The Cowboys’ 37-20 win over Washington on Sunday did more than get Dallas to 1-1. It also gave Jerry Jones a platform, and he used it to stir up plenty of attention with a line that sounded loaded with possibility: “Nothing more dangerous than an old man with money.”
That comment set off a wave of speculation about whether Jones was signaling something bigger before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. On Tuesday morning, he addressed it on Dallas sports radio station 105.3 The Fan, and according to Jon Machota of The Athletic, Jones said the remark was “very much” about his ability to spend to help the roster by bringing in proven players from teams willing to deal. He also said he is “looking for ways to make this year special.”
Jones’ comments came after Dallas learned on Monday that cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring) and safety P.J. Locke (tore the plantar fascia in his foot) could both be sidelined for a stretch. The Cowboys have also been connected throughout September to unsettled Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., whose contract situation remains unresolved.
Porter and the Steelers do not appear close to a deal, and the standoff has turned ugly enough that he may not play another down for the team unless he gets the contract he wants. As is standard for Pittsburgh, the club stopped negotiating with Porter’s camp once the regular season began.
Jones was careful when talking about any player currently under contract elsewhere, but he made clear he would be open to adding someone who might need a new deal as part of a trade. “We have the makings of a team here that I’m optimistic about and would work to improve it in a minute,” Jones added.
He also turned his attention to the Cowboys’ Week 3 matchup with the 1-1 Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sept. 27, where field-condition concerns have been hanging over the game. Jones said he is “comfortable” the surface will be ready for Sunday’s matchup.
“It’s realistic that we can have a good game on the field,” Jones said. "...I feel very comfortable with the field."
In Other News...
Ravens Collapse Raises One Big Concern About This Offense
The Ravens had this one in hand for most of Sunday, then let it slip away in a 24-17 home loss to the Saints. A game that started with Baltimore in control turned into an uneasy reminder that even with Lamar Jackson at the center of the offense, the group still has to answer questions when the pressure rises and the game tightens late.
The grading breakdown pointed to several places where the offense fell short, from Jacksons passing to Derrick Henrys rushing workload and a line that had trouble holding up. The ending was the clearest warning sign, with Jacksons game-ending interception and Baltimore being outscored 15-0 in the fourth quarter leaving plenty to sort through as the Ravens look for a more reliable finish. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Secondary Rotation Is Raising Bigger Questions About Chidobe Awuzie
Chidobe Awuzie arrived in Baltimore on a one-year deal with the idea that he could be a useful part of the Ravens secondary, but the first two weeks have offered only a small glimpse of that plan. The defense has leaned heavily on three-safety looks, and that alignment has left Awuzie with very limited playing time as the staff continues to sort through its preferred combinations in the back end.
The bigger question now is whether this is simply a short-term rotation decision or a sign that Awuzies path to a meaningful role is narrower than expected. Baltimore clearly has other defensive looks it trusts right now, but there are still ways the Ravens could adjust if they want to get more out of a veteran corner who was brought in to help stabilize the group. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Just Saw How Much Their Defense Needs Nnamdi Madubuike
The Ravens got a clear reminder in Week 2 of how much their defense leans on Nnamdi Madubuike, especially up front. In the loss to the Saints, Baltimore had trouble controlling the interior of the line without the two-time Pro Bowler, and the disruption that usually starts in the middle simply was not there.
Madubuike has been working back from a neck injury, and the outlook around the team remains encouraging. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter called him day-to-day and said he is nearing a return, with the Ravens hoping to have him back within the first four weeks of the season. For a defense that looked exposed without him, his comeback has become a major early-season priority. [Read more 🡒]