1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: Executive vice president, CEO and director of player Personnel for 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:06,120 Speaker 1: the Cowboys, Stephen Jones with us on one oh five 3 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:08,560 Speaker 1: three the Fan and a good afternoonster. How you doing. 4 00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: I'm doing good. How you guys doing doing good? Thanks? Yeah, 5 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: we're out here at Fat Daddies in Mansfield having a 6 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:17,560 Speaker 1: heck of a Friday afternoon. And it's great to hear 7 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:19,799 Speaker 1: from you. And I gotta give you your credit because 8 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: you called it last week. We were over confident going 9 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:25,279 Speaker 1: in it. It didn't sound like you were, but hey, 10 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 1: maybe the team was. It was the team over confident. 11 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: You know, it's just hard to judge on something like that. Obviously, 12 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: I we didn't play to our standard, and you know, 13 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:39,200 Speaker 1: I just our guys have played so well all year, 14 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 1: and when you turned on the tape and looked at 15 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 1: it on Monday, it's just, you know, across the board, 16 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 1: we just didn't play like we've been playing all year. 17 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,239 Speaker 1: We didn't execute, we didn't play fast, we didn't play 18 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 1: with the right cadence on defense. We weren't flying to 19 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 1: the ball and having you know, four or five and 20 00:00:56,960 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: six tacklers at the ball all the time, and you know, 21 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 1: we just uh didn't execute. And didn't make the plays. 22 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: Now that you got to say, hats off to the 23 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 1: Broncos for doing a great job. I had great game 24 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: plans on both sides, but you know, we just uh 25 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: didn't play the way we need to play if we're 26 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:18,679 Speaker 1: gonna win football games, Stephen, you know, and I go 27 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: out there and watch practice the times we get to 28 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 1: do it, and you're out there every single day watching practice. 29 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 1: And we've heard about the team not practicing well on 30 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 1: some Wednesdays, but kind of hearing, hey, things got off 31 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: to a better start. When you're watching your football team 32 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:35,200 Speaker 1: this week, what are some of the things that you 33 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: see him not asking you X and os things, but 34 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:39,759 Speaker 1: just a little bit more about the spirit of your team, 35 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:42,039 Speaker 1: the fitness of your team, and how they would be 36 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 1: ready for this game this week. Well, that's the biggest 37 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 1: thing is you just felt energy out there. I think 38 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 1: everybody was aware that everybody can play better and has 39 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: to play better, and you just felt the energy and 40 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 1: the practices this week. You know that everybody was you know, 41 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 1: had a pep in their up and they were had 42 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: the energy they need, uh, I think to uh to 43 00:02:05,560 --> 00:02:08,639 Speaker 1: have success. And uh, certainly we got to go out 44 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:11,679 Speaker 1: there and execute and no, the game plan and execute 45 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 1: the game plan. But uh, you know, I really just 46 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:17,359 Speaker 1: felt like everybody knows, hey, we gotta we gotta get 47 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: this thing back on track. And uh and you know, 48 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 1: play with that winning energy we've had and the football character. 49 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: You felt it out there, and I do think we 50 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:30,400 Speaker 1: had a good week of practice, Steve. And I know 51 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: when I was working in the league and stuff and 52 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:34,480 Speaker 1: working for you and your father and stuff in the family, 53 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 1: I hated playing against guys like Matt Ryan and Tom 54 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: Brady and Drew Brees and all that. It's just a 55 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: nightmare to have to deal with these veteran quarterbacks that 56 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: have been doing this for so long. Is there Do 57 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 1: you feel the same way or is it just like No, Brian, 58 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:54,000 Speaker 1: we play who we play, and that's kind of where 59 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:57,399 Speaker 1: we're at. No, there's there's no question, Brian. I think 60 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 1: you hit it. I mean playing these guys who know 61 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: how to play the game at a high level, have 62 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 1: played throughout their career at a high level. Matt Ryan's 63 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 1: one of those guys. Uh, you know, it's a it's 64 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,200 Speaker 1: an extra it's an extra challenge, and you know these 65 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:15,320 Speaker 1: guys are gonna are gonna play well, you know, they're 66 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 1: gonna know where to go with the ball, and uh, certainly, 67 00:03:18,639 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: Uh it's an added challenge whenever you go up against 68 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 1: one of these veteran Hall of Fame type quarterbacks like 69 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan. Certainly we've gotten, you know, some good input 70 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,320 Speaker 1: from U dan Quinn, who was the head coach of 71 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 1: that team and so close to winning a world championship 72 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 1: there in Atlanta with Matt Ryan. But uh, you know, 73 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: we'll have our work cutout for us. They've got some 74 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 1: some extremely uh skilled players uh and Pits and some 75 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 1: of their offensive guys, so uh, I know we'll have 76 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:52,320 Speaker 1: our hands full out there, and their defense is uh 77 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 1: rolling around good. So we've got to we've got to 78 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 1: get prepared. I think we will, and I think we'll play, 79 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 1: play with energy and hopefully get back on track again. 