ARLINGTON, Texas — Jerry Jones’ frustration was pretty clear after the Dallas Cowboys’ latest loss at AT&T Stadium. However, the issue that had the owner and general manager most visibly annoyed had nothing to do with any individual player or coach.
He was bothered by those who continue to bring up the sun being an issue during afternoon games at his $1.3 billion stadium.
Unprompted, as Jones was walking away from reporters, he added: “By the way, we know where the sun is going to be when we decide to flip the coin or not. We do know where the damn sun is going to be in our own stadium.”
Since he brought up the subject, a reporter responded: Why not put up curtains over the windows?
“Well, let’s tear the damn stadium down and build another one,” Jones responded sarcastically. “Are you kidding me?”
A frustrated Jerry Jones had some comments about the sun impacting play at AT&T Stadium: “By the way, we know where the sun is going to be when we decide to flip the coin or not. We do know where the damn sun is going to be in our own stadium.”
Why not put up curtains over the… pic.twitter.com/28skNrZYBq
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 11, 2024
There are curtains at AT&T Stadium. They have been used for various events like concerts and college basketball games. Jones clearly prefers the look of the stadium for Cowboys games with the natural light coming through, even if it becomes an issue for the players.
“Everybody has got the same thing,” Jones said. “Every team that comes in here has the same issues. “I’m saying, the world knows where the sun is. You get to know that almost a year in advance. Someone asked me about the sun. What about the sun? Where’s the moon?”
Count Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb among those who think it’s an issue.
“I couldn’t see the ball,” Lamb responded when asked about a particular play. “I couldn’t see the ball, at all. The sun.”
Is Lamb in favor of curtains?
“Yes,” he said. “One thousand percent.”
Did he talk to Jones about that?
“I mean,” he said, “y’all doing my job right now.”
To be clear, the sun coming in through the end zone windows was not the reason Dallas was dominated 34-6 by the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. It’s also not the reason the Cowboys have been dominated the last five times they’ve taken the field at home. It’s been an astounding run, going from winning 16 in a row at AT&T Stadium to being outscored 201-91. That’s an average score of 40-18. At home.
Cowboys at home this season: Largest deficits
| WEEK | OPPONENT | FINAL | 1ST HALF | LARGEST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
L, 44-19 |
22 |
25 |
|
|
3 |
L, 28-25 |
18 |
22 |
|
|
6 |
L, 47-9 |
24 |
38 |
|
|
10 |
L, 34-6 |
8 |
28 |
When asked if he has been able to figure out why the Cowboys have become so bad at home since the playoff loss to Green Bay, Jones said he didn’t have an answer. He then responded with a question of his own.
“The better question is, what are we doing at the half,” Jones said, “to let the water out of the tub? That (play in the) third quarter, that really is a puzzle.”
The Cowboys went into the halftime locker room trailing 14-6. They were outscored 14-0 in the third quarter. That comment can be interpreted as a criticism of the coaching staff. When seasons are heading in this bad of a direction, coaching changes are often a hot topic, especially when most of the staff is in the final year of their contracts. But Jones didn’t sound interested in any discussion of a coaching change. He continued to show support for Mike McCarthy.
“I’ve changed coaches in the season with Wade (Phillips) and have always regretted it,” Jones said. “As a matter of fact, I made a change with Chan Gailey after two years. I regretted that. That’s not enough. You need to give yourself a chance. I’ve had a lot more rope than that, in my time. I haven’t had anybody pull it short on me.
“Mike is a heck of a coach, a great coach in my mind. And has and should have the opportunity to do better than we’re playing right now. I haven’t had good experience changing coaches in the middle of the season.”
GO DEEPER
Cowboys won’t fire Mike McCarthy midseason: Jerry Jones
Cowboys DE Micah Parsons offered an interesting response when he was asked about McCarthy being in the final year of his contract.
“That’s above my pay grade about if Mike is coaching again next year,” Parsons said. “All coaching aside, Mike can leave and go wherever he wants, but guys I kind of feel bad for (are) guys like Zack Martin and guys who might be on their last year or on their way out. Because that’s who I wanted to hold the trophy for. You want to win games and do great things with those type of legends who put in more time and work than Mike McCarthy ever did. Those are the kind of guys that I have so much sympathy and hurt for.”
The three-win Cowboys are clearly in a lot of trouble with nearly a half of the season still remaining. Dak Prescott, their franchise quarterback, is potentially looking at season-ending hamstring surgery. Dallas’ backup quarterbacks combined for 66 passing yards Sunday.
“I’m just frustrated, like everybody else is,” Jones said. “But since I had a lot to do with what we’re seeing, then it’s the proper frustration, as far as I’m concerned. We’re just not playing in a way, especially when you play a team that is the caliber of teams that we’re playing out here. Philadelphia is a high-caliber team. And we’re not up to them, and that’s troubling, and we’ve got to look at all the things that have happened. But I’ll just say this right now, five turnovers over the last two games. And I don’t know what we’re drinking in the third quarters (when we) come out (of the locker room). But it’s not working.”
(Photo of CeeDee Lamb: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)