Stephen A. Smith calls out Jerry Jones after Dallas Cowboys owner critiqued Mike McCarthy
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was on 105.3 The Fan this week and responded to comments made by Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman who lambasted the team’s route running.
“The types of things that we all think we should be looking at is we’re designing bad plays or we’re designing bad concepts. The facts are that there’s some of that but there’s also some of [the] execution, there’s some of the talent. I like our talent,” said Jones.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was on ‘First Take,’ when he responded to Jones’ comments.
Smith said Jones wasn’t wrong for calling Mike McCarthy out, because the head coach hasn’t delivered despite increased control over the offense, but for abdicating responsibility himself.
“Jerry Jones what he did was egregious, but not for the reason that people think. Him calling out Mike McCarthy I have no issue with whatsoever,” said Smith, “ Jerry messed up when Jerry said, quote, he pointed out all the stuff about McCarthy but then piggybacked off that and said I think we have the talent. In other words, it’s [McCarthy’s] fault, not mine. Even though [Jones is] the owner, president and GM, that’s nonsense.”
Smith pointed out that Jones failed to sign Derrick Henry or address other areas of need for the team in the offseason, and that he hired Mike Zimmer, whose defense has not performed as expected.
Smith said Jones was passing all the blame to the coach even though as team owner he also bears responsibility for the Cowboys’ lackluster start to the 2024 season.
Heading into their week 8 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, the Cowboys have a 3-3 record and sit in third place in the NFC East behind the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles.
This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 12:10 PM.