80 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 1: Stephen Gavin, I yesterday in the show, we're talking about 81 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 1: some of the injuries that you've sustained, especially with Randy 82 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 1: and stuff and all the things that he's kind of 83 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:14,360 Speaker 1: gone through, and we were kind of shuffling it back 84 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:17,120 Speaker 1: and forth. It's like, you know, is it too much? 85 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:20,080 Speaker 1: Are you now asking too much of this team? Is 86 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 1: the depth and I know you you're you're gonna put 87 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:24,479 Speaker 1: your head down and keep going and tell everybody to 88 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:26,360 Speaker 1: shut the hell up. We just got to keep playing. 89 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 1: Is that really like the mindset though? Are you trying 90 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:31,839 Speaker 1: to tell everybody, hey, we just got to keep going. Here, 91 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 1: we got we got these guys, Let's just keep fighting 92 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 1: and see if we can, you know, if we can 93 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 1: continue this thing through. Well, absolutely, I mean every you 94 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 1: look around the league, every team's having to fight through 95 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 1: adversity and challenges, whether it's injuries or players missing games 96 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: because of the pandemic COVID. Everybody has these challenges and 97 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 1: certainly we're no different. You know. Obviously we're being hit 98 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:59,280 Speaker 1: a little bit there in the defensive line with Randy 99 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 1: and DeMarcus Lawrence being out. But the good news is 100 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:06,799 Speaker 1: we're getting Michael Gallop back this week, a good chance 101 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 1: Tristan Hill is going to be back in the swing 102 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 1: of things, and you know, as we move forward, we 103 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 1: got Galimore who will be coming back. But I don't 104 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:16,839 Speaker 1: think it's asking too much at all. I really think 105 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:19,799 Speaker 1: we can, you know, play at a high level on defense, 106 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 1: and uh, certainly getting Michael Gallop back's going to be 107 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: a help. For this group, and I think we can 108 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 1: go out there and and and play play at a 109 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:33,919 Speaker 1: high level and win this football game if we execute 110 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: and play the way that we've been playing most of 111 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:39,160 Speaker 1: the year. Steve, And I'm gonna ask you if you 112 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:40,839 Speaker 1: can pull the curtain back a little bit when you 113 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 1: talk to you guys who have been on that staff 114 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 1: at Atlanta, you can. They'll they'll not say it, probably publicly, 115 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 1: but this means something to them, right, I mean, this 116 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:51,360 Speaker 1: is I mean, are you getting the vibe that like 117 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: they kind of got that look in their eye like, yeah, 118 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: we need to go get this one. And those you know, 119 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:59,480 Speaker 1: I'm talking about your defensive line coach, Joe Wit, you know, 120 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 1: and in DQ there. Oh well, I think that's always there. 121 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,119 Speaker 1: I mean, I feel it when we play some guys 122 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: who've left us and gone to play for other teams. 123 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 1: It's always difficult because you'd like to keep them all, 124 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:15,680 Speaker 1: but you can't with the salary cap. But no, you 125 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 1: could see it in Minnesota. Was Xavier Woods out there? 126 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 1: He was I think he was playing at a at 127 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 1: a high high level and at mental you know, meant 128 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 1: even one notch. More not that every game doesn't mean 129 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 1: a lot to Xavier Woods, but he's one of the 130 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 1: class acts we've had around here. But you could just 131 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 1: feel his energy out there, and certainly he was playing 132 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: playing great football against us out there. I just think 133 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:43,600 Speaker 1: that's natural when you go against your when you go 134 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 1: against your past team. And uh, certainly, I know our guys, uh, 135 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:51,240 Speaker 1: you know they're not gonna say anything, but you know 136 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:54,279 Speaker 1: it's got to be in their belly. Stephen Jones with 137 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 1: you here on the fan. Can can Terre still get 138 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,000 Speaker 1: to the point at left tackle that he proved to 139 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:02,720 Speaker 1: be at right tackle? You know that's just uh, that's 140 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 1: just work, and I think he can. I mean this, 141 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 1: Terrence is a gifted guy. Our coaches are are are 142 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 1: going this route for a reason. Uh you know, I 143 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: think they'll be better this week than they were last week, 144 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 1: and uh, they'll continue to improve. So yes, the answer 145 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 1: is he got to play a lot of left tackle 146 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: in camp. You know, we didn't overdo tiring in camp 147 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 1: and he played a lot out there. So you know, 148 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: he's just shown given the opportunity, and uh, he'll get 149 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:31,920 Speaker 1: it figured out and he'll play at a winning level. 150 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 1: Is there any concern that the calf injury for Dak 151 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:37,600 Speaker 1: was part of the struggles from last week and that 152 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 1: it could play a factor in this week's game. No, 153 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 1: I think he'd be the first to tell you that. 154 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: I just think we got to go to work, which 155 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:49,920 Speaker 1: they have this week, and uh and execute and get 156 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 1: the energy level where it needs to be. And uh, 157 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 1: Dak will be at the front of the line with that, 158 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 1: getting everybody back on track and and and headed in 159 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: a in the right direct action. And uh, you know 160 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 1: he'd be the first to tell you and first tell 161 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 1: us if he really thought there was an issue. But 162 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:11,400 Speaker 1: as you know, he's certainly not gonna talk about the 163 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 1: injuries or anything like that playing a role in his play. Stephen, 164 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: back in the day, you used to have Steve Hoffman 165 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,560 Speaker 1: that would bring in Pro Bowl kickers from like you 166 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: get down to Walmart and grab like a guy work 167 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 1: out ten and one of those guys would become a 168 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:29,520 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl kicker. Is it harder nowadays when you do 169 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 1: lose a kicker to try and replace that guy or 170 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:35,880 Speaker 1: is it does he coaches just have such a good 171 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:38,199 Speaker 1: understanding of a pipeline of who they want and the 172 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:40,559 Speaker 1: type of guy they want because these games are so 173 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: close and so tight, and you know that could be 174 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 1: very well, the difference between a win and a loss 175 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 1: right there. Well, I think certainly Steve Hoffman was great 176 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:53,400 Speaker 1: at it, and uh certainly our man coach Bones is 177 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 1: really good at it too. No one special teams personnel 178 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: around the league. And you know, I watched our kicker 179 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 1: kick out here when he came in for the workouts 180 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:06,600 Speaker 1: and feel confident that he'll go out there and do 181 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 1: a great job for us. Stephen, now is I'm working 182 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 1: on my prediction for Sunday here. I might need you 183 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:13,080 Speaker 1: to cool me down a little bit because I'm looking 184 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 1: at this Falcons team and I don't know. The running 185 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 1: game isn't there. You got Ridley out, the defense's bottom ten. 186 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 1: We can feel pretty good about the chances of getting 187 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: to win now here, can't we? You know how I feel. 188 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 1: They pay their gas too, and certainly they're gonna be 189 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 1: uh you know, and the AT and T Stadium playing 190 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 1: the Dallas Cowboys, and they're gonna come with their best shot. 191 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:38,080 Speaker 1: And if we don't go out there, we prove that 192 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 1: last Sunday, If we don't go out there and you know, 193 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:45,520 Speaker 1: play at the highest level, then disappointments are ahead. Of us, 194 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 1: But I take our guys, well, I do take our 195 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 1: guys will rebound, and I think you're going to see 196 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:53,719 Speaker 1: a great effort, great energy, and I think we'll play 197 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,080 Speaker 1: much better. But also know we better because the Falcons 198 00:09:57,080 --> 00:10:00,960 Speaker 1: are gonna come in here ready to play the Cowboys. Steven, 199 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 1: I'd like to I'd like to maybe apologize for the 200 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 1: beer that's gonna be thrown on you tomorrow in Baton 201 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:10,600 Speaker 1: Rouge that you probably you probably deserve it so where 202 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 1: it was some pride and uh, you know, and hopefully 203 00:10:13,800 --> 00:10:15,960 Speaker 1: that team and Purple and Gold takes care of your bunch. 204 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:19,080 Speaker 1: How about that? Well, I hope the team in Purple 205 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:22,400 Speaker 1: and Gold dodn't I hope. I hope my Razorbacks get 206 00:10:22,440 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 1: to get the Tigers to borrow. But uh, I'm a 207 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:28,560 Speaker 1: big fan of Edwards Ron. He's a friend. H He 208 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: was my strength coach in uh college when I played ball, 209 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 1: and think the world to him. And you know, no, 210 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:37,840 Speaker 1: they've had their share of injuries this year, but uh, 211 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 1: I have nothing but at the utmost respect and of 212 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:44,560 Speaker 1: course what an amazing place to play college football. I 213 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:47,079 Speaker 1: was just on the phone with my son and uh, 214 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:49,720 Speaker 1: you know, you get fired up when you go into 215 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:52,960 Speaker 1: into that stadium down there, and I'm caring and I 216 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,600 Speaker 1: are looking forward to being there, and you've got great 217 00:10:55,640 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 1: fans down there, and we look forward to, uh look 218 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:00,160 Speaker 1: forward to the game. Well, you're a hell of a 219 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:03,599 Speaker 1: lot nicer than me, Steven. I appreciate that. I have 220 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:05,640 Speaker 1: a good trip though, sir, have a good trip. Thank you. 221 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:06,079 Speaker 1: Care man,