MahiMike
12-10-2008, 09:38 PM
This week the famous Cowboys owner did something many thought was taboo – he called out a star player for being a sissy. Well I don't know about 'many' people, but I loved it. Not just because he was right, but because it shows he cares (I shudder to think that Clark Hunt probably couldn't even name his starting RB, let alone call him out).
So it got me to thinking what a passionate owner this guy is and what that means to his franchise.
There are a lot of pieces and parts that go into a team's chemistry; coaches, assistants, franchise players, star players, role players, etc. But in the end, it's all up to the management to put this corporation together. A quick glance around the league tells you everything you need to know about which teams actually care about their teams.
The NFL is the epitome of fairness. With the salary cap and reverse-team drafting, there's really no reason why a team should be a perennial loser. And yet, the trends are way too obvious. The teams that normally lose year after year are still losing. And the teams that normally win usually do. There are some exceptions to this rule because of the forced-parity built into the league. But, given enough time, the teams with good management win and the others are just fodder for the rest of the league.
Jerry Jones may be a meddler. He may have an ego as big as his offensive line. But what he does possess is a passion for the game. He truly wants to win. And it shows. It shows on the field, at the box office, in the media and with his huge base of fans.
And what does he get for his efforts? The best product in the American sports world. His franchise is worth over $1 Billion thanks to his passion. What’s the Chief’s franchise worth these days? His team has a 50/50 shot at making the playoffs and yet, there are dozens of stories in play every day about the Cowboys. The only time the Chiefs are mentioned, it’s usually followed by a snicker about how dreadful they are.
Back in the 90's when Marty's Chiefs were so dominant, the franchise had the 3rd most merchandise sold in America. The Cowboys were ranked #1 and they still are. All because of Jerry Jones’ efforts.
Don't get me wrong. I hate the team that had the audacity to call themselves "America's team" (I don't remember voting on that one). But if we could pick our owners like we do players and coaches, Jerry Jones would be my pick.
So it got me to thinking what a passionate owner this guy is and what that means to his franchise.
There are a lot of pieces and parts that go into a team's chemistry; coaches, assistants, franchise players, star players, role players, etc. But in the end, it's all up to the management to put this corporation together. A quick glance around the league tells you everything you need to know about which teams actually care about their teams.
The NFL is the epitome of fairness. With the salary cap and reverse-team drafting, there's really no reason why a team should be a perennial loser. And yet, the trends are way too obvious. The teams that normally lose year after year are still losing. And the teams that normally win usually do. There are some exceptions to this rule because of the forced-parity built into the league. But, given enough time, the teams with good management win and the others are just fodder for the rest of the league.
Jerry Jones may be a meddler. He may have an ego as big as his offensive line. But what he does possess is a passion for the game. He truly wants to win. And it shows. It shows on the field, at the box office, in the media and with his huge base of fans.
And what does he get for his efforts? The best product in the American sports world. His franchise is worth over $1 Billion thanks to his passion. What’s the Chief’s franchise worth these days? His team has a 50/50 shot at making the playoffs and yet, there are dozens of stories in play every day about the Cowboys. The only time the Chiefs are mentioned, it’s usually followed by a snicker about how dreadful they are.
Back in the 90's when Marty's Chiefs were so dominant, the franchise had the 3rd most merchandise sold in America. The Cowboys were ranked #1 and they still are. All because of Jerry Jones’ efforts.
Don't get me wrong. I hate the team that had the audacity to call themselves "America's team" (I don't remember voting on that one). But if we could pick our owners like we do players and coaches, Jerry Jones would be my pick.