The Enduring Legacy of Ed "Too Tall" Jones and the Dallas Cowboys
Over the course of their storied history, the Dallas Cowboys have been home to many NFL legends. Among them is Ed "Too Tall" Jones, a former All-Pro defensive end who was a cornerstone of the team that triumphed in Super Bowl XII. With 106 sacks over his 15-year career, Jones made an indelible mark on the game and continues to influence the sport from the sidelines today.
Jones believes that seasoned players are crucial to achieving postseason success. "If you look at these teams now that make the playoffs, like Buffalo, Baltimore, all those teams, they don’t have anybody on those teams that won a Super Bowl in that locker room. To be a champion, you've got to be able to get to another level," he affirms. This assertion is rooted in a career where he witnessed firsthand how experience can shape the outcome of high-stakes games.
There's truth to Jones's statement. During the 1990s, under coach Jimmy Johnson, the Cowboys made a pivotal trade for Charles Haley, a player who had already won two rings with the San Francisco 49ers. This decision paid off almost immediately as the Cowboys captured three Super Bowl titles over a four-year span soon after Haley's acquisition. "What separates good players and good teams is teams who have players who can go to another level in big games. Every general manager in the league should be out trying to pick up a guy that gets cut or something that's been to a Super Bowl and put him in that locker room. It makes a big difference," Jones emphasizes.
Jones isn’t solely focused on the past. Despite the last Super Bowl appearance for the Cowboys dating back to January 1996, he continues to maintain his connection with the sport, recently partnering with Sportcane, a newly designed walking aid. Reflecting on its impact, he says, "I don’t know what I would do if it wasn’t for the Sportcane as far as being able to get around and still not letting anything hinder what I do in life."
His perspective on the importance of experienced players extends beyond individual performances; it’s about leadership and the intangible qualities seasoned veterans bring to a team. "That is definitely one of the things. The team plays too well every year. They win 12 games every year and they’re a different animal in the playoffs. Coaches can't do it all to put you over the top. You must have internal leadership. I’m not just talking about captains. I'm talking about a guy in that locker room that’s been there, done that, knows what he’s talking about, and players will follow."
Jones points out the significance of having veterans by recounting his own team's struggles against the Pittsburgh Steelers in '75 and '78, games that were decided by the slimmest of margins. "That Pittsburgh team had nothing but veterans on both sides of the ball. Nothing but veterans. We were a very young team both times when they beat us in '75 and when they beat us in '78, even though we only lost by four points both games and [Roger] Staubach had the ball driving [late] in those games. I was proud of the way we hung in there against a veteran team because experience in big games is very important. Very important."
His candid assessment of current and past teams offers an invaluable perspective. "Who will they follow? Dallas don’t have it. Several teams don’t have it. That’s just one of the things. They’re missing a few horses in key positions, too, but oftentimes, when you have the right leadership and the right chemistry, you make up for it." This insight comes from decades of involvement in the game and a deep understanding of what it takes to go from being a good team to becoming a championship team.
The intensity of the NFL, especially for a team like the Cowboys, comes with its unique set of challenges. "That America's Team thing made us bulletin board material... Well, we were a target every time we stepped on the field. … We got a team's best. Picture having to deal with that every Sunday. That’s not easy," Jones recalls.
As the Cowboys look to reclaim their former glory, the wisdom and insights of legends like Ed "Too Tall" Jones remain as relevant as ever. His emphasis on the role of experienced players serves as a roadmap for teams striving for excellence. Through his partnership with Sportcane, Jones continues to show that adaptability and persistence are key, both on and off the field.