselves in position to shoot and it was 3-4.’
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The Cowboys face the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons (5-3) on Sunday to begin a four-week stretch against teams that are a combined 22-10 and also include the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Washington Commanders.
On Thursday, Dak Prescott called Sunday’s game a must-win.
“Hell, I mean for me every game is, but obviously, I mean 3-4, like I said, there’s a lot of season left, but the first start to be able to say that with confidence is getting back, especially, and getting back, especially, and getting Two home after that.”
Jones doesn’t have to look far to explain the team’s sub-.500 start.
“When I look at the reasons we are here, I have a hard time getting past just the youth and inexperience up front, and I have a hard time getting past the turnover. [ratio]. I’m telling you when you look at that and know what turnovers are going to do for you, we’ve gone through seven games and we, the Cowboys, have turned the ball over 13 times. All last year we only turned it in 16 times. We’ve turned it thirteen times. … It’s really a plus that we won three games.”
The Cowboys have dealt with a number of injuries on defense and will be without pass rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) for the fourth straight game. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) was added to the 53-man roster this week, but he did not practice and will not play against the Falcons. Cornerback Trevon Diggs did not practice this week due to a calf strain and is listed as questionable.
What encourages Jones that things can change?
“First of all, I saw guys on the field doing what I’m talking about which would address turnovers or address communication up front, improve the running game, improve protection,” Jones said. He said. “I’ve seen Dak make the types of plays that would cause us to get a different turnover percentage, for example. So your question is valid, but I’ve seen these guys do that. I know Mike McCarthy, I know the caliber. He’s one of the coaches with the highest winning percentage/ Losing in the NFL.
“So when you see it happen in football, you know they can do it. That gives you reasons to say what I’m saying, which is that we can improve.”
Since Jones purchased the team in 1989, the Cowboys have gone 4-4 in five starts and made the playoffs twice (2006, 1999) in those situations. They have gone six 3-5 and made the playoffs just once (2018) in those seasons. That year, the Cowboys made a trade for wide receiver Amari Cooper that started their season.
The trade deadline is Tuesday. The Cowboys have plenty of room to make a big move, but Jones said the Cowboys wouldn’t trade up to do so.
“We are looking for meat that can improve our team,” he said.
