What'd he say?

A few weeks ago, the local media went on alert when Jerry Jones stated, "I believe we have the talent and the ability to improve to the point that we can win 10 ball games, and the decisions that I'm making are based on that."

The sports radio talk shows had a field day answering all those questions like, "what team was he watching last year?"

The same old questions came up about his inability to judge football talent and his history of poor NFL drafts. These were the first things that came to my mind as well. Now, however, I'm not so sure.

Let's take a closer look at what Jones may have meant when he said his 5-11 football team of last year, "has the talent and ability to improve."

First off we need to mention that the Cowboys added no impact players this off season via the draft or free agency. These are the same players on defense that were one of the worst in the NFL at stopping the run.

So the question that begs to be asked is this -- where is the improvement going to come from that Jones is referring too?

Well, anyone who saw his team take one of worst beatings in clubs history, a 41-14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on opening day last season, needs to look no further than the coaches on the losing teams side of the field.

The Cowboys were unprepared for a NEW tactic called -- the blitz! Troy Aikman was blitzed into early retirement, while the Eagles also stacked the line of scrimmage to stop Emmitt Smith.

And how about that defensive game plan? Of course tackling the guy with the ball is something all football players must be able to do to play on defense at any level. So either all these professional football players forgot how to tackle, or the problem was a strategy problem.

So when Jones talks about a five game improvement from last year, without the addition of one impact player...I say he's talking about, (drum roll please)... Coaching!

Jones has his hopes on his second year coaching staff doing a much better job. So at training camp this summer, while other teams will be looking for new contributors on the field, the Cowboys general manager, will be watching those who are doing the watching. If I am correct, Mr. Jones feels his coaching staff cost his team some five victories last year.

I wonder who Jones will have his film crew making tape of at camp -- the players or the coaches?