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Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has made no secret of his desire to improve the roster through trades, but he acknowledged that finding a willing partner is easier said than done. The Cowboys already completed one deal this season, acquiring cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 30. However, Jones indicated that another trade before the NFL deadline at 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 10 is improbable.
During an appearance on 'Shan and RJ' on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday, Oct. 27, Jones discussed the deadline. 'It's unlikely we'll get the opportunity from outside coming in, but if it's there, I'll do it,' he said. Jones also noted that the team needs to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but he believes the current defensive personnel can improve with scheme adjustments and better technique.
Key Analysis
Interestingly, Jones' solution to the Cowboys' defensive woes does not involve the defense itself. Instead, he pointed to the offense as the key to success. 'The defense is really not where we expected it to be,' Jones admitted. 'But we can win, and we can get to where we want to go, with that offensive side of the ball. And that's where we've got a real emphasis on proven players that can do things that we know how to do.' Jones expressed confidence in head coach Brian Schottenheimer and the offensive personnel, calling the group 'strong' with Dak Prescott and his supporting cast. 'We also have an outstanding offensive play caller in our head coach,' Jones said. 'And that's our strength.'
Jones seemed resigned to the current state of the defense. 'It is evolving [defensively],' he said. 'Probably we were all too ambitious to think that you could have better results than what you're talking about. But that's what we are. We can get better. We have the potential to get better. We've got players over there that are talented, as good an overall group talent-wise as we've had in several years.' Jones suggested that a run-first approach on offense could be the key to unlocking the defense by controlling the clock and keeping games manageable. 'In my mind, we can win it with this combination and a significant but not unattainable defensive progress.'
After seven weeks, the Cowboys trail the New York Giants by two games in the loss column for the NFC East lead, but the division remains within reach due to injuries affecting other teams. A favorable schedule and some defensive improvement could be enough for Dallas to claim the division title. Whether the Cowboys can make noise in the playoffs as currently constructed is another question, making the trade deadline a crucial date for the team. And if the phone rings, Jones will be ready to answer.
Originally reported by usatoday.