Ed “Too Tall” Jones Reflects on Championship Pedigree and Its Importance in Today's NFL
For over a decade and a half, Ed "Too Tall" Jones was a fixture on the Dallas Cowboys defensive line, a cornerstone of a team that clinched Super Bowl XII. Over his illustrious 15-year career, Jones amassed an impressive 106 sacks, establishing himself as a dominant force at the All-Pro defensive end position.
Reflecting on his own career and the current state of the NFL, Jones emphasizes the critical role of seasoned, championship-experienced players in postseason success. “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,” Jones observes. “To be a champion, you've got to be able to get to another level.”
The Impact of Veterans in Football
Jones's insight comes from firsthand experience. He recalls the Dallas Cowboys' strategy during the 1990s under coach Jimmy Johnson, who made the pivotal decision to trade for Charles Haley, a player already boasting two Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers. With Haley on the roster, the Cowboys soon captured the first of their three Super Bowl titles over a four-year span.
Jones believes that every NFL general manager should pursue players who have experience in winning Super Bowls. “What separates good players and good teams is teams who have players who can go to another level in big games,” he asserts. “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.”
Jones's perspective highlights the significance of not just having talent, but having the right kind of experience and leadership in the locker room. “Coaches can't do it all to put you over the top. You must have internal leadership,” Jones explains. “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.”
The Dallas Cowboys' Current Challenge
According to Jones, the Dallas Cowboys, despite their regular season successes, lack this crucial element. “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,” he acknowledges. “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.”
Jones draws upon the example of the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose veteran-laden teams defeated the Cowboys in the Super Bowl twice during the 1970s. “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,” he reminisces. “I was proud of the way we hung in there against a veteran team because experience in big games is very important. Very important.”
Sportcane Partnership and Personal Resilience
Off the field, Jones has faced his own set of challenges. With age and the toll of a grueling football career, mobility has become an issue. However, he credits Sportcane, a newly designed walking aid, with significantly improving 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,” Jones says, underscoring his resilience.
Jones’s reflections serve as a reminder of the enduring value of veteran leadership and experience in achieving postseason success. In today's NFL, his insights are especially pertinent as teams vie for the ultimate prize. As he looks back on his storied career, Ed "Too Tall" Jones continues to impart wisdom, both on and off the field.