Jerry Jones on the Cowboys' 3-4 start – “More difficult than expected”

FRISCO, Texas – Despite the free agent losses, lack of free agent signings and reliance on internal improvements, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones never expected his team to be 3-3 after seven games. 4 would stand.

Speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday, Jones was asked about the play of right guard Zack Martin and right tackle Terence Steele, but took a broader view of the roster.

“I think we're having a tougher time than I expected. Let's put it this way. Let’s not just associate this with those two,” Jones said. “But keeping me informed has to be there. It's rougher and I didn't expect the challenges that we have with this team, but I remember teams that I've seen that have had a lot of success.” put themselves in a position to fire a shot and it was 3-4.

The Cowboys face the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons (5-3) on Sunday, beginning a four-week stretch against teams with an overall record of 22-10 that also include the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Washington Commanders.

On Thursday, Dak Prescott called Sunday's game an unconditional win.

“Damn, I mean, for me every game is like that, but of course I mean 3-4, like I said, there's still a lot of season left, but the first start, to be able to say this confidently, is to get even again “Be, especially, Right, there are a few more home games after that,” Prescott said.

Jones doesn't have to look far to explain the team's sub-.500 start.

“When I look at the reasons why we're here, I have a really hard time getting over the sheer youth and the sheer inexperience on offense, and I have a hard time getting over that turnover.” [ratio]. I'm telling you, if you look at this and know what turnovers do for you, we, the Cowboys, turned the ball over 13 times in seven games. Last year we only flipped it 16 times all year. We turned it over thirteen times. … It’s really a plus that we won three games.”

The Cowboys are dealing 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 did not practice and will not play against the Falcons. Cornerback Trevon Diggs did not practice this week because of a calf strain and is listed as questionable.

What encourages Jones that things can change?

“First of all, I saw the players on the field doing what I'm talking about, which is tackling turnovers or improving communication on the offensive line, improving your running game, improving your protection,” Jones said. “I saw Dak make the kinds of plays that would cause us to have a different turnover rate, for example. So your question is correct, but I saw how these guys did it. I know Mike McCarthy, I know the caliber.” He is one of the coaches with the highest win/loss ratio in the NFL and has won a Super Bowl.

“So if you've seen it in football, you know they can do it. Then there’s a reason to say what I say, which is that we can do better.”

Since Jones bought the team in 1989, the Cowboys have had five 4-4 starts and reached the playoffs twice in those situations (2006, 1999). They had six 3-5 starts and only made the playoffs once (2018) during those seasons. That year, the Cowboys made a trade for wide receiver Amari Cooper that gave their season momentum.

The trading deadline is Tuesday. The Cowboys have cap space to make a big move, but Jones said the Cowboys wouldn't make a trade for that reason.

“We’re looking for meat on the bones that can improve our team,” he said.