Ed "Too Tall" Jones remains an iconic figure in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, a franchise adorned with a storied legacy. As a former All-Pro defensive end and a Super Bowl XII champion, Jones's career boasts 106 sacks over a remarkable 15-year tenure.
Jones's insights into what separates good teams from great ones are rooted in his personal experience. Reflecting on the landscape of the NFL today, Jones observes that many playoff-bound teams lack veteran players with championship experience. “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 explains.
Jones's viewpoint also reinforces the critical need for playoff experience within any team's roster. “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,” he continues.
For the Cowboys, their last Super Bowl appearance dates back to January 1996. The mid-'90s saw the team make a strategic trade for defensive powerhouse Charles Haley, under the guidance of coach Jimmy Johnson. Haley, who had already secured two rings with the San Francisco 49ers, made an immediate impact upon joining Dallas. The Cowboys won their first of three Super Bowl titles over a four-year span soon after his arrival. Jones argues that it is this infusion of seasoned veterans that propels teams to postseason success, a sentiment he holds strongly.
Furthermore, Jones points out the importance of leadership within the locker room, something he believes the current Cowboys roster lacks. “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,” he asserts.
Jones's analysis extends beyond just identifying the problem; he specifies the need for players who have "been there and done that" in big games. “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.”
His references to the past highlight how experience can be a game-changer. “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.”
Despite the successes and struggles in his football career, Jones has faced new challenges in his post-football life. Partnering with Sportcane, a newly designed walking aid, Jones now champions this device for its positive impact on his quality of life. "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,” he admits, acknowledging how the device has significantly improved his mobility.
Ed "Too Tall" Jones's legacy is indelibly etched not just in the annals of the Dallas Cowboys but in the broader NFL narrative. His career, marked by resilience and excellence, serves as a benchmark for what it truly takes to reach the pinnacle of professional football. By advocating for the presence of experienced veterans within teams and leveraging new technologies for quality of life improvements, Jones remains a formidable voice both on and off the field.