MacMahon - Jerry: Felix Jones' roster spot is guaranteed

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MacMahon - Jerry: Felix Jones' roster spot is guaranteed





Jerry: Felix Jones' roster spot is guaranteed

August, 21, 2012


By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com


A year ago, five-time Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode reported to training camp in poor shape and was released by the Cowboys at the end of the preseason.

Backup running back Felix Jones, whose most memorable moment at this season’s camp was flunking the conditioning test, doesn’t have to worry about the same fate when the Cowboys cut the roster to 53 players this summer.

“That’s a ridiculous thought,” Jerry Jones snapped on KRLD-FM when asked if the former first-round pick’s roster spot was in jeopardy. “I’m not worried about him at all. From what I’ve seen out there, he’s got a chance to have a big year for us.”

It’s really a ridiculous thought to believe that Felix Jones, based on what he’s done in California, is on the verge of a big year.

Jerry Jones claims Felix Jones is in shape, but the owner/general manager has acknowledged that his fellow Arkansas alum was trying to cut weight the days before camp opened with the conditioning test.

There is a long list of better backs who were on the draft board when the Cowboys selected Jones with the 22nd overall pick in 2008, but he has been a dynamic change-of-pace back when healthy and used in that role. But Jones’ effectiveness has decreased as his role – and body – have gotten bigger over the last couple of years.

There have been no glimpses this summer of the burst that made Jones such a fascinating player his first couple of years.

Yet there is no chance of Jones, the only experienced back behind DeMarco Murray, being in jeopardy of losing his job.

 

[cmd34]

Yesterday, one team's owner found out who is team's starting QB is from hearing it on sports radio.

Our owner is guaranteeing roster spots for back-up RB's.

 

[bbgun]

Earning your roster spot? That's sooooo 1987.

 

[CowboysRMX]

There were better backs coming out of the draft when Dallas selected Jones but thats in hindsight. Yes people likes Mendenhall, Johnson was viewed as Jones, fast and a get to the corner type rb. When Dallas selected Jones media was saying Dallas made a great pick. Blah Blah Blah, now they want to criticize the pick, typical

 

[Irving Cowboy]

Jerry Jones isn't concerned about Felix Jones, but he should be
August, 21, 2012
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com

SAN DIEGO -- Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he's not concerned about running back Felix Jones.

Jones' roster spot has been a topic of conversation because of his failed conditioning test, two drops in the preseason and, at times, slugglish play.

"That’s a ridiculous thought,” Jerry Jones said on KRLD-FM Tuesday morning. "I’m not worried about him at all. From what I’ve seen out there, he’s got a chance to have a big year for us."

Jerry Jones should be worried.

Of the three players who failed their conditioning test -- Brodney Pool, Andre Holmes and Jones -- the running back's failure was the worst. Jones is entering the final year of his contract and needs to not only show the Cowboys, but other NFL teams, that he can be a productive player.

Failing that test wasn't a good start.

The excuse was he was dehydrated or he didn't work out with the team because he was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

The Cowboys are counting on Jones to make an impact with the running game, especially with durability issues surrounding starter DeMarco Murray and some unproven backups in Phillip Tanner and Lance Dunbar.

Jones hasn't missed any preseason games, but doesn't run with a burst or elusiveness on a consistent basis. During Monday's practice against the San Diego Chargers, Jones reached the second level on a carry and made a juke on a cornerback, who didn't flinch.

Injuries to his toe, hamstring, ankle and knee might have taken a toll on him.

Jones is listed at 215 pounds, which is a good weight to absorb the pounding of the NFL, but should he be lighter? Jones was near 210 pounds earlier in his career, then bulked up.

What's the big deal of a 5-6 pound difference? It could mean everything for a player

"I think he's going to be fine," running backs coach Skip Peete said. "He's working himself back in. He didn't have the opportunity to go through OTAs or any of the minicamps and the first day of training camp, a couple of days everybody started because of the conditioning test. He knows he's working and what he needs to do in order to get himself prepared to play. I'm excited for him and he's working every day and he's getting better every day."

 

[Midswat]

Why not let your head coach make that decision, Jerry?

 

[Irving Cowboy]

Socks to Jocks.

 

[UVAwahoos]

No proof that the HC is any more capable of making decisions.

Felix did look like dogshit vs SD though. His career has been pretty blah. Another horrible draft pick and clearly just fanboy Razorback bias. I doubt Jerry even considered Johnson or Mendenhall.

 

[Jon88]

Why not let your head coach make that decision, Jerry?

Better yet, why not just STFU?

 

[ZeroClub]

Better yet, why not just STFU?

Amen

 

[cmd34]

Better yet, why not just STFU?

or even better yet, why not just die.

Al Davis did it for Raiders fans.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Jerry Jones likes to hear himself talk. That said, Felix Jones is very important to the Cowboys this season. He can take some of the pressure off of Murray and is still a good back. He needs to get his fat ass in shape and i think he’ll be ok.