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Once the NFL's model team, the Dallas Cowboys have become the very picture of mediocrity in the league, winning just one playoff game since 1997.
To be frank (and obvious), Dallas is consistent mediocrity is a perfect reflection of the talent the Cowboys have had for the last 15 years. Jerry Jones has consistently built a mediocre roster, and succombs to the same mistakes every single year.
Once again, the Cowboys have a weak offensive line, making life really, really difficult on quarterback Tony Romo.
Usually, when a general manager is consistently bad at his job, he'll be fired. Unfortunately for Cowboys fans, Jerry Jones won't be firing himself anytime soon. In fact, Jones sees his role as owner and general manager as a benefit for the Cowboys.
"That is one of the luxuries of my position as owner as well as the ultimate decision maker, general manager and president - I can do that and take the losses and come back for more," he said this week at Valley Ranch, talking about his management style.
"I have won with that style," he said. "We are not managing a widow-woman's retirement account here. In other words, to compete, I think we need to be aggressive. You play the game, you manage the game that way. You take some risks. When they don't pay off, they look bad. That has happened."
Just in the last 10 years, Cowboys fans have watched the New York Giants win two Super Bowls, and watched the Philadelphia Eagles go to a Super Bowl of their own-- all the while, the Cowboys have just one playoff victory.
With Jones unwilling to change how the front office operates, it doesn't seem like Cowboys fans have much reason for hope, especially with the Washington Redskins now having a franchise player at quarterback, making the NFC East even more difficult.
Unless Jones relinquishes front office duties, the Cowboys will continue the slow death march toward transforming themselves into the Oakland Raiders, in Al Davis' last years. Davis had far too much control in Oakland, and consequently, the Raiders were the laughingstock of the league during the aughts.
But hey, Jerry thinks he's doing a great job. Cowboys fans will continue to watch, because they love their team, and they'll continue to be held hostage by an owner who would sooner rap on a Papa John's commercial rather than focus on building a consistent winning team.